Let's be real. There are only two teams that might spend 75 million JUST to talk with Yu.

I just saw this piece on ESPN and found the whole take on Japanese baseball to be fascinating.
There is also a piece about the future of baseball in Japan with the big names coming over here, would it survive? I found this quote to be most telling: "In Little League, Japanese players are taught a respect for the game that isn't seen in many other countries."
These kids can teach a few of our players a thing or two:::cough::Manny Rameriz:::cough::::::

Overall, interesting read.

"Do richer Major League Baseball teams play in cleaner stadiums? We surveyed health-code violations at 11 stadiums to find out." Phoenix was not listed - perhaps a good thing - but I think I might try to do a little digging in that area. If you're thinking about going to Anaheim, you might find yourself throwing UP the first pitch...

Story by SI's Tom Verducci on why the American League has suddenly become more of a pitcher's league (screw you, DH!!) and the National League is suddenly hitting much better and vastly outscoring those pretenders in the AL. Hmmm.... could it be a sign that, after years of the NL trying to play AL ball, the trend is reversing? Smallball and pitching are in vogue, at the end of the homerun-based Steroid Era? Read the article to find out.

The story speaks for itself. I thought I'd share it.

After Grace sang "Root Root Root for the Cubbies" over the weekend ... one has to wonder if he he'd rather be in the Windy City than the Desert.

Video

Here's an article about our team's philosophy regarding stealing bases.

"We want the reward to outweigh the risk," Gibson said.

The risk side of the equation is cluttered with factors, including the time it takes a pitcher to deliver a pitch, the catcher's arm strength, a pitcher's move to first, the count, the situation, a runner's technique and confidence factor, and everything in between.

"Webb has been dominant so far this season, going at least six innings each time out, including a complete game, 8-3 win, yesterday over the Phillies. It was the right-hander's 13th career complete game, and he became the first pitcher since the White Sox Jon Garland in 2005 to win his first eight starts, and the first NL pitcher since Pedro Martinez did it for the Expos in 1997, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."

ESPN The Magazine interviewed rock legend Alice Cooper [whom I once sat behind at the cinema] about growing up in Detroit and his fondness for baseball. He was apparently a mean left-fielder...

"So are you more of a Diamondbacks fan or a Tigers fan?

I can't make that decision publicly. Since I live in Phoenix I obviously attend more D-backs games, but I still follow the Tigers. The D-backs have a fun team this year. Whenever you've got a bunch of young guys that like playing together they have the potential to do big things.

How do you think the two teams match up right now?

The Tigers are in last place, but mark my words, by the end of May they'll be either in first or tied for first in the Central. On paper their hitting is stacked like the Yankees, they just had a bad month. But Arizona's got the pitching and that's what it takes to win big series."