Opinion

Hyun-Jin Ryu emerged as one of the top rookie pitchers in the National League in 2013, serving as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ third starter for the entire season and making all but one scheduled start. 

With the Detroit Tigers’ romp over Florida Southern, 12-0, on Tuesday, MLB spring training is officially under way.

Over the next month, MLB’s 30 teams will be split into either the Cactus League or Grapefruit League. Each team will battle it out, attempting to get its players into shape for the beginning of the season.

For many, the 2014 Major League Baseball season won't be just another season. It will also be a time to bid farewell to one of the most beloved players baseball has ever known: Derek Jeter.

Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, however, won't just be bidding farewell to a beloved player. In seeing the New York Yankees captain out the door, he'll also be bidding farewell to a fellow shortstop and a man he's "very proud" to call a friend.

Optimism is in heavy supply as spring training action gets underway around Major League Baseball. Teams that made the playoffs last season have a plan to get back and a vast majority of those that missed out hope things align perfectly for their own postseason run in 2014.

Ultimately, there are numerous factors that come into play over the course of 162 games. Everything from injuries to unexpected seasons, both good and bad, alter the direction of the season.

Here's hoping "The Wizard" has a bit more magic to offer MLB fans, because Ozzie Smith is teaming up with Budweiser for a campaign petitioning the White House to make Opening Day a national holiday. 

When the San Francisco Giants signed free agent outfielder Michael Morse on Dec. 17, the move signified Brian Sabean's desire to fix something that wasn't entirely broken. Yes, the addition of Morse to the lineup will surely bring power that would-be starter Gregor Blanco could never provide. The Giants have also struggled in the power-hitting department as of late.

After a winter of lavish spending on homegrown, ascending talents, the Atlanta Braves have locked up their young core—Freddie Freeman, Andrelton S

If you’re looking for a unique piece of baseball history—or collecting evidence of the anger issues caused by rampant steroid usage—you missed out on a gem.

After releasing two New York Times best selling books—The Bullpen Gospels and Out of My League—and one ebook, Wild Pitches, former big leaguer Hayhurst Hayhurst is back with his third book entitled, Bigger Than the Game. The book hit shelves Tuesday, but I had the opportunity to read and review it before hand, and it exceeds all expectations.

Spring training games are set to kick off around the league this week, which means we will soon get our first chance to see all 30 MLB teams compete in 2014.

There's reason for optimism for every fanbase at this point, even if it does not look like every team has a legitimate shot at winning it all in 2014.

The 2012 season featured the Baltimore Orioles and Oakland Athletics make surprise runs to the postseason, while it was the Cleveland Indians who exceeded expectations to reach the playoffs last year.