Remembering The Best Friend I Ever Had  —  I had just moved to Manhattan Beach, California as a four-year-old kid and had no friends yet.  I sat around playing with my He-Man and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures by myself.  A boy saw me playing in the yard with this stuff and approached me.

At first, it never looked as if Yanks would get Tex  —  Up and down the Yankees' organization, from Johnny Damon and Jorge Posada to Joe Girardi and Hal Steinbrenner, the sentiment on Mark Teixeira early in the offseason was that he would be playing elsewhere in 2009.

Raissman: No Mad Dogs allowed for stadium debuts  —  The only shot Chris (Mad Dog) Russo has of doing his Sirius/XM radio show from Citi Field and Yankee Stadium during the home openers next week is if he accepts Bud Selig's recent offer.  —  When informed Monday by Russo that exclusivity clauses …

Marlon Anderson is odd man in outfield  —  CINCINNATI - It looks like Marlon Anderson's final game as a Met may come Friday night in Florida.  —  The Mets need to clear roster room for fifth starter Livan Hernandez, who will make his Mets debut Saturday opposite Ricky Nolasco.

Peavy, Pedro or Sheets  —  Take your pick.  I'm joining the howling ranks of Mets Nation this morning in saying that the biggest priority for this team come mid-July (or earlier) will be trading for — or signing — some help for the rotation.  I was kind of surprised yesterday to hear …

Rockies Activate Belisle  —  Right-hander Matt Belisle's life in limbo ended Friday.  —  Right-hander Juan Morillo's life in limbo began.  —  The Rockies added Belisle, who had been an invited player to spring training, to their active roster.  To make room for him Morillo was designated for assignment …

Lowrie is flailing away so far  —  Judging by the raw data, the difference between Jed Lowrie now and in spring training could hardly be starker.  Lowrie left Fort Myers, Fla., batting .343 with 10 extra-base hits.  Through three games that count, he is 1 for 11 with six strikeouts, two of which have come in key late moments.

Waah!  Jonathan Papelbon whines and complains about Opening Day ceremony  —  Boston Red Sox pitcher Jonathan Papelbon may be a good closer, but there is something he should also work on closing - his mouth.  —  In the debut of his weekly web-only interview segment on Comcast SportsNet …

CORRECTING SHEFFIELD'S CRITICS  —  I have come not to bury Gary Sheffield as so many others have since the Mets signed him unexpectedly last week on the eve of the opening of the season.  Have I come to praise him?  Not necessarily, but I would like to offer a fairer picture of the veteran slugger than usually is presented.

Inbox: What is the best outfield trio?  —  Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nationals fans' questions … Although I like the outfield strengths, I think Adam Dunn, Elijah Dukes and Austin Kearns should be the starting outfielders.  I know Lastings Milledge is starting in center …