The great migration south begins. Baselines are re-rolled. Bleachers are shined. Bags of seeds and tins of Skoal are lined up in Florida locker rooms and Arizona dugouts. Bat bags are tossed into on-deck circles along with fresh packs of pine tar. Infields are crisper than ever and bad hops are inexcusable. I can almost smell the leather. I can hear the warm sounds of balls hitting mitts.
ESPN's Bottom Line is alive with updates:
Manny Ramirez signs minor league contract with the Oakland A's. Quality pick-up Billy Beane.
Mariano Rivera hints at retirement. Why?
Dmitri Young loses 50 pounds and attempts comeback. Rooting for you, D'Meat Hook! Please hit your weight.
Tim Wakefield retires. A great knuckleballer and two-time WS champion with 200 wins. He can now drink all the beer and eat all the wings he wants.
Terry Collins touts the Mets will surprise a lot of people and be better than expected.
A new season is here. A new start. Anybody can win. Hope Springs eternal.
Hooray Baseball.
