Joel Sherman of the New York Post post another review of the new Yankee Stadium on Foxsport. It's quite different than the other reviews out there, that's for sure.

It just feels like the wrong time in the history of this country and this city to be opening up the George Mahal. ... They will tell you they built this stadium for the everyman, stressing what they consider still affordable pricing and amenities. But this stadium, in actuality, was built for a moneyed class that in many respects does not even exist in this city any longer. ... Those $2,625-per-game Legends tickets behind home plate are selling slowly, and that certainly is because there is a whole class of banking/Wall Street/real estate moguls who would have scooped them up, but has gone the way of flannel uniforms. But also because those seats not long ago would have screamed status, and now speak only to greed. The working world will not look onto those sitting there with envy. They will wish that those seats came with a dunk tank, not waiter service.

The Yanks also want to make you believe that the history and romance could be easily shipped from the old place to the new one simply by recreating dimensions, reconstructing the facade or replanting Monument Park. However, the new Stadium didn't make me think of the place just across the street. It made me think about Vegas or Disney World, since it made me think of a fake place designed to manipulate my emotions and get into my wallet.

...

For me, class is out. In truth, sadly, the Yanks have conjured up a building that defines them: cold, corporate, over-privileged. ...

For example, Yankee executives see it as a positive that the players now have underground parking rather than in the old place, where they had to walk 50 feet outdoors from the parking lot to the Stadium. In those 50 feet, fans held back by barricades could scream to their favorite players and — if one of those players indulged — get an autograph or two.

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MVP Dustin Pedroia starts the season with a home run right into the monster seats. Probably an easy fly out in every other park, but that little guy sure is something.

Rays pitcher James Shields goes on to load the bases, but pops up Mike Lowell to end the threat. This could be a good one.

Update: Beckett cruises and Shields has a 1-2-3 inning, too.

Update: And the easy living for Beckett ends quickly. He loads the bases with one out.

Update: The Rays tie the score on a sac fly, but do not get more.

Update: The tie did not last long. Shields gives up three more runs in the bottom of the third before he finally gets out of the inning.

Update: Shields finally retires Dustin Pedroia who homered and walked for the second out of the fourth.

Update: The game gets interesting again after the first two Rays in the sixth reach base against Beckett. Longoria is up.

Update: Becket gets out of it without allowing a runner to score. He looks pretty good today with his fastball constantly at 95mph, good break on his offspeed stuff and good control most of the time.

Update: Catcher Jason Varitek hits a home runs just inside Pesky Pole and that chases James Shield. 5-1 Red Sox

Update: Beckett leaves after 7 innings, striking out 10 while walking just 3 and allowing only 2 hits.

Update: The Boston bullpen does not look too good early. Okajima walked and hit a batter and both score after a double steal and a single by Longoria of Masterson.

Update: Carlos Pena strikes out for the forth time for the golden sombrero. Two outs in the eight.

Update: Masterson gets out of it. Papelbon will try to close it out it the ninth.

Update: Papelbon finishes the game 1-2-3, although I say strike three on the last batter was outside. In any way, the Red Sox win 5-3 and are already one game ahead of the Yankees and Rays. :)

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While the Mets' spending on bullpen arms paid dividends yesterday when Green, Putz and K-Rod preserved a 2-1 lead after ace Johan Santana had left the game, the Royals Kyle Farnsworth wasted an excellent outing by starter Gil Meche, who went 7 innings, striking out six and walking none while giving up only one run. Farnsworth allowed four hits in his inning of work, including a three-run-bomb by Jim Thome.

The Royals inexcusably gave Farnsworth, who owns a 4.47 career ERA, $9.25 millions for two years this winter when other - better - reliefers signed for a lot less. I'm sure they will have plenty opportunities this season to regret that foolish decision.

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I'm watching Mets @ Reds on high definition over the internet and it is amazing. Much better than last year.

Mets ace Johan is a bit wild, but highly effective so far (6K, 4BB, 1H), while his opponent Aaron Harang is laboring. However, despite seven hits and three walks in five innings, Harang has kept his team in the game, giving up only one run in five innings. He's probably done for the day now, having thrown more than 100 pitches already. I expect the Mets to come through against the Reds bullpen, but we'll see.

Update: I'm testing the picture in picture function to check the Rangers - Indians game, but the game does not show. Hm.

Update: Reds lefty Herreira walks Santana and Reyes after giving up a double and the bases are loaded for the Mets with one out. Time to break it open.

Update: The Mets only get one runs and now lead 2-0.

Update: The Reds finally get to Santana, scoring a run on a sac fly. With two out and a runner on second, Manuel goes to his bullpen. Lets see if all the money spent on arms pays off or if the Mets pen blows another potential W for Johan.

Update: The Mets get lucky and out of the inning on a hard liner to Murphy in left field.

Update: Dusty Baker is critized by the Mets broadcasters for not bringing in lefty Arthur Rhodes against the left-hitting Carlos Delgado with the bases loaded in the last inning and instead starting the next inning with him.

Update: The Yankees get two back on a home run by Jorge Posada and a ground-rule double by Nady. Jeter gets an infield single, but Nady is trapped between home and third because he thought the ball went to the outfield. 6-3 Orioles.

Update: At 1 a.m. central European time, my opening day comes to an end, unfortunately. I will have to watch the end of the game tomorrow morning.

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Foxsport's Ken Rosenthal hands out his preseason hardware, and he comes up with a few "original" picks:

American League MVP - Grady Sizemore, Indians

Only three center fielders have won this award in the past 25 years — Willie McGee in 1985, Robin Yount in 1989 and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997. [...] Sizemore, by approximating his '08 numbers — 39 doubles, 33 homers, 90 RBIs, 38 stolen bases — would emerge as a favorite for the award.

Granted, the AL MVP race is much more difficult to predict than the NL MVP, but Sizemore seems to be an odd candidate. Not because he is not good enough - on the contrary - but with voters looking at RBIs, team performance and home runs first, lead-off man Sizemore faces an uphill battle. As much as center field is a premium defensive position, as a middle infielders he would probably get much more support.

National League Cy Young - Yovani Gallardo, Brewers

Yeah, it's a wacky pick, but hear me out. Several of the league's top starters worked harder last season than they ever had before. Those pitchers might not be as strong in 2009, creating the potential for a darkhorse to emerge. [...] Gallardo made a strong debut in 2007, then missed most of last season with a knee injury. The Marlins' Ricky Nolasco or Josh Johnson probably would be a better choice; the Brewers need Gallardo to be an ace at 23, and their bullpen is a mess. Whatever, he's my Cliff Lee.

Basically, Rosenthal picks Gallardo because all other candiates may regress. Hm. I'm not saying Gallardo is a bad pitcher - he probably is not (admittingly, I can not recall having seen him pitch) - but there are too many other more likely choices who also play on teams that should give them more wins, which is still important to voters.

National League Manager - Charlie Manuel, Phillies

Manuel, the runner-up to the Cubs' Lou Piniella last season, would have won the award if the votes were collected at the end of the postseason instead of the end of the regular season. [...] The Phillies [...] should be headed to their third straight postseason appearance under Charlie Manuel. If it happens, the vote might not even be close.

No, not going to happen. Why? Because the manager of the year award usually goes to the manager of the team that surprises most. And how are the Phillies going to surprise? They won it all last year, it will be difficult to top that in the regular season for which the award is given. The Phillies have to win 100 games and outclass every other team in the NL, very, very unlikely.

If you are looking for more prediction, the At Home Plate writers picked AL awards, NL awards, AL standings and NL standings.

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When I watch the baseball headlines these days, it feels like nothing important is happening. Most news are injuries, e.g. the Angels and A's are both sending their opening day starters to the DL in an attempt to hand the division to the Texas Rangers, or retirements, like Curt Schilling's, which in return prompted the inevitable first hall of fame articles (or here or here or ...), or predictions, like on FOXSPORTS, where they can't agree if the A's will win the West this year or not, or reports on players send down, like everyone's favorite picks for AL rookie of the year, or about Japan.

I guess this all feels so irrelevant because my mind is paralyzed with anticipation of opening day. I seriously can't wait to see the meaningful games begin and find out if Kendry Morales can hit like a first baseman, if Griffey is the best hitter on the Mariners, if the Royals start hot in the Central, if CC Sabathia breaks down under his 250 innings from last season and his barrel-shaped belly, if Big Papi's wrist holds up, if the Mets bullpen dominates, if Albert Pujols has the greatest season ever, if Manny hits like Manny or whines like Mandy, if Brewers have enough starter, if the Giants can hit a home run, if Paul Konerko hits again, if Justin Verlander dominates again, if the Yankees realize they need to move Derek Jeter...

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Jim Caple, in a highly recommended article, discusses the death of newspapers and the impact on baseball fans. I would discuss the article here, but Caple did such good work that I suggest everyone read it in its entirety.

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Juan Pierre is not pleased with his playing time (or lack thereof), telling USA Today's Bob Nightengale the Dodgers are mistaken if they think he'll be happy sitting on the bench this season. 

One thing I want to get out of the way: Some may twist Pierre's quote into him airing dirty laundry, publicly bashing the organization. I don't think that's the case here. (And many probably think the same thing.) The quote's perfectly innocent.

Good for Pierre for saying this. He is one of baseball's good guys. Pierre shows up to the ballpark hours before game time. He takes extra work and hustles whenever he does get a chance to play. More power to him for being a respectable person and wanting to take the field. There are many players who sign big contracts and just coast. No one can rightfully accuse Pierre of doing that.

Jon Weisman, a blogger with the Los Angeles Times, gives his take on the Pierre situation here. Weisman dispenses the following advice:

This might be easier said than done, but here's the choice I would recommend: Enjoy your financial good fortune, root for the Dodgers to do well despite being on the bench, and be prepared to contribute whenever called upon, however frequently or infrequently. In short, count your blessings.

Weisman makes a good point. Pierre is in the midst of a contract that will pay him $44 million, and he has made a lot of money previously and won a World Series ring with the Marlins in 2003. He's financially set for life. Pierre has received a lot of positives from his baseball life; he definitely should count his blessings.

However, you can't fault a ballplayer for wanting to play ball. Sure, he's not the best player, or even one of the three best outfielders the Dodgers have. But Pierre is an example of someone we should emulate, unlike a certain teammate of his. Let's congratulate Pierre for his desire to play, praise him for his work ethic and not effectively tell him to keep his mouth shut.

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