Spring Trainign tidbits...

Chris Ianetta let loose on Hillsborough yesterday in the Bombers 11-10 victory, hitting a homer and driving in 5 runs in the game. In the same game the Hitmen's Aubrey Huff went 4-5 with 3 RBIs. Huff now leads the league (after 4 games) in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging.

Team Buddah finally suffered their first defeat of the pre-season. The Sardines dealt them a crushing 12-2 blow thanks to a brilliant performance from Dustin McGowan (7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 9 K). The win was also Sardine City's first of the pre-season after losing several close calls in the last two days.

The sole winless team remains the first-year Amityville Ant Slayers, who dropped a 5-2 decision to Marietta and later, 3-2 to the Las Vegas Rat Pack. The club remains upbeat though. "Hey those are two really good teams and we held our own with them" says skipper Harmon Killebrew. "We just need some time to come together as a team." The Slayers were encouraged by starts from Armando Galarraga (7.1 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 2 BB, 6 K) and veteran Roy Oswalt (7 IP, 3 ER, 8 H, BB, 2 K).

On the other end of the spectrum, the final undefeated team is the Newark Sugar Bears. "The team is angry," said Don Mattingly "after losing the cup to the hated Iron Fist, we won't rest until that ugly thing is back in Newark." The Sugar Bears also are anxious to point out that they can win without the crutch of playing in the old Cereal Bowl, a criticism levied on the team for much of the past few seasons. "After we crush them a few times, they'll need some time to come up with new excuses," said newcomer Jason Giambi.

Spring Training kicks off

Yesterday was the first round of pre-season games, once again played in doubleheader format.

In Marietta, all eyes were on #1 draft pick Milton Bradley, but the surly outfielder was nowhere to be found. "Milton missed all of last season with an injury" said team manager Graig Nettles "and we're not about to take a chance of him hurting himself again by putting him into an actual game." Bradley may sit a while as Nettles and the Mighty Men plan to give him as much time as he needs until he feels comfortable.

Things were a bit better for #2 overall pick Chris Davis, who played in both ends of his team's doubleheader. Davis only went 1-6 in the two games, but feels good about things. "I've never faced DMBL pitchers before" said Davis after the game. "I'll be fine by Opening Day."

Finally, #3 pick Edinson Volquez pitched well in his Team Buddah debut. Volquez pitched 6 strong innings, striking out 7 and giving up only 2 runs, one of which was unearned. "I'm so glad we don't have to go to Stamford" said Volquez. "I have a pet babboon and I hear that they're kind of anti-monkey in that area." Volquez's pet babboon was seen on the sidelines advising the team while manager Matt Nokes was taking a catnap.

In other news, the DMBL has announced that they will add another year-end award to their mix. The award, dubbed the Bret Saberhagen Comeback Player of the Year Award will reward a player who has returned to the league after facing some kind of prior adversity - be it injury, retirement, or just crappy performance. The award will be judged by a small panel of judges as determined by the commissioner.