Spring training is underway in Florida and Arizona, so there’s plenty to report out of each teams’ camps. Here are few of the headlines from the first week out of the warmer states with baseball greats!

A-Rod Reflects on Last Year

Around this time last year, Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez was crying and apologizing for his steroid use from ‘earlier’ in his career. Lucky for him, that media coverage faded away due to his hip injury that kept him out til May. Then, when the postseason came, he ‘redeemed’ himself with a great postseason. Now, we’re back in spring training and A-Rod is being asked if he feels better than last year. UMM DUH….!? Who would ask that?? That only gives this phony an opportunity to make himself look like a hero for coming out and speaking the truth. I don’t think he cried this year, but he did give that annoying face.

Josh Hamilton Goes All Out

Rangers OF Josh Hamilton was held out of practice on Thursday, but returned on Friday, after diving for a fly ball in practice on Wednesday. The x-rays on his shoulder and neck were negative, but Hamilton is still very, very sore. It’s pretty early to start diving, but that doesn’t matter to Hamilton. I’m sure the Rangers have some issue with Josh diving in the first couple days of practice (or even practice in general). I’d have to agree, mostly because I’m sure his body isn’t in game shape yet, so diving could really hurt his body. Gotta love the intensity though!

The Next Griffey?

Yes, you heard me right. The Atlanta Braves are eagerly looking forward to this next season due to the emergence of outfielder Jason Heyward. I read today that he’s been hitting cars in the parking lot with his moon shots causing them to name the lot “Jason’s Junkyard”. Awesome! I can’t wait to see this kid play!

Tidbits:

• Cubs OF Alfonso Soriano says his surgically repaired knee feels better than later year. I sure hope so, because he was nothing to be scared of in the Cubs lineup last season. Well, I don’t really hope so, but you know.
• Paul Konerko is starting to see the writing on the wall in Chicago that the team is getting younger, which is leading him to believe this will be his last year with the White Sox.
• Twins 1B Justin Morneau, returning from a back injury, says that rest is going to play a big part this spring training. He obviously wants to be able to play the whole season. He easily could have been MVP if he didn’t get late hurt last year.
• An ankle twist has Red Sox 3B Adrian Beltre resting a bit. He says it’s not as bad as it looked, but of course the Sox have Mike Lowell if necessary.
• Newly acquired Cliff Lee threw in the bullpen late this week after fixing problems with his left foot. That’s good news for the Mariners, who are looking forward to this season with a revamped squad.

-Chris