Joba Goes Nine (Steps)!  —  Yankee pitcher completes field sobriety test in video from DUI arrest  —  While devoid of Plaxicoesque bombast and vulgarity, the police video of Joba Chamberlain's DUI arrest is not without its amusing moments.  After a Nebraska State Patrol officer pulled …

Jim Thome's 8th-inning HR lifts White Sox over KC 4-2  —  CHICAGO — Jim Thome got to totally enjoy this opening-day home run.  —  Thome hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, rallying the Chicago White Sox past the Kansas City Royals 4-2 Tuesday in a season opener delayed a day because of bad weather.

Hamels, Lincecum headline young pitchers at risk of Year After Effect … Mike Pelfrey was ready for me in the Mets spring training clubhouse, as if he knew I was coming.  —  “Look at me,” the Mets right-hander said one day last month.  “I'm a pretty big guy.”  Yes, sir.  Pelfrey is 6-foot-7.

The Good Old Days  —  I watched 11 baseball games yesterday.  Folks, these are the good old days:  — During my chat, I got three inquiries as to what was wrong with Johan Santana, which is two more inquiries than hits Santana allowed while I was taking questions.

Stan Kasten Sings a Hymn to Philly Fans  —  I'll probably always be something of an outsider in D.C., because I'm not from here.  I didn't live through Gibbs I or the Bandwagon, the Penguins in the '90s or Wes Unseld-as-GM.  Still, I think I'm getting to understand the mindset of that rarest of creatures: the all-D.C.-sports die-hard.

Toronto Blue Jays' beer and alcohol ban targets unruly fans  —  TORONTO — It was just a coincidence that beer and alcohol sales were banned for Tuesday night's Blue Jays game one night after unruly fans littered the field with baseballs and debris.  But some players appreciated the timing.

Mariners sign another closer  —  A look at Felix Hernandez, moments ago, obviously feeling good enough to teeter on his right leg — the one he injured last night.  He'll be fine.  Now for some interesting news.  —  The Mariners have signed onetime major league closer Jeff Zimmerman …

Baseball is back!  (And so is Beckett's fastball)  —  I'm not suggesting that a one-game sample is conclusive proof of anything, but for those of us who have been nervously waiting for Josh Beckett to return to form, today's start against the Tampa Bay Rays had to be encouraging.

Barmes back in lineup for Game 2 tonight  —  PHOENIX — A day later than expected, the Rockies will run out the lineup we figure to see the most early in the season.  Second baseman Clint Barmes is starting against Diamondbacks' right-hander Dan Haren.  Barmes was disappointed …

Defending champ Phillies off to 0-2 start for 4th straight year  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Two games in, these Philadelphia Phillies are playing like last year's team.  —  Jair Jurrjens and four relievers combined on a six-hitter, Kelly Johnson and Chipper Jones hit solo homers …

Minor-league teams set for season  —  The Yankees today sent out this release with their minor-league rosters.  Scranton gets started on Thursday, Trenton on Wednesday, Tampa on Thursday and Charleston on Thursday.  —  Minor League Baseball.com has stories, stats, rosters and schedules for ever team.

Marie Olbermann, 1929-2009  —  (Much of this post is based on a script written for tonight's television show)  —  My mother passed away Saturday night.  —  This remembrance is not going to be a medical history - though lord knows Mom was the world's foremost authority on her own health.

Madden: First-game struggles make for eye-opener … BALTIMORE - So it was not exactly the humdinger of a debut the Yankees envisioned from their new $161 million meal ticket on Opening Day, and what is there to say now about Joe Girardi's new era of good feelings?

Kennedy throws out first pitch  —  BOSTON — Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Boston Red Sox season opener on Tuesday.  —  With fans cheering, Kennedy, diagnosed last May with a malignant brain tumor, walked across the first-base line and toward …

Note: No Game on TV from 6-7 pm on Saturday  —  FOX has an exclusive window for all Saturday games taking place prior to 7 pm, meaning only FOX and the local channel can broadcast during that window.  —  Meanwhile, the Marlins scheduled this Saturday's game against the Mets for 6 pm …

Canseco: Ramírez likely on steroid list  —  Jose Canseco said he is 90 percent certain that Manny Ramírez's name is on the list of 104 major league players who tested positive for steroids in 2003.  Speaking at a forum Friday night at the University of Southern California …

New York Mets headed to the movies on off day in Cincinnati … CINCINNATI — The Mets got their season off to a successful start with Monday's 2-1 victory over the Reds.  Their reward?  A nice, long off day in gray, frigid Cincinnati.  —  After beating the Reds on Monday afternoon …