Pitchers and catchers...report!

MMMMM, pitcher.

This is the best mood I’ve ever been in to do my taxes. Thank you baseball!

to recapture some of the blind hope that this part of the season brings

From Hal:

Harang walked into the clubhouse and mouths dropped. As he took his physical, team physician Dr. Tim Kremchek asked, "What did you do, leave half of yourself at home?"

Harang says he left more than half at home: 25 pounds and memories of last year and said, "I’ve flushed two things down the toilet – 25 pounds and what happened last year. I’m not even looking back over my shoulder."

Harang pitched at 265 pounds last year and is at 240, looking thin in his 6-foot-7 body.

Some fun stuff from the article:

• Harang is durable:

  Durability? Nobody is more durable than Harang, who has pitched 211.2, 234.1, 231.2 and 184.1 (he had a sore elbow last season) innings over the past four years.

  First of all, it was a sore wrist. Secondly, when proving someone is durable, you don’t mention their injury in the previous season.

• Harang will be starting on Opening Day.

  "If we started the season tomorrow, Harang would pitch," said Baker. "If he stays healthy he’s the guy."

  Obviously, Dusty is still intent on injurying Harang. He’s ready to pitch him even if Harang is not ready himself..

• Dusty reminds us what Spring Training is the best part of the season:

  "I don’t care what people say," he said. That’s why we play the games. I wish I had a crystal ball, but then that would take the fun out of it."

  I hope there is fun to be taken out of it, if you know what I mean.

The Castle Greyskull while Homer’s in Sarasota.

this is a good day.

My girlfriend still hasn’t called me, and i texted her the obligatory “happy valentines sweetie.” Do you think i can feign contempt and somehow get something in return, or should I make it no big deal and try to get something in return for my understanding. Anyway yaaay baseball!

I haven’t been able to get onto reds.com for a day or two. Is this my comp or what?

…the Braves are interested in Griffey.

I guess that Mariners rumor was jumping the gun a little.

Tell Johnny Cueto he is going to Japan.

is Homer throwing a knuckle-curve in that photo? If that’s a pitch he’s developing then, terrific. Throw it for strikes and we’re in like Flynn.