Griffey makes triumphant return

Ken Griffey, Jr. made his return Sunday to Vancouver after a 7-year absence to fill in for the injured David Ortiz. Griffey had most of his best seasons in Vancouver from 1991-2002 including a 5-year stretch in which he hit at least 40 home runs. Despite allegations that the signing was just a gimmick to milk nostalgia for all it's worth, GM/owner Yaro Zajac asserted that Griffey was the best option out there to fill in for Ortiz. "The nostalgic factor is just the icing on the cake" Zajac said in a pre-game press conference. As for Griffey, the former outfielder shed a few tears when he took the mound in the team's black and copper uniforms. "I felt like I was in my 20s again" he said. Griffey went 1-3 in his first game back and then 1-2 in the second game of the doubleheader. Vancouver plans to keep Griffey in the DH role for the duration of his stint with the team, but a few late inning outfield appearances have not been ruled out.

Joba Chamberlain and Daisuke Matsuzaka battled to a draw for 6.1 innings, but the Sardine City Straphangers took a nailbiter by a 2-1 margin. The Sardines took the lead in the 9th when B.J. Upton hit a triple that scored Miguel Montero from first. Taylor Buchholz pitched a 1-2-3 inning to record his 7th save.

Yesterday was a bit of good news/bad news for the young Vols pitchers in the league. Amityville's Chris Volstad had a bit of an uneven performance against the Cutters but held on to get the win and even his record at 3-3. Volstad pitched 6.2 innings, giving up 3 runs on 8 hits and 2 walks while striking out 5. Meanwhile, struggling Edinson Volquez pitched a solid 6 innings for Team Buddah, holding Marietta to 2 runs on 7 hits and striking out 6, but got a loss anyway. Volquez's statline on the season (1-6, 6.80) is ugly, but this has to be encouraging.

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.