Recently in Pirates Category

That's it.
Now that Tim Lincecum has won the Cy Young award despite having just 15 wins, baseball fans are up in arms.
Either they believe it's an injustice that a pitcher could win the award without winning 20 games or it's an injustice because people still consider wins an important stat.
The rhetoric is getting as heated as the health care debate.
And I've had it.
The problem is these people not getting the point. And they're doing themselves and the game an injustice.
Wins are still a very valuable statistic. It's just one that has evolved over the years.
But more on that later.
What's most important is that we discuss the relevence of the big numbers (20 wins in a season, 500 home runs or 3,000 hits).
These are numbers that are benchmarks.
But, somewhere along the line their true meaning has been lost. We began thinking a pitcher needed 20 wins to be successful or that a slugger needed 500 home runs to reach the Hall of Fame.
Don't fear.
The Southpaw is going to straighten you out.
Let's start with 20 wins.

Mike Scioscia can calm down now. He's manager of the year. But you know he'd trade that award for the pennant or the Commissioner's trophy.
Bud Selig is making the right call. And no, that wasn't a misprint.
The voters got the manager of the year awards right.

An underdog Yankee. Yep.

And guess who might be heading to Cuba?

A Hanover graduate who earned two World Series rings has died.
Evening Sun Sports Editor Chuck Curley writes about John Neiderer Jr., who won rings as a scout for the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates and 2002 Anaheim Angels.

The best news so far this offseason: Tim Wakefield will be back in 2010.
The hot stove league is heating up.
The Red Sox are making moves. The Yankees are planning theirs.
There's a hole at third in Philly.
And, because we can: Yo, Adrian.

The biggest baseball news this weekend was the Twins acquiring JJ Hardy from Milwaukee.
But there was a lot of big news.
Check inside to find out why one New York columnist thinks the Yankees are about to cut payroll; why Joe Torre might really love L.A. enough to stay; who might be a good fit for the Orioles and why the Phillies serenaded a World Series hero with a Sting song.

The Pirates, who've long been derided here, made a great move by bringing in Akinori Iwamura. He came at a cost: Jesse Chavez.

However, Iwamura is a good deal for the Pirates because of two reasons. First, he's a good piece to have around as they continue to rebuild. Second, he's a good piece to trade away as their trying to rebuild.

Look, If Iwamura plays well, he could be traded to a contender for a decent prospect. And if he's allowed to walk when he's a free agent, the infielder will probably bring the Pirates a compensation pick. His numbers aren't good enough to nab the Pirates a "Type-A" selection, but his .281 career batting average, steady defense and ability to play several positions, should merit a "Type-B" pick.

According to today's Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates might consider a contract extension.

Who would have ever thought they'd see Pedro Martinez in a Phillies jersey? Or that he'd be helping the Phillies win their third straight division title?
The Phillies clinch.
Streaks continue.
Promises for October.

No, Scott Feldman is not doing his Curt Schilling impersonation. However, he's had a long season. But when he reflects on his 3.90 ERA and 17 wins, he'll feel much better.
This doubleheader was tighter than John Madden in a London phone booth.
The Great Fold of 09 continues in Baltimore.
Two teams are one win away.

Roma Downey and Clarence are headed to the playoffs.
It's time to hit the panic button.

We don't know what happened here. We just know it was bad. But that's been the case all season long for the Kansas City Royals who are not named Zack Greinke.
The Nats can get better. Really they can.
Who's going to close for the Phillies?

Bobby Cox makes an announcement.
Are teams going to find out they payed too much?
A quick rundown of the playoff races.

The Onion makes us laugh at the Yankees.
Zack Grienke is really good and finishing strongly.
Oh and aren't the Phillies glad they didn't sign Soriano?

On this date in 1914 the New York Yankees hired Roger Peckinpaugh as their new manager.
What's destinctive about that, you ask.
Mr. Peckinpaugh was 23 years old. Yep, he was younger than Cole Hamels.
Also on that date in history, Joe Paterno had his runningback go straight up the middle.

Tim Lincecum looks like he belongs in a pre-teen boy band. Don't tell that to the 11 batters he whiffed Monday.

The National League Cy Young race moves in The Freak's direction.
Mariano Rivera has 40 saves in a season for the first time since 2005. Amazingly, 11 pitchers have reached the 40 save barrier at least once in a season since then. Who are they?
You want magic numbers. We've got magic numbers.

No. 23 could be returning to helm Chicago's ball club. No, not that No. 23. We're talking about the one with class.
The playoff races are coming to a close.

The Florida Marlins could real in a big catch - The Philadelphia Phillies.
The Fish are biting.
The Angels are primed and ready.
And The Southpaw doesn't lie

Chuck Norris is scared.
Ten stories to watch.
The trouble with Chris Carpenter's career.

A six man rotation. You've got to be kidding? Or stupid.
Seriously, somebody better buy me this shirt for Christmas.

Eighty-two years ago today, Grover Cleveland Alexander pitched two complete game shutouts in a double-header. If there are two complete games tonight, The Southpaw will wear a Mets shirt over the weekend.
The Braves and Twins playoff hopes just dimmed. No, actually, the lights were turned off.

Tim Hudson had perfect form in his return to The Bigs. It would be good for baseball if the proud owner of 147 wins could return to his old self.

The Phillies have aces wild, which is better than Wild Aces.
Rereading the Scott Kazmir trade.

Of the region's four teams - Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington - two have winning records when playing at home.
The World Champions have a 34-30 record at Citizens Bank Park.
Which other Mid-Atlantic team has a winning home record.

The Dodgers make some moves.
The Braves make a move.
Ryan Howard's in a groove.

We have proof that there is a god, that god loves us and that god loves baseball.
Need we tell you anything else?

The Building Block, Andrew McCutchen, is flying high.
Brad Lidge has angered the Gods.
Two area teams suffer stinging losses. The Pirates, however, had their best win of the season.

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jay Marshall throws from way down low.
Why baseball shouldn't even come close to contracting.
We admit we were wrong.
And a late-summer reading list.

I found this out online this morning and am amazed.
Apparently, the Curse of the Billy Goat hasn't just affected the Chicago Cubs, who haven't won a World Series since 1908.
According to legend, it all begins in 1945, the last time the Fuzzies made it to the Fall Classic.
Freelance journalist Ron Berler discovered that - with three exceptions - every team who has made the World Series with three or more ex-Cubs on its roster has lost.
Sometimes in shocking fashion.
Consider the 1990 Oakland Athletics, which had closer Dennis Eckersley, starting pitcher Scott Sanderson and backup catcher Ron Hassey on its roster.
The team was heavily favored against the Cincinnati Reds.
But it got swept.
The three teams that beat the factor were the 1960 Pirates, the 2001 Diamondbacks - with Mark Grace, Luis Gonzalez and Mike Morgan - and the 2008 Phillies.

It was a night of grand slams for Russell Martin, Brian Roberts and Brendan Ryan.
For once, Brett Myers didn't get slammed.
And Derek Jeter is not the MVP.

The Dodgers didn't dodge the Padilla bullet.
The Phillies are in love with Cliff Lee.

Today's most shocking news, Christian Slater is 40.
Which makes Jamie Moyer seem not so old. Speaking of the veteran Southpaw, he dominated Monday.
Cole Hamels had better watch out. His rotation spot might be in jeopardy.

Colby Rasmus tosses his helmet as he races home after walking off a win for the St. Louis Cardinals.
We've got a more believable story about Brett Myers' black eye.
Ryan Howard's heating up.
We hope David Wright is healing.

How a bout them pitchers?
Cliff Lee was dominant, Bronson Arroyo pitched the game of his life and Justin Verlander couldn't be stopped.

Editor's note: As you probably know, Jeff Frantz is a fantastic baseball fan and friend. He felt he had to defend the Pirates, whom I have eviscerated recently. However, we're open to dialogue here at The Southpaw, so here is Mr. Frantz' response. Up next, the two of us will host a town hall in which Jeff King and Don Slaught will protest and shout us down.

The Southpaw has had a lot of fun this summer hammering away at the Pirates this summer for their fantastic, everything-must-go fire sale. He says their fans are right to be outraged.

He's kindly given me the chance to disagree. Let me say at the top that I'm neither a Pirates fan, nor someone who enjoys the Bucco's perennial losing. I just don't think their actions this summer are totally insane.

The strike, 15 years later.
Kevin Youkilis strikes back.
The Phillies strike late.

The last time Ryan Howard manhandled teammates was when the Phillies became World Champs. On Sunday, he and Paul Bako had to get control of Shane Victorino, who went insane Sunday.
The Yankees are dominating the Red Sox again.
Shane goes insane.
And what's up with David Ortiz?

Andre Ethier is clutch. Three walk-off home runs this season. Five walk-off hits. Word on the street has it he single-handedly saved Cash for Clunkers.
Break up the Yankees.
And while you're at it, the Nats too.

It can't be true. But it is. The Nationals have a four game winning streak.
And a New York scribe says the Yanks broadcasters had better watch what they say about David Ortiz.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are continuing to liquidate their assets.
Sure, they've shipped off some big stars. But they're not done yet.
Not by any means.
Just ask General Manager Neal Huntington, who's been wandering the streets of Pittsburgh trying to find buyers.
"Maybe we're mad. Maybe we're crazy," he said Wednesday in downtown Pittsburgh as he grabbed a former Pirates fan by the shoulders. "But you can't say we're not willing to sell. And sell low. That's our motto."
As the beleaguered Bucco Backer tried to scurry away, Huntington clutched at the man's Chico Lind throwback jersey.
"Where are you going, buddy? Have I got a deal for you."
Huntington's approach reminds one of John Travolta's character from "Primary Colors." It's the scene where Travolta, as Governor Jack Stanton, is walking down a busy New Hampshire street on primary night trying to get individual voters to pull the lever for him.
The fan, who would not give his name, screamed at Huntington.
"Don't touch me. We had a chance. We could have contended. But you shipped them all off. We could have been the next '92 Orioles."
That stopped Huntington in his tracks.
"But they didn't win anything," he said, perplexed.
"That's how bad it is right now. We don't even need a championship, just a season with more wins. You've ruined us."
Huntington didn't miss a beat.
"No, that was the guy before me. I'm trying to fix things. But before you go, want Matt Capps?"

A
Tampa Bay Rays players are about to pounce on Evan Longoria, who's about to bounce on home plate. Did the rays just win a game that could kickstart a late season push for the wild card?
Apologies all around about Tuesday's first pitch. It was a very busy day in the newsroom and by 12 p.m. I realize, "Hey, I never got to The First Pitch."
So here's a doubly good effort today.
Hank Aaron wants names. And Pete Rose to be reinstated.

Brad Bergesen was pitching well. Then he got drilled.
And what does Doyle Lonnegan have to do with David Ortiz?
Why we're sick of Barry Bonds' defenders.

Delwyn Young makes an unbelievable catch.
The Keystone State squads made some trades. The Philadelphia Phillies looked to add an ace, the Pittsburgh Pirates continues to be a disgrace.
Heralded Baltimore Orioles rookie Chris Tillman made an erratic but promising debut.

Chris Woodward lays down a sacrifice bunt Tuesday. Who says the American League doesn't play small ball?
This time, Omar gets a public spanking.
Mark Buehrle continues to impress, even in a loss.
The regional teams get set for the trade deadline.

The Southpaw is sorry he was too lazy to put up a first pitch yesterday. Forgive him, it was his first day of vacation.
Now, if you don't mind a quick ode to his favorite fan, check out the rest of today's First Pitch, which includes:
The Phillies going for a 10th win.
Mets officials tried to fight minor leaguers.

The first pitch returns after an enjoyable All-Star break.
Why can't people stop putting Dave Trembley on the hot seat?
Holy cow, Jamie Moyer looked like Randy Johnson. Minus the fastball.

So, Joel Hanrahan was the winning pitcher for the Nationals yesterday. Thing is, he pitches for the Pirates. Go figure.

Thinking about a Roy Halladay trade, one that would send him to the Phillies, is like thinking about Santa the night before Christmas.
Trust me, it is.
And how awesome is it that Alan Embree didn't even throw a pitch and he got the win.

The Southpaw is sick and tired of King Felix. He's barely a duke. Barely.
The Phillies opened up a can Monday.
And yes, we actually defend Derek Jeter.

Randy Johnson doesn't look so dominant with the stick.
We've got All-Star news.
Is Mets-Phillies still a rivalry?

The champs play like chumps. The chumps play like champs.

Is someone about to hit .400?
It's certainly not Jimmy Rollins, who might need to take some batting tips from the Arizona pitching staff.

Another tragedy in Anaheim.
How is it possible a night in front of 4 TVs with 4 games could be bad for The Southpaw's health? They had the Nationals, Pirates, Orioles, and Orioles again on.
How is Jose Canseco helping Barry Bonds?

Troy Tulowitzki likes the high ones. Here he blasts a two-run homer on a pitch that's well above the letters.

CC Sabathia has a big test today.
Is David Ortiz cured?

Watch where you walk. You could trip over a Phillies pitcher. They're dropping like flies.
Somebody's about to lose an eye in the Yankees broadcast booth.
It's the anniversary of the Ryne Sandburg Game.

The Orioles completed a sweep of the Phillies.
John Gonzalez takes on The Herd.
And CC says Seeya in the second.

The Yanks are eyeing Pedro Martinez.
Patience is big right now in the Mid-Atlantic region.
And Trey Hillman says, "Be a man." And no, he's not talking to Chastity Bono.

John Lackey got a season-high 10 whiffs.

Bill James and Joe Posnanski take a ride on the Ryan Express to attack pitch counts.
Tom Gordon's best pitch for the World Champs didn't come from the mound. But Ryan Madson took it.
The Rockies are dominating.

Who was fighting in the outfield?
Yorvit Torrealba speaks out about his son's kidnapping.
And how come no one cares about Ivan Rodriguez anymore?

On Oct. 7, 1991, David Cone took the hill against Jim Fregosi's Philadelphia Phillies and already had a 3-run lead.
The Phillies were barely ahead of the Mets in the standings going into that final day, but both squads were 20 games back of first place.
No one expected anything special in this game.
Especially not with the Phillies starting lineup of shortstop Kim Batiste, second baseman Mickey Morandini, left fielder Wes Chamberlain, right fielder Dale Murphy, third baseman Dave Hollins, first baseman Ricky Jordan, center fielder Braulio Castio and catcher Doug Lindsey.
Then again, maybe fans should have expected something special. Dale Murphy was aging more quickly than an apple slice on an August day. Hollins and Morandini would each make all-star teams for weak National League squads in the future, but the Phillies' real offensive thunder of Darren Daulton, Lenny Dykstra and John Kruk were MIA.
David Cone, however, was concerned he was going to be arrested. He knew he was under investigation for rape. He didn't know, at the time, that the police would find the woman's allegations to be unfounded.
All David Cone could do on the mound that day was ecape from fear.
And he did.

Say it with me folks: RAAUUUL. IBANEZ.
Games were tight Thursday. Real tight. Tighter than the Orlando Magic.
And happy birthday to the Hall of Fame.
Oh yeah, there's no way you'll believe how the Indians won.

Oh God. We can't believe we're saying this, but Jimmy Rollins needs to collect some walks.
And Harrisburg Senators fans have Stephen Strasburg in their sights.

Man was it a busy day in the Big Leagues.
Did David Ortiz right him self?
Manny Spoke to teammates.
Oh and there was the little thing of the draft.

Another stadium that should have been saved.

The draft seems to be on everybody's mind.
Who was the first player to get 3,000 hits?
Oh yeah, Ozzie Guillen went crazy again. That's always fun.
BREAKING: Mo won't go against the Bo Sox tonight.

The Phillies and Yankees bounced back from blown saves on Saturday.
Shea Stadium has a musical legacy.
And we're still mad about the Nate McLouth trade.

Of course, we have to talk about Randy Johnson even if he once was called Rando Grando.
Cole Hamels was on. He owns L.A. more than Brangelina does.
And don't forget to drink your Melk. It does a Yankee good.
Is Carlos Beltran beginning to hate his teammates?

We can't figure out what should we be more irate about. That the Pirates are officially striving for ineptitude? Or is it worse that the Braves released one of the biggest names in franchise history?

The Mariners had a tough Hill to climb.
The Nationals have some good news.

Several pitchers have put up good numbers, but no one has been nearly as good as Zack Greinke.
At the end of April, the Royals, Mariners, Pirates and Marlins were some of the top performing teams.
That's nowhere near the case any longer.
So let's take a look at the Power Alley now that May has come to an end.

The Wolf is on the hunt.
And what happens when a pack of T-ballers spend four hours at the ballpark? The go more crazy than Carlos Zamrbano. Minus the anger issues.
And how did an umpire toss so many people for so few issues?

For one day, young Orioles fans know what it feels like to win a World Series game. To be down as much as they were and come back is a glorious feeling.

The Orioles had their most exciting win of the season.
The Nats react to a steroid story.
We're seeing less of Charlie Manuel.
And why is Carlos Zambrano going absolutely batcrap crazy?

Pirate Jack Wilson gets brushed back Wednesday.

Eric the Wreck returns, and was anything but a wreck.
David Ortiz was dropped.
And streaks, streaks and more streaks.
It's Weiters time.

Vlad is back.
The Pads are on fire.
And Jerry's in trouble.

We here at The Southpaw hope you don't mind us sleeping in on Memorial Day.
Now, let's begin the weekend's roundup.
Which of course included Bobby Abreu taking your favorite southpaw deep.
Inside, we have a video about baseball and World War II

The World Champs are in The Bronx.
All is right with the world. There's going to be a Gwynn in San Diego.
And a Peavy too. For now.

Our prayers are with Scott Schoeneweis and his family.
Is the future of the Nats injured?
What's going on in Manny's mind?
Is Nick Johnson returning to New York?

Could Barry be the Mets' answer?
Chan Ho got the Heave Ho.
Seven wasn't the O's lucky number.
And you'd better get off the tracks. The D-Train is rolling, rolling rolling.

The Bronx Bombers can do no wrong.
Baltimore has warmed up to Aubrey Huff.
And Carlos Delgado is going under the knife.

Why is the pitcher batting third?
Everyone should be afraid of Prince Fielder.
And David Wills is throwing heat.

We have an update on the ump who bumped.
And who the hell is Nestor Chylak
Should the Mets ditch Jose Reyes?

The Giambino struck again. He does have some pop left in his bat, after banging a double for Oakland.

Ryan Zimmerman's streak is over and that's too bad. Things could have gotten very interesting.
We haven't heard much from Lance Berkman this season. He had a loud day Wednesday.
And why are we willing to listen to Peter Edward Rose?

Man, was it a good day to be an Orioles fan.
Roy Halladay emasculated the Yankees. That's the only way to describe it.
Oh, you'll want to stick around for The Closer, where a former Red Sox player talks about being taught to use steroids.

The Rocket is going to be on Mike & Mike at 8:25 this morning. It will be his first interview since the "60 Minutes" waste-of-our-time chat with Mike Wallace.
Check inside to find out why Johan Santana can only shake his head.
Oh, and the Yankees are having a yard sale.

The streak continues.
And is Manny bigger than the Dodgers?

Rivera gets rocked.
The Mets manhandled the Phillies.
The Yanks are on their way to Baltimore.
Oh and, Johnny Bench had Lefty's number.

No, this packed house isn't because of the Orioles' play thus far this season. It's because of a torrential downpour.

Right now, Johan Santana could do anything he wants with a baseball. We're serious. He could split an atom, knock a fly off a dime, throw it through Fort Knox without it being seen.
The Orioles played a Little League game.

Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton bunts and is eventually tagged out at first during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers

A tie. A tie. In baseball. Well, not quite.
Happy Birthday, Willie Mays.
And the Dodgers are still undefeated at home.

The Phillies-Mets series was a dud, but the Red Sox-Rays was very entertaining.
Joe Maddon's team appears to have life. And, if you didn't know, Carl Crawford is quick as a sneeze.
And don't forget, a daily dose of The Southpaw keeps the swine flu away.

The Pirates still can't beat the Brewers.
Oh yeah, we have more A-Rod juicing stories. We're so unbelievably excited.
And are the Nats about to draft a cornerstone prospect.

Manny Ramirez smacked three doubles Tuesday.

Alright everybody, give the Yankees a round of applause. The Bronx Bombers finally caught on that there's this little problem of a supply and demand. They slashed ticket prices.
Oh yeah, the big, fat toad is returning.

Raul Ibanez parks the Phillies' second of two grand slams Monday night. The World Champs have won four straight. Boston, however, has 11 consecutive wins.
Adrian Gonzalez, Carlos Pena and Albert Pujols are doing something that hasn't been accomplished since Babe Ruth patrolled the outfield in the first Yankee Stadium.
Oh and, the Phillies had a grand night.

It's a tough task to scout Randy Johnson.
The Mid-Atlantic sweeps.
Carlos Zambrano takes some short hops at third.
And in the "Today in history" section we notice a trend. No-hitters. There have been five of them on this date.

Bud Selig might be about to do something that makes sense. Of course that's news. Of course you want to read what's inside.
And how Selig's comments have anything do with a naked Hal Steinbrenner and Fred Wilpon?
That, my friends, is a tease.

A day after the Mid-Atlantic's clubs won all of their games, they going 1-3.
What's up with all the walk-offs?
Remember when Colin Cowherd used to brag about Lenny Dykstra's ability to make money? Well, like all things Cowherd, he appears to be wrong.

So why are Little Leaguers breaking their piggy banks for Nats' supposed hothead Elijah Dukes?
The Mid-Atlantic is heating up.
And why is Dontrelle Willis so important?

"Meat!" The Cincinnati Reds' Jerry Hairston Jr. is tagged out by Ivan Rodriguez.
As REM sang, "Everybody hurts." It would seem all the time.
Also, Cole Hamels blames himself.
And how's the attendance been?

We left early. We left early. Will we ever forgive ourselves.
Raul Ibanez blasted a come-from-behind, walk-off home run to cap a 4-run rally.
But we didn't see it. We left early from the Phillies 5-4 win over the Padres. And for what? Pizza and a Cheesesteak at the other end of town.
Well, we had a good time anyway. We did see Jimmy Rollins' pinch hit home run. And we also saw Ryan Howard play some spectacular defense.

With the rest of the first pitch, we revamp our daily updates.

This is what batters feel like when they face Roy Halladay.
The Yankees opened the new Yankee Stadium Thursday with a bang. Two actually. Mystique and Aura just imploded.
Plus, what's wrong with Brad Lidge?

The Orioles had a rough day in Arlington. It was a banner day in Seattle. And congrats are in order to Johan Santana. He and his wife had their third baby, Johan Jr.
And there's this little thing about a new stadium in The Bronx.

The Angels and Red Sox have some recent history. Of course, Bobby Abreu brings his own Bronx-tinged past into the equation. It all added up to some fun shoving in Disneyland.
After the first week, we now know several things.
The Washington Nationals still haven't won a game. The Braves and Marlins are tied for the best record in baseball with 5-1 marks. The Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and and St. Louis Cardinals are 5-2. Last year's World Series participants are both 3-3.
And individually, Evan Longoria has five big flies, Ryan Theroit is batting .550, Adam Lind has 12 RBI, Johan Santana has struck out 20 batters.
And Joba Chamberlain raided Marcel Marceau's wardrobe.

The Los Angeles Times' Bill Shaikin has a very touching piece on how Nick Adenhart's father is coping with a horrible tragedy. His death is felt beyond the team's city, writes Lisa Dillman. Rob Neyer looks at how often death has touched the Angels.

Mike Lupica says Joba Chamberlian has something to learn from Adenhart's death.

It's hard to talk about what went on in major league baseball after reading about Adenhart, but some pretty interesting things happened Thursday in the Big Leagues, including a great game in the south side of Chicago. And what's wrong with Obama?

The Orioles torched the Yankees for a second straight game. The Phillies proved they're still World Champs and what favor is the Nationals' president asking from Phillies fans.

Houston Astros' Jeff Keppinger gets a broken-bat, game-winning single as the Astros beat the Chicago Cubs 3-2 in 10 innings in a baseball game Tuesday.

Jim Thome homered and the Red Sox won. Of course, that's happened a lot this decade.
No booze in Toronto.
Happy anniversary, Hank.
Oh, and we have some words from Joba the Drunk.

Cesar Izturis rocked Camden Yards Monday when his eighth inning blast broke open the game.
Monday's slate of games brought a great pitching match-up, a rare home run trot and big wins for the participants of the 1979 World Series.
Our very own Mike Argento writes about local fans braving the weather in Baltimore.
Oh, and who's the idiot in the league office that scheduled openers in Chicago and Boston?

Well, this wouldn't be a reputable baseball site if we here at The Southpaw didn't have some preseason predictions.
So here goes:

There's a new rivalry in the Wild, Wild West.

Gary Sheffield got cut, Chipper signed, and Mike Gallego, yes Mike Gallego, is looking for his glove.

Oh an, how long before the boos rain in Philadelphia?

One of the most popular players here at The Southpaw is current San Diego Padres second baseman David Eckstein makes a catch against the Cleveland Indians in the third inning of a Spring Training game Monday.
Spring Training is almost over. It's a bittersweet feeling, kind of like riding the school bus for the last time. You're moving on to better things, but you had a lot of fun while it lasted.

Remember Pat Listach?

In today's first pitch, find out what is causing ardent Phillies fan and YDR reporter Jeff Frantz to hope the team loses on Opening Night. And why is he asking, "What, are we Notre Dame now?"

What's so crazy about pitchers batting ninth?
Oh, and we have more on the Pirate player's wife being charged in kidnapping.

Japan's Ichiro Suzuki hits a line drive single past South Korea's Lim Chang Yong driving in two runs in the tenth inning of Japan's 5-3 victory.

Ichiro. Ichiro. Ichiro.

Ichiro Suzuki hits a single during the eighth inning of Japan's 9-4 win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Japan dropped the United States with ease Sunday, during a 9-4 win. Of course, the big problem for the United States, other than Davey Johnson doing his best impersonation of Tony Muser, is pitching. The Major League Clubs have completely tied the hands of Team USA, when it comes to pitching.
That said, the game would have been much more entertaining if Joe Morgan had locked Steve Phillips out of the broadcast booth. The former Mets General Manager had one of his worst days behind the mike. The normally astute Phillips, was bungling trivia questions about Japanese professional baseball.

The Nats sign a solid free agent and release someone who was expected to contribute to the rotation.
Besides that, a bunch of odd things.
Forget about representing your country. Your employer wants you back. Dodger dogs going kosher. And who's Honey Bear? Or was that Sugar Bear?

The World Baseball Classic dominates today's story lines.

A Met got a clutch hit. Now that's news.
Thanks to David Wright, Team USA moved on to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.
Oh, and Sidney Ponson has resurfaced.

Happy St. Patrick's Day. In honor of the Roman former slave, who never really chased snakes out of Ireland but did help unite the country while baptizing thousands, we look at some of the best "Irish" names in baseball history.
3. Born in Belfast,and a graduate of Penn State, we have Irish McIlveen.
2. Paddy Green batted .185 for his career, but the Villanova product did swipe two bases in his cup of coffee with the bigs.
1. Troy O'Leary, hit 127 homers in his career, including 28 in 1999.
Well, back to the first pitch report.

Of course the biggest story of the day is Alex Rodriguez' news conference concerning his steroid use.
We'll have more on that shortly after he finishes.
But for right now, there are some other good stories: