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The big question — Sox wonder if Papi can regain his pop — FORT MYERS, Fla. - You look at him and listen and you want to believe. You want to turn back the clock to 2006 when he hit 54 homers and knocked in 137 runs. You want to remember the golden days when it seemed like every hit was a walkoff wonder.
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Ortiz a lean, mean fighting machine — Warning: This is the standard “Aging player reports to camp in great shape” story. Take it for what it's worth, which isn't much. If being in shape meant you could play baseball, Jack LaLanne would have been another Willie Mays.
Discussion:
sox1fan.com

Phils' Sardinha arrested on DUI charge — Ex-Reds, Tigers catcher in camp as non-roster invitee — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Clearwater police arrested Phillies catcher Dane Sardinha early Monday morning for allegedly driving under the influence. — The Phillies said they are aware of the arrest, but declined comment.
Discussion:
HardballTalk


Lincecum is no speed Freak — went to his pitching coach more than once last season and said, “I don't have any pain. Where is it?” — He meant the fastball. Where was the fastball? — Dave Righetti would assure him the mechanics looked good. The hitters didn't seem to be noticing.


Werth arrives with future in limbo — CLEARWATER, Fla. - If forced to select one word as the theme for his 2009 season, Jayson Werth might choose finally. As in, he finally played a full season without a detour to the disabled list. He finally produced statistics worthy of the expectations …


Wright's story still being written — Too soon to brand Mets' third baseman — Post on facebook Fan Comments print email — Today's history lesson is on David Wright — specifically, pronouncements on David Wright's outlook, both in the short-term and beyond.

Hank Aaron applauds Mark McGwire's apology — KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP)—Former career home run king Hank Aaron says Mark McGwire should have a clear conscience after his recent admission he used performance-enhancing drugs as a player. — Aaron said other players still harboring similar secrets also should come clean.
Discussion:
USA Today
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Chan Ho Park and the Amazing, Unsustainable Home Run Rate — A glance at Chan Ho Park's 2009 statistics can mislead. None of his aggregate stats stand out. His 4.43 ERA ranked below league average, a 96 ERA+, and his 9.1 hits per nine and 3.6 walks per nine led to an inflated 1.40 WHIP.
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The battered, bruised and repaired shoulder of Jesus Flores — I just filed a story on Jesus Flores, a catcher with an irrepressible good nature and, right now, a very worrisome shoulder. He also had lots to say, and plenty I wanted to print. Only problem: The story was given an 800-word allotment …

That Peak Age Thing, Part 2 — Last week, I looked at the question of when hitters hit their peak and came away with the very unsatisfying answer of “it depends.” Good hitters peak later. Even leaving aside the usual cries of “treat everyone as an individual!” there are different peak ages in the aggregate among different groups.
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Carlos Beltran: No hard feelings with New York Mets over surgery disagreement — Carlos Beltran, arriving at New York Mets spring training on Monday, said there are “no hard feelings” between himself and the team following a dispute over his knee surgery. — “You know, it took …
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Burnett eager to work with Posada — A.J. Burnett blames himself for last season's controversy about who should catch who. — “It all went back to when I was right,” Burnett said. “If Jorge was going to catch me or not, it would be irrelevant because when my mind's right, then everything is a lot easier for Jorge.”
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball

Re-balanced and re-loaded Red Sox ready for another run … FT. MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox badly wanted to re-balance their team, and they have done that in a big way, remaking the left side of their infield and outfield and turning their overall defense from a so-so one into a superb one.


What Sandy Koufax told NY Mets pitchers Oliver Perez, John Maine and Johan Santana … Audio: Sandy Koufax — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — For the second time in a week, Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax stopped by the Mets' spring training complex Monday and watched several pitchers during bullpen sessions.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com

Manny Ramirez says it's his last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers — GLENDALE, Ariz. — Manny Ramirez appeared in the Dodgers' clubhouse for the first time on Monday morning and promptly conceded this would probably is his final spring training with the club.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Fanhouse MLB Blog, Angels blog, yankeesdaily.com, Jorge Says No!, It's About The Money and Full Count
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Johnny Damon officially becomes a Tiger: “This is where I wanted to be” — LAKELAND, Fla. — To Johnny Damon, the Detroit Tigers were the right team. — “This is where I wanted to be,” he said Monday after completing his $8 million, one-year contract. “The Tigers were my first choice.


Montero puts on a show — Chan Ho Park held a press conference in South Korea, A.J. Burnett pitched to Jorge Posada in the bullpen and CC Sabathia snapped off sliders for the first time. It wasn't exactly a slow day in spring training, but as camp was breaking up, much of the buzz centered on Jesus Montero.