| | | One of the best parts of spring training is reading the daily notes from Arizona and Florida, gaining a regular fix of the latest trade rumors, contract disputes, arm injuries and ridiculously hopeful stories on prospects.
|  | | The Orioles' Albert Belle has slowed down so much he might have trouble driving in runs ... and driving home. |
But what with all the confusing stories involving Gary Sheffield, Frank Thomas, Manny Ramirez and Albert Belle, you might have missed some of these
dispatches this spring ...
Atlanta: After missing the entire 2000 season due to reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, RHP John Smoltz will pitch to live hitters today for the first time since the 1999 World Series. If that doesn't go well, Smoltz will try pitching to dead hitters this weekend.
Baltimore: OF Albert Belle passed the team physical, but signs are mounting
that his arthritic hip has left him an old man. He missed batting practice the past three days, he hasn't been able to run well enough to play in the field this spring and he frequently forgets where he left his car keys.
Boston: The Red Sox are moving new OF Manny Ramirez from right field to left field. ... Hours after he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, SS Nomar Garciaparra was hit by a moving van. He is listed as day to day. ... On second thought, the Red Sox are moving Ramirez from left field back to right.
Chicago White Sox: LHP David Wells finally reported to camp, looking like
Chris Farley did two hours before the comedian's death. Wells credited an intense offseason conditioning program for his improved physique. ... With commissioner Bud Selig's decision due soon, general manager Ken Williams again denied the White Sox owe the Blue Jays any compensation for injured LHP Mike Sirotka, pointing out "his right arm is just fine." ... The White Sox banned 1B Frank Thomas from travel to games outside of Tucson, due to mounting fears over Foot in Mouth disease.
|  | | Gary Sheffield's desire to leave Los Angeles is certainly no secret. |
Cleveland: General manager John Hart keeps calling up former Cleveland OF Manny Ramirez and asking whether he has Prince Albert in the can.
Los Angeles: Still unhappy with his contract, OF Gary Sheffield stepped up his demand that the Dodgers trade him closer to Ken Griffey Jr's family. ... The Dodgers listed RHP Kevin Brown as day-to-day after discovering he had an irregular heartbeat during a routine physical, then traded OF Devon White to Milwaukee after discovering he had no heart.
Minnesota: Owner Carl Pohlad said he is hopeful the Minnesota legislature will approve the Twins' latest stadium proposal that would require Iowa residents to pay for the $350 million ballpark.
Montreal: With speculation mounting that this is the revenue-starved Expos' last season in Montreal, owner Jeffrey Loria announced he will slash transportation costs by forfeiting all road games this season. "It's no big deal," Loria said. "We would probably lose them anyway."
N.Y. Yankees: RHP Mike Mussina is listed as day-to-day after spraining his
right wrist when the Yankees ran their annual fundamental drill of piling on top of each other in celebration at the pitchers' mound. ... Coach Willie Randolph is working with 2B Chuck Knoblauch on his relay throws to Keith Olbermann's mother. ... In an exclusive interview with the New York Times, RHP Roger Clemens says he favors the new high strike zone, adding that it
should stretch from the batter's knees to the top of Mike Piazza's forehead.
N.Y. Mets: Jim Plummer, the Mets director of promotions, described early sales as "disappointing" at the Alex Rodriguez merchandising tent set up outside the team's stadium in Port St. Lucie.
Philadelphia: After RHP Jose Mesa blew a seven-run lead and didn't retire a
batter in his Grapefruit League debut, general manager Ed Wade admitted he had no idea why he signed the reliever to a two-year, $6 million contract. ... LF Pat Burrell issued an apology for his Penthouse magazine interview, in which he said he had "committed adultery in his heart."
St. Louis: After LHP Rick Ankiel's control problems continued despite having
the pitcher throw on a private mound beyond the view of reporters, the Cardinals will now have him pitch while breathing through his eyes and wearing a black lace garter belt. ... After missing most of the second half of last season, 1B Mark McGwire signed a two-year, $30 million contract
extension without benefit of an agent or a 72-page biographical brochure.
|  | | Age and injuries have done very little to slow down Tony Gwynn's sweet swing. |
San Diego: Despite undergoing seven knee operations last summer and being fitted with a peg leg over the winter, OF Tony Gwynn went 2-for-5 in his spring debut.
San Francisco: Agent Scott Boras met with Giants general manager Brian Sabean to clarify recent statements made by his client, OF Barry Bonds. Boras says
that Bonds never demanded a trade, only requested that the Giants deal him to another team or else.
Seattle: With an estimated 125 Japanese reporters looking on, OF Ichiro Suzuki did nothing yesterday. ... RHP Gil Meche and LHP Ryan Anderson both will miss the season due to torn labrums. General manager Pat Gillick said he rejected Toronto's proposed trade for the two pitchers.
Texas: Team trainers listed owner Tom Hicks as day-to-day after he strained his bicep while carrying SS Alex Rodriguez's luggage from the airport. General manager Bob Melvin will carry Rodriguez's bags until Hicks returns. ... Rodriguez says his comments were taken out of context in an Esquire interview, "Bad Things About Derek Jeter," in which the magazine quotes him as saying, "If he's in a hurry, Derek doesn't always rewind his movies all
the way when he returns them to the video store."
Toronto: Examining LHP Mike Sirotka for the first time, Toronto doctors also
noticed that in addition to a torn labrum, the pitcher is missing his pancreas and spleen. ... The Blue Jays are talking to the Orioles about
trading 1B Carlos Delgado for OF Albert Belle.
Jim Caple of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is a regular contributor to ESPN.com's baseball coverage and Page 2.
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