BASEBALL: NEW season starts next month - Schedule!

Looking forward to a brand new MLB season kicking off ('pitching off') in February. My favorite teams are undoubtedly the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox...!!

February & March Schedule:

BASEBALL - Yankees: Cashman: I was overruled on Soriano signing...

At the news conference to introduce Rafael Soriano Wednesday, Brian Cashman admitted that he was against the signing but was overruled by Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner.

Welcome to New York, Rafael!

Actually, the former Rays closer-turned-Yankees-setup man wasn't around to hear his new general manager say he was against the transaction. The Yankees wisely had Cashman speak to reporters...

Any Yankees fans out there? we want to hear from you...

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees

BASEBALL: Red Sox update - New pitching Coach, Burt Young...

Young optimistic on Beckett

New Red Sox pitching coach Curt Young is in town this week for Rookie Development Camp, and some other events. While he won't speak specifically about adjustments he will make with Josh Beckett until he works side-by-side with the righty, Young did sound optimistic about where the righty is at going into Spring Training.

"In talking to Josh, he's a really interesting guy, very possessed on what he does and I'm really looking forward to working with Josh," Young said. "The main thing is health and it seems to be that he's very healthy and really looking forward to the start of this year."

http://browniepoints.mlblogs.com

BASEBALL's Top 10 catchers: Yanks, Nats, Jays dominate list of up-and-coming backstops

Finding good catching isn't the easiest thing to do. Growing your own seems to be an even harder task. Some can hit, but either can't handle the defensive rigors of the position or get moved to keep that offensive production from wearing down. Others are stalwarts with the glove, but don't hit enough to profile as everyday players. But as the 2011 season looms ahead, the prospect landscape is pretty catching-rich. There are a number of future big league backstops to get excited about. Here are the Top 10:

1. Jesus Montero, Yankees: There's been little doubt about the bat, even though he got off to a very rough start to his 2010 season, his first taste of Triple-A. But after stumbling out of the gate, Montero hit .351/.396/.684 in the second half, putting him back on the short list of top hitting prospects in the game. The question, however, has been more about his defense than his bat. Can Montero be an everyday catcher? Do the Yankees want him to be? While he's worked hard on that part of the game, it remains to be seen if it's enough to stay at the position and become an offensive-minded backstop. He'll have the opportunity to hit his way onto the Bombers' Opening Day roster this spring.

2. Wil Myers, Royals: Myers is another who fits into the "great bat, but can he catch?" group. There's no doubt he can hit, after a .324/.429/.533 line over 637 career plate appearances. He's got great plate discipline and should hit for plenty of power. He's even got decent speed. Having played a number of positions in high school, he's still learning how to catch, but there are those who feel he won't be able to stay behind the plate. He is athletic enough with plenty of arm strength to handle a move to the outfield should the Royals decide to go that route.

Blast from the Past - Babe Ruth...

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club wont be worth a dime. 

-Babe Ruth