MLB

My writing has recently been somewhat derogatory toward the Nationals pitching staff.

Rich Fox is an Orioles fan who remembers when the Orioles were the Yankees' patsies, but even in those days, the Orioles had their moments.

Rich takes great joy in recalling how Hoyt Wilhelm no-hit the the "arrogants" from New York on September 20, 1958.

It wasn't until June 11, 2003, that the Yankees again suffered the humiliation of being no-hit.

There were 69 starting pitchers from the 1960s who pitched in at least 200 games.

If a player does not appear on the list of the 69 eligible players list, then they either didn’t reach 200 games or I consider them a pitcher from the 1950s or the 1970s.

It is customary, I suppose, at the beginning of each year to list some resolutions you intend to adhere to, in an effort to become a better person.

I, Caesar Cliffius, realizing that I cannot improve on what I am (not that I am perfect, just complacent), decided to try my hand at prognostication.

Below are five of my predictions for 2010 in the world of Major League Baseball.

No. 5: 20 Wins for Homer Bailey

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed Danys Baez to a two-year contract pending his physical, which is expected to take place next week.

Baez, 32, went 4-6 with a 4.02 earned run average in 59 relief appearances with the Baltimore Orioles last year.

The addition of Baez means that the Phillies will not re-sign Chan Ho Park as the right-handed Cuban will replace Park as a late inning reliever for Philadelphia.

Throughout history, birds have been symbols.

In the Bible story of Noah and the ark, a dove heralds the first sighting of dry land after the long flood. Even before Edgar Allen Poe forever linked the raven to all things macabre, it stood as a foreboding sign. Eagles represent freedom, doves symbolize peace, hawks typify tenacity, and cranes embody grace.

The Athletics signed Justin Duchscherer to a one-year deal earlier this week, and I praised the move.

Of course, Duchscherer's signing took up a 40-man roster spot, and someone thus had to go.

While Cubs GM Jim Hendry continues to insist that Carlos Zambrano isn't available, rumors to the contrary continue to surface.

The New York Post seems to think that Zambrano is readily available.

Sherman wrote today in the New York Post that "two AL officials say the Cubs are definitely dangling Zambrano," while acknowledging Zambrano's unwillingness to approve a trade.