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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


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.
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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.

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.
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HardballTalk

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.
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USA Today
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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

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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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.

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 …


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

Beltran says no ill will, plenty of progress — Carlos Beltran arrived and said he's on target for a return on the prescribed timetable, which was 12 weeks from the mid-January surgery. It took him a week to get over flap with Mets, but said there are no hard feelings.
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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.


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 …
Discussion:
Surfing The Mets

Inbox: Should Strasburg start in Minors? — Beat reporter Bill Ladson answers Nats fans' questions — I'm concerned about promoting Stephen Strasburg to the Major Leagues so quickly. I'd like to see him learn how to pitch for a season or two in the Minors first.