Open for business  —  Behind Beckett, workmanlike Sox get the job done  —  Nothing makes the chilly temperature rise like an Opening Day win, and with it a pristine record that evokes idyllic hopes of 162-0.  It came yesterday, a near-perfect performance in the Red Sox' second stab at game No. 1 …

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 …

For Mets' offense, win is only cold comfort  —  CINCINNATI - With temperatures in the high 30s, and a steady rain falling at Great American Ball Park, the Mets were forced to take batting practice indoors before Monday's season opener against the Reds.  After seven weeks in the balmy climate …

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.

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.

Friendly Rivalry for Matsui  —  BALTIMORE - In their final year as teammates, in 2002, Hideki Matsui and Koji Uehara reached the pinnacle of individual and team success for the Yomiuri Giants.  Matsui was the most valuable player of the Central League, Uehara won the Sawamura Award as the top pitcher …

Gary Matthews Jr. still isn't talking  —  The Angels outfielder was linked to HGH shipments in the Mitchell Report, but he won't comment on the allegations these days.  —  T.J. Simers  —  I worry about kids and dogs, some kid maybe mistaking it for an energy drink, or some dog lapping …

Angels don't use strengths to their advantage in 6-4 loss to Oakland  —  They get a quality start from fill-in pitcher Dustin Moseley but leave too many runners stranded in the early going.  —  Dustin Moseley gave the Angels everything they could want from their rotation fill-ins …

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 …

Triple-A notes: Tomko as closer, Jackson hitting sixth  —  Just to triple check, I sent Dan Giese another text message this afternoon.  —  “Heard anything yet on waivers?”  —  “Not yet”  —  Some other notes from today's Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees media day...  Brett Tomko will be the Triple-A closer

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.

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 …

Hey, only 161 more games left for the Pirates to hold on  —  Since most of you watched the NCAA championship game, we paid attention to all the games across the majors on Opening Day.  Here are our top observations of the day:  —  1. Diary of a Pirates fan:  —  5:00 p.m. — Checking out that Opening Day roster.

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.

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.