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Home , Brad Emaus, Chris Perez (baseball), Ed Wade, Erick Almonte, Jerry Manuel, Johan Santana

FLORIDA MARLINS, LP CLIPS Friday, April 01, 2011

Fresh faces for Mets, Marlins Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

MIAMI -- This is when we'll finally begin to see how much change has really paid off.

After several years of playoff absences, the respective front offices of the Mets and Marlins felt a switch at was necessary last year. of the Mets and Edwin Rodriguez of the Marlins will begin their respective quests to transform a culture and build success when they face each another on Friday, when Sun Life Stadium hosts its final Opening Day at 7:10 p.m. ET.

The matchup between the two East rivals will feature the Mets' and the Marlins' , and it will signal the start of the final season before Florida moves into its highly anticipated retractable-roof stadium in 2012.

For Rodriguez, who took the job when Fredi Gonzalez -- now with the Braves -- was dismissed on June 23, this will be his first Opening Day as a big league manager.

For Collins, who last managed the Angels in 1999, it's his first in a long time.

"This is the ultimate position to be in," Collins said, "and it's great to be back."

The Mets -- apparently fed up with missing out on the playoffs for four straight years -- opted to start fresh this offseason, replacing general manager with and with Collins.

Then, toward the end of , they cut ties with mercurial Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo -- two players symbolic of the Mets' recent underachievement.

This year, Carlos Beltran, limited to 145 combined games the past two years and bothered by ongoing knee issues this spring, will look to prove that he can still be a serviceable Major League player.

Shortstop Jose Reyes, in a walk year and seemingly feeling good this spring, will try to reinsert himself into the conversation as the best in .

And and -- both of whom will start the season on the disabled list -- will strive to bounce back themselves when they return.

Opening Day is about new beginnings for all 30 clubs.

The Mets just seem to want one more badly than anybody else. 1

"I know that Terry will help this organization a lot, as well as Sandy," Angel Pagan said. "He's got a lot of knowledge in this business, and that's what this organization needs -- a turnaround. And we're pretty confident that it's going to happen this year."

Besides cutting ties with Perez and Castillo and watching reliable lefty specialist Pedro Feliciano depart via free agency, the Mets' new regime opted against making major changes before getting a look at the club itself.

So while many are picking the Phillies to win it all, and many others are especially fond of the Braves' roster, the Mets -- for the first time in a long time -- are flying under the radar in what many see as a transition year for the franchise.

But Collins believes his new club can compete now, and he's looking forward to the arduous task of making that happen.

"I love competition," the fiery skipper said. "I think that's what the game is about. ... It's going to be a good division, and I'm looking forward to the challenge of it all."

Friday will be the day Rodriguez's Spring Training promise to his players -- that they'd be "the last team standing come October" -- will be put to the test.

The Marlins, like the Mets, are undergoing a bit of a changeover. This offseason, they were forced to part ways with after being unable to negotiate a contract extension with him, trading the slugger to the Braves for infielder and reliever Mike Dunn.

But the Marlins addressed their two biggest areas of need -- catching and help -- by bringing in an assortment of relievers and signing . They'll hope to make the playoffs for the first time since winning it all in 2003 with two stars in Johnson and shortstop Hanley Ramirez, several talented young position players -- right fielder Mike Stanton, left fielder Logan Morrison, center fielder and Gaby Sanchez -- and a good-looking rotation that added Javier Vazquez.

Buck believes the Marlins' staff -- with Johnson, , Vazquez and Anibal Sanchez -- can compete with the Phillies' foursome of , , and .

"If you look at us and you throw our staff up against those guys, we're not giving up one game, even if you match it up as it is," Buck said. "I feel very confident going into the season that our staff is going to be capable of doing what they can be doing."

It'll all start with Johnson, the rotation stalwart who has been one of baseball's best since coming back from Tommy John surgery on July 10, 2008.

Over the past two years, the 27-year-old right-hander has gone 26-11 with a 2.80 ERA while making 61 starts. Last year, he finished fifth in the NL Award voting.

"If you're struggling, you think, 'Who do we have throwing tomorrow?' JJ perks you right up," Morrison said. "You have a chance. No matter if your offense is struggling, defense is struggling, you know what, he's going to give you a chance to win the game."

2 Young Marlins believe playoffs are in sight Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

MIAMI -- Inexperience hasn't diminished the expectation level of the 2011 Marlins.

In the clubhouse, they're talking about it, and they aren't afraid to say it publicly. Reaching the playoffs and making the is clearly the goal.

"You dream high, and you shoot for the stars," left fielder Logan Morrison said. "Maybe you'll the moon."

The 23-year-old Morrison, who is entering his first full big league season, said there is enough talent for the Marlins to reach the next level.

"The guys we have in this clubhouse, the starting rotation, pitching and defense are always the cornerstone," Morrison said. "And we've got a pretty good lineup to go along with that.

"I think our defense is a little underrated, because we all don't make money or we're not in the headlines, and things like that. But we've got a lot of talent out there. What we don't have in experience, we'll make up with talent."

Three-time All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez echoes Morrison's enthusiasm.

"We have to go out there and compete and show everybody that we're not playing around, and that we want to win and go to the playoffs," Ramirez said.

Ramirez, now 27, said he is ready to take on a leadership role.

"It's going to take me to go out there every day and play hard, and keep everybody awake," Ramirez said. "I know sometimes it is going to get hot out there. It doesn't matter. We've just got to go out there and compete, by inning."

Morrison notes that sometimes being young is a plus for a team.

"Ignorance is bliss," he said. "We're all believing in ourselves. I feel that everybody has the same goal."

Marlins have faith in reliever Mujica

MIAMI -- Late Spring Training struggles by reliever Edward Mujica caused some concern among the Marlins' staff.

In Wednesday's Grapefruit League finale, Mujica gave up four runs, including two homers, in one inning in Florida's 6-3 loss to the Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

On Thursday afternoon, Mujica met with manager Edwin Rodriguez and members of the front office.

After talking to the right-hander, the Marlins feel confident Mujica is set to fill a long-relief role.

"In his last outing against the Mets, he gave up four runs, which of course was a concern," Rodriguez said. "You are expecting everybody to show what they're supposed to do during the season that last week of Spring Training. 3

"I was concerned yesterday, but after having a conversation with him today, he's going to be fine. Velocity- wise, he was fine. I understand him more now after talking to him. He's not a big Spring Training guy, and the record shows that."

In recent days, Mujica received a scare when he fell and landed on his right elbow.

The team is confident that his arm strength is not an issue, as he was throwing 91 mph on Wednesday.

Stanton has the power to rival Hamilton

MIAMI -- In terms of pure power, Mike Stanton ranks up there with the strongest hitters in the game.

His ability to drive a baseball a long way rivals Texas' Josh Hamilton, the 2010 MVP.

Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez knows something about both players. He managed both in the Minor Leagues, as well as Stanton at the big league level.

Rodriguez managed Hamilton in Hudson Valley in Tampa Bay's system in 1999.

Asked about Stanton's raw talent, Rodriguez mentioned the 21-year-old in the same breath with Hamilton.

"I think he's right next to Josh Hamilton," Rodriguez said. "You don't put numbers to those kinds of players. The ceiling for those guys is so high. He is going to go out there, and see what happens."

Hamilton has hit some of the longest homers in recent years. But who hits the ball farther?

"I have to say Michael Stanton," Rodriguez said. "When I had Josh Hamilton that first year, he was more of a baseball player. His swing had no flaws. With Michael Stanton, there is room for improvement."

Worth noting

Chris Volstad, who will open his season on Wednesday against the Nationals, threw a Minor League game against the Cardinals -A team on Thursday in Jupiter, Fla. Volstad's start was stopped after five after he was struck on the lower leg by a comebacker. He is fine and was replaced as a precaution. ... On Wednesday, Anibal Sanchez threw seven innings and about 90 pitches in a Minor League game in Jupiter. The right-hander will first take the mound on Tuesday against Washington. ... Manager Edwin Rodriguez on Friday will experience a first. It will be his first Major League Opening Day. He never was part of a big league opener as a player, manager, or a fan. ... The gates will open Friday at 5 p.m. ET, and the parking lot will open at 4:30 p.m. ... Several players are sporting new haircuts for the season. Chris Coghlan has racing stripes carved above each ear, and Hanley Ramirez has a crisp, clean haircut. ... The name on Stanton's nameplate in the clubhouse is "Giancarlo" Stanton. Giancarlo is Stanton's birth name, but he has gone by Mike since he was a child. Giancarlo also is on his glove.

4 Opening Day jitters expected by Florida Marlins The Marlins have a long list of players, and even their manager, who will experience a major-league Opening Day for the first time. Clark Spencer / Miami Herald

Randy Choate has an Opening Day eve ritual.

The veteran reliever searches out every teammate that has never experienced an Opening Day in the majors and shakes their hand. And this year the Marlins are keeping him extra busy.

When the Marlins are introduced to an expected crowd of about 40,000 before Friday night‘s season opener against the , six of their 25 players will be experiencing an Opening Day as a big leaguer for the first time.

So, too, will manager Edwin Rodriguez. ―Never even as a coach, a player or a fan,‖ Rodriguez said Thursday.

With that much inexperience sitting inside the dugout, the question becomes: Are the Marlins too young to pose a serious challenge to the favorites, the Phillies and Braves? Answered 23-year-old left fielder Logan Morrison, who is one of the Opening Day first-timers: ―Ignorance is bliss.‖

Larry Beinfest, the Marlins‘ president of baseball operations, said the team‘s youth and relative lack of experience is not a concern, even though four of the team‘s eight starting position players — Morrison, Mike Stanton, Chris Coghlan and Donnie Murphy — have never played a full season in the majors.

―I have never really contemplated that,‖ said Beinfest, who gave the Marlins a redesign over the winter with an emphasis on improving them defensively and in the bullpen. ―I think these guys deserve to be here.‖

The three are not only young, but have never played as a unit, for a handful of spring training games.

Coghlan, 25, is moving to center field for the first time. Morrison is a former first baseman who has had his moments in left. Stanton, a 21-year-old right fielder, is being asked to make up for lost power with the offseason trade of Dan Uggla to the Braves. Murphy is a utility infielder who is being asked to take over at third base.

Even Gaby Sanchez, the Marlins‘ first baseman, has only one full season under his belt. He finished fourth in voting for the NL Rookie of the Year award last season. That leaves only three position players with any lengthy experience: shortstop Hanley Ramirez (five seasons), new second baseman Omar Infante (nine seasons) and new John Buck (seven seasons).

Rodriguez said it might be a greater concern if the trio of Coghlan, Morrison and Stanton were starting fresh in the majors. But Coghlan was the league‘s Rookie of the Year in 2009 while playing in 129 games. He appeared in 91 more last season before a knee injury landed him on the shelf. Morrison was called up in late July last year and played in 62 games. Stanton was promoted from Double A in early June and saw action in 100 games.

―Last year, it was like they were trying to prove to everyone they belonged,‖ Rodriguez said of Stanton and Morrison. ―Now they know they belong at this level.‖

The inexperience of the everyday lineup is offset by a pitching staff that, though relatively young, can no longer be considered raw.

5 Josh Johnson, who takes the mound for the Marlins in the opener, has more than 100 career starts. So does Ricky Nolasco, Saturday‘s starter. And the Marlins added seasoned veterans in Choate, Buck, Infante and Javier Vazquez over the winter.

―We have a sprinkling of experience now that we haven‘t had the last few years,‖ Beinfest said.

Still, even Beinfest acknowledged that there‘s enough youth on the club — and managing inside the dugout — that there are sure to be butterflies Friday when the Marlins take the field for what will be the last opener at Sun Life Stadium and also the last one in which the word ―Florida‖ appears in front of their names. They will officially become the in November.

―Opening Day jitters are to be expected,‖ Beinfest said.

Choate made his way around the clubhouse Thursday, shaking one hand after another: Morrison, Stanton, Scott Cousins, Brett Hayes, Mike Dunn and Brian Sanches.

―Your first one,‖ Choate said, ―is second only to your first call-up..‖

6 Potential for Florida Marlins’ Mike Stanton is tantalizing Greg Cote / Miami Herald

Mike Stanton walks through the Marlins‘ clubhouse looking like something the ancient Greeks might have imagined in marble. He is 6-5, shoulders broad, biceps bulging, the black bat in his right hand appearing as light as a chopstick.

He is a baseball prodigy, nothing less, on this his first Opening Day as a major-leaguer. All of those tape- measure home runs he hit in the secrecy of the minors formed the outline of near-Ruthian legend. An almost mythic aura both precedes and follows him, the promise of prolific power.

Something will be crushed here.

It will be the he sends flying prodigiously over outfield walls.

High expectations

Or will it be Stanton himself, under the weight of expectations?

He just turned 21, and how he handles the burden of what he is supposed to become will, for me, be the most fascinating subplot of this 19th Marlins season and last in the old stadium, commencing Friday night here against the New York Mets.

Not many experts see the Marlins as a playoff team in the tough NL East, in a season that figures to be little more than a lengthy bridge to the 2012 opening of the new ballpark. Just think of Stanton as a pleasant way to help pass the time.

What the Marlins have, what we have as a sporting community, could be extraordinary. In terms of home- grown, team-drafted talent, Stanton has the potential to place himself in the company of what arrived with Dan Marino in 1983, or with Dwyane Wade in 2003.

That might be hyperbole.

Ah, but what if it isn‘t!

When can you think big, and see nothing but good, if not on Opening Day?

Magical night

This day (or in this case, night) is magical in baseball unlike in other sports, and part of the magic with this Florida squad is that four position players along with its manager are experiencing their first Opening Day together.

Only Stanton among them arrives with ―chosen one‖ status.

Last season he teased with 22 home runs in barely more than half a season after his June call-up from the minors. Now, secure as the right fielder and cleanup hitter, he already is the biggest star on the team after All- Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez and All-Star pitcher Josh Johnson.

7 ―I‘m sure he has already heard about hitting 40, 50, 60 home runs,‖ manager Edwin Rodriguez said Thursday of Stanton. ―But the expectations got to come from him, nobody else. I think the pressure kind of got to him last year. Mental toughness is going to be a big factor for him.‖

The phenom has been cocooned and coached on mastering the game that starts within an athlete‘s head. Naturally quiet, not given to boasts, he seems suited for the role.

Ask Stanton his personal goals. He knows you want a number.

―Just be the best version of myself,‖ came his Dr. Phil answer Thursday, and you got no more.

Ramirez, a veteran now on a young team, has counseled Stanton to not read the newspapers or listen to talk radio, ―just focus every day and not worry about what people say. Just come to the park and be your best every day.‖

First baseman Gaby Sanchez, also young but without the burden of Stanton‘s illuminated, Brobdingnagian potential, roomed with Stanton during spring training and they spoke often.

―If he doesn‘t think about it and just lets his ability go, I can‘t even put a number on his potential. It‘s unbelievable,‖ Sanchez says. ―Talking to him, it looks like his head‘s on right.‖

Rodriguez likens Stanton‘s talent to that of Texas‘ Josh Hamilton, the reigning AL MVP.

―The ceiling on these guys — if you put numbers you are limiting them,‖ said the manager.

Part of what surrounds Stanton with a bigger-than-life aura is the nature of this sport. Baseball is different. There is more mystery involved, less advance indication of who‘ll be great, or maybe beyond great.

Marino had a well-known track record throwing passes at Pitt, and Wade shooting baskets at Marquette. We had seen them play. Heard the Mel Kipers analyze them. Had an idea what we might be getting.

Stanton is just a kid who graduated high school in in 2007, got signed by a scout you‘ve never heard of, was selected in a you didn‘t see (second round), and toiled 31/2 years on the unlit stage of the minors, sans TV cameras.

Besides, alleged phenoms are so often false advertising, right? Wasn‘t supposed to be all that? Ex-Marlins manager John Boles once told me could be a 50-homer guy. Anybody remember Harold Miner?

We can‘t be certain, yet, if Stanton will meet his potential or fall short. We do know that early signs are very good, and that there will be no greater must-see minutes in any Marlins games this season than whenever Stanton is stepping to the plate.

The kid sent a message to his Twitter followers the other day. He probably was referring to his team. But for humility he could as easily have meant his own blossoming career:

―The end of spring is here,‖ he wrote, ―the start of something great is near.‖

8 Dunn anticipates better velocity with regular-season adrenaline Marlins left-hander sat at 91-92 mph this spring instead of his usual 94-96 Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel

MIAMI GARDENS Anyone who saw Mike Dunn pitch this spring probably questioned those who described him as a hard-throwing left-hander. Dunn wasn't tossing slop in spring training, but his velocity was not what National League hitters saw last season.

Dunn's averaged 94.8 mph as a member of the Braves bullpen in 2010. This spring he sat around 91-92, and touched 93 occasionally. He's not concerned.

"That's pretty much where I've been every spring training my past two or three," Dunn said. "It's just so hard, no matter how much you think of a spring training game, it's still spring training. In the back of your head you're not as amped up about it. The adrenaline is not going no matter how much you try to think, 'Hey, this is a real game.' You don't get that adrenaline rush.

"Once you get in the season, you don't have to fake that adrenaline rush. Your body takes over. I would be concerned if I was five clicks off, if I was throwing 88, 89, but only being one or two off my average it doesn't bother me."

As with any two-pitch reliever, an effective fastball is pivotal for Dunn. According to fangraphs.com, he threw it 68.6 percent of time and complimented it with a hard that averaged 86.4 mph. His slider accounted for 30.1 percent of 377 pitches last season.

"[In spring], It's not necessarily, 'I'm going to reach back and throw it by this guy,'" Dunn said. "It's, 'I threw that pitch. Now how am I going to set up for the next pitch?' "

Favorable schedule

Every team this time of year talks about the importance of getting off to a good start. The Marlins are particularly well positioned to do it.

Starting with Friday's opener against the Mets, the Marlins' first nine games and 12 of their first 18 are against teams that finished below .500 in 2010. They also play 15 of 26 April games at home.

"It's a new season," first baseman Gaby Sanchez said. "They might have been under .500 last year, but I think everybody got better…It's not only getting out to a fast start, it's staying consistent."

The Marlins will get tested early. After three in Houston next weekend, they close out their first trip with three against the National League East rival Braves and three in Philadelphia.

Hair apparent

Several Marlins showed up to Thursday's workout with fresh haircuts, some of which prompted double takes.

Outfielder Chris Coghlan is donning a set of three lines on both temples. Think Vanilla Ice circa 1991. If the trend catches on like the faux hawk, Coghlan can't take credit.

"Everybody is copying me," said starter Ricky Nolasco, who also has the stripes but only on the left side of his head. "I had them all offseason."

9 Mike Stanton is sporting them, but his are less perceptible since he keeps his hair short.

10 ESPN MLB analyst says Florida Marlins can win NL Shannon Owens / Sentinel Writer

Hold off on that World Series prediction. The Florida Marlins just might crash the party says ESPN MLB analyst Barry Larkin.

Barry Larkin, who lives in Orlando, spoke with the Sentinel briefly about some of his MLB predictions for the season. Among the Marlins, he's counting the as potential National League crashers. On the American League side, the will take home top honors said Larkin, who joined the ESPN MLB broadcast team this year.

"Everybody is talking about Philly and their pitching, but offensively, they've got a lot of holes and there's a questions in consistency there. Other than Philly, I would say Atlanta is probably the next team. I think Florida and Atlanta will be battling Philly and there's definitely a chance for the Marlins to win.

Josh Johnson, I think he's going to have a monster year. But Mike Stanton is going to have a big-time, breakout season and Hanley Ramirez is going to have another great year."

What do you think? Do the Florida Marlins have a real shot to win their division?

11 Five keys to the Florida Marlins' season Third base, outfield defense, development of young hitters all will determine whether Marlins make postseason Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel

The third element: The Marlins were hoping prospect Matt Dominguez, 21, would earn the everyday third base job. His bat is not ready, so they have to wait on what will be a major defensive upgrade at third. In the meantime, Donnie Murphy will keep the position warm.

Outfield trio: Because of Mike Stanton's quad strain and Chris Coghlan's rotator cuff tendinitis, the Marlins' starting outfield spent little time playing together during spring training. Coghlan is moving well, showing no ill effects of offseason knee surgery. Nonetheless, he is one of two converted infielders out there, so that dynamic bears watching.

Is the pen mightier? The Marlins gave the bullpen a facelift over the offseason, bringing in Mike Dunn, Edward Mujica and through trades. Leo Nunez remains the , even though he blew eight saves and lost his job at the end of 2010. He'll have a smaller margin for this year as proved he could handle the ninth inning.

Star power: Hanley Ramirez and Josh Johnson are legitimate MVP and contenders, respectively. Both performing as such will go a long way toward the Marlins remaining in the postseason picture deep into September. Johnson is the reigning NL ERA champion, and Ramirez hopes to put up numbers closer to those of his 2009 batting title-winning campaign.

Young guns: Scoring shouldn't be a problem for the Marlins, as long as their core of young position players can stay out of prolonged slumps. Mike Stanton, Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez all are in their second year, and Chris Coghlan only has a year and a half of experience. Their ability to make adjustments will be paramount to the club's offensive success.

12 Opening Night is here, so is Mike Stanton Marlins right fielder poised to be South Florida's next great star Dave Hyde / Sun-Sentinel

Sometimes, if you're not watching closely, you can miss greatness. Mike Stanton went into right field with two coaches Thursday evening during the Marlins practice at Sun Life Stadium.

They studied the lights. They measured the wall. They began doing small drills as the larger practice went on around them. Drop steps. Proper angles. Quick releases. The minutiae of baseball. Detail work.

"Not a lot of guys think to do that at this level, much less actually do it,'' Marlins manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "Mike worked with Andre Dawson after practice almost every day this spring on playing the outfield. And I mean worked."

The way it happens in sports, names come and go. Stars fade in and out. But everyone once in a while magic happens. Dan Marino lights up the sky. Dwyane Wade, then Shaquille O'Neal, fall in our lap. Then LeBron James, too.

Mike Stanton Mania officially begins with his first home opener Friday night against the New York Mets. Scoff if you want. Laugh his 100 games last year weren't enough of a sample size to get in a lather about.

But when seasoned baseball people compare his talent to the greats, and teammates marvel at his work ethic, then something's afoot and it's best to brace yourself for the show that's coming.

"He's an impressive man — an impressive kid, I mean,'' Hall of Famer and Marlins adviser Tony Perez said. "He makes you forget he's still a kid. He acts like a man. He's the kind of player who doesn't come along very often."

"I don't know if you can put a number on what you expect from him this season,'' Marlins General Manager said. "His power is so off the charts, you can't say he's going to hit this many home runs or anything. There aren't a lot of comparisons."

"You know how good Hanley Ramirez is?" one National League scout said this spring. "Mike Stanton is Hanley with focus. Hanley's lazy. Stanton works like he's trying to just make the team."

There's the name that keeps the conversation honest about Stanton. You never hear anyone inside the Marlins praise Hanley for anything but being a great talent. It's been that way with their greatest players for whatever reason.

Miguel Cabrera fought weight and the too-fun gene. partied so much he occasionally showed up for work right from clubs. Focus and discipline are talents as sure as speed and power.

This is the grand experiment for Stanton: What happens when an over-talented body mixes with an overachieving mind?

"Intense,'' Beinfest calls him.

He went from a problem in right field last year to "above average" now, Beinfest said. And his work at the plate? Here's a story: Stanton sets up the pitching machine so it throws sliders off the plate for balls. Most players set it up so it throws pitches for strikes. But Stanton has it throw for balls because the machine isn't perfect, and occasionally will be off just enough to throw a strike. 13

"He makes himself be ready for that one pitch in 10 that's a strike,'' Rodriguez said. "I've never seen anyone do it. I asked him and he said he thought of it."

Unusual for a 21-year-old, no?

"Unusual for any age,'' he said.

Stanton is personable but reserved, friendly but quiet. Veteran Marlins reliever Randy Choate has a habit of shaking the hands of every player in their first major league game. He went around and first shook the hand of Logan Morrison, then looked for Stanton.

"I don't know if I've ever talked with [Stanton],'' he said.

This is a young Marlins team. Four starters haven't played more than one season. Even the manager, Rodriguez, hasn't been part of a major league opener, "as a fan player or manager,'' he said.

But they have enough pitching to make the season interesting. Maybe they have enough hitting. Stanton is the unknown factor. The nameplate above his locker reads, "Giancarlo Stanton."

That's his real first name. Mike was his more pronounceable middle name.

"No, not yet,'' he said when asked if he wanted to go by Giancarlo. "I just wanted that to be there. It's my real name."

Whatever, this season, he makes a name for himself. Whatever he goes by.

14 Opening Day preview: Mets at Marlins, Friday 7:10 p.m. Johnson looks to improve career record vs. Mets to 8-1 Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel

When/where: 7:10 p.m., Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens

TV: FSF. Radio: 790-AM, 760-AM, 710-AM (Spanish)

On the mound: RHP Josh Johnson (11-6, 2.30 in 2010) vs. RHP Mike Pelfrey (15-9, 3.66 in 2010). Including last year's season-opening loss to the Mets at , Johnson is 7-1 with a 2.74 ERA in 12 starts against the Mets. Pelfrey has lost 6-of-7 decisions (12 starts) against the Marlins, and is 0-2 with a 5.22 ERA in five Sun Life Stadium starts.

Pitching plans: Saturday — RHP Ricky Nolasco vs. Mets LHP ; Sunday — RHP Javier Vazquez vs. RHP R.A. Dickey; Tuesday — RHP Anibal Sanchez vs. Nationals RHP ; Wednesday — RHP Chris Volstad vs. RHP Livan Hernandez; Thursday — RHP Josh Johnson vs. LHP John Lannan

On the web

Q: Now that Luis Castillo has been let go, do you think the Marlins will make a move for him? Lou, Parkland

A: The Marlins briefly considered Castillo after the Mets released him and they're no more inclined to bring him back now that the Phillies set him free. Castillo is one of the most accomplished players in franchise history, but at 35 he's no longer an everyday player and would be of little help off the bench.

15 Florida Marlins prepare for their final opening night at Sun Life Stadium Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post

Friday night's final season opener at Sun Life Stadium will be the first in the major leagues for manager Edwin Rodriguez, Donnie Murphy and starting outfielders Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton.

But the young Marlins are aiming high.

"Our expectations are nothing short of a World Series title,' Morrison said Thursday night before the Marlins' final pre-season workout. "I think our team is a little underrated because we don't make (big) money and we're not in the headlines. But we've got a lot of talent.'

The Marlins open with a three-game series against the New York Mets. The Marlins are expecting 40,000 for Game 1, which will be more than they'll get next year when they open their new ballpark in downtown Miami - it will seat a little more than 37,000.

Opening-night pitcher Josh Johnson - who will face New York's Mike Pelfrey - is looking forward to the big crowd.

"Hopefully it'll be pretty loud - and not as much, 'Let's go Mets,' ' Johnson said.

Shortstop Hanley Ramirez laughed and said: "I think that's the most fans we're going to get all season. Hopefully they'll continue to come. We just have to keep winning and they'll keep coming to games.'

Florida's Ricky Nolasco will face left-hander Jon Niese in Game 2 at 7:10 p.m. Saturday. The Mets' R.A. Dickey will face Javier Vazquez in the finale at 1:10 p.m. Sunday.

Commissioner Bud Selig toured the new, retractable-roof stadium Wednesday.

"We were overwhelmed. It was magnificent,' said baseball spokesman Pat Courtney, who toured the park with Selig, Marlins owner and team president David Samson. "The views are just amazing. It seems like they've paid an incredible amount of attention to details.'

But Friday night, the focus will be on Sun Life Stadium, where saxophonist Clarence Clemons will perform the national anthem. Former Marlins third baseman will throw out the first pitch.

The weather forecast at game time calls for clear skies and temperatures around 80.

"It's the only home I've ever known,' Johnson said of Sun Life Stadium. "I don't know what it's like to play indoors all the time. I've had some good memories here, some bad memories, too. But the good ones outweigh the bad ones.'

16 Baseball preview: Meet the 2011 Marlins Staff Writer / Palm Beach Post

THE BATTING ORDER

Only Hanley Ramirez and Gaby Sanchez began last season in the same roles.

CF Chris Coghlan No. 8

Vitals: 6-0, 204. Age: 25. Bats: L. Throws: R.

Key stats: Followed up 2009 NL Rookie of Year campaign (.321) by batting .268 in 91 games. His season ended July 27 when he injured his left knee in post-game celebration.

Comment: First season in center field was delayed because of a sore shoulder that limited his spring action. Played left field last season, so this is still an experiment.

2B Omar Infante No. 13

Vitals: 6-0, 180. Age: 29. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Batted .321 in 134 games as Atlanta's valuable utility infielder, and was an NL All-Star last season.

Comment: His first season with a starting job locked in on opening day. Considered a defensive improvement over the traded Dan Uggla.

SS Hanley Ramirez No. 2

Vitals: 6-3, 229. Age: 27. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: By his standards, 2010 was a disappointment. He batted .300 and missed most of September with sore elbows. Started a second straight All-Star game.

Comment: He's determined to hit like he did in 2009 (batting title at .342). Has played sloppy defense this spring.

RF Mike Stanton No. 27

Vitals: 6-5, 233. Age: 21. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Called up in June and hit 21 homers in 100 games after hitting 21 homers in 53 games at Class AA. Was a streaky hitter and struck out 123 times in 359 at-bats.

Comment: Poised for big year despite a muscle strain in right quadriceps that limited his spring action. He'll bat fourth and try to replace Uggla's production.

1B Gaby Sanchez No. 15

Vitals: 6-1, 216. Age 27. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Batted .273 with 19 homers and 85 RBI in 151 games. Finished fifth in NL Rookie of Year voting. 17

Comment: Miami native was targeted for clean-up spot after Stanton's injury in February. Now he'll bat fifth but could swap spots with Logan Morrison.

LF Logan Morrison No. 20

Vitals: 6-3, 237. Age: 23. Bats: L. Throws: L.

Key stats: Called up from Class AAA on July 27 and batted .283 with two homers and 18 RBI in 62 games, mostly from the No. 2-hole.

Comment: Marlins are counting on him for more power as he learns a new spot in batting order, fifth or sixth.

C John Buck No. 14

Vitals: 6-3, 210. Age: 30. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: An All-Star with Toronto in 2010, hit a career-high 20 home runs in 118 games.

Comment: Marlins need him to hit another 20 homers to help replace Uggla's power; 2006-07 were his last consecutive years with double-digit home runs.

3B Donnie Murphy No. 22

Vitals: 5-10, 195. Age: 28. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Batted .318 with three homers and 16 RBI in 29 games as a bench player last year. Earned nickname "Walk-Off Murphy" during a week of clutch hits.

Comment: Returned ahead of schedule from September surgery to repair a dislocated wrist. Will start at third base until prospect Matt Dominguez is ready.

THE STARTING ROTATION

All five front-line starters are right-handers.

Josh Johnson No. 55

Vitals: 6-7, 249. Age: 27. Bats: L. Throws: R.

Key stats: All-Star won NL ERA title (2.30), but struggled in the second half before missing the final month with back and shoulder issues.

Comment: Johnson had a rocky spring but still expects to improve from last year (11-6 in 28 starts).

Ricky Nolasco No. 47

Vitals: 6-2, 228. Age: 28. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Led team with 14 wins, despite missing final month with a torn meniscus in right knee.

18 Comment: Mild thumb sprain delayed his spring debut, but he's looking to prove he's worth the 3-year, $26.5 million contract he signed in December.

Javier Vazquez No. 23

Vitals: 6-2, 210. Age: 34. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: His velocity dropped in an uneven year with the Yankees: 10-10 with a 5.32 ERA in 31 games (26 starts).

Comment: Marlins gave him a one-year, $7 million contract hoping he'll pitch like he did in 2009, when he went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA for the Braves.

Anibal Sanchez No. 19

Vitals: 6-0, 207. Age: 27. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Led Marlins in starts (32) and innings (195) while going 13-12 with a 3.55 ERA in his first injury- free season.

Comment: Sanchez is primed for a big season after a solid spring.

Chris Volstad No. 41

Vitals: 6-8, 232. Age: 24. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Recovered from a rocky year to go 8-1 in his final 13 starts, finishing with the first double-digit win total (12) of his career.

Comment: Marlins' top draft pick in 2005 out of Palm Beach Gardens hopes to build off his strong finish.

THE CLOSER

Leo Nunez No. 46

Vitals: 6-2, 190. Age: 27. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Converted 30 of 38 save chances but chronic struggles cost him the closer's job in late August.

Comment: Hopes the slider he refined this spring translates into a more consistent year.

THE SET-UP MAN

Clay Hensley No. 32

Vitals: 5-11, 188. Age: 31. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Converted each of his final seven save chances and finished with 2.16 ERA.

Comment: The Marlins' primary set-up man will close games if Nunez falters.

19 REST OF THE BULLPEN

Randy Choate No. 35

Vitals: 6-1, 200. Age: 35. Bats: L. Throws: L.

Key stats: His 85 appearance last year led the AL and set a franchise record. Held lefty batters to a .202 average.

Comment: Hopes to bounce back from an inconsistent spring as the Marlins' lefty situational reliever.

Ryan Webb No. 58

Vitals: 6-6, 214. Age: 25. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Went 3-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 59 innings for the Padres last year.

Comment: A future closer, who was obtained from the Padres in the Cameron Maybin trade, had a strong spring.

Mike Dunn No. 40

Vitals: 6-1. 195. Age: 25. Bats: L. Throws: L.

Key stats: Was 2-0 with .296 ERA in 29 games for the Braves after starting last season at Class AAA.

Comment: Obtained in the Uggla trade, he's one of two left-handers on the Marlins' pitching staff.

Edward Mujica No. 34

Vitals: 6-2, 215. Age: 26. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Struck out 72 and walked six in 69 2/3 innings last year with San Diego, a 12:1 -to-walk ratio.

Comment: Had a rocky spring but his history shows control will not be an issue.

Brian Sanches No. 44

Vitals: 6-0, 197. Age: 32. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Posted a 2.28 ERA in 61 games last year.

Comment: Sanches is out of options. If he didn't make the team, he'd have to clear waivers before going to minors.

THE BENCH

OF No. 1

Vitals: 5-11, 200. Age: 25. Bats: S. Throws: R. 20

Key stats: Batted .261 with 30 runs scored in 260 games last season.

Comment: He's the team's most versatile player and perhaps its best defensive player. Speed provides added excitement on the basepaths.

IF Wes Helms No. 18

Vitals 6-4, 228. Age: 34. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Batted just .114 (5-for-44) as a pinch-hitter in 2010 after collecting 17 pinch-hits in 2009.

Comment: "Uncle Wes," who will be the first bat off the bench, will get spot starts at third and first base.

IF No. 29

Vitals: 6-1, 207. Age: 32. Bats: L. Throws: R.

Key stats: Batted .196 in 88 games for the Phillies last year.

Comment: The left-handed bat off the bench needs to provide more offensive pop.

C Brett Hayes No. 9

Vitals: 6-1, 205. Age: 27. Bats: R. Throws: R.

Key stats: Batted .208 in 26 games last year. Season ended in September with a sprained shoulder suffered in a home-plate collision.

Comment: He'll probably start once a week and pinch hit.

OF Scott Cousins No. 33

Vitals: 6-1, 197. Age: 26. Bats: L. Throws: L

Key stats: Started 2010 in Class AAA and hit .297 in 27 games for Marlins.

Comment: Won a bench job because of non-roster invitee Dewayne Wise's foot injury; he'll see plenty of action as late-game defensive replacement in center field.

THE MANAGER

Edwin Rodriguez No. 36

Vitals: Went 46-46 last season as interim manager after taking over the team when Fredi Gonzalez was fired in June. The Marlins finished 80-82 last season, in third place in the National League East.

Comment: This is the first major-league coaching job for Rodriguez, 50, a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Rodriguez's talented young roster with a solid starting staff must overachieve to keep pace in the division behind the Phillies and Braves.

21 Mike Stanton, 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, is expected to be the next big thing for the Florida Marlins Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post

Former Marlins slugger Dan Uggla knows all about Mike Stanton's ability to hit a baseball a long way.

But at dinner last month, Uggla learned that the kid can put up impressive numbers off the field, too.

"He eats like a horse,' Uggla said, laughing about Stanton's appetite at the Yard House in Palm Beach Gardens. "It's an expensive meal any time he's a part of it.'

Uggla could afford to pick up the tab. In January, he signed a $62 million contract extension with Atlanta, which had acquired him from Florida in a deal that stung many Marlins fans and left them skeptical about the team's power.

But Uggla has a couple of predictions that might placate them. He believes that Stanton not only will be a capable clean-up hitter this season - starting Friday night when the Marlins open at Sun Life Stadium against the New York Mets - but that he'll eventually shatter the franchise record for home runs.

"He's going to accidentally hit 30 homers,' said Uggla, who hit a Marlins' record 154 homers from 2006 through last season. "His power is second to none in the game. It baffles me how he hits balls like he does.'

That's high praise for a hitter who hasn't played a full major-league season and won't turn 22 until November. But as Uggla put it: "He is not your typical guy at all."

Stanton, 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, has a flair for the dramatic. After he hit 22 home runs in 100 games as a rookie last season, he returned to Jupiter last month and homered on his first swing of the spring.

He hurt his right leg in his next at-bat and missed three weeks. When he returned March 24, he hit two long homers off Boston's Clay Buchholz.

Red Sox manager was asked if he saw Stanton's first dent the scoreboard above the wall in left-center. "I quit watching it after a while,' Francona replied.

During the off-season, Francona was asked by General Manager Theo Epstein to identify the players whom he expects to improve the most this year. Stanton was near the top of the list.

"Now that I've seen him in person, I like him more,' Francona said. "He's an impressive young man."

That's especially true considering who he was just five years ago - a vulnerable Southern California teenager who never gave big-league baseball much thought aside from sitting with his friends in the bleachers at .

Back in 2006, Stanton was a three-sport athlete who dreamed of a football career. He had spent his freshman and sophomore years at Verdugo Hills High, a public school in Tujunga. But he was struggling with grades and his parents were going through a divorce.

Then he transferred to the private Notre Dame Prep in Sherman Oaks, where he started to flourish in football coach Kevin Rooney's structured environment.

"If I didn't do that, who knows what might've happened,' Stanton said.

22 During his pivotal junior year, Stanton began working with Phil Van Horn, a former college baseball coach (USC and Cal State Northridge) and a Stanton family friend.

"He had played football and basketball year-round and had given baseball very little effort, and in fact it showed,' said Van Horn, recalling how Stanton hit just .200 as a No. 7 hitter in his first year at Notre Dame.

"We changed his swing a little bit, got him involved in some high-level club baseball and got him around some really good players. Two months later, he was well under way to what he is now.'

Van Horn said the turning point came in summer 2006, when Stanton participated in the Area Code Games, an annual showcase of baseball's top high school players.

"That was the only reason I turned into a prospect, probably,' said Stanton, who had to get permission from Rooney to skip football practice to attend the competition at Blair Field in nearby Long Beach.

That day, Mike Stanton started turning heads with his swing.

"He hit five or six balls over on the golf course beyond the left-field wall and two through the top of these really tall palm trees, and no one did that,' Van Horn said. "That really was when Mike announced himself.'

Stanton still aspired to be a wide receiver or tight end - he considered a football scholarship offer from USC. But when the Marlins drafted him in the second round in 2007, he signed for $475,000.

He figured he could always go back to football. But a year later, he was on his way to hitting 39 home runs for low- Greensboro (N.C.).

During that summer of 2008, his name was linked to trade rumors involving - a deal the Marlins nixed because they valued Stanton's potential more than they did Ramirez.

"He was laughing about it: 'Hey, my name came up in the Manny trade. That's hilarious,' ' Van Horn recalled.

"Guys were like, 'No, no, that's not funny, Mike. That's really good. That means more than just a couple of people in the Marlins organization think you're really good.' '

Stanton still has much to learn. Although he hit 89 home runs in 324 minor-league games before turning 21. he also struck out 371 times in 1,195 at-bats.

But as he begins his first full season in the majors, he's generating a buzz not heard since began his first full year with Philadelphia after hitting 22 home runs in 88 games as a rookie in 2005.

One national writer, Tyler Kepner of The New York Times, is picking Stanton to win the Most Valuable Player award - just as Howard did in 2006.

Stanton is polite and friendly - and he made his teammates howl this spring when they saw his national TV commercial for the MLB 2K11 video game. (It ends with Stanton running across the outfield with a briefcase full of money chained to his wrist.)

But he's also shy and reserved, even uncomfortable at times about the hype surrounding his career.

23 "You're not going to get much out of me about how far home runs are going to go,' he told reporters surrounding his locker early in camp after he hit a batting-practice ball that cleared the roof of the Marlins clubhouse at Roger Dean Stadium.

Told that Mark McGwire once hit a ball that far in Jupiter before his record-breaking 1998 season, Stanton wasn't impressed.

"It doesn't matter; it's all worth the same,' he said. "The length is for the fans and everybody else, but I don't care.'

One afternoon in February, as a day of workouts wound down, Stanton was in the batting cage when he noticed the glare from the sun setting behind hitting coach John Mallee.

Mover over a bit, Stanton asked Mallee. Stanton wanted the added challenge of hitting with the sun bright in his eyes.

"The thing that impresses me most about Mike is how humble he is, and his will and want to get better,' Uggla said.

Starting Friday night, Stanton will be asked to deliver for a full season, provide some of the pop lost in the Uggla trade and also bat just behind the No. 3 hitter, former batting champion Hanley Ramirez.

Said Uggla: "It's not an easy thing to come in and protect one of the best hitters in the game - that's a tough load to put on a 21-year-old - but I think he's got the ability to do it.'

24 Commentary: Marlins may be overlooked, but so is 2011 season as new stadium looms on horizon Greg Stoda / Palm Beach Post

The franchise name is still Florida and the team still plays its home games in Sun Life Stadium.

Those facts are worth noting as excitement builds toward another Marlins baseball season, but not necessarily the one that begins Friday night. It's as though an unseen entity is pressing hard on the 2012 fast-forward button when the re-christened Miami Marlins will move into their new retractable-roof digs in Little Havana.

There is, of course, the hardly small matter of first playing the 2011 season, but it's a tough sell.

That's because the Marlins figure to be what they've been for most of the past seven seasons since winning the : ordinary. They've won 83, 83, 78, 71, 84, 87 and 80 games in that span, an 81-victory average that's as middling as it gets in a 162-game schedule. And if these Marlins don't fall somewhere in that range when the counting is done come autumn, it'll be a surprise.

The abridged summary is that they should be better defensively than last year, but not as good offensively. The starting rotation has a potentially potent look if the two leading men - Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco - can stay healthy, and the bullpen should be improved if only because it's difficult to imagine otherwise.

"I'm even more positive now than I was at the beginning of spring training," said manager Edwin Rodriguez.

Those were motivational words for his team in late March with spring training over, but the reality is that life in the nasty National League East (see: Philadelphia, Atlanta) likely will be too treacherous for the Marlins to navigate with any appreciable success.

"We've been overlooked before," Johnson said. "It doesn't matter to us."

Nor should it, but the truth is that the Marlins at their core - Johnson, shortstop Hanley Ramirez, first baseman Gaby Sanchez and outfielders Logan Morrison, Chris Coghlan and Mike Stanton - are stunningly young. Stanton, a prodigious slugger, is 21. Morrison is 23. Coghlan, a former Rookie of the Year, is 25. Sanchez is 27, as are Ramirez, who is a star, and Johnson, who is an ace.

It's an impressive array of talent that bodes well for the future, which is why the upcoming season seems more important in terms of preparation than any real promise. It's why the fixation on the 2012 season with all its trappings is so pronounced.

Even Marlins baseball operations president Larry Beinfest has found himself balancing thoughts about "growing the team" while insisting "winning now" remains important.

The most significant disappointment of spring training was that defensive wizard Matt Dominguez - he's 21 - had a third-base job that was his to lose, and he lost it with weak hitting. The position almost certainly will be manned by committee.

But the most significant question has to do with how the Marlins will offset the loss of power-hitting second baseman Dan Uggla, traded away to Atlanta, who routinely produced 30-homer, 90-RBI seasons. The standard answer is that Stanton, who hit 22 homers while playing only two-thirds of last season's schedule, will carry much of that load. And newcomer catcher John Buck (20 homers with Toronto last season) should give the Marlins appreciably more pop at that position.

25 So the final Sun Life Stadium baseball act is set to start with a weekend series against the New York Mets for which the Marlins are expecting 85,000 in attendance.

If the defense does what it's supposed to do - "I think it's going to be better. It has to be better. We hope it's going to be better. All those things," Beinfest said - and the starting rotation is effective and the offense doesn't wilt, then an 85-win season is possible as Florida completes transformation into Miami.

If not, the only sweetness will be in the farewell.

26 Pelfrey looks to reverse fortunes against Marlins Mike Puma /

MIAMI -- Mike Pelfrey's career numbers against the Marlins are suspect, but the Mets righty insists there should be an asterisk attached.

"That was earlier in my career," Pelfrey said yesterday. "Two of my last [four] starts against them were really good. The bad one was in San Juan, and it was miserable. I didn't want to be there and I don't think anybody else did either."

Pelfrey, set to start his first career opener, is 1-6 with a 5.32 ERA lifetime against the Marlins. That included the debacle last June 30 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he allowed four earned runs on 12 hits over 4 2/3 innings to begin a five-week stretch in which he did not win a game.

But Pelfrey allowed just one over seven innings against the Marlins on Sept. 21 -- he received a no- decision -- help ing him forget his fish trou bles. The Mets will count on their interim ace to set the tone for 2011 by pitching a gem tonight.

Two strong months to close last season allowed Pelfrey to finish 15-9 with a 3.66 ERA after winning just 10 games the previous year. His goal now is to build from 15 victories.

"I thought last year was a big step in the right direction, especially after '09, and I want to keep that going," Pelfrey said.

Manager Terry Collins named Pelfrey the Opening Night starter 2½ months ago, passing over last year's rotation hero, R.A. Dickey. Johan Santana, who had pitched the Mets' previous three openers, will be sidelined until at least June as he rehabs his left shoulder.

"Opening Day [starting] is special for everybody, and [Pelfrey] is going to have a lot more throughout his career," Collins said. "I just think it's his turn and his time."

27 Improvement is Mets' primary goal Mike Puma / New York Post

MIAMI — Same old Mets, or start of something big?

The latest new chapter in franchise history will begin today when Florida‘s Josh Johnson delivers the first pitch to Jose Reyes shortly after 7 p.m. The new Mets architect, general manager Sandy Alderson, will be watching from the stands. His handpicked manager, Terry Collins, will be in the dugout. The kitchen still is spotless from the housecleaning that disposed of GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel last offseason.

The slate won‘t be completely blank after tonight.

―This is where the competition starts,‖ Collins said yesterday. ―This is why we play this game. This is the real fun part for me. I don‘t think it‘s pressure, I think it‘s a blast.‖

After four straight seasons missing the playoffs — two of them with a losing record — the Mets are out to prove they aren‘t among the dregs of the National League. Collins, about to manage his first major league game since 1999 with the Angels, planned to hold a short team meeting before a workout yesterday at Sun Life Stadium just to inject one last burst of energy into his players before the opener.

Alderson chose Collins last November in large part to keep the inmates from running the asylum, as had occurred last season under Manuel. But the Mets aren‘t expecting to see a different Collins now that Opening Night has arrived.

―I‘m not sure how much higher [energy] you can get with Terry,‖ said. ―It seems like no matter if it‘s the week of the Super Bowl, when I first got down to Florida, or Opening Day, I think the energy level is going to be pretty high. I wouldn‘t expect it to be too much higher without him having a heart attack.‖

It‘s a season that will begin with Jason Bay on the disabled list, after the left fielder incurred a strained ribcage muscle earlier in the week. Carlos Beltran‘s left knee is strong enough for him to begin the season as the right fielder, but the Mets will monitor his situation closely.

Along the theme of a new start, closer Francisco Rodriguez officially is back — he was placed on the roster yesterday — after the Mets banished him to the disqualified list last August in the aftermath of the right-hander tearing a ligament in his thumb during a brawl with his girlfriend‘s father at Citi Field.

―It‘s going to be a new chapter, a new season and I‘m looking forward to staying healthy and help this ballclub the best that I can to be in a good position,‖ Rodriguez said.

With Johan Santana on the DL until at least June as he rehabs from shoulder surgery, the Opening Night start belongs to Mike Pelfrey. Jon Niese and R.A. Dickey are scheduled to pitch the following two games in this series.

Maybe the Phillies and Braves — both of whom are expected to compete for the playoffs — can afford a sluggish April. The Mets do not fall into the same category.

―Sometimes the wins in April, they can be ignored, [but] they‘re very important,‖ Collins said. ―For us to build up some confidence and get our fans back on board, it‘s important for us to get started.‖

Alderson, in his first GM role since leaving Oakland in 1997, was asked to define a successful season for the Mets. 28

―I could say winning the World Series, and anything less would be unsuccessful,‖ Alderson said. ―But, somewhere between where we were last year and winning the World Series.‖

Five things that have to go right:

* Jose Reyes (right) needs to revert to 2008 form and give the Mets a threat at the top of the order.

* R.A. Dickey must continue at a high level for the Mets and not revert to career journeyman. The knuckleballer is the glue to the Mets‘ rotation.

* needs to take his offensive game to the next level. If he approaches 30 homers this season, the Mets could have a special lineup.

* ‘s 100-mph fastball must get outs consistently, giving the Mets a dependable bridge to Francisco Rodriguez.

* (below) and Chris Capuano must stay healthy and give the Mets arms at the back of the rotation.

Five things that could go wrong:

* If Johan Santana can‘t return by the All-Star break at close to his normal level, don‘t figure on the Mets playing meaningful games beyond the trade deadline.

* Brad Emaus is unproven at second base. The last thing the Mets need is a revolving door at the position.

* Mike Pelfrey as the team ace? Probably not an ideal scenario for a pitcher best suited to be a No. 2.

* If Jason Bay doesn‘t produce upon his return from the DL, he will hear plenty of boos and could become the new Luis Castillo.

* The creaky knees of Carlos Beltran might deprive the Mets of their best option in the cleanup spot. If he can‘t play 100 games, this season could get ugly.

29 Collins says he will consider pulling Beltran for defensive replacement Mark Hale / New York Post

MIAMI — Manager Terry Collins admitted yesterday it‘s possible he could use a defensive replacement for Carlos Beltran if the Mets have a lead late in a game.

But Beltran isn‘t expecting to be pulled.

―I don‘t think that‘s going to happen,‖ he told The Post.

Beltran will open the season in right field against the Marlins tonight, but it will be fascinating to see how Collins handles him this year. Beltran‘s situation is hardly easy — he had knee issues throughout spring training. And he is shifting from center field to right field, so his defense at that position is also in question.

Thus, if the Mets have a lead late, the question is whether they would be better served by pulling Beltran and using either Willie Harris or Scott Hairston in right field instead. But it might be difficult for Collins to navigate, considering Beltran‘s status and Collins‘ Mets managerial newness.

―I‘d consider it,‖ Collins said yesterday while also praising the way Beltran has played in right. ―It all depends when his bat‘s coming up again.‖

Perhaps Beltran‘s confidence that he won‘t be removed is due to his belief in both his health and his defensive abilities in right field, or his bat being too valuable.

He hasn‘t played nine innings in a game this entire spring. Beltran played five frames in right field on Tuesday and six more on Wednesday.

―Three more I don‘t think will be any different,‖ he said.

The three-time Gold Glover has played only five career games in corner outfield spots — three in right, two in left, all in 2000 (he didn‘t commit any errors). He looked shaky in right this spring.

―I‘m comfortable. It‘s going to take time for me to be 100 percent confident out there,‖ Beltran said, explaining how reading bats is not the same as in center. ―I have to get used to that. But when I get used to that, I‘ll be fine.‖

Beltran, who was limited to 64 games last season because of a knee surgery, admitted his legs are sore but said the soreness will dissipate by playing.

He said he‘s ―happy to be here‖ for Opening Day, and Collins said the team is planning to play Beltran in five of the Mets‘ first seven games through next Friday‘s home opener.

30 On the air

BASEBALL TIME TV MLB: Astros-Phillies 1 p.m. ESPN MLB: Pirates-Cubs 2:10 p.m. WGN MLB: Red Sox-Rangers 4 p.m. ESPN College: Tennessee-Florida 7 p.m. CSS MLB: Mets-Marlins 7:10 p.m. FSNF Radio: WAXY 790, WAQI 710 (Spanish) MLB: Mariners-Athletics 10 p.m. MLBN

BASKETBALL TIME TV High School: Rise National Invitational 3:30 p.m. ESPN2 High School: Rise National Invitational 5:30 p.m. ESPN2 NBA: Heat-Timberwolves 8 p.m. SUN Radio: WHIM 1080, WQBA 1140 (Spanish) NBA: Celtics-Hawks 8 p.m. ESPN NBA: Lakers-Jazz 10:30 p.m. ESPN

BOXING TIME TV Lightweights: Lundy-Lopez 9 p.m. ESPN2

GOLF TIME TV European PGA: Trophee Hassan II 11 a.m. GOLF LPGA: Kraft Nabisco Championship Noon GOLF PGA: Houston Open 3 p.m. GOLF LPGA: Kraft Nabisco Championship 6:30 p.m. GOLF Champions: Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic 12:30 a.m. GOLF

HORSE RACING TIME TV Trackside Live: Tampa Bay Downs 4 p.m. SUN

SOCCER TIME TV MLS: FC Dallas-Columbus 7 p.m. FSC

TENNIS TIME TV Sony Ericsson Open: ATP semifinal 1 p.m. ESPN2 Sony Ericsson Open: ATP semifinal 7 p.m. ESPN2

31 Heyward homers, Braves win opener of Fredi G. era David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution

WASHINGTON – After it was over, after homered for the second consecutive opening day and and the bullpen pitched a shutout, there was a bottle of champagne and a message for new Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.

―Congrats on the first of many Braves wins,‖ said the hand-written note attached to a bottle of Dom Perignon, 2002. It came from a Braves staffer who worked with Gonzalez when he managed the Triple-A Richmond Braves in 2002.

―You know he‘s excited to kind of fill in for a legend and to give him his first win is nice,‖ Lowe said after the Braves‘ 2-0 season-opening win against the in the first game of the post- era.

Lowe pitched 5-2/3 innings of three-hit ball to win his third consecutive opening-day start for the Braves, piling up 105 pitches and making good ones when he needed them.

Chipper Jones had two hits, including a key double in his first game since August knee surgery, and Heyward duplicated his first at-bat homer feat from last opening day as the Braves won on a frigid day at Nationals Park.

―I tell you what, from D-Lowe all the way to Craig [Kimbrel] at the end, we had a lot of good things happen,‖ said Gonzalez, who claimed his first win as Braves manager in the same city where he won his first game as a major league manager with Florida.

Jonny Venters and Kimbrel retired the Nationals in order in the eighth and ninth innings, with Kimbrel striking out the last two batters to notch the save in the rookie‘s first appearance as closer.

Brian McCann also had two of the Braves‘ five hits, including an RBI in the first inning that scored Jones after he‘d legged out a two-out double.

Gonzalez‘s Florida team beat the Nationals on opening day 2007 at old RFK Stadium, opening the first of four seasons for Gonzalez with the Marlins before he was fired last June.

Hired in October to replace Cox after his mentor retired, Gonzalez never had a Marlins lineup quite as deep as the one he used Thursday. His No. 6 hitter, Heyward, crushed a leadoff homer off Livan Hernandez in the second inning for a 2-0 lead.

―We just wanted to help Fredi win his first game. It didn't matter how we did it,‖ said Heyward, the second player in major league history to homer on opening day in each of his first two seasons.

―Whether we won it in the last inning or jumped out early, it‘s just great to help him win his first game. I congratulated him and I‘m sure a lot of other players did, too.‖

Heyward had homered in his first at-bat as a rookie in 2010, a mammoth first-inning shot off the Cubs‘ that sent sold-out Turner Field into a frenzy as the homegrown uber-prospect began his career in spectacular fashion.

This time he quieted most of a crowd of 39,055, although an excited fan in a Braves cap caught it in the second row of bleachers in right-center field. Heyward joined the Mets' Kaz Matsui (2004-2005) as the only players to homer on opening day in their first two seasons. Both also did it in their first at-bats each time.

32 ―Maybe we need to trick him on Saturday, tell him it‘s opening day again,‖ joked Gonzalez, whose Braves have Friday off before resuming the three-game series against the Nationals on Saturday. ―He hit that ball a ton.‖

Heyward tomahawked a 2-1 from Hernandez, the veteran right-hander who proceeded to retire the next 15 batters in a row.

―I was commenting to Uggs [second baseman Dan Uggla] in batting practice, it‘s these kind of conditions where whoever gets out in the lead after five or six innings usually has the upper hand,‖ Jones said. ―Because it gets harder and harder to hit as you get colder and colder. You stand out there long enough and it‘s hard to come up and try to time 90, 95 miles an hour.

―Our guys were awesome coming out of the bullpen. Everybody was outstanding.‖

Lowe allowed consecutive groundball singles with one out in the first inning, then recorded 16 outs in the last 18 batters he faced. He got nifty defensive work behind him, particularly from shortstop Alex Gonzalez and rookie first baseman .

All that Lowe gave up the rest of the way was another ground ball single (second inning) and two walks. And one of those runners was erased when McCann threw out former Braves Rick Ankiel trying to steal after a two-out walk in the fourth.

After Lowe walked with two out in the sixth, reliever Eric O‘Flaherty gave up an Adam LaRoche single before an inning-ending groundout.

The Nationals threatened again after Danny Espinosa‘s two-out double off O‘Flaherty in the eighth, but Peter Moylan struck out to strand Espinosa at third.

33 Francisco: New face among Phillies regulars in the outfield Matt Gelb / Philadelphia Inquirer

There was one constant in Ben Francisco's frenetic winter. At his wedding in Kansas City, Mo., Josh Barfield was a groomsman. In Scottsdale, Ariz., the two live across the street from one another. They went to Phoenix Suns games whenever the Lakers (Francisco's team) or Rockets (Barfield's team) came to town. They lifted weights together. They hit together. Just about every other night, they shared dinner.

Close friends for four years, few words were needed to understand the opportunity presented to Francisco once signed in Washington.

"You could tell from Day 1 he was ready," Barfield said.

Finally, the two were separated earlier this week. Barfield, a minor-league infielder with the Phillies, stayed in Florida as the big-league team came north. Francisco was promptly anointed the starting rightfielder by manager .

"He's going to get a chance to play a lot," Manuel said.

And so begins the task of replacing a $126 million man and the team's most productive hitter from a season ago. Francisco has quietly yearned for the chance, having languished on the Phillies bench since a summer trade in 2009 that sent Francisco and some other guy to Philadelphia.

Right, Cliff Lee was the headliner of that trade and Francisco the toss-in. But Francisco, 29, was an everyday player in Cleveland before the deal and certainly not a terrible one. He posted a .770 OPS in 499 plate appearances in 2008 and a .758 OPS in 308 plate appearances in 2009 with the Indians.

The only problem was he came to a team with three all-star outfielders.

"I don't think anything is different," said one of them, . "I don't think people understand - Benny was, and can be, an everyday big-leaguer. There was a point where he played every day in Cleveland and was very successful."

This spring, Francisco was very successful, too. He hit .361 (26 for 72) and tied for the team lead with five home runs.

The entire outfield enjoyed a productive spring. Victorino, coming off a season in which his power numbers rose but on-base percentage suffered, hit .304 with a .380 OBP. He will bat leadoff Friday.

Raul Ibanez also had an encouraging month. He had seven extra-base hits and finished with a .253 batting average.

Each one of the outfielders must have a role in compensating for the loss of Werth. All eyes will be on Francisco because he's the replacement and new face among the regulars, but it's impossible to expect Werth- like production from him.

Francisco begins with the same blank slate Werth did in 2008 when he became a regular. Manuel often made the comparison between the two players this spring.

"When we start the season, Francisco's going to get a chance to play," Manuel said. "In our organization, people think he can hit. I think he can hit, too." 34

Francisco stays mostly quiet about the situation, saying he's learned a great deal from Werth and his time on the bench. Last season, Manuel used him in just 88 games (197 plate appearances).

He took the extra cage work in stride and usually could be found in the clubhouse fiddling with his iPad. (Francisco always seems to be the first one in the room with the newest technology or shoes. Hence, the nickname "Benny Fresh.")

"He's very quiet," Victorino said.

Barfield befriended Francisco in 2007 when he was traded to Cleveland. They didn't know each other but soon found they shared the same interests: basketball and football.

"He's a very laid-back guy," Barfield said. "He takes everything in stride. That's why people are drawn to him. He's always the same; never too high or too low. He's a guy you can have a lot of fun around. He's always belly- laughing."

Victorino sees a player ready to break out.

"To me," Victorino said, "if he had his opportunity, he'd be playing every day."

35 Nationals vs. Braves: Washington shut out on opening day 2011 Adam Kilgore / Washington Post

One game out of baseball‘s marathon season, especially the first one, played when the temperature and drizzle still make you think ―winter,‖ is no time for measuring progress or taking stock. The Washington Nationals may well find a way to produce crooked numbers and offensive bursts this season. On opening day, under a gunmetal-gray sky, against a sinker-balling veteran operating at the height of his powers, they managed to hit eight balls out of the infield all game.

The Atlanta Braves‘ early spasm of offense earned them a 2-0 victory Thursday afternoon before 39,055 at Nationals Park, spoiling Livan Hernandez‘s stellar performance and Jayson Werth‘s Nationals debut with a non-sellout shutout. But if the next 161 games play out like the first, aside from the weather, the total in their run column and the final result, the Nationals will take it.

The way the Nationals opened their season Thursday afternoon closely reflected how they spent their offseason, when they upgraded their defense and speed and left the subject of scoring runs on the back burner. The Nationals committed no errors and turned several hits that would have scooted past gloves last season into outs. Runs, they believe, will come.

―The offense is going to come and go,‖ second baseman Danny Espinosa said. ―When it‘s there, we‘ll win.‖

On opening day across baseball, aces, young guns and fireballers climbed the mound and threw gas. In Washington, Derek Lowe, 37, and Hernandez, 36, spun lazy sinkers and sliders over the corners. The radar guns didn‘t need the first ―9‖ to give an accurate reading. Batters flailed, anyway.

Hernandez allowed two runs on four hits and no walks in 61 / 3 innings and retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced, including 15 in a row. He induced lethargic flyballs with diving sinkers and struck out Dan Uggla on a 60-mph .

His only mistake came when Jason Heyward led off the second. With the count 2-1, Hernandez decided he would throw a slider inside and at the knees, the same pitch Heyward had fouled off for the first strike. The pitch stayed over the plate, and Heyward crushed it — the second season in a row he smashed a homer to right in his first at-bat.

―If it‘s in, maybe it will be a foul ball or a groundball to first base,‖ Hernandez said. ―If you hang it there, you‘re going to be in a lot of trouble.‖

Against Lowe, the Nationals hit four balls out of the infield, including warning-track drives by Rick Ankiel and Adam LaRoche that, on a warmer day, might have flown over the fence. Lowe‘s sinkers baffled the Nationals, as did, occasionally, the consistency of home plate Tim Welke‘s strike zone.

―That‘s probably the best I‘ve seen him pitch in a long time,‖ Werth said.

Despite walking twice and knocking five hits, ―we were in the game until the last out,‖ left fielder Michael Morse said. They could thank Hernandez, a bullpen that retired eight of the 10 batters it faced and their new- and-improved defense.

The Nationals led the majors with 127 errors last year. On Thursday, LaRoche made a diving stop to his right, Espinosa made a slick back-handed play and Werth made two tumbling catches in right. One game, again, is not the time for judgment. But the Nationals‘ upgraded defense has given the entire team a new confidence.

36 ―It‘s clear to see that we‘re better,‖ reliever Tyler Clippard said. ―We‘re going to be a totally different ball club, because over the last couple years we haven‘t had that. We‘ve been not a good defensive team. We are now.‖

In his first at-bat with the Nationals — after he walked to the plate with Guns and Roses‘ ―November Rain‖ blaring — Werth chopped a single up the middle. When Ryan Zimmerman sent a single to right, Werth sped from first to third, a skill he prides himself on.

The Nationals had Werth and Zimmerman on first and third with one out — and they stayed there. With their best hitters batting second and third, the Nationals will rely on LaRoche and Morse to drive them in. In the season‘s first inning, LaRoche popped to second and Morse smoked a two-hopper right at the shortstop.

―I hope I get a lot of those opportunities,‖ Morse said. ―I hit it hard. I wish it went through. . . . Not every day are going to face pitchers that are on like that. We‘ll be okay.‖

The squandering of the opportunity and the zero on the scoreboard set an apt tone for the game. The Nationals have faith it was not also an omen for their season.

―I don‘t know if it would have made a difference who hit where,‖ Riggleman said. ―It was who pitched today. I think we‘ve got a good-hitting ball club, but good pitching shut us down today.‖

37 ' Kevin Towers trying to see positives Diamondbacks GM's sense of optimism dimmed due to 12-25 Cactus League record Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic

DENVER - When speaking with reporters earlier this week, Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers seemed to be reminding himself not to make too much of his club's dismal spring training. He said he remembered poor springs turning into good summers during his days in San Diego.

But it was clear the sense of optimism that existed in the early days of spring training had dimmed considerably by a 12-25 Cactus League record, a sloppy defense and an inconsistent pitching staff. Towers used the word "disappointing" at least three times.

Instead of riding a wave of positive momentum into Friday's Opening Day game against Ubaldo Jimenez and the , Towers was left hoping the adrenaline of the regular season would reveal a different side of his club.

"I'm very curious to see how these guys respond once the bell rings," Towers said. "I did not like what I saw the last 10 days of (last) season and I didn't really care for what I saw during the six weeks of spring training."

Most scouts and experts aren't expecting great things from the Diamondbacks this season. None of the 45 writers, editors and analysts who made predictions on ESPN.com this week picked the Diamondbacks to win the NL West, and most Las Vegas odds-makers had them winning between 72-74 games.

Towers did not sound as if he would be a bastion of patience if such play continued.

"If (there are) people who don't buy into the program and don't do the things we were talking about, we'll move them out and bring people in that can," he said. "I will say that I've been very impressed with the young players we have in the system. We have guys down there at the Double-A and Triple-A level who are hungry to take these guys' jobs."

That was one of the few bright spots in spring training for the new GM, who got his first extended look at the club's prospect depth. Many of them might not be major league-ready in time to help this season, but Towers said their talent represents a "light at the end of the tunnel."

Opposing scouts saw the same thing.

"I was happy for the Diamondbacks because I think they've got some guys coming," said a scout with an American League club. "They're in a lot better shape than I think the industry perceives."

There was right-hander and his mid-90s fastball. Lefty Tyler Skaggs, acquired in the Dan Haren deal, showed off his knee-buckling curveball. Center fielder A.J. Pollock played his solid all-around game. And that's leaving out several players that Towers identified for their impressive performances.

"They want some of these guys' jobs up here and a few of them aren't far away," Towers said. "The organization has done a nice job via trades and the draft the past few years."

Notes

Shortstop remains unlikely to play Friday due to a lower abdominal strain that has bothered him since mid-March. Drew could be available to pinch hit; manager said the injury "doesn't really bother him hitting." 38

Willie Bloomquist likely will play shortstop in Drew's absence, although he said he had played only a few games at the position throughout spring training.

- Gibson still hadn't settled on a lineup - both in terms of a batting order and which players would start. He had a stack of lineup proposals he had solicited from his coaching staff and Towers. "That's the way I like to think things through," he said. "I want to hear what these guys think who have been around the game a long time. In the end I'll have to make my decision."

Friday's game

Diamondbacks at Rockies

When: 1:10 p.m.

Where: , Denver.

Pitchers: Diamondbacks RHP (9-10, 3.80)* vs. Rockies RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (19-8, 2.88).*

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KBMB-AM (710).

In 32 starts last season, Kennedy threw 194 innings in his first full season in the major leagues. He would have thrown more had the club not been looking to monitor his innings total late in the season. . . . He faced the Rockies five times last season, posting a 3.46 ERA, including two starts at Coors Field with a 2.45 ERA. . . . 1B went 4 for 9 with a double and a walk vs. Kennedy last season. . . . Jimenez was one of the league's best pitchers last season, posting a 2.88 ERA in 221 2/3 innings and placing third in the NL Cy Young Award voting. . . . Jimenez had a 2.68 ERA in five starts vs. the Diamondbacks last season. .. RF Justin Upton is just 2 for 18 in his career vs. Jimenez.

39 Nine questions facing Cubs Quade, Ramirez, Garza are keys to season Paul Sullivan / Tribune

The most glaring fact about the 2011 Cubs is everyone has something to prove, from the manager who beat out a team legend for the job, to the third baseman coming off his worst season in nine years to the new starter trying to rebound from a horrendous spring.

Manager Mike Quade, Aramis Ramirez and Matt Garza are just three pieces of the Cubs' puzzle, but how they fare in 2011 may determine whether the longest drought in professional sports history will go on for at least one more year.

"I don't know how talented we are," Quade said Thursday at Wrigley Field. "I think we're pretty good. We'll find out."

Here are nine questions that will be answered sooner or later:

Will Soriano answer his critics?

Alfonso Soriano hit 24 home runs last year with 40 doubles while playing in 147 games, his most since 2006 in Washington. But because of his gargantuan salary and subpar defense, some dismiss him as a mediocre player. If he's healthy again, Soriano should be able to improve on his .258 average and drive in more runs from the No. 6 spot. He said it was the best he's felt in any of his five spring trainings with the Cubs. "I don't have to worry about my body anymore," he said. "I won't put any pressure on myself."

Is Zambrano back, or is it an optical illusion?

Carlos Zambrano went 8-0 with a 1.41 earned-run average in his last 11 outings after anger management counseling, and said in spring training he was "cured." If he can start 2011 the way he ended 2010, his psychiatrist deserves a bonus.

Where's the Garza the Cubs traded for?

New acquisition Garza arguably had a worse spring than , who was released last Sunday after ripping the pitching coach for not cutting to the chase and telling him he didn't make the team. Garza blamed the Arizona weather, saying he would welcome the moisture in the air once the team left the desert. Quade said Garza's stuff is too good to believe he'll continue to struggle. "There's no question Arizona is an adjustment for the pitchers, and a tough place," Quade said. "But no excuses. OK, we're out of Arizona, so let's go play."

Are they fundamentally sound?

The Cubs talked about bunting so much in spring you would've thought it was their biggest deficiency in 2010. Actually, their fielding, which was next to last in the National league, is the real issue, and most of the same position players are back in their old spots.

Who's on second?

Rookie Darwin Barney got the Opening Day nod, after Blake DeWitt played himself out of a job. Everyone conceded DeWitt had a bad camp, including DeWitt. Jeff Baker may play more if he's able to hit right-handers. Of course, Baker hit .106 (7-for-66) against right-handers last year. But he also hit .290 against them two years ago and doesn't want to be pigeon-holed. "I know I didn't get a lot of consistent (chances) against righties last 40 year," he said. "I'm not concerned about that at all. I look at the numbers over my career, and there isn't the huge discrepancy like last year. Guys that know baseball know that I can do it both ways."

Does a leadoff hitter matter?

Quade is going with Kosuke Fukudome, who has increased his average and OPS in each of the last three seasons but has yet to become a consistent hitter. Baker leads off against lefties but has no speed. Unless the Cubs move Starlin Castro into the top spot at some point, there will always be questions about the lack of a prototypical leadoff man.

Is having fun a deterrent?

Abusing your co-workers is usually not condoned in the workplace. But there was a lot more laughter this year than in previous Cubs camps because the team had a daily meeting on the field in which players, coaches, trainers and anyone associated with the team were ridiculed for some transgression. No one was spared, and everyone seemed to get a kick out of it. "Somebody screws up every day, and usually there are multiples screw- ups, so you get dragged out in front of everybody," Quade said. "It's all good."

Who is the most irreplaceable player?

Catcher can't miss any significant time. Backup Koyie Hill works well with the staff but hit .214 last year was 1-for-32 this spring. The Cubs don't have enough offense to take Soto's bat out of the lineup.

Is this the year?

Dream on.

41 Reds come from behind to down Brewers in dramatic fashion, 7-6 Hernandez's 3-run blast proves to be mood swing John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer

Reds manager calls Ramon Hernandez "Clutch Man Moanie Monie."

Hernandez lived up to the nickname in the biggest way Thursday. He hit a three-run, opposite-field, walk-off home run to lift the Reds to a 7-6 victory over the before a crowd of 42,398 at Great American Ball Park.

It was, perhaps, their most improbable Opening Day victory ever.

It was only the second walk-off home run on Opening Day in Reds history. Joe Randa hit one off of in a 7-6 win over the New York Mets in 2005.

"It‘s amazing," Hernandez said. "You don‘t want to win that way. But it gets people more excited about the season."

The Reds trailed Thursday‘s game in this one 2-0 after just five pitches, and it was 3-0 one out into the first inning.

Every time the Reds would cut into the Brewers‘ lead, Milwaukee would respond.

The Reds were 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position when Hernandez came up with two outs in the ninth.

"We don‘t give up," he said. "Everybody puts good at-bats together. Until the last out is made, we‘re keeping faith because something might happen. ... All we tell people is, don‘t lose faith. We‘ll go down to the last out. If we lose, we‘ll go out with our head high."

Last season, the Reds tied with Atlanta for the second-most come-from-behind victories with 45, three behind last year (the . led with 48). The Reds also tied for second for most victories with 22 in their final at-bat with 22, and among them those were eight walk-off wins.

"We know we can come back," Hernandez said. "We‘ve got good talent. Any guy can turn around a ballgame with one swing." We know that."

But, as Baker‘s nickname indicates, Hernandez is near the top of the list. He hit .342 with runners in scoring position last season.

His home run Thursday was Hernandez‘s fourth hit of the game. He‘s the first Red to have four hits on Opening Day since Paul O‘Neill in 1989.

Not bad for a guy limited to 27 at-bats in spring training because of a sore elbow.

"Everyone was worried about Moanie Monie because he missed some time," Baker said. "I told them he would be fine."

The happy ending was 26 outs in the making.

Reds starter Edinson Volquez gave up back-to-back home runs run to Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez to start the game. The Brewers added another run in the first with a sacrifice fly. 42

"I didn‘t know what to think," Baker said. "I had never seen that."

The Reds scored a run in the first inning, but the Brewers added one in the second to make it 4-1 and a pattern was set. After homered in the fourth, Ryan Braun answered for the Brewers in the fifth to make it 5-2.

The Reds gave up a gift run in the seventh – an error and a balk were involved – but Joey Votto made it 6-3 with a home run in the bottom of the seventh.

"When the game started to feel like another baseball game, I felt something was going to happen," said Sam LeCure, who pitched a scoreless inning on his first Opening Day.

"I didn‘t know what. That was pretty incredible the way it ended."

Letting the Reds hang around can be trouble for opponents, given their history of comebacks.

"Once you do it, you feel like you can do it again and again," Baker said. "One day it‘s one guy, one day it‘s the next. That‘s the way we roll."

That feeling got stronger as the ninth inning went on against Milwaukee closer John Axford.

Brandon Phillips led off with a single off the wall in left field, and Votto walked. hit a potential double-play ball to Casey McGehee at third, but Phillips avoided McGehee‘s tag and Rolen beat the throw to first, leaving the Reds with the bases loaded and no outs.

Things deflated a bit when Jay Bruce struck out. Just a bit.

"We never say die," Stubbs said. "That was evident last year."

Jonny Gomes hit a screamer to center. Gomez ran it down, but Phillips scored to make it 6-4 and bring up Hernandez.

Hernandez took a strike and then sliced a ball to right field.

"I was trying to hit it hard someplace to keep the inning going," he said. "I hit it pretty well. I know the ball carries well to right."

The ball just got over the fence as the fans erupted in cheers. Hernandez got the usual mauling when he crossed home plate. He didn‘t mind.

"You‘re so happy you don‘t care," he said.

43 O's so good: Ubaldo, Tulo and CarGo the new stars of LoDo Jimenez, Tulowitzki and Gonzalez are hoping to lead a promising Colorado club Troy E. Renck / Denver Post

Their first impressions of each other reveal why the Rockies believe they can win the for the first time.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and ace pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez — affectionately known as the O's — grew up in different countries and took remarkably different paths to the corner of 20th and Blake for today's sold-out opener, which many believe will mark the beginning of the greatest season in franchise history.

Tulowitzki first saw Jimenez in 2005 in Modesto, Calif., as a minor-league teammate. Back then, Jimenez was a human No. 2 pencil with a wicked right arm.

"He threw really hard, but he was wild. Guys weren't really eager to get into the box against him," Tulowitzki recalled. "You don't see that kind of raw talent very often."

As for CarGo, Tulowitzki doesn't remember much about the first time he saw him. They were 14 and playing in an international youth tournament. It was in Tucson, years later, during minor-league scrimmages, that Tulo vowed never to forget the name of the Diamondbacks prospect.

"He was doing things other guys couldn't do," Tulowitzki said. "And he had this confidence, this arrogance about him, that I liked. You knew he was a player."

CarGo had a similar impression of Tulo from that time.

"Remember that back field at Hi Corbett with the huge center-field wall? Tulo was hitting missiles off that," CarGo said. "It was kind of hard not to notice him, you know?"

The same went for Ubaldo, against whom CarGo hit for the first time in those skirmishes. "Ubaldo, oh, God. . . . He was throwing bullets. He was scary," Gonzalez said.

As for Jimenez, stories of Tulo's talent preceding his arrival with that Modesto team in 2005 were almost urban legend.

"Coaches talked about him before he got there, saying he could throw 94 mph from shortstop," Jimenez said. "Then I saw it, and was like, 'Wow!' "

He had a similar reaction when facing CarGo for the first time, the prospect sticking out because of his assaults on the senses and opponents.

"He did it all right away: run, hit, throw, everything," Jimenez said. "To play on the same team now, it's special."

"Built to win now"

Much has been made of the Rockies' commitment to the O's. Tulo, an all-star, Gold Glover and cleanup hitter, is under contract through 2020. CarGo, a Gold Glover and Silver Slugger, is signed through 2017. Ubaldo, a third- place finisher in the NL Cy Young Award voting last season, is under the team's control through 2014.

44 All those signings did was widen the window of opportunity. Make no mistake, these three are about the here and now, determined to erase the demons of the Rockies' disappointing 83-win season last year.

"It's great that they are going to be here for a long time, but that's not on our mind," third baseman Ian Stewart said. "With them here, this team is built to win now. That's the focus."

Collectively, it's hard to find any team with a trio this young and talented. Jimenez is the oldest, having turned 27 in January.

"We have our No. 3 and No. 4 hitters for a long time. And all these guys are entering their prime," first baseman Todd Helton said. "We don't have to worry about distractions and the circus it can create about them leaving. They are here and they can get better. I am telling you they have room for growth. Their best years are ahead of them. And if you're a Rockies fan, how can you not be excited about that?"

Confident, charismatic and completely at ease in the spotlight, Tulo-witzki wants to be the biggest name in Denver sports, and wants to retire a Rockie. He signed his contract with an eye toward the future and as an ode to the past. He would like to mirror Cal Ripken Jr. and spend his entire career with one team.

Loyalty, however, does not supersede Tulo's appetite for winning.

"For me, it's different now. I am one of only a few players with a contract this long. I take that responsibility seriously," Tulowitzki said. "I am no veteran by any means, but I am not getting any younger either. We want to start winning here, building a legacy."

Tulowitzki is the end of a renaissance, the middle infielder who combines power and a slick glove. As ESPN analyst put it: "He's a big man who plays with a little man's grace. He's the class of , a guy who can dominate a game from start to finish."

Tulowitzki finished fifth in the MVP voting the past two seasons, and only knocked in more runs in September than Tulo did a year ago, when he almost single-handedly kept the Rockies in the NL West race.

"What separates him, though, is he's a leader," former Yankees and Dodgers manager said.

Roberto and CarGo

CarGo is perceived as a flamboyant free spirit. But his earrings and jewelry mask old-school values. He played through pain last season, played every outfield position, batted leadoff because he's the team's best No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 hitter, and was devastated when the Rockies missed the playoffs.

"It's about winning. That's what people remember," Gonzalez said. "We just need to stay healthy."

Gonzalez is as uncomplicated as a summer day. He enjoys life and plays with the freedom of a 12-year-old. During a time when outfield power is becoming harder to find, Gonzalez is a legitimate five-tool player who is a threat to win a . His career changed halfway through the 2009 season when he began trusting his hands when he uncoils his vicious swing and stopped swinging at anything close to the plate. If he hits the ball in the strike zone, which should cut down on , his statistical possibilities are limitless.

"CarGo is the best player that nobody knows about," former Dodgers star Orel Hershiser said. "When I see a Rockies game on TV, I have to stop and watch when he's up to bat. I just love seeing him hit."

45 After helping good friend manage a spring-training game last month, Nuggets coach George Karl compared Gonzalez to his childhood hero, Roberto Clemente, whom he watched growing up in Pittsburgh.

"Except CarGo might be smoother," Karl said.

The truth is, regardless of how special Tulo and CarGo are, they aren't going anywhere but to All-Star Games unless the Rockies get the pitching. That's why Jimenez is so central not only to this team's success, but to the franchise's future.

Last year he posted the greatest first half in decades, going 15-1 and becoming only the 26th pitcher to have that many wins by the all-star break. He had only four wins in the second half, tiring from the physical and mental strain of carrying the pitching staff and also the victim of poor run support.

Jimenez figures to have more help in the rotation this year, particularly from a healthy Jorge De La Rosa.

While he may never have another season like 2010, there's no reason to think Jimenez can't string together years of greatness. He has five "plus" pitches. His curveball is his worst pitch.

But, as one National League scout said, "Most guys would kill to have that pitch." In the , he is revered, filling a void left by the retirement of Pedro Martinez.

"I like everything about him as a pitcher: his height, his physical build, his arm," said Hall of Famer , a Dominican. "This kid is going to be good for a long, long time."

Part of the charm of baseball is that one guy, or in this case, three guys can't win by themselves. They need help, big-time contributions from Rockies players facing a crossroad in their career.

But that doesn't make the impact of this trio any less significant.

They are the O's — as in "Oh, my! What are they going to do next?" Will they win an MVP, a Cy Young, an NL West crown, a World Series?

"I can't think of any other two position players in this league where you either A) want them hitting with the game on the line or B) want the ball hit to them with the game on the line," Rockies outfielder Ryan Spilborghs said. "With Ubaldo, if there's a big game, who would you rather have pitch? You can match him up against any ace in the league, and most people would be, 'I'll take Ubaldo.'

"You have three players that you want to have the game in their hands? That's when you start talking about a team having a chance to be special."

46 Astros’ transition continues with ‘sophomore’ class Zachary Levine / Houston Chronicle

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — There have been those more affected, and there have been those more involved, but nobody has had a better seat to watch the execution of the plan than .

The Astros‘ second-longest tenured player, having made his debut with the team 12 days after Wandy Rodriguez in 2005, Quintero holds a unique position with regard to the plan.

As a backup catcher, he has existed totally outside it — the Astros never once built around him as part of the plan and never once pushed him aside for the furthering of the plan. While he is a ballplayer with an unmatched defensive skill set, it‘s almost as if he is a spectator to the revolution around him.

It‘s as clear to Quintero as it is to the spectator in Section 320 or those moving the pieces around from Union Station that these aren‘t your father‘s Astros. Heck, they‘re not even your older brother‘s Astros.

The last time the Astros played in the World Series, a loaf of bread cost a couple bucks, American Idol was a hit television show, and Rick Perry was governor of Texas.

Translation: It hasn‘t been that long.

Still, Roy Oswalt, gone. Lance Berkman, gone. and , long gone. and Craig Biggio, upstairs.

Chris Johnson, here. , here. Wilton Lopez, aqui. Jason Castro, here in spirit.

Mixed feelings about change

Only Quintero and Rodriguez remain from that team, which gradually disintegrated in a combination of natural decay and, more recently, forced destruction. Recognizing the business aspect of what ideally would be just a game, Quintero reflected on the turnover.

―Sometimes I feel happy, and sometimes I feel sad for the people who go,‖ he said.

When general manager Ed Wade took over in the last throes of the 2007 nightmare, the Astros‘ only sense of direction was straight downward in the standings.

At the major league level, they were sinking. Biggio was retiring, and they had nobody to replace him. Carlos Lee was performing up to his contract in Year 1 of 6 in the $100 million deal, and the rest of the roster was a mix of two stars (Berkman and Oswalt), what looked to be an emerging one (Hunter Pence), and a grab bag.

Outside the big league level, the club was in worse shape. The Astros had come off one of the worst drafts in major league history, having not signed a player above the fifth round, which led to a housecleaning in the scouting department. Once Pence arrived, the team that thrived on raising amateurs into pros and practically invented Venezuela had little left.

While the organization continued to languish at the major league level — with no young talent in place in the farm system, Kaz Matsui, and other veterans came in — Part I of the plan was addressed.

―I‘m thrilled with the way things are going from the scouting and player development level,‖ Wade said this week, three years after installing Bobby Heck as scouting director and overseeing his taking Castro and current 47 top prospect Jordan Lyles with his first two picks. ―I think before very long, people will begin to recognize the depth of talent that we‘re creating over there.‖

Change is slow. Just as the talent wave wouldn‘t hit overnight, there was not going to be a complete destruction and rebuilding overnight. Think Brandon Lyon. Think Pedro Feliz. Even this year, think Clint Barmes and Bill Hall, veterans brought in amid a youth movement.

But for the first time, there is a group of young players who could form the core of the next great Astros team, or at least the next one to contend in the NL Central.

Johnson and Bud Norris are products of the player development system . Wallace, J.A. Happ and Mark Melancon are products of what general managers under Drayton McLane had always been unable to do or were prevented from doing: trading superstars and starting over. Along with Lopez, they form what could be the roots of something special.

None of that changes the fact the Astros are coming off a 76-86 year and are not projected to be markedly better in the short term.

―I like where we are right now, but we‘re not where we need to be,‖ Wade said. ―We‘re where we need to be when we start winning championships.‖

A setback to the plan

It takes only one bad step to set the plan back 100 steps.

The 2011 season was supposed to be about seeing who could remain on track to be a part of that next great Astros team. Would Wallace show he could hit at the big league level like he has in Class AAA, Class AA and down to the Pac-10? Would Johnson build on last year or fall victim to some correction caused by a high strikeout rate and low walk rate that can be hard to sustain with accompanying success?

Would Castro …

Whatever that question was going to be, it won‘t be answered for another year, and that is the heartbreaking part. After Castro stepped to avoid a tag and tore his ACL in spring training, he might not have taken many additional wins with him to the operating table. But now, 2012 for Castro will be about whether he can be a real part of the next contender rather than having that question answered — or at least clarified — with the rest of this group this season.

In talking about what can be generalized as the sophomore class, Wallace was sure to leave Castro in the discussion.

―I think us growing together is going to be something that‘s fun for us and fun for the fans,‖ Wallace said. ―We‘re all pretty close and have the ability to take that step together, and that‘s been the fun thing for us, all being up here last year and then this year taking another step and hopefully being more successful and getting more experience.‖

Good examples to follow

Quintero didn‘t play much on that 2005 team — just 18 games in all and none in the postseason — but he did watch, and he does see some similarities with this bunch. Not in terms of talent, at least not yet . That was a team with Hall of Famers. 48

But similarities in desire and approach.

―When Roger and Andy Pettitte and Bagwell and Biggio were here, these guys wanted to wear a ring, wanted to play hard, and that‘s why those guys were such good players,‖ Quintero said. ―That‘s what we want to do, too.‖

The last remnants of the star power from 2005 were cleaned out in a tumultuous and somber two-day period late last July when Oswalt was traded to Philadelphia and Berkman followed him out the door.

With their contracts expiring and considering the franchise plight, they were never going to be a part of the next winning Astros team. A new generation would have to lead the Astros to the promised land.

If nothing else, come 85 wins or 55 wins, this season is about finding out who will lead and who will even be a part of that next generation.

49 has the right stuff in opener Dodgers' ace outduels Giants' in a 2-1 victory. scores both runs. Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times

Rod Barajas is 35 years old. This season is his 13th in the major leagues.

But he said he felt different when he took the field at Dodger Stadium on Thursday afternoon. On opening day, the nerves get to everyone.

Well, almost everyone.

Barajas reviewed scouting reports with Clayton Kershaw. For seven innings, he caught him. And from what Barajas could tell, Kershaw was unmoved by the magnitude of the event.

"He's special," Barajas said.

In what could one day be reflected upon as a coming-of-age performance, the 23-year-old left-hander pitched seven shutout innings to earn the victory in his first opening-day start, a 2-1 win over the .

Pitching opposite Kershaw was Tim Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young Award winner. Facing him was the team that lifted the World Series trophy in November.

The Dodgers hit a little. They barely scored. But they won.

"Honestly, every time he goes out there, you expect to win," Manager said of Kershaw.

Kershaw struck out nine batters and walked only one. He held the Giants to four hits.

"It was fun tonight," Kershaw said. "I had a blast."

Everything was working for Kershaw, who threw 96 pitches.

"He's got some kind of gift," Barajas said. "He's not just a fastball guy. He's not just a fastball-curveball guy. He's got a slider. We threw a couple of . This guy continues to develop."

Kershaw consistently got ahead of hitters. But Barajas said he wasn't concerned when they fell behind.

"He can do anything at any time," Barajas said. "A lot of power guys, they have a tough time with the secondary pitches. With this guy, he can throw a secondary pitch behind in the count. I have the confidence and he has the confidence to pitch guys backward."

Kershaw struck out eight batters in the first four innings. The Giants didn't get a runner past first base until the fifth inning.

Pitching coach said that Kershaw shares something with the two former Dodgers pitchers who took part in the first-pitch ceremony, Fernando Valenzuela and . It was something that Orel Hershiser had too.

"It's an expectation," Honeycutt said. "Some people expect mediocrity. He expects to be good, really good."

50 The Dodgers' offense didn't do much, but Kershaw said he paid no mind. They took a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning, when a couple of throwing errors allowed Matt Kemp to scamper home.

Kemp doubled the lead in the eighth inning, when he walked, stole second base and scored on a double by .

Mattingly elected to remove Kershaw in the bottom half of that inning.

"That's Kuo's inning," Mattingly said, referring to left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo.

Kershaw said he didn't protest the decision because he was confident Kuo and closer Jonathan Broxton could seal the victory.

"Seven innings, Kuo, Brox, that's a good formula," he said.

Broxton, a two-time All-Star who looked like a batting-practice pitcher in the second half of last season, served up a solo home run to that closed the gap to 2-1.

If there were concerns about Broxton, they weren't voiced.

This game belonged to Kershaw. And if Barajas is right, the entire season will be his.

"I expect him to do some special things this year," Barajas said. "He's going to be up there with the best in baseball."

51 Nieves catches the opening-day assignment Roenicke says Kottaras also will get chance to play Tom Haudricourt / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Cincinnati — Manager Ron Roenicke was asked about his decision to start catcher Wil Nieves in the season opener rather than George Kottaras, considering Kottaras bats left-handed and Cincinnati started right-hander Edinson Volquez.

"It wasn't flipping a coin," Roenicke assured.

"Just watching (Nieves) in spring training, catching, and trying to figure out when I was going to catch George," said Roenicke. "Originally, we thought (Reds lefty Travis) Wood was going to go third and George was going to catch the second game and Nieves back in the third game."

The Reds changed their projected pitching order, however, moving Wood up to the second game Saturday. So, Kottaras will make his first start Sunday against righty Bronson Arroyo.

As for determining the playing time of Nieves and Kottaras prior to the return of starter Jonathan Lucroy, Roenicke said, "How they do is going to dictate how much they play.

"If George swings the bat like he did in spring training (.367 average, 3 HRs, 12 RBI) and catches like he did, he'll be in there more often. Wil, I know will (play). Wil's a good defensive catcher. He also swung the bat pretty good this spring (.265)."

Kottaras had issues on defense last season, but Roenicke said his coaches told him that he was improved this spring in that area.

Day to remember: Four Brewers made opening day rosters for the first time, but the most amazing story was the breakthrough of Erick Almonte, 33, who returned to the majors for the first time since 2003.

Almonte was told on Tuesday he was making the club but said he wasn't taking anything for granted until he signed a contract Wednesday.

"That's when I knew I really made the team," said Almonte, who hit his way onto the club by batting .416 in exhibition play with three homers and 13 RBI.

Almonte said none of his relatives from the Dominican Republic could make it for the game, but he said they'd be watching on television back home. Roenicke hinted that Almonte might start in right field on Saturday against Wood.

"I'm ready for whatever they want," said Almonte. "I'll be ready for everything. That's what you have to do."

Almonte appeared as a pinch hitter for Mark Kotsay in the seventh inning and popped out.

Staying calm: One never would have known from talking to Roenicke beforehand that he was about to manage his first game in the major leagues. He was calm and collected as he met with reporters for his morning briefing.

Roenicke said he awoke at 8 a.m. and worked out before heading to the ballpark. Asked if he had butterflies, he said, "Not yet, but there will be."

52 As for the change in feeling from being a coach, he said, "I feel different. But there's so much to do to try to get ready, listening to scouting reports and all that, I haven't had a chance to sit down and think about it."

Cruz control: Infielder , who declined an outright assignment to Class AAA Nashville and exercised his right to free agency to sign with Texas, ended up in the minors when the Rangers sent him down.

So, what was the point of making that switch?

"They might have told him he'll be the first guy up if something happens," said general manager Doug Melvin. "I don't like doing that. I can't promise anything to guys. Suppose somebody else is playing better?

"I told him it would be between him and (Edwin) Maysonet if we needed a shortstop, whoever was playing better."

If anything happens to shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, Melvin said Maysonet would be summoned from Nashville. He said if anything happened to second baseman Rickie Weeks, it would be Eric Farris getting called up.

Melvin indicated Mat Gamel would see most of the action at first base at Nashville in the early weeks, with Farris at second, Maysonet at short and Zelous Wheeler at third.

"We're going to try to get away from moving guys around," said Melvin.

Another case for replays: Kotsay, getting the start in right field for injured , was involved in a controversial play in the third inning. Cincinnati's Jay Bruce hit a shallow looper that Kotsay had to charge to catch, doing so with a tumbling grab.

But first-base umpire ruled the play a trap, allowing Joey Votto to advance to third and giving Bruce a base hit. Replays confirmed Kotsay caught the ball. Roenicke questioned the call, but Vanover stood his ground.

Yovani Gallardo then loaded the bases by walking Jonny Gomes but got out of the jam by inducing a fly ball to center by Ramon Hernandez.

Not impressed:Rickie Weeks took no outward pride in the fact that he became the first player in Brewers history to open the season with a home run, considering the manner in which the team lost.

"Not at all. Not at all," he said. "I'm not that (kind of) guy."

53 Pirates place Snyder, three others on disabled list Rob Biertempfel / Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

• Catcher Chris Snyder (sore back), left-hander (shoulder inflammation) and righties Jose Ascanio (shoulder surgery rehab) and (bruised forearm) on Thursday were placed on the 15-day disabled list.

• Righty Jose Veras, a nonroster invitee to spring training camp, was added to the active roster. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, pitcher Ramon Aguero was designated for assignment.

• The Pirates will wear patches on their right sleeves to honor former manager , who died Feb. 11 at age 82. The black-and-gold design features Tanner's No. 7 uniform inside a "Stargell star."

• Infielder Josh Rodriguez switched his uniform number from 7 to 10 — "retiring" Tanner's number for one year. "We realized that because every player will be wearing No. 7 on his uniform, it didn't make sense to have one player wear No. 7 this season," president Frank Coonelly said.

• Right-hander James McDonald (side injury) pitched five innings of a camp game at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla. He threw 69 pitches and allowed one run on four hits, walked one and struck out four. McDonald remains on track to start April 5 against the St. Louis Cardinals, though manager said McDonald will be limited to 85-90 pitches.

• The Pirates claimed righty reliever Tim Wood off waivers from Washington and signed him to a minor league contract. Wood, 28, pitched 27 2/3 innings last season for Florida with a 5.53 ERA.

54 Opening day doesn't go Cardinals' way Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch

A swing away from breaking up opening day early and a pitch away from winning it late, the Cardinals accomplished neither Thursday afternoon at Busch Stadium.

Instead, a day that began with fond memories of the franchise's deep history morphed into an unwelcome and unnecessary reminder of what dogged it during last season's run to second place.

The Cardinals created far more offensive pressure while receiving the more impressive performance from a starting pitcher but still were sent away with a 5-3, 11-inning loss to the before a capacity crowd of 46,368 at Busch Stadium.

Rather than capitalize on the sum of their scoring chances, the Redbirds were punished for early missed chances, a fumbled save and late defensive gaffes.

Offering perhaps the day's most enduring understatement, Cardinals manager called it a "weird, difficult way to lose."

The Padres broke a 3-3 tie when center fielder Cameron Maybin completed his relentless afternoon with a two- out single compounded by an error against shortstop Ryan Theriot that allowed the go-ahead run to circle from first base on the play.

When Theriot's throw after Padres third baseman Chase Headley sailed high to the plate, Maybin reached scoring position. Pinch runner Cedric Hunter raced home on another single for a two-run lead off reliever Bryan Augenstein.

"We stole one," Headley said. "But if you can steal one like that it can be the difference in a season. It was last year all over again. That's what we did last year: We won games we shouldn't have won."

And the Cardinals lost one they shouldn't have lost.

"This game was there for us to win," La Russa said.

The day included an appearance by the franchise's Hall of Famers, Stan Musial among them; a first pitch from Jim Edmonds; and numerous other reminders of the bonds that tie a city. It ended badly before a quick- departing crowd.

After trailing three times, the Padres grabbed their first lead in the 11th inning when right fielder Jon Jay's two- hop throw eluded Theriot, who scrambled after it as Headley scored.

"Once it kicks, the first thing you do is look for the runner. I had a shot at him," Theriot said, who later reflected, "A nice little nine-inning Cardinals win would have been nice."

"Obviously, it's opening day and it becomes a bigger deal," left fielder and would-be hero Matt Holliday said. "But it's one of 162 and we've still got a chance to win the series by winning the next two."

Holliday embodied the day's split persona: Twice he put the Cardinals ahead with a first-inning two-out single and an eighth-inning home run; but he also got picked off on an inside move to second base, muting a potential breakout sixth inning against hard-ridden Padres starter Tim Stauffer.

55 "Today was just a rare day when it works," said Padres manager .

Holliday's home run handed a 3-2 lead to closer Ryan Franklin; however, Maybin turned Franklin's fourth pitch of the inning for a game-tying home run with two outs in the ninth inning. Until Maybin's blast, lefthander was in line for his 19th win in 647 career appearances. Franklin's blown save was his first at home since Sept. 19, 2009.

The loss occurred in the Cardinals' first extra-inning opener since April 1992 against the New York Mets. The loss was also the club's fifth straight in a home opener.

"Time to move on," Franklin said. "We've got a lot more games left."

The Cardinals scored twice in the first six innings despite placing nine runners on base before two outs. The Padres scored their final three runs on two rallies that sprang with two outs and nobody on. A fourth scored with two outs following a dropped tag.

The Padres didn't manage a third hit until starter had left the game after seven innings. The Cardinals reached Stauffer for nine hits in six innings.

Thursday's loss included the previously unthinkable: in what could be his final home opener at Busch Stadium, first baseman endured a 0-for-5 game including three double play grounders and a foul pop.

The Cardinals were two for nine with runners in scoring position while hitting into four double plays and losing an out on the bases.

"To his credit, (Stauffer) got out of it. But we had guys on a lot," second baseman Skip Schumaker said. "We just didn't do enough with it."

The organization's winter blueprint called for enhancing an inconsistent offense while hoping spring training could re-establish the club's trademark efficiency.

"It's not like we didn't take time to go over baserunning and situations this spring," said center fielder , who tripled to set up the game's first run and reached base four times in five plate appearances. "I just chalk it up to baseball. That happens sometimes. Let's get it out of the way and down the road keep building, building, building."

Carpenter held the Padres hitless for three innings before they tied the game on second baseman Orlando Hudson's sacrifice fly that followed right fielder Will Venable's leadoff double. Carpenter needed only 51 pitches to reach the fifth inning but was hurt there by leaving a two-out cutter where Nick Hundley could pull it for a RBI double with first base open and Stouffer standing on deck.

"I know the situation. I know the pitcher's on deck there. I believed my thought process was pretty good there. I've got him 2-0 (in the count). I don't want to give him a pitch to hit," Carpenter said.

Compounding the bruise, the threat reached Hundley after left fielder Ryan Ludwick jarred the ball from Schumaker's tag on what would have been the third out.

Schumaker explained Ludwick worked an elbow into his glove, a clean play scored a . "It happened," he said. "You wish it didn't, but it did."

56 Brandon Belt provides bright spot in San Francisco Giants' loss in opener Giants lose 2-0 to the Dodgers in season opener Andrew Baggarly / San Jose Mercury News

LOS ANGELES -- The Giants were right about Brandon Belt. In the quadruple-deck din of Dodger Stadium, the rookie first baseman maintained the steady heartbeat of a master yogi.

While ace Clayton Kershaw overwhelmed the rest of the Giants lineup with searing subterfuge in Thursday's season opener, Belt calmly and impressively worked one deep plate appearance after another while making his major league debut.

The unexpected part? Belt's battle-tested teammates were unable to play with the same grace.

New shortstop Miguel Tejada turned a double-play grounder into a morass, and catcher made an aggressively errant pickoff throw in the sixth inning, resulting in an unearned run against Tim Lincecum, as the Giants began their first title defense in 56 years by tripping over their crowns in a 2-1 loss at Dodger Stadium.

Belt took home the baseball from his first major league hit, a chopper inside the first-base line for an infield single in his debut at-bat.

It was the Giants' only keepsake against Kershaw, who used the harsh afternoon light to his advantage while striking out nine in seven shutout innings.

"That's a bad draw on opening day, to face that guy in the shadows," Posey said. "His fastball was jumping, his slider was sharp, and he had a good curveball. He was electric."

Lest anyone forget, it was Posey's first opening-day start, too.

"And I got to experience it as a defending World Series champ," he said.

That's looking at the bright side, kid. It wasn't all gloomy for the visitors on an unseasonably hot afternoon in Chavez Ravine.

Lincecum's fastball sat at a promising 94 mph -- much firmer than at this point last season -- and he was a hard- luck loser after holding the Dodgers to just an unearned run in seven innings.

Belt saw an average of 6.3 pitches in his three trips against Kershaw, working a walk in addition to his single. The rest of his teammates averaged just 3.3 pitches against the Dodgers' left-handed ace, who allowed only one runner to venture into scoring position.

But there were ill omens, too. Tejada validated spring concerns about his defense, losing the handle on a quick, sidearm throw to second base after fielding James Loney's grounder in the sixth. The ball scurried into right field and put runners at the corners with one out.

"That's an error," Tejada said. "I've been in the game for a long time. Anything I would do today -- it's done. A three-home-run game is no different."

Lincecum followed by hitting former teammate Juan Uribe on the elbow, and the aftermath was prickly. Uribe took his time and stared back at the mound as he walked to first base.

57 "He looked in my direction a couple times," Lincecum said. "I kind of turned away. I hope he doesn't think I did it on purpose."

With the bases loaded, Posey saved a run when he blocked Lincecum's dirt-skipping pitch to Rod Barajas. Then the reigning NL Rookie of the Year cost the Giants a run when he tried to catch Matt Kemp napping off third base.

Third baseman bumped into Kemp while trying to catch the offline throw. The ball rattled into foul territory, and Kemp ran home to score.

"I just thought with the ball in the dirt, I had a chance of catching him with his head down," Posey said. "I made a bad throw. It's that simple."

Kemp, who is known to play the game with a certain panache, indicated that Posey made a bad decision to throw.

"My foot was on the bag when he threw it," Kemp said. "I was already there."

But Giants manager didn't fault his young catcher, whose intelligence and poise was so critical to their World Series run a year ago.

"I want these guys being aggressive," Bochy said. "I don't want them to be afraid to make a mistake. You play to win."

It took a diving play by Sandoval on Barajas' lineout -- a likely two-run single for last year's plumper Panda -- to help Lincecum escape the inning with no further damage.

Pat Burrell hit a solo home run off Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton in the ninth, but the Dodgers had added to their lead in the eighth when Loney hit a run-scoring double off Santiago Casilla.

Belt made the game's final out, hitting a liner to third against Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton. But there was no pinning this loss on the most inexperienced of Giants.

They have 161 more games to play, and while it wasn't exactly taking deep, at least Belt got that first safety out of the way.

"Oh yeah," Belt said. "You've gotta love a questionable hit in your first major league at-bat."

58 Maybin, Headley help Padres steal opening-day win Bill Center / San Diego Union Tribune

ST. LOUIS — As Chase Headley stood at first base with two outs in the top of the 11th inning Thursday evening, first base coach Dave Roberts whispered something sweet in the third baseman‘s ear.

"The outfielders are deep, real deep," said Roberts.

With Cameron Maybin at the plate, the Cardinals — mindful that the center fielder had tied the game with two outs in the ninth on a 417-foot homer to center — positioned their outfielders to take away the extra-base hit that could drive home Headley from first with the potential decisive run.

Headley, however, saw opportunity in the alignment.

―If Maybin singled, I knew I had third base,‖ Headley said in the aftermath of the Padres‘ season-opening 5-3 win over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

―And if I went hard into third and something happened, I was going to score.‖

Which is exactly what happened.

Maybin did single. And as the hit rolled into right field, Headley not only sprinted to third, he rounded the base and ―peeked‖ back at the St. Louis defense. And when Cardinals shortstop Ryan Theriot bobbled the throw from right fielder Jon Jay, Headley raced home — beating Theriot‘s high throw to the plate with a headfirst slide.

Sounds familiar.

The Padres won the first game of 2011 much the same way they played out the 90-win season of 2010.

They played great defense, got solid pitching and created 80 percent of their runs with aggressive baserunning. It helped that the Cardinals couldn‘t make plays.

―It was last year all over again,‖ Headley said. ―We stole that one. And if you can steal one like that, it can be the difference in the season.‖

In the fourth inning, for example, Will Venable led off with a double, darted to third as St. Louis third baseman David Freese was throwing out Jason Bartlett on a grounder and scored on Orlando Hudson‘s short sacrifice fly to left center.

An inning later, Ryan Ludwick walked, stole second because Cardinals second baseman Skip Schumaker couldn‘t hold onto catcher ‘s throw and scored on Nick Hundley‘s two-out double.

And pinch-runner Cedric Hunter scored the last run in the 11th on a two-out Hundley single because Maybin battled through cramps to limp into second as Headley scored.

Meanwhile, the Padres‘ new middle infield combination of shortstop Bartlett and second baseman Hudson turned four double plays — three times victimizing Albert Pujols.

Maybin and Venable also made diving catches in the outfield and Venable raced far into foul territory to lean into the stands to catch another ball. 59

For good measure, starter Tim Stauffer picked Matt Holliday off second in the sixth when the Cardinals had two on, no one out and a 3-and-1 count on Freese.

―That was a huge momentum changer,‖ said Padres manager Bud Black.

The Cardinals certainly had Stauffer on the ropes. The right-hander gave up nine singles and a walk in six innings. But St. Louis scored only twice as Stauffer got three double plays as well as the pickoff.

And three times, the Padres battled back from one-run deficits, the last time when Maybin‘s homer answered a solo shot that Holliday hit off Mike Adams a half-inning earlier.

Then Headley took flight.

―All the way around, that was great baserunning,‖ said Padres third base coach Glenn Hoffman.

―Chase knew he was going to reach third on a single, but he wasn‘t content with that. He was looking for the chance, and it appeared. That was a great play. But that‘s the way Chase runs the bases, he‘s always thinking about the next base. You just don‘t see that a lot.‖

―That‘s something we talk about,‖ Black said. ―Stay aware of where the ball is, don‘t give up on a play.‖

―Classic Padres baseball,‖ said Headley. ―You give us something, we‘ll take it.‖

60 Guthrie winds up as leader of Orioles' young pitching staff Club's Opening Day starter settles in as de facto mentor for rotation mates Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun

Four years ago, he was a waiver claim, a guy with an intriguing arm and an impressive pedigree whom the Orioles had to take a chance on given their lack of pitching depth.

On Friday night, the pitcher whom the discarded in January 2007 will toe the rubber at Tropicana Field in his third Opening Day start for the Orioles in the past four seasons.

With that outing against the Tampa Bay Rays, right-hander ties Steve Barber and Rodrigo Lopez for fourth-most Opening Day starts in modern Orioles history. If Guthrie makes one more in his Orioles career, he'll be in elite company, trailing only a trio that is widely considered the best to start for the franchise: and (six openers apiece) and Dave McNally (five).

"It's a very rich tradition to be in that small of a group in this organization, with whatever category, but especially this one. So it's a neat feeling to be there," said Guthrie, who also pitched the club's openers in 2008 and 2009. "Those guys are big, big names, and my goal is to pitch well and, hopefully, down the road, someone can look back and say I belong in that group."

Other members of the Orioles' will tell you Guthrie has already carved out his own important niche within the organization. He has become the leader of a young staff filled with potential. To a man, they'll tell you Guthrie was the guy who first made them feel welcomed as Orioles.

"Jeremy is awesome," said 24-year-old left-hander Brian Matusz. "He is such a great guy, and you can see his work ethic. He comes to the ballpark, and he has a plan, he has a routine, a program. I play catch with him every day, so I see his routine. He's just got it down."

Guthrie, who turns 32 next Friday, said he has never angled to be a staff leader or mentor. If that's the result of the work he puts in to stay in the big leagues, then that's fine with him.

"I have never taken a day for granted in the major leagues, and I think by having that feeling and that focus just drives me to want to work and get better and never be content with where I am," Guthrie said. "And so if I can share that with others, by example, that's great and I am happy if they would learn something from that."

After a rough 2009 in which Guthrie led the American League in losses and homers allowed, he rebounded last season, going 11-14 with a 3.83 ERA and his second straight season recording 200 or more innings. Now, his new pitching coach, Mark Connor, wants him to take the next step and post a winning record for the first time since 2007. Guthrie is 38-48 lifetime while pitching for some terrible Orioles teams.

"Jeremy is at a certain point in his career where it's time to become a winning pitcher. Pitchers really can't control wins so much, but I've been on some teams that were pretty bad that had a couple of guys that won more than they lost," Connor said. "He's pitched in the big leagues, he's been in the rotation three or four full years … it's time for him to be the guy and set an example."

Connor said Guthrie has what it takes to do accomplish that goal.

"He's a great worker. He's very intelligent," Connor said. "All of the things that you look for in a starting pitcher, he does."

61 A first-round pick of the Indians' in 2002 (22nd overall) out of Stanford, Guthrie spent parts of four seasons in the minors. He made just 16 big league appearances before the Indians took him off their roster.

"Early on in his career, in his days in Cleveland, he had his ups and his downs," said Orioles right-hander Brad Bergesen, 25. "And so he has been through it and it's what a lot of us younger guys went through last year. I think he can share that knowledge and tell us what helped him, along with his struggles, and really help us in the long run."

Guthrie started 2007 in long relief for the Orioles, but his effectiveness and an injury to starter Jaret Wright created an opportunity. He made 26 starts in 2007 and has made at least 30 in each of the past three years. He said he focuses more on that than on getting the ball in the opener.

"Ultimately, I have always downplayed it a little bit, the Opening Day role," Guthrie said. "More important to me is being there the last day of the season. Being there for 30-plus starts and making all of those. That, to me, means a whole lot more than making one at the start of April each season."

In 2010, Guthrie watched Opening Day at Tropicana Field from the visitors' dugout while newly acquired veteran started against the Rays.

"Last year, I was able to experience not being on the field but watching it," Guthrie said. "And it's a lot more fun to be there playing and battling with your team on that first game of the season after a long winter."

The Orioles traded for Millwood in December 2009 to serve as the staff leader and No. 1 starter after Guthrie's disappointing season.

"It did not bother me one bit. I knew he was there for that reason," Guthrie said. "I learned from him and watched him go about [his business] and pitch really, really well for the majority of the season. So that was a good opportunity for me to learn and take a step back from the role I was in the previous two years and bounce back from what was a tough season in 2009."

It didn't stop Guthrie from interacting with his young rotation mates, from being a sounding board and a dispenser of advice, or from needling them continually. He is the clubhouse commentator — whether it's critiquing the play of his teammates in a pingpong tournament or tweaking the media on their reporting styles. He doesn't stop thinking, theorizing.

"Guthrie is a smart guy, and he has a reason behind everything he does," catcher said. "That's one thing where it can be tough to understand him at points, but everything he does, he does for a purpose. He is a guy, once you get his sense of humor, he is a fun guy to be around."

Righty Chris Tillman says Guthrie "is always a clown" when he's not pitching or preparing to pitch. It was Guthrie, though, who presented Tillman with his unforgettable "welcome to the majors" moment in 2009. In Tillman's first big league start, at age 21, he allowed three runs in 42/3 innings against the lowly .

A ballyhooed prospect, Tillman walked off the Camden Yards field dejected, at least until he heard Guthrie's booming voice putting the outing in perspective.

"That's four and two-thirds in 'The Show,'" Guthrie bellowed.

Said Tillman: "Ever since that, he'll bring it up and we'll laugh about it. Having that guy say it to me, I was kind of like, 'Wow,' in shock." 62

It broke the ice, made Tillman understand what he had just accomplished at such a tender age. It's what a veteran leader in the big leagues is supposed to do.

"Ever since my first spring over in Fort Lauderdale, he kind of took me under his wing, and I think I have been under there ever since," Tillman said. "He walked me through things the first couple years. I am so appreciative of that guy. He has done everything for me I could ask."

63 Catchy name Giving Saltalamacchia the starting job speaks volumes about the Sox’ faith in him Michael Vega / Boston Globe

There‘s no getting around it. You can‘t say Jarrod Saltalamacchia‘s name fast three times without tripping over your tongue. To get a handle on the longest last name in major league history, you must break it down to its basic elements: 14 letters (8 consonants, 6 vowels) and 6 syllables.

Sal-ta-la-mac-chi-a.

Strung together across his back, the letters of his name cover nearly every inch of his No. 39 Red Sox jersey.

Upon closer inspection, it seems to form something of a rainbow, with ―Salt‘‘ springing from his left latissimus dorsi and ascending toward the left rear deltoid, ―alamac‘‘ stretching across the expanse of his trapezius along his shoulders, and ―chia‘‘ descending at the right rear deltoid toward the right latissimus.

This season, his first as the Red Sox‘ starting catcher, the 25-year-old Saltalamacchia will likely stretch and strain every muscle group of his strapping 6-foot-4-inch, 235-pound frame to shoulder the weighty responsibility of handling the Boston pitching staff.

It starts today at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, where Saltalamacchia made his two previous Opening Day starts for the Rangers. Last year, in fact, he hit a bases-loaded single in the ninth for a 5-4 walkoff victory over the Blue Jays.

Now, he says, he feels more prepared than ever to handle the day-to-day grind and the long haul of a baseball season that Sox fans hope will stretch well into October.

―It‘s the first spring where I really concentrated on getting ready for the season,‘‘ said Saltalamacchia. ―I‘m not trying to prove anything. I‘m not trying to go out there and play like it‘s October. I‘m just doing the little things to get ready, stuff like that.‘‘

Little things like honing his technique as a catcher by working with bullpen coach Gary Tuck during the offseason.

Little things like spending extra time in the batting cage.

When reliever watched Saltalamacchia take batting practice for the first time this spring, he was astonished.

―The sound of the ball coming off his bat . . . it was different,‘‘ said Bard. ―It‘s got some pop to it.‘‘

A career .248 hitter with 23 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .315 on-base percentage, the switch-hitting Saltalamacchia led the Sox this spring with a .405 batting average, a .465 on-base percentage, a .649 , and an off-the-charts 1.114 OPS.

Position opens up

When the Red Sox acquired Saltalamacchia at the trading deadline last July 31 for first baseman Christopher McGuiness, righthanded pitcher Roman Mendez, and catcher Michael Thomas (the player to be named later), it wasn‘t necessarily for the pop in his bat as much as his overall potential. But he appeared in only 10 games with Boston before undergoing surgery Sept. 28 to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. 64

When veteran catcher Victor Martinez signed with Detroit in the offseason, the Sox placed their trust in Saltalamacchia, even though he had yet to catch a full season.

In 2009, he made a career-high 83 appearances and played 714 innings behind the plate for the Rangers before experiencing right shoulder problems in early August and going on the disabled list Aug. 15.

He underwent season-ending surgery Sept. 9, 2009, after being diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome, which required the removal of a rib from his right side after complications developed.

―We negotiated with Victor, but we always felt there was a lot of untapped potential with Saltalamacchia,‘‘ said Sox general manager Theo Epstein. ―He‘s somebody we felt could grow into an everyday job. So we weren‘t going to act in desperation to do something that didn‘t make sense to us and bring in a catcher when we felt like we had a good option.

―We challenged him to have a productive winter, whether his role was going to be as everyday guy, job share, or backup. He had some things he needed to improve on to become a productive member of this team and we‘re going to give him an opportunity.

―He‘s made the most of it. He reshaped his body, physically, over the winter and he reworked his catching mechanics with Gary Tuck, and he‘s gone above and beyond to get to know each and every pitcher on the staff and develop a good rapport with them. So we couldn‘t be happier.‘‘

Said , ―He has a lot of ability and a body type that can endure a big, long season and plus tools all the way around on the field.‘‘

But that‘s as a catcher, not a first baseman.

Much to his chagrin, Saltalamacchia found himself playing that position a lot in 2007 after the Braves traded him and four other players to Texas in a deal that sent Ron Mahay and to Atlanta.

Saltalamacchia had played just 14 games at first base for Atlanta, but in Texas that season, he started more games at first (24) than behind the plate (22).

Now, though, he no longer has to worry about packing a first baseman‘s glove in his equipment bag.

―The message that was sent to me was that [the Red Sox] trusted me,‘‘ he said. ―They had seen my ability, which, for me, feels great because the past three years I really hadn‘t felt that. Back then, I was just trying to figure out what was wrong and that type of thing, whereas now they actually believe in me, and it feels great.

―Everybody on this team, every baseball player, every person needs that. We‘re not machines, you know? We go out there and we play this game and we‘re men and they treat us like men.‘‘

But there remains a lingering question: Can Saltalamacchia go the distance?

―I don‘t have any concerns,‘‘ he said. ―But definitely right now I want to make sure that my body is good, my body is ready to go the full season. I don‘t want to get injured.

―Catching is a tough position and you‘re going to get hurt, but I‘ve done everything I can to limit that and to make sure my body is ready.‘‘

65 Rapport established

Apart from remaining healthy, Sox manager Terry Francona said Saltalamacchia has to concern himself with one thing above all others: game management of the pitching staff.

―If we‘re shaking hands at the end of a game, he did his job,‘‘ Francona said. ―Sounds easy and it may be oversimplifying, but that‘s really what it is. He‘s got to run the game, take care of his pitchers, and he understands that.‘‘

It has helped to have a veteran presence like Varitek to assist him.

―It‘s been great,‘‘ Saltalamacchia said. ―We‘re friends, and he helps me out any way I need it. I can help him out if I can catch a certain pitcher he hasn‘t seen and I can tell him what I see, so it‘s good being around a guy like him.

―He‘s been through everything. What he went through with the Mariners was a lot like what I went through at Texas. We‘re sort of on the same page and we‘re able to help each other out.‘‘

While Epstein characterized their relationship as one of pupil and mentor, Varitek seemed to chafe at that notion.

―I don‘t think it‘s about me ‗mentoring‘ him,‘‘ said Varitek. ―Everybody‘s trying to get themselves ready to play games right now and we‘ve been able to communicate and talk about all sorts of different things, you know, relating to the game. Our line of communication has been great and it needs to continue to be that way to move forward.‘‘

Saltalamacchia has strived to achieve that goal with an easygoing approach in his dealings with the pitchers.

―He‘s got the outgoing personality to not care who he‘s talking to,‘‘ said . ―He‘ll go up there and talk to you and figure out, ‗Hey, this is what I‘d like to do; what do you like to do in this situation?‘ And when he gets out behind the plate, you know who‘s in charge. He‘s just like Tek.

―He sits back there and you know he‘s in charge of the game. He‘s fine with you calling your own game and he‘s not going to be upset with it. I just think his personality fits our whole team, especially our pitching staff.‘‘

Said Bard, ―He doesn‘t pass by a pitcher without saying something, whether it‘s something related to the game or an off-the-wall joke or whatever. You need that to just kind of build that relationship and trust.

―You see how hard he‘s worked to prepare to be an everyday guy for us. That right there gets my respect, because I know he‘s going to put the work in and he‘s going to study the hitters and he‘s going to know the scouting reports going in. And I know he‘s probably taken a lot of that from the way Tek prepares for games. You see a lot of similarities there.

―But Salty probably talks a lot more, and that‘s probably the only difference.‘‘

Right now, Saltalamacchia is in a good place. Nothing aches. The thumb is fine. The shoulder is good. Everything has come together for him on a professional and personal level. He and his wife, Ashley, are expecting their third child next week, just before the home opener against the Yankees.

―Everything is there for me,‘‘ he said. ―I‘m just looking forward to living it day by day. First and foremost, being right with the Lord, everything else will work out. 66

―I‘m not worried about anything. We‘ve got a great group of guys here. This is a special team. I would love nothing more than to be a part of it, and I‘ve got a great opportunity to be a part of it.‘‘

If Jarrod Saltalamacchia can convert Red Sox Nation into believers, his tongue-twister of a last name no doubt will become a household name.

Sal-ta-la-mac-chi-a. Rolls off the tongue, doesn‘t it?

67 Starting on opening day never gets old for White Sox’ Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times

CLEVELAND — After all these years, Mark Buehrle still likes to go first. When the 32-year-old left-hander throws the first pitch of the White Sox‘ 2011 season in Cleveland today, it will be the ninth time he pitches on Opening Day.

All in a Sox uniform, and it never gets old.

―Not to me,‘‘ Buehrle said. ―You build up to it during all of the offseason. Every move you‘ve made for a month and a half in spring training is geared toward [Opening Day].‘‘

It‘s not like Buehrle needs an opener for an eye-opener. He has thrown two no-hitters, including one of the 20 perfect games in major-league history. He also won 16 regular-season games and two playoff games for the World Series champion Sox in 2005, and he saved a game in that Fall Classic as well, a rare feat for a starting pitcher.

He has made four All-Star teams and won two Gold Gloves and 148 games.

Buehrle‘s list of accomplishments is so long, it uses up eight pages in the Sox‘ media guide, more than any player.

But this Opening Day thing, it never loses its luster.

―It‘s like an All-Star appearance,‘‘ said Buehrle, whose start last year broke ‘s franchise record. ―A lot of people say it gets old, but I don‘t know how it can get old. It‘s the one game that‘s sold out. It‘s sort of like a playoff game, and after that, it goes downhill because no one ever shows up. But it‘s going to be a great atmosphere, and I‘ll try to get us going on the right foot.‖

When Guillen named his Opening Day starter early in camp, Buehrle was grateful but suggested the baton pass to John Danks.

Danks would hear none of it.

―He will be the Opening Day starter for the White Sox till the day he dies,‘‘ Danks said.

Well, no, but it does seem like he has been doing it since the day you were born.

The first one was against Freddy Garcia in Seattle in 2002 after a breakout 16-8, 3.29-ERA season.

At 23, Buehrle was the youngest Sox pitcher to make an Opening Day start since Britt Burns (22) in 1981. He gave up one run and two hits in six innings in the Sox‘ 6-5 victory. It was the first of five consecutive Opening Day starts for Buehrle, who lost the 2007 honor to Jose Contreras after going 12-13 in 2006 — the only sub- .500 record of his professional (majors and minors) career.

Reflecting his career performance in general, Buehrle‘s Opening Day outings have been well above average: He‘s 3-1 with a 3.37 ERA with five quality starts, the only loss in 2003 in Kansas City.

The best was when he pitched nine innings and combined with Shingo Takatsu for a two-hit shutout against the Indians at U.S. Cellular Field, the game that set the tone for 2005. The worst was a shelling by the Indians in 2008 in Cleveland. Buehrle was pulled in the second inning after giving up seven hits, including two home runs. 68 The most recent was last season against the Indians when Buehrle gave up three hits over seven scoreless innings in a 3-0 victory at the Cell. Buehrle made perhaps the defensive play of the year in that one.

Buehrle would go on to post a 13-13 record with a 4.28 ERA in 2010, easily his highest since his bottomed-out 4.99 in 2006. His suggestion that Danks wear the Opening Day colors was a tip of the cap to Danks, the up-and- coming 25-year-old 15-game winner who‘s arguably the ace of the pitching staff even though he‘s starting the third game and not the first. It also may be an admission of his own aging process.

After winning 13 games for the second consecutive season, Buehrle‘s star has dropped with the what-have-you- done-for-me-lately crowd. His ERA last year was the second-highest of his 11-year career. He gave up 246 hits in 2101/3 innings.

By the same token, Buehrle had at least 10 wins, 30 starts and 200 innings for the 10th consecutive season, the longest such active streak in the majors.

He sticks to the same goal every year: 20 wins (never accomplished) and 200 innings (almost a given).

And you wouldn‘t know Buehrle is slipping by his most recent outing. He allowed two hits in five scoreless innings against the Brewers in Maryvale, Ariz., on Sunday.

He struck out seven and walked none.

―I wish I could bottle this up and feel half this good on Opening Day,‖ Buehrle said afterward. ―This was the best I felt [in spring training] — location-wise, velocity, arm — just everything. The best I‘ve felt.‖

Buehrle might not have his stuff bottled up, but after eight Opening Day starts, he has the been-there-done-that potion for handling Game 1 hoopla in his shirt pocket.

69 Cleveland Indians 2011 preview: Down on the farm, the cash crop is pitching Paul Hoynes / Cleveland Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — It used to be a hitter's paradise. All the Indians did was hit and all they produced was hitters.

Let your memory work and the names quickly appear on the scoreboard in your head: Albert Belle, , Carlos Baerga, , Robbie Alomar, , Manny Ramirez, Sandy Alomar Jr, Eddie Murray, Paul Sorrento, David Justice, Matt Williams, . They had so many hitters that there was no room for players such as , Brian Giles and Richie Sexson. They were traded and became productive hitters for someone else.

The era of swat has cooled in Cleveland. Last year it turned to ice. The Indians lost 93 games and finished 25th in the big leagues in team batting average (.248) and 26th in runs (646).

While the hitters have waned, there has been an increase in another precious commodity in the Indians' organization -- pitching.

No one is comparing it to 1954, when the Indians had a starting rotation of , , Mike Garcia, Art Houteman and with a young left-hander named waiting in the minors. But the Indians, in a sense, are just getting started.

Their big-league rotation is young; Fausto Carmona and Mitch Talbot are the oldest at 27. The rotation features two hard throwers in Justin Masterson and Carlos Carrasco, who were acquired in two of the three big trades that have rocked the organization since 2008. In the bullpen, they have closer , primed for a breakout year. He, too, was acquired through trade.

Down below things are bubbling.

"It's the largest amount of pitching depth and options that we've had in a while," said , in his fifth year as Indians director of player development. "It's significant how much depth we feel we have with pitching. It's not so much that we have one or two of them, but that we have such a large number of options that we feel can be contributors."

Former GM Mark Shapiro talked about having not just one or two prospects in the minors, but "waves of prospects." No one knows if the Indians will be able to surf on this wave, but they believe it's far more than a ripple.

Alex White, Drew Pomeranz, Jason Knapp, Carrasco, Zach McAllister, Kelvin De La Cruz, and Matt Packer are the curl on the wave.

White was the Indians' No.1 pick in 2009. The Indians paid him $2.25 million after drafting him out of the University of North Carolina. He pitched at Class AA Akron and Class A Kinston last year and will start this season at Class AAA Columbus.

"We like his competitiveness and the ability to go get a 96-mph to 97-mph four-seam fastball and his ability to sink it," said Atkins. "With a developing slider and split, he could end up at the front of the rotation."

White, 22, was a combined 10-10 with a 2.45 ERA (41 earned runs in 150 2/3 innings) last year. The right- hander still has to learn to use his slider and split and not rely only on his fastball. That's what happened to him this spring in his first real exposure to big-league hitters, and they hit .417 against him. 70

"He got away from using his pitches," said Atkins. "He's so competitive, he said 'I'm going down with my best' and stuck with his fastball too much."

Pomeranz, 22, was the Indians No.1 pick in 2010 out of the University of Mississippi. They paid him $2.65 million after taking him with the fifth overall pick.

The 6-5, 230-pound left-hander will start the year at Class A Kinston. He pitched only in the Arizona Instructional League last year after signing. He throws between 93 mph and 96 mph and his fastball jumps at the hitter late.

"He gets in the mid 90s real easy," said Indians pitching coach Tim Belcher.

The Indians foresee a rotation with White and Pomeranz as the tip of the spear.

"In the past Cleveland took some guys pretty high in the draft that I didn't think were good American League pitchers," said , former Indians general manager and current senior advisor for the . "That's been a missing piece for Cleveland what with the loss of CC Sabathia and Cliff Lee."

Hart said White and Pomeranz have the ability to change that.

"From where Cleveland picked in the draft, they got the best two guys," said Hart. "White slipped a little because people questioned his arm, but he's got plus stuff. I think he could be a solid middle to front of the rotation starter.

"Pomeranz was the best college pitcher on the draft board last year. He's a big-bodied left-hander with an out- pitch curveball and a fastball that's good enough. Cleveland, in its market, needs to hit with both these guys."

The Indians acquired Knapp, a 20-year-old right-hander, from Philadelphia in the Cliff Lee trade in 2009. He missed most of last year recovering from right shoulder surgery to remove bone chips and repair a frayed labrum. He made 10 starts at the end of last year in the Arizona Rookie League and Class A Lake County, striking out 47 in 281/3 innings.

Knapp probably will open the year in extended spring training. The Indians brought him to camp in January to increase his shoulder strength and will limit his innings this year because he threw so few last season. When he does join a team, it will probably be Class A Kinston.

"He's definitely a guy," said Atkins. "He's been up to 97 mph to 98 mph with an above-average slider. He has the physical strength to haul innings and an incredible head on his shoulders for a young pitcher."

A big league scout said the Indians took a "flyer' on Knapp in the Lee deal.

"He shows potential," said the scout, "but he still has development to go.

"The Indians, like most clubs, are stockpiling arms. White and Pomeranz give them two quality arms that should be able to move through the system quickly."

Said Hart, "When they made the Lee deal, Knapp was the biggest upside guy in it. He's been hurt. If a guy is limited for a couple of years, you've got to wonder what it means."

71 The Indians acquired Carrasco, 24, in the Lee deal. He made the Indians' Opening Day roster this spring and will start the second game of the season Saturday against Chicago at .

Manager says the right-handed Carrasco may have the highest ceiling of any pitcher in the organization.

"I believe he's going to be a good major-league pitcher," said Acta.

McAllister, 23, came from the Yankees for Austin Kearns at the July 31 trading deadline last year. He's 6-6 and 240 pounds and will start the year at Class AAA Columbus. His father, Steve, is a scout for Arizona.

"Guys like McAllister and Jeanmar Gomez (another starter at Columbus) provide depth for the back end of the rotation," said the same scout who commented earlier about the Indians stockpiling arms.

De La Cruz, Hagadone and Packer offer balance to the foam at the top of the wave as left-handers. De La Cruz and Packer are expected to be in the Class AA rotation at Akron. Hagadone will probably be in the Akron bullpen.

The 6-5, 190-pound De La Cruz, 22, missed most of the 2009 season with an elbow injury.

"De La Cruz is definitely in the mix," said Belcher. "He throws in the low 90s and has room to grow. He could really be a monster. He could be bigger than Pomeranz or Hagadone. He's got the shoulders to carry it."

He's the only 6-5 lefty in the Tribe organization who can do a standing back flip. Just ask him.

The Indians acquired Hagadone, 25, and Masterson, 26, from Boston for Victor Martinez in their 2009 . Atkins called Hagadone's 2010 season "his hiccup year" as he was coming off Tommy John surgery in 2008. He struck out 89 and walked 63 in 85 2/3 innings at Kinston and Akron. Like Knapp this year, Hagadone's innings were limited in 2010.

The 6-5, 230-pound Hagadone can hit 96 mph, but usually pitches in the low to mid 90s.

"There was a huge buzz around Hagadone a couple of years ago when he was with Boston," said Hart. "He was throwing 96 mph to 97 mph, just what you want to see out of a big left-hander.

"His stuff isn't playing as big as it was two years ago because, like Knapp, he got hurt. It might be a safe bet to put him in the bullpen."

The Indians drafted Packer, 23, out of the University Virginia with the 32nd pick in the 2009 draft. As a sophomore in college, he led the nation in ERA, but struggled as a junior and slipped in the draft. Last year he led the Tribe's minor-league system with a 2.04 ERA and was fifth in strikeouts with 123 in 132 2/3 innings at Lake County and Akron.

"He's a lefty along the lines of Scott Lewis and Jeremy Sowers," said Atkins. "We just hope he's more durable."

GM Chris Antonetti said the Indians have intentionally tried to bring as much pitching into the organization as possible.

"We understand the importance of pitching depth and feel we have several layers of it," said Antonetti.

Here's what Antonetti is talking about: 72

The rotation at Columbus will be , Jeanmar Gomez, , White and McAllister. Huff and Gomez already have big-league experience with the Tribe. In the Columbus bullpen, they'll have Jensen Lewis, Zach Putnam, Josh Judy and who can help the big-league club.

There's more.

At Akron, the rotation will be De La Cruz, Packer, Austin Adams, Joe Gardner and Scott Barnes. The organization considers them all prospects.

In the bullpen they have Hagadone and Bryce Stowell.

Adams and Stowell have hit 100 mph. Stowell was in big-league camp, but struggled to throw strikes. Adams and Gardner are starting, but their path to the big leagues might be faster as relievers. Gardner is a sinker-slider pitcher.

The Indians also have lefty T.J. McFarland, 11-5 at Kinston last year, and right-hander Hector Rondon. McFarland should reach Akron this year, while Rondon is idling on the runway as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. He was one of the team's top prospects until injuring his right elbow at Columbus last year.

"I think they're putting together a good group of pitchers," said Jim Callis, executive director of , the bible of , scouting and the draft. "Drew Pomeranz and Alex White are solid.

"The Indians have the have been very aggressive over the last few year in getting pitching on all three levels -- international, trades and the draft."

Added Hart, who built the great Indians teams from 1995 through 2001 on hitting and strong , "I think the light the Indians see at the end of the tunnel isn't a train. I think it is a light. I think in the next few years you're going to see Kansas City and the Indians take big strides in that division."

73 N.Y. 6, Detroit 3: Ex-Tiger Curtis Granderson stings old team Former Tiger's bat, glove knock off Detroit John Lowe / Detroit Free Press

NEW YORK -- Curtis Granderson imitated .

And Tigers manager suffered the still-accurate words once spoken by Thursday's pregame visitor, .

Years ago, when he was a manager and relief pitching was becoming more important, Berra said, "If you ain't got a bullpen, you ain't got nuthin'."

In Thursday's opener, starters and CC Sabathia handed a tie game to the bullpens after six innings.

Granderson greeted left-hander Phil Coke with a leadoff home run in the seventh inning, putting the Yankees ahead for good in a 6-3 win.

The Tigers never got a runner off the bullpen.

Granderson evoked Mays by winning a game with power and his glove in centerfield. Granderson made several nice catches, including a few while in retreat.

He brought to mind the line about the running catches in deep center by the young Mays when he played for the Giants at another ballpark in New York: "Center field at the -- where triples go to die."

And thus Granderson, as a hit-robbing fielder and a homer-hitting batter, did much to cause Leyland's dual postgame lament:

"I thought we had good at-bats all day long. ... Their bullpen was a little better than ours."

Verlander's early pitch count took its toll down the stretch

Sometimes, you win a game during an inning in which you don't score.

That's what the Yankees might have done in the first inning Thursday.

The Yankees didn't score in the first, but they made Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander throw 31 pitches, including 21 with two outs.

Even for a workhorse like Verlander, such an early expenditure of pitches made it questionable he'd reach the late innings. And, with the season just dawning, Leyland had him on a 110-pitch limit. Late in the season, Verlander often reaches 120 pitches or more.

Leyland let Verlander exceed 110 so he could retire Jorge Posada to end the sixth. Having thrown 114 pitches, Verlander left a 3-3 game.

If Verlander hadn't needed so many pitches early, he could have pitched the seventh.

He might have wilted and lost in the seventh. After all, he gave up a fence-rattling near-homer to in the sixth. 74

But it's fair to say when Verlander pitches, the opposing team would like to get him out of the game as soon as possible.

Coke relieved Verlander to start the seventh and gave up a tie-breaking home run to his first hitter, Granderson.

Coke gave up another run (unearned) in the inning, and the game basically was finished, in part because the Tigers haven't come from behind on since 1999.

As Coke labored, Verlander's long first inning hung over like the low clouds. Verlander retired the first two batters of the game on 10 pitches. He walked the next two, and he finally ended the inning by striking out Robinson Cano on the eighth pitch of the at-bat.

Verlander didn't feel doomed to a shortened outing. He figured he needed fast innings. He got the first two hitters in the second on two pitches apiece. Then he got ahead of Granderson, 0-2.

Granderson then gave subtle development to what became his starring role. He ran the count full amid fouling three pitches.

Granderson struck out, but he turned in a nine-pitch at-bat that ran Verlander's pitch count to 44 over two innings.

Verlander talked with regret about those first two innings -- innings in which he didn't allow a run.

"I probably was throwing a little too hard in the first," Verlander said. "I wouldn't say (the Yankees) working the count had anything to do with my pitch count being high early in the game. That was all me.

"I was throwing unnecessary pitches. There were a couple of guys where I got ahead, 0-2, and then maybe threw a breaking ball.

"I had trouble feeling the ball, and my fingers were pretty cold. I don't think that matters so much on the fastball as on the off-speed pitches. The off-speed pitches tend to do more with the feel of the fingertips. The fastball has more to do with the timing of your release."

Players call the fastball "the heater." Verlander might have the best heater among American League starters. If he had used it more in this low-40s dampness, he might have kept his pitch count down early and lasted through the seventh. But if any starter throws too many , hitters can look for them and nothing else.

"I'm trying to become a better pitcher," Verlander said. "I'm trying to mix things up a little bit."

Additional Facts

Tools of the trade

Three players from 2009's three-team trade among the Tigers, Yankees and Diamondbacks played in Thursday's opener. Here's how they fared:

Curtis Granderson

- Granderson hit the game-winning home run and had several outstanding plays in centerfield for New York.

75 Austin Jackson

- Jackson started in centerfield for the Tigers, singled and scored a run, but struck out in his three other at-bats.

Phil Coke

- Coke gave up Granderson's leadoff home run on a 2-0 pitch in the seventh inning and took the loss.

76 Rookie pitchers are ‘dynamite’ in relief Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star

The moment passed in a blur. One moment, Aaron Crow was sitting in the bullpen. The next moment, he was jogging toward the mound for his first major-league appearance.

It was the sixth inning of the Royals‘ 4-2 opening-day loss to the on Thursday, and Royals manager Ned Yost had called down to the bullpen and asked for Crow, a 24-year-old rookie right-hander from Topeka.

Royals starter was spent after 102 pitches, and with the Royals trailing 4-0, Crow was asked to keep his team in the game.

So as Crow prepared to step on the rubber in front of 40,055 fans at , Royals catcher Matt Treanor figured he better venture out to the mound to calm the nerves.

―(He was) a little wide-eyed when I went out there,‖ Treanor said.

Crow said he hardly had time to be nervous; he‘d only been warming up for a few minutes, and the moment was moving fast.

But then, he said, he looked up at the crowd.

―That kind of got my nerves,‖ said Crow, the Royals‘ first-round pick in 2009.

But Crow dug in and struck out Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick, stranding a runner at second.

Crow, who became the first player from the University of Missouri to pitch for the Royals, followed with another scoreless inning in the seventh.

In 1 1/3 innings, Crow would retire all four batters he faced — and mow through the heart of the Angels‘ lineup in the seventh. lined out to left, and veteran outfielders Torii Hunter and both waved at sliders that dipped out of the strike zone.

―That second inning,‖ Crow said, ―I looked at the lineup card and saw who was coming up. Those are three really good hitters.‖

In the moments after the game, Crow stood by his locker. His butterflies had settled.

His parents had made the trip from Topeka. And after posting a 5.73 ERA in the minors in 2010 — his first professional season — Crow had escaped his first day in the big leagues with a spotless outing.

―He was dynamite,‖ Treanor said.

A few feet away from Crow, fellow rookie right-hander Nate Adcock iced his arm.

Adcock, a 23-year-old Rule 5 pick, followed Crow with a scoreless inning in the eighth. And Tim Collins, a 5- foot-7 rookie left-hander, posted a scoreless inning of his own in the ninth.

Three major-league debuts; and 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

77 ―For all three of us to get our inning in and have success — and still give our team a chance to win — it‘s perfect,‖ said Adcock, who was at Class A Bradenton in the Pirates‘ organization at this time last season.

Adcock‘s parents were at Kauffman Stadium, too. And they watched as he quickly got two outs in the eighth. He then allowed a double to and a single to Peter Bourjos, but right fielder Jeff Francoeur saved a run by throwing out Mathis at the plate.

Collins allowed two runners to get on with one out in the ninth, but he responded by striking out Hunter and retiring Wells on a fly to center.

―I tried to get tunnel vision,‖ Collins said. ―It still hasn‘t hit me yet. Even sitting in the dugout after I threw, I had to keep saying, ‗Man, this is a big-league game.‘ It‘s a special experience, and it‘s kind of hard to explain.‖

78 Torii Hunter leads Angels to 4-2 victory over Kansas City The Angels right-fielder has two hits, including a long fourth-inning home run, and stifles a potential Royals rally in the sixth inning with a diving catch of a fly ball in the Angels' season opener. Kevin Baxter / Los Angeles Times

Torii Hunter stood before his locker in a corner of the Angels clubhouse Thursday afternoon and joked about getting some T-shirts made.

"They're going to say OG on them," he said, drawing a line across his chest with an index finger. "That's supposed to stand for Original Gangster. But mine are going to stand for Old Goat."

A couple of hours later Hunter showed that, old or not, this goat is not ready to be put out to pasture just yet, collecting two hits, including a long fourth-inning home run to start the Angels on their way to a 4-2 season- opening win over the Kansas City Royals.

While set the mood on the mound, holding the Royals to two singles by Melky Cabrera through 61/3 innings, it was Hunter who led the way everywhere else. Not only did his fourth-inning home run give them a lead that they never relinquished, but he also stifled a potential Royals rally in the sixth with a spectacular diving catch of a Mike Aviles' fly ball just inside the right-field line.

"My whole career, that's what I always wanted to be," he said. "That guy, that table-setter. That guy that sets the tone and makes everything go."

Last summer's move to right field led some to whisper that Hunter had lost a step, that his game was in decline. It's a quiet criticism that Hunter now uses as motivation — even after driving a full-count pitch to the base of the scoreboard in center field more than 440 feet away.

"I still go out and play and I play hard. I've still got it," spat Hunter, who at 35 is the Angels' second-oldest regular. "No matter if I have a bad day or not, I'm going to push that other guy to have some fun and play the game. Maybe he'll help us win."

Two innings after Hunter got the Angels started, Jeff Mathis followed with a solo homer of his own, his first since July. And with Mathis turning 28 on Thursday, it made him just the third player in history to hit an opening-day home run on his birthday.

That also helped give Weaver a 4-0 lead to work with. But when the right-hander surpassed 100 pitches an inning later, he was lifted with one out in the seventh — and that's when the fun began.

Last season no American League bullpen walked more batters than the shaky Angels', and the team's relievers proved to be in midseason form Thursday, starting with Hisanori Takahashi, who gave up a home run and two singles in the span of four batters in the seventh.

Kevin Jepsen gave up another home run, two walks and a to start the eighth before yielding to Michael Kohn, who walked his first batter to load the bases before wiggling out of the jam.

Fernando Rodney then survived an equally shaky ninth, putting the tying run on base in the ninth before striking out on a foul tip to end the game.

Weaver, watching from the safety of the clubhouse, said he couldn't help but grow nervous.

79 "We made it interesting a little bit," he said. "But those guys made pitches when they needed to. So that was a good way to start the season."

80 An Open invitation for Pavano The righthander follows in the line of Twins pitchers who have had the privilege of being tapped as the Opening Day starter. Joe Christensen / Minneapolis Star Tribune

TORONTO -- made 14 Opening Day starts, more than any pitcher in modern baseball history except , who made 16 during his Hall of Fame career.

Morris felt honored to get those assignments, but when he looks back, he doesn‘t dwell on all the Opening Day pageantry.

―For me, spring training was about four weeks too long,‖ Morris said. ―I couldn‘t wait to start playing meaningful games. I couldn‘t wait to get paid. They don‘t pay you for spring training.‖

That still holds true actually. Major league players are under contract to participate in spring training, but their semi-monthly pay periods don‘t begin until Opening Day. So on Friday night, in the season opener against the Blue Jays, it‘s time for to start earning his new paychecks for the Twins.

Pavano, 35, reached free agency after going 17-11 with a 3.75 ERA last season, and the Twins re-signed him with a two-year, $16.5 million deal. Manager wasted little time in spring training before naming Pavano his Opening Day starter.

This will be Pavano‘s second Opening Day start. The other came in 2007, when he pitched 41/3 innings for the Yankees in a 9-5 victory over Tampa Bay.

―That one with the Yankees was a little different,‖ Pavano said. ―I think it was by default.‖

It came in year three of Pavano‘s infamous four-year, $40 million contract with the Yankees. The spring had started with Mike Mussina openly questioning Pavano‘s toughness. Pavano hadn‘t pitched for the Yankees in 643 days, but their options were limited with Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte hobbled by injuries. Mussina would have been forced to start the opener on short rest.

―Guys were going down like flies,‖ Pavano said. ―Would you figure, I‘d be the last one standing?‖

Pavano made one more turn in New York‘s rotation, defeating the Twins at the Metrodome on April 9, 2007, before undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery. By the time the contract expired in 2008, Pavano had logged 26 starts in four years with the Yankees, going 9-8 with a 5.00 ERA.

22 victories with the Twins

It‘s been a different story for Pavano with the Twins. He joined Minnesota in an August 2009 trade and has helped win two division titles, going 22-15 with a 3.97 ERA in 44 starts. His 221 innings last year were the most for a Minnesota pitcher since Johan Santana threw 233 1/3 in 2006.

―I didn‘t even know Carl,‖ Gardenhire said of Pavano‘s time with the Yankees. ―There‘s a lot of different opinions out there. We had on the [2009] team. I asked him what kind of guy he was, and Red had nothing but good things to say about him. We didn‘t follow anybody else‘s opinion, and we‘re lucky we didn‘t.‖

Pavano, who pitched 222 innings for Florida as Redmond‘s teammate in 2004, is the Twins‘ fourth Opening Day starter since Santana left for the Mets, joining Livan Hernandez (2008), (2009) and Scott 81 Baker (2010). Baker lasted only 4 2/3 innings in last year‘s opener — a 6-3 loss to the Angels in Anaheim, Calif. One week later, Pavano started the inaugural game at Target Field, pitching six innings in a 5-2 victory over Boston.

―You want to start off with your horse, the guy who‘s going to give you — back when we did it — 250 innings,‖ said Twins television analyst , who made 12 Opening Day starts in his Hall of Fame career. ―Pavano has earned this.‖

Blyleven pitched at least nine innings in four openers, including his 10-inning complete game for Texas in a 2-1 victory over Baltimore in 1977. That‘s almost unheard of these days, as teams are very strict with pitch count limits, especially early in the season.

According to baseball-reference.com, only one pitcher since 2003 has thrown nine innings in his team‘s season opener: for the Brewers in 2007. Sheets has since had his career derailed by arm injuries.

Perhaps the best Opening Day pitching performance came in 1940, when Cleveland‘s Bob Feller twirled a no- hitter against the White Sox.

Regrettable moments, too

Morris, a St. Paul native who pitched every Opening Day from 1980 to 1993, had a few gems and a few forgettable moments.

―The only one that stands out was [1986 at Tiger Stadium], when Dwight Evans hit my first pitch of the season for a home run,‖ Morris said. ―One pitch and we‘re behind.‖

The same thing happened to , the Twins‘ career leader with nine Opening Day starts. In 2000, Tampa Bay‘s Gerald Williams hit the first pitch Radke threw for a home run at the Metrodome in an eventual 7- 0 Minnesota loss.

Morris‘ roughest Opening Day start came in 1991, when he signed with his hometown Twins only to get roughed up in a 7-2 loss to Oakland.

―I started out pretty poor that year; I was 3-5,‖ Morris said. ―We were all pushing a little too hard, I think, and a lot of guys were scuffling.‖

Of course, that season ended pretty well for Morris and the Twins. So there‘s a lesson there for Pavano and his teammates, heading into Friday‘s game at .

It‘s a big game, but it‘s one of 162. Or more, if another season spills into October.

82 Curtis sparks Yankees victory with tie-breaking HR, dazzling 'D' George A. King, III / New York Post

Grand Opening.

Yes, others contributed to the Yankees‘ Opening Day victory over the Tigers at a raw Yankee Stadium. But heading the list of contributors was Curtis Granderson.

Hobbled by an oblique strain that had him doubtful to play earlier in the week, the center fielder put on a show against his former team to lead the Yankees to a 6-3 win in front of 48,226 chilled-to-the marrow customers.

Playing in weather not friendly to barking muscles, Granderson produced a diving catch in the first, reached the second deck in right with a game-winning homer in the seventh off lefty Phil Coke and made a running catch in the ninth.

―I enjoyed watching him play with us,‖ Tiger starter Justin Verlander said of Granderson. ―I can‘t say I enjoyed watching him today.‖

Granderson suffered the injury in batting practice March 22, and it wasn‘t until a conversation with GM on Wednesday night that Granderson was sure he could play yesterday.

―It was great, except for the weather, that was the only bad thing,‖ Granderson said of the 42-degree temperature when CC Sabathia delivered the first pitch. ―We made it through. We got the victory, and that‘s the best thing.‖

Granderson had plenty of help in the blueprint victory.

Sabathia allowed three runs (two earned) in six innings, notoriously slow starter Mark Teixeira stroked a three- run homer in the third and , Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera (save) recorded the final nine outs without allowing a baserunner.

―It was as scripted,‖ said , who drove in a run with a sacrifice liner in the seventh.

Sabathia was impressed with the pen.

―It‘s really the strength of our team,‖ Sabathia said. ―We got an up close look today.‖

Teixeira pulling a 1-1 pitch into the right-field seats erased a 1-0 Tiger lead and could be the first small step to avoiding starting the season slow for the third straight year in pinstripes.

―Last year was awful, it was embarrassing,‖ Teixeira said of April 2010, when he batted a putrid .136 (11-for- 81) with two homers and nine RBIs in 22 games. That followed 2009, when the switch-hitter batted 200 (14- for-70) with three homers and 10 RBIs in 19 April games.

―Last year overall wasn‘t good. I expect a lot out of myself.‖

After Verlander, who allowed three runs and three hits in six frames, split, Tigers manager Jim Leyland opted for Coke, a former Yankees reliever who was part of the package that delivered Granderson to , to face Granderson.

83 No doubt fresh in Leyland‘s mind was how badly Granderson hit lefties (.183; 33-for-180) during his last season (2009) in Detroit.

Yankees manager could have hit for Granderson, but didn‘t.

―He just got behind Granderson [2-0] and basically left no doubt as to what was coming,‖ Leyland said of the fastball that Granderson, who has homered in each of the last three Opening Day games, hammered.

Only fools make much out of one tilt in a 162-game schedule. However, due to question marks that surround the rest of the rotation, it‘s imperative the Yankees win when Sabathia starts.

Yesterday, they lifted the plans off the blueprint and made sure of a Grand Opening.

84 Kevin Kouzmanoff enters season with a hot hand Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle

The A's spent much of their offseason trying to improve their lineup. Going into Opening Night at the Coliseum, could one of the biggest improvements come from a returning hitter?

Kevin Kouzmanoff, a player the A's tried to replace with Adrian Beltre this winter, was among the spring leaders with a .413 average, and he drove in 12 runs, tied with Kurt Suzuki for second most on the team.

With the offseason acquisitions of David DeJesus, Josh Willingham and Hideki Matsui - the new heart of Oakland's order - Kouzmanoff is likely to be hitting eighth tonight when the A's take on the Mariners and reigning Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez.

"If Kevin's hitting eighth, that speaks volumes about what this lineup is capable of," Oakland starter Dallas Braden said. "He's been feasting all spring."

Despite their unsuccessful pursuit of Beltre, the A's do have faith in Kouzmanoff, believing that he'll rebound from a year in which he hit .247 with 16 homers. This is his second year back in the American League, which should help, and he might be playing with a little extra edge after the team's flirtations with Beltre.

Kouzmanoff said he is trying to change his offensive approach a bit. He's narrowing down his idea of the strike zone to make sure he gets a good pitch to hit, not just an OK pitch. But, he said, "Sometimes I deviate from that because I want to get the bat head out and swing hard - and it's a bad pitch. I don't want to get cheated, but sometimes that's the wrong approach."

As for hitting eighth, Kouzmanoff is OK with that.

"Whatever it takes to win a baseball game," he said. "I want to contribute wherever I am in the lineup. But I do see myself as a power-hitting third baseman, and I feel capable of driving in runs."

He also seems to have greater speed this season, although perhaps that's just the result of working on his running form this winter. Kouzmanoff's usual running style is so awkward, it looks painful, as if he'd just pulled a hamstring, but he focused on smoothing it out, and he looks as if he's gained a step or two as a result.

Kouzmanoff has become one of the A's most fan-friendly players, with a Facebook page and a Twitter account, @Kouzmanoff, both geared toward fans. And sometimes before games, Kouzmanoff picks out a youngster in the stands to play catch with.

"You have to make sure they can catch, and I throw light," he said with a smile. "If it makes a kid's day, that's cool. I like interacting with fans - they're spending their money to come see us during hard times."

Briefly: A's All-Star Trevor Cahill is on the mound for his first Opening Night start. At 23 years and 31 days, he's the youngest pitcher to start an A's opener since (21 years, 251 days) in 1971. ... The A's are expecting a sellout tonight.

85 League to close; Langerhans in center field Closer role could change; outfielder's spring nets starting job Greg Johns / MLB.com

OAKLAND -- On the eve of his team's Opening Day debut against the A's, Mariners manager made two things official Thursday. will serve as closer in David Aardsma's absence, and Ryan Langerhans starts in center field in place of Franklin Gutierrez.

The League decision seemed a mere formality, given he's been at the head of a short list of candidates for that spot throughout Spring Training. But Langerhans is a bit of a surprise, since Michael Saunders had initially seemed destined for that duty once it became apparent Gutierrez was going to begin the season on the disabled list with an ongoing digestive tract issue.

But Langerhans, 31, started three of the last four spring games in center and convinced Wedge and his staff that his strong spring (.316, two home runs, nine RBIs) and excellent defensive play deserved credit. So the eight- year veteran has gone from a non-roster invitee to Opening Day starter.

Langerhans is a career .228 hitter but reworked his swing over the offseason and has felt confident through spring. With five doubles, two triples and two home runs, he posted the most extra-base hits and highest slugging percentage (.579) of any of the Mariners regulars in Cactus League play.

"He really has had a nice camp for us," Wedge said as his team conducted its final workout at Oakland- Alameda County Stadium before Friday night's opener. "Michael will be in center field some, too. But we felt that's where we wanted to start on Opening Day, and we'll go from there. He's been around a little bit more and has some experience. You really have to recognize the camp he had, the way he swung the bat and ran the bases, and he plays an aggressive center field. So that's where we want to start."

As for League, the 27-year-old struggled at times this spring with a 1-2 record and 5.54 ERA, but Wedge will begin the season at least with him in the ninth-inning role instead of former Orioles closer Chris Ray or veteran Jamey Wright, who put up 11 straight scoreless innings.

League said his understanding is his role could change on a daily basis.

"We've got a bullpen full of guys who can do it," League said. "I guess we're just going to do it by committee. He said it'll be day-to-day, and some days [I'll] be setting up Ray and vice versa. I just have to go in there and get outs.

"Last year I learned a lot about being in the bullpen and pitching in various roles. I'll be ready."

Wedge indicated the role is a little more permanent than that, at least in Aardsma's absence, but acknowledged things are just being worked out and he needs to see how players perform before casting anything in stone.

"Initially that's the way we'll start out," he said of League as closer. "I'm not sure how it'll play out. Brandon has the most experience at the back end of the bullpen. We've got a few other guys that are veteran guys who'll see time at the back end as well. A lot of it depends on how we use Leaguer. He's a guy who can be a one-plus [inning] guy. So depending how you use him, he might not be available the next day."

Josh Lueke and Tom Wilhelmsen are both hard-throwing right-handers who also won bullpen jobs, but neither has pitched in the Major Leagues, so Wedge won't toss them into late-inning situations right off the bat.

86 Ray and League are the two candidates with closing experience, with David Pauley, and Wright seen more as multiple-inning relievers.

League is the only one of the seven relievers who was with the team at the start of last season, so it's not surprising that roles are still being worked out.

"There's some uncertainty, and that's not necessarily a bad thing," Wedge said. "It just means we need to get into the regular season and work off what we see. I don't want to pigeonhole ourselves. Until you get some history under your belt, it's hard to predetermine. But we have to start somewhere, and that's where we're starting."

87 Nothing Rays' Price does should surprise Joe Henderson / Tampa Tribune

When was a member of the Team USA baseball team, there was a trip that was supposed to begin at 8 o'clock in the morning.

Baseball players like to sleep in when they can, but Price had work to do that wouldn't wait. So about two hours before the bus took off, he coaxed a coach to hop a chain-link fence with him at the team's practice field.

"He wanted to get out there and throw. It just speaks volumes about who he is," Tampa Bay Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "When you hear that story, you're surprised. But once you get to know him, you're not surprised at all."

All that happened about two years before the Rays made Price the No.†‰1 overall pick in the 2007 draft. They put a lot of faith in intangibles and they sure nailed it on this one.

Price has just one full season in the majors and parts of two others, but already has closed out the deciding game of the 2008 American League Championship Series against Boston, pitched in the World Series, was the AL starter in the All-Star Game last year and was runner-up for the Cy Young Award.

Tonight at Tropicana Field, he adds another first †” Opening Day starter. He gets the ball against the .

"This is the first game for the Rays this year and I get to throw the first pitch for us. That's very exciting," he said. "That's something I can put in my black book with some of the other stuff I've been able to accomplish over the years. But all these guys, the other four starters, will be coming for my job next year."

It's not a surprise, not after a season where Price was 19-6 with a paltry 1.19 WHIP (walks and hits to ) and 2.72 ERA in 2082/3 innings.

"I think I know David a little bit now," Manager said. "He believes there is a lot of responsibility with (starting Opening Day) and he is able to shoulder that responsibility. He believes in being counted upon in that way."

It got depressing at times last winter, thinking of the players who had left this team for more lucrative locations. But then you'd be reminded that Price is at the head of a strong rotation, and there seemed reason to believe this season wouldn't be as fitful as it was shaping up to be.

Price is a cool customer for sure.

"Yeah, I was excited, but I don't look at it as the Opening Day starter or the ace, anything like that," he said. "It's my chance to get the Rays off to a 1-0 start. I enjoy that. That's something I feed off of."

That makes a good sound bite and big-leaguers have to know how to do the ol' varsity shrug in moments like this. But don't let him kid you. Maddon grinned when asked how Price reacted when he was told he'd get the ball tonight. Maddon pumped a fist and went, "YES!"

"He was very jacked up about it †” as I expected," Maddon said.

The record book may say Opening Day is just one of 162, but the emotions say something else. knows about that. He started the past three openers for the Rays. 88

"It's definitely different. You have the anticipation during the offseason of being able to start Opening Day, and now it's here," he said. "There are butterflies because it's the first game of the season and you want to do well, get the season off right.

"(Price) will be fine. He has been in some big games so he knows what he's doing out there. After he throws his first pitch, he'll settle down and go to work."

With the departure of Matt Garza and the uncertainty surrounding the bullpen, the Rays need Price to be a difference-maker. They need him to be the guy who won't stop working and who always wants the ball.

"I think what really separates him is his makeup. He is as intense a competitor as I've ever seen. His desire to be great is unrivaled," Friedman said.

"He is one of those guys who, no matter what he does, it never surprises you. That's because of who he is. With his stuff, with the type of competitor he is, with his work ethic, he is certainly capable of continuing to do incredibly special things in this game."

89 Wilson can be more than Opening Day starter Rangers left-hander wants to improve on last season's campaign T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- He was a 15-game winner for the Rangers last season and their No. 2 starter throughout the playoffs. He was also named the Rangers' Pitcher of the Year.

Now C.J. Wilson gets ready for another promotion. He is the Rangers' No. 1 starter as he takes the mound Friday to face the Red Sox on Opening Day at the Ballpark in Arlington.

He will go against All-Star left-hander Jon Lester for Boston.

"It will be cool," Wilson said. "I will have a lot of family and friends there, and it's going to be packed. It's always fun to pitch in front of a big crowd.

"I was supposed to be the Opening Day pitcher in 2003 at [Double-A] Frisco, but Ryan Drese had to go on a rehab assignment, and he pitched the first inning."

Colby Lewis is the only other starter deserving of consideration, but Washington had his mind made up early in camp. Wilson was his choice from the beginning.

"He deserves it," Washington said. "I don't think there's a man on earth who works harder than C.J. There are not many baseball players who want to be in that position more than C.J. He's going to make sure he doesn't let down himself, his teammates and his fans. He's just into it."

No. 1 starter in the rotation is a pretty cool moniker for a pitcher who began the 2009 season as a left-handed reliever. But there is one more level beyond Opening Day starter. That would be staff ace.

"I'm not concerned with that," Wilson said. "My goal is to pitch better than last year. That may mean walking 45 guys instead 90, striking out 200 guys instead 170, pitching 230 innings instead of 200. You just want to do better.

"It's like I said in the bullpen. If I pitch well and guys are pitching better than me, the team is really doing well. If I win 16 games and wins 20, that's good for the team."

True, but the Rangers could also use a true ace. They felt that way last year. The Rangers had a 5 1/2 game lead in the on the morning of July 9 last season, but before the day was over, they acquired Cliff Lee from the Mariners. They may have gone on to win the division without him, but it was Lee's brilliant work in the first two rounds of the playoffs that helped the Rangers reach the World Series for the first time in club history.

90 Griffin: Rajai Davis centre of attention in the field and on the bases Richard Griffin / Toronto Star

When Rajai Davis steps to the plate on Friday vs. the Twins as the leadoff batter for the 2011 season, he represents the Jays‘ hopes for a renewed offensive personality, a more balanced attack that includes the real threat of the stolen base for the first time in many years. Last year, the Jays stole 59 bases as a team. Davis stole 50 all by himself. Sure the Jays, even with the speedy leadoff man will still be known for their home runs, but if that‘s all they rely on to score runs, they will never take the next step.

Davis is key. The differences between the 30-year-old native of Connecticut and the man he is replacing in centre, Vernon Wells, could not be more stark. Vernon, the multi-millionaire first-round draft selection, is smooth and effortless, with a powerful bat and gliding speed, a former Gold Glove outfielder. Rajai, the journeyman, is an overlooked 38th round selection, who, when he‘s running, looks always in high gear, taking seemingly unusual but often successful routes to fly balls in the alleys. However, the added weapon of speed at the top of the batting order is what the Jays were seeking.

―He‘s a different type of player than I am,‖ Davis said of the departed Wells prior to the final workout at the Rogers Centre before the real games. ―I‘m a little more wiry (at five-foot-10 and 195 pounds) as far as speed and quickness. He‘s just a little different. I‘m not trying to be like him.

―My responsibility is doing what I do naturally. I get on base and just have fun on the bases. I don‘t think I‘m here to change anything. I‘m just here to play to the best of my ability and help us score more runs. Not one guy can win a championship. You need a bunch of guys playing their individual parts and playing it well. We have all the tools, all the things that we need.‖

The former A‘s centre fielder arrived in an off-season trade for two young pitching prospects, relievers and Canadian . He then sat back and watched as GM shaped the new-look Jays, with centre field becoming his domain. He‘s a late bloomer, if nothing else, drafted 1,114th overall by the Pirates in ‗01. In five major-league years, his games played, steals, in fact most stats have risen each year. That is highly unusual, but he has an explanation.

―Most people can‘t see what a person has in his heart, what a person has in his mind,‖ Davis said. ―I slipped to the 38th round because nobody could see what was inside. In high school I was small. I wasn‘t strong. I was always fast. I never really lifted until I got to college. I wasn‘t heavily recruited, so I had to get better every day. That‘s the one thing I had on my mind, just to get better.‖

Davis believes that at some point in the progression of a major-leaguer, he has to transform himself from student to teacher. A teammate of Jose Bautista‘s with the Bucs in 2007, he has seen his friend change in that regard and is intent on doing that himself.

―Jose is more vocal now as a leader,‖ Davis said. ―He recognizes he‘s a leader and he‘s able to help other guys and recognize how they can improve. He‘s always looking to help his teammates. He‘s helping me. He‘s thinking along with the game and giving me a new perspective on thinking. He‘s very intelligent, very bright, not only with baseball stuff but in general, all around.

―I‘m looking forward to using all that experience that I‘ve gained over the years to help this ball club. I‘ve found some things that work for me, perhaps that will work for them, like stealing bases. I‘m sharing things that I do with the guys, last year, this year. Teaching comes along with learning. Once you learn something, it‘s no good to just keep it to yourself.‖

91 At the start of spring training, manager had an idea that he would have Davis bat leadoff against left-handers and down in the order against right-handers. It took him about half the spring and three home runs leading off games with Dwayne Murphy‘s more aggressive philosophy for him to change his mind and declare Davis his full time leadoff hitter. That sits well with him.

―I definitely feel most confident in my ability and being able to help the team win when I‘m closer to the top of the lineup,‖ Davis said. ―My focus is going out there and how can I help the ball club win today. How can I have a good at-bat. How can I put a good swing on each pitch. How can I be ready for every pitch. How can I be positioned in the right spot on defence.‖

Canadian baseball fans love speed. Listen to the crowd react if Davis manages to steal a base early on. The Jays opening night batting order features four new faces from last year‘s opener in Texas. It‘s likely that Davis is the most important change as far as the club‘s offensive success is concerned.

92 MLB Transactions

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Boston Red Sox Optioned LHP and RHP Alfredo Aceves to Pawtucket (IL). Placed LHP Felix Doubront on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 22. Reassigned INF Nate Spears and INF Drew Sutton to their minor league camp.

Cleveland Indians Acquired OF Bubba Bell from Boston for cash considerations and assigned him to Columbus (IL).

Colorado Rockies Selected the contract of 1B Jason Giambi from Colorado Springs (PCL). Placed RHP Aaron Cook on the 15- day DL, retroactive to March 22.

Houston Astros Placed RHP Alberto Arias, C Jason Castro and INF Jeff Keppinger on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 22, and SS Clint Barmes retroactive to March 26.

Los Angeles Dodgers Placed C Dioner Navarro, INF , RHP Jon Garland and RHP on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 22, and OF Jay Gibbons retroactive to March 26. Selected the contracts of RHP Lance Cormier, RHP Mike MacDougal and INF Aaron Miles from Albuquerque (PCL).

New York Mets Placed OF Jason Bay and LHP Johan Santana on the 15-day DL, Bay retroactive to March 25.

Pittsburgh Pirates Selected the contract of RHP Jose Veras from Indianapolis (IL). Designated RHP Ramon Aguero for assignment. Placed RHP Brad Lincoln, RHP Jose Ascanio and LHP Scott Olsen on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 22, and C Chris Snyder retroactive to March 25.

Seattle Mariners Selected the contracts of INF Luis Rodriguez and OF Ryan Langerhans from Tacoma (PCL). Placed OF Franklin Gutierrez, RHP David Aardsma and INF Matt Mangini on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 22, and LHP Mauricio Robles and RHP Shawn Kelley on the 60-day DL.

St. Louis Cardinals Selected the contract of RHP from Memphis (PCL). Placed RHP on the 60- day DL and INF Nick Punto on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 22.

Tampa Bay Rays Agreed to terms with RHP Wade Davis on a four-year contract. Placed LHP J.P. Howell on the 15-day DL. Selected the contract of RHP Juan Cruz from Durham (IL).

Texas Rangers Selected the contract of RHP from Round Rock (PCL). Placed RHP Omar Beltre, RHP and RHP on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 22, and RHP on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 25. Optioned INF , OF Craig Gentry and C to Round Rock. Reassigned RHP Brett Tomko to Round Rock. 93

Toronto Blue Jays Named Roberto Alomar special assistant to the organization.

Washington Nationals Selected the contracts of INF , RHP Chad Gaudin, OF Laynce Nix and 1B/OF from Syracuse (IL). Released RHP Joe Bisenius, RHP Tim Wood and OF Jonathan Van Every.

94 On April 1 in Baseball History...

1914 - Future Hall of Famer , weakened by a heroic effort to help contain a winter flood in Kentucky, dies at 37 of tuberculosis in a San Antonio sanitarium.

1963 - The Mets bring the Duke back to New York, purchasing Duke Snider from the Dodgers for $40,000.

1969 - The Seattle Pilots trade minor-league outfielder to the Royals for outfielder Steve Whitaker and pitcher John Gelnar. Piniella will be A.L. Rookie of the Year in Kansas City.

1970 - The Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, headed by Bud Selig, purchases the Seattle Pilots for $10,800,000. Although negotiations were conducted over a period of months, the sale was not finalized until March 13, when a federal bankruptcy referee declared the Pilots bankrupt. Brewers tickets go on sale April 2.

1980 - After failing to come up with a new collective bargaining agreement with the owners, the Executive Board of the Players' Association votes unanimously to cancel the 92 remaining exhibition games and to strike on May 22 if a deal has not been reached by then. During spring training, the players had voted 971-1 in favor of a strike. The lone dissenter was Kansas City's Jerry Terrell, who voted no for religious reasons.

1987 - St. Louis sends highly-regarded youngsters , Mike LaValliere, and to Pittsburgh in exchange for All-Star catcher Tony Pena.

1996 - N.L. umpire John McSherry collapses and dies behind home plate seven pitches into the season opener between Cincinnati and Montreal. McSherry, who weighed close to 400 pounds, had postponed a physical until after the opener. The Reds-Expos game is postponed until the next day.

95 Baseball Birthdays on April 1...

1856 - Kennedy, Ed 1857 - Cronin, Dan 1858 - Russ, John 1858 - Mann, Fred 1860 - Curry, Wes 1872 - Fitzgerald, Warren 1876 - Friel, Bill 1890 - Young, George 1892 - Cooper, Claude 1894 - Reilly, Hal 1904 - Cummings, Jack 1911 - Brown, Bob 1912 - Wade, Jake 1913 - Bray, Buster 1914 - Franklin, Moe 1914 - Bradley, George 1915 - Heath, Jeff 1916 - Staller, George 1917 - Ross, Chet 1921 - Murff, Red 1926 - Thies, Jake 1934 - Kanehl, Rod 1935 - Qualters, Tom 1936 - Sadowski, Ted 1936 - Perranoski, Ron 1939 - Niekro, Phil 1941 - Kenworthy, Dick 1942 - Jaeckel, Jake 1943 - Degerick, Mike 1944 - Staub, Rusty 1948 - Montanez, Willie 1952 - Bacsik, Mike 1953 - Murray, Larry 1956 - Esser, Mark 1957 - Castillo, Manny 1958 - Kinnunen, Mike 1962 - Amaral, Rich 1969 - Castillo, Frank 1970 - Herges, Matt 1971 - Martinez, Jose

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