MLB Bullets Knows The Way To San Jose

Whenever your wife takes you out shopping to get you some new shirts, you end up coming home with nothing and she gets a new pair of pants and a new pair of shoes. Amirite, married men?

Obviously I've been busy with the WBC the last few days, but I think I've got the Bullets handled. And I'll be back later today with a recap of the two WBC games that took place overnight. I'd like to watch at least some of the replay first.

• The city of San Jose is debating a proposal to sue the San Francisco Giants, for blocking the Athletics move to the city. The move would be an attempt to force the Giants to the negotiating table. The Giants, through a front organization "Stand for San Jose," are already suing San Jose, challenging their environmental impact statement on a proposed new ballpark. The city council is reluctant to go forward with a lawsuit as long as A's owner Lew Wolff opposed such a move. That Wolff has been silent on the issue may indicate that the Athletics patience has run out.
• Mark Knudson, who pitched eight years in the majors in the late eighties and early nineties, thinks that its fine for gay athletes to play professional sports as long as they, for the good of the team, don't tell anyone. Closeted athletes should be "saluted" for their sacrifices. But how can we salute them if they don't tell us they're gay? I'm so confused.
• This one doesn't have anything to do with MLB, but since there is no "Division III NCAA Baseball Bullets," it will have to go here. A pitcher for Berry College decided to tackle a runner from third trying to score. No, he didn't have the ball. Video included.
• Both USA Today and the NY Times have articles on the push among some high-profile players to have the Player's Association agree to tougher penalties for PED abusers. So far, MLBPA chief Michael Weiner has indicated he's open to pursuing a change, if that's what the players want.
• Jerry Greene in the Orlando Sentinel writes another one of those "You Sabermetric Kids Get Off My Lawn!" columns. Baseball Nerds are ruining the sport, apparently. The funny thing with all these articles is that it's the sabermetric guys who are up at 2 am with me watching World Baseball Classic games while old sportswriters who supposedly love the sport more are asleep. Or listening to a California League game at 2 am on the East Coast because all the major league games are over.
• Tyler Kepner of the New York Times says the WBC is a work in progress. Columbia University scholar Lincoln Mitchell writes an impassioned defense of the tournament in the Huffington Post.
• The Washington Nationals have instituted an extensive program of vision training. Bryce Harper is a big fan of the program, and it was the reason he was wearing the amber-colored contract lenses in the playoffs last season.
• Chris Perez is disappointed that his shoulder strain that forced him to withdraw from the WBC, but he feels confident he'll be ready for Opening Day. Diamondbacks reliever David Hernandez is replacing Perez.
• The Dodgers gave a tryout to a veteran who lost his leg in the Iraq War. Very classy, guys.
• In response to inquiries about his contract negotiations, Robinson Cano said that he's "just focusing on baseball." Not a good sign for the Yankees, but I still bet Cano stays in the Bronx in 2014.
• The Indians are attracting fans with lower beer prices, as well as other concessions. There's got to be a happy medium between gouging the fans and "Ten Cent Beer Night." Maybe the Indians have finally found that sweet spot.
• The Padres ownership group insists they're not broke. There have been reports to the contrary.
• The Angels renewed Mike Trout's contract for $510,000. His agent is not happy.
• The Marlins renewed Giancarlo Stanton for $537,000. His agent has not commented.
• The Tampa Bay Times tells the city of St. Petersburg that the land beneath Tropicana Field would be much more profitable as a mixed use urban development than a ballpark. They're probably right, but the city council has heard this before and isn't listening.
• Phil Rogers says that Jim Thome could be headed back to Minnesota.
• The Mets are upset that Johan Santana was out-of-shape to start spring training.
• Dan Uggla is struggling in spring training, but the Braves second baseman says he's on the right track for opening day.
• Jim Leyland wants Jose Velverde back. What's the matter? Don't trust Bruce Rondon?
• A's manager Bob Melvin isn't sure what spot Hiroyuki Nakajima will bat in the lineup.
• The Royals have a record payroll of $79 million.

The Hawkeyes women's basketball team beat Northwestern, 62-45. They'll play again on Thursday in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster, Maybe I'll get a new shirt.