MLB

Whether in New York or San Francisco, the Giants have always played a prominent role in the history of the home run.

Barry Bonds is the all-time career home leader after belting 73 in 2001 to set the single-season record. He hit the bulk of them in the heart of the steroids era, but still thrilled fans across the country who were largely unaware of the controversy that would unfold later.

Willie Mays and Willie McCovey rank among the all-time career home run leaders, as does New York Giants legend Mel Ott.

With an NL Only draft on my schedule for the night I thought this would be the perfect time to offer up an NL Only draft primer.

Nate McLouth is currently penciled in as the Atlanta Braves' leadoff hitter for the 2010 season.

But following a poor 2009 season, during which he was traded from the Pirates to the Braves and battled vision problems, McLouth is starting extremely slow this spring.

All of this has many questioning whether or not he should bat first.

The main reason that McLouth is so firmly entrenched in the leadoff role is that the Braves lack a true leadoff hitter.

It is no secret that the Los Angeles Dodgers have a lack of leadership in their starting rotation. Not due to lack of talent, but rather lack of experience.

Ownership didn't bite the hook this off-season for a major contributing starter, whether that be for financial reasons or simply because they didn't see a piece that would fit.

The facts are, the Dodgers want a World Championship and many would agree that you need one pitcher that can go seven to eight innings in a postseason game to get there.

I was downright shocked to see the Philadelphia Phillies pull off the Roy Halladay trade.

I figured that with Cliff Lee’s performance in the 2009 postseason, they were satisfied with the deal they pulled off to get him, and were content going with him and Cole Hamels atop their rotation.

I’m sure they probably would have been had Lee been open to signing a long-term extension. I think it needs to be pointed out that the reason they went after Halladay was because he was willing to sign long-term.

You've got nothing to lose by watching the 2010 version of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Can you feel that excitement? It's almost as thrilling as asking a question and then answering it yourself.

Is that fulfilling? You bet.

The only promise this team can make to its fans is that they will play baseball. Satisfaction isn't guaranteed, but that's been the case in Toronto for some time.

Just like how winter is slowly melting into spring, the Blue Jays are thawing themselves from the deep winter that has enveloped the team for a decade.

Despite the Cubs’ claims that top prospect Starlin Castro is destined to open the 2010 campaign in Triple-A, fantasy owners have to be taking close notice. He’s been absolutely raking in Spring Training and let’s be honest, it’s not like the Cubs are loaded up the middle. 

The 20-year-old (he turns 20 on March 24) split 2009 between Single & Double-A, posting the following line:

The New York Yankees are usually one of the teams where most, if not all, the 25-man roster spots are already accounted.

But, as is the case with a team based in New York, the hype does follow the younger players. Many times this hype is unwarranted.

In the case of these young Yankee players, it might be justified.

This list is not predicated on which Yankee farmhand is the best prospect or will make the most impact on the major leagues.

Jesus Montero is the best prospect and will make the most impact.

But he is NOT on this list.

Major League Baseball umpires take a lot of grief during the season, and sometimes into the offseason. When everything goes smoothly, nobody mentions the umpires. If a close play results in a questionable call, fans often verbally attack the men in blue. Few people get to see the gentle and caring side of MLB umpires.

"Grounder to second, Iwamura picks it up and steps on the bag. The Rays have done it!  The Rays are going to the World Series!"

Every Rays fan remembers where they were when then-Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura stepped on the bag to clinch the American League Pennant and capped off a magical season, even if the clock struck 12 during the World Series.