I've been a Mainer all my life and though I've traveled throughout the United States, I can think of no better place to live.

One of the things about Maine I am most proud of is our political delegations over the years. But the one person who stands out even among them is George Mitchell.

When ever the country gets itself in a trouble spot, they seem to call on this most-respected Mainer.

Now that the country's pasttime is in a heap with the steriods mess, the MLB has once again called on his leadership to investigate allegations of steriods use.

I can think of no better person to take the lead on such a controversial issue.

These ESPN spring training games are definitely a distraction. I can't seem to get into any sort of rhythm with my job.

Today they are airing the Red Sox vs. Pirates game.

Curt Schilling was on the mound for the Sox and looked pretty good.

Mike Lowell continues to struggle, although Pittsburgh's Oliver Perez is a formidable pitcher.

Perez an overpowering lefty that had a down year in 2005. He always had the fast ball, and apparently still does, but his control has been inconsistent. He's certainly a candidate for comeback player.

I've made two obervations in left. 1.) Contrary to popular opinion, Manny can catch. One flyball was caught in foul territory as he leaned over the fence. The other was hit behind him that he was able to catch up to, leaping at the wall. A fine catch for any outfielder, let alone an average one.

2.) I think I saw him smile.

Okay, now I've got to get back to work. For tomorrow, ESPN is showing yet another Red Sox game. By the way Sox are losing 2-1 in the fifth.

I can't help myself. My boss is going to hate me.

So long Tony Graffanino. Was there really any alternative?

This was the only way to give Graffanino the playing time he deserves.
I will surely miss him. I enjoyed what he brought to the game and the clubhouse.

His experience and his versatility were a welcome for the half-season he was in a Boston uniform. He did everything that was asked of him.

However, Mark Loretta is the everyday second baseman, Mike Lowell is at third and well Graffanino was on a stacked bench.

He'll be rejoining the team from hence he came, the K.C. Royals. I wish him nothing but good wishes.

We can only hope that Loretta stays healthy and can match Graffanino's .319 avg.

I'm a little late on the two altercations that transpired earlier in the week. Josh Beckett entered a heated exchange with Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard.

Here's what I gathered from my viewing. As Beckett was coming off the field, Howard said something to the effect, "that was a home run, man, I had you." Beckett, replied "just a pop-fly, buddy."

Of course the communication was laden with vulgarities and finger-pointing but essentially that is what happened. Benches cleared and well, with 80 people on the field the sight could have been bad.

But it never escalated, thanks to teammates keeping Beckett in the dugout.

I welcomed the altercation, not for reasons you might think.

It showed that this team is beginning to gel. Players are getting fired up for the season. And, it illustrated the type of attitude Beckett is going to bring to this ballclub. He's coming with some fight.

Certainly if the wind weren't blowing as it was, Howard's fly ball would have gone over the fence. That guy is strong.

Julian Tavarez on the other hand seems to have a reputation of having an attitude problem. While I think he has potential out of the pen, his emotions get the best of him.

If he can't handle pressure situations with more control, they'll be more intense situations to come, especially in Fenway Park.

That is my take. I welcome yours. Only five days until opening day...

So the result wasn't what I had hoped for, but it will do no damage to the standings.

A few things I realized about this exhibition.

1.) I'm not scared of the Yankees.
New Yorks pitching is still filled with question marks. While Chacon did an admirable job last night collecting six Ks, he also has surrendered 10 walks this spring - tops in the majors. Mike Mussina gave up 10 runs on Monday; Randy Johnson has been less than stellar.

2.) A-Rod continues to add up the Ks. He went 0 for 3 in last nights game.

3.) I don't mind seeing Johnny Damon in that lineup, especially if he continues to swing at bad pitches. He also had two strikeouts.
3a.) My wife misses Damon, for now.

4.) Adam Stern continues to impress players and fans. David Ortiz has been praising this kid calling him the real deal and saying he has all the tools.

5.) And Wily Mo Pena, could also be the real deal.

I had read a quote yesterday from Pena. "If I make contact, I know it's a home run." Well last night he proved that to be correct.

Pena hit a laser over the left field fence that seems to stay just 15 feet off the ground. It was an amazing show of power. I'm beginning to believe that he in fact will be with the Sox, not only this year but perhaps become a mainstay in right. His fielding worries me, though. While I believe he has good arm strength, I doubt at his current weight he can get to the ball quickly. They say he is 245, I say he's closer to 260.

Is there another doper on the New York Yankees? According to ESPN.com, a new book alledges that not only did Jason Giambi use steroids, but also hard-hitting Gary Sheffield. Sheffield continues to deny such use.

Where has Juan gone?
Apparently the Red Sox and Juan Gonzalez' agent have yet to have contact with the two-time MVP. After penning a minor-league camp and getting an invitation to spring training, Gonzalez has yet to report. His agent is actually worried about him.

With the signing of Pena and the emergence of Stern, there really isn't any place for him. I think he is aware of that and won't make any effort to appear. It's too bad really. At one time Gonzalez was a feared hitter. Then he became a big whiner.

What do you think of this year's Red Sox?

Okay so it won't mean too much, but there is still nothing quite like watching a Red Sox - Yankees game.

This year the two storied franchises add another chapter to the rivalry featuring the overpaid centerfielder Johnny Damon.

Chances are he'll be leading off with his owner George Steinbrenner gleefully looking on.

It will be the first time that I will see Damon in a New York uniform. I'm sure it will sting just a little, but heck, I wouldn't have paid that kind of money.

Though he played in Tuesday's game it will also be my first chance to see Wily Mo Pena swing his bat for Boston. Here's hoping he continues to improve. The Boston Globe wrote a nice piece about the man who exhibits "raw power." Wait until he learns how to hit.

Although I lit a fire under some people, my rumors are being extinguished. Everyone (Jim Bowden and Red Sox execs) is saying that the Red Sox and the Nats have not had any discussions about Alfonzo Soriano. In fact, those in the market for a second baseman may prefer Tony Graffanino over Soriano.

According to ESPN.com, Soriano reported to left field today for the Nationals. He also played the position admirably. It goes to show you - money talks. I wouldn't want to lose $10 million dollars and perhaps free agent eligibility. I have two predictions: 1) Soriano will not return to Washington next year; 2) He'll have a "I play second base" placed somewhere in his contract.

Let the games and rivalries begin.

It's interesting to me that someone would mention saying goodbye to Mike Lowell. For I have been thinking, perhaps too much, regarding the acquisition of Mr. Pena.

My friend Bob brought to my attention a far fetched idea that may make some sense.

Is the Pena deal part of a much larger deal to move Manny Ramirez?

The Sox are surely loading up on a lot of outfielders. Dustan Mohr, Juan Gonzalez, Wily Mo Pena and let's not forget Canadian superhero Adam Stern.

Not all of these guys can play.

The Sox must be worried about Trot's health. With his back problem, he has not traveled with the team this spring and hasn't faced lefties - both signs a platoon is necessary.

Pena could fill that role, surely. And Dustan Mohr has been red hot this spring.

Mohr has been recently scouted by the Philadelphia Phillies. They too are in need of some outfield depth.

But perhaps the Sox will not be too quick to pull a trigger with on a deal with the Phillies.

Another opportunity may present itself. How badly do the Nationals want to move Alfonzo Soriano?

While Bob may think that the Sox are revisiting the idea of moving Manny, I don't see that happening.

The Mets do love Manny and Soriano. The Nationals would never allow both Soriano and Ramirez to end up on a division rivals staff.

But acquiring Soriano by giving up Pena would certainly open the door for some discussions with the Mets.

The Sox need help at the corners and perhaps a backup outfielder.

A Soriano for David Wright deal would be monumental, but that is not exactly realistic. However, if one were to add say Mike Lowell to the mix, then conversations could in fact start. Let's not forget that the Red Sox still have an abundance of starting pitchers. The Mets and the Nationals need pitching.

Still the Sox would have to take on some of Lowell's contract; at $9 million he is not exactly a steal. The Mets would already be adding $10 million to the team's salary with Soriano's contract, but they could afford it.

None of this is out of the realm of possibility. The first order of business is to get Soriano of course.

All this speculation and the Sox could simply keep Pena. I love spring!

The Red Sox rotation just got a bit tighter. The Boston Herald reports Bronson Arroyo was sent to Cincinnati for outfielder Wily Mo Pena.

This is not the deal I was expecting at all. I'm not surprised by it either. When Arroyo signed a three-year deal for cheap money, I knew that he would be an attractive piece of any deal. What surprises me is what we got in return. I was hoping for some firstbase assurance.

I'm surprised that the Sox would trade the inexpensive, young, talented Arroyo for a fourth outfielder.

Although, Wily Mo Pena had numerous strikeouts, he exhibited great power. He is only 24. he will certainly learn a lot in Boston. Ron Jackson has the ability to turn around careers but Pena will also have the tutorship from two of the games best - Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz.

There was some competition for Pena as well. Nationals GM Jim Bowden, formerly Reds GM, was trying to acquire Pena since he got his new job. Some say that the Arroyo-Pena deal is a precurser to another deal involving Pena and the Nationals.

My old friend Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post reports that the Nationals are having some difficulties with newly-acquired Alfonzo Soriano. He wants to play second, the team wants him in left. The two sides are at an impasse that may lead to some disciplinary action.

This may also prompt a trade, though the Nationals are saying they will only make a deal that makes sense. Wily Mo Pena may make sense.

However, the Sox don't really want Soriano either, but perhaps the Mets are interested.

Regardless, it is obvious that the Red Sox are a little worried about the lack of a right-handed hitter who plays the outfield. The team also signed Juan Gonzalez to a minor-league deal.

However it would seem to me that a deal involving two starters for Adam Dunn would have been better suited. Although, Dunn bats lefty, he plays both firstbase and the outfield. Allowing the team more flexibility should Mike Lowell fail and Youkilis is moved back to third.

I'm sure Matt Clement and Arroyo would have got the deal Dunn, er, done. Rumor has it that the Reds wanted Jon Lester. The Red Sox balked at that notion - Rightly so.

Whether Pena stays or goes, Arroyo's attitude will be sorely missed. He was willing to go back to the bullpen fo the betterment of the team. He offered some relief from the tension that sometimes existed in the clubhouse and he was a rockstar in downtown Boston. The Boston Herald's Gerry Callahan writes that we may someday find out why they traded Arroyo, but for now it is curious.

Now, who is Theo Epstein and Peter Gammons going to play with?

I think the Sox and the rest of the AL East should make note Tampa Bay still has a powerful offense indicated by Thursday's 7-2 victory over the Sox.

Last year in fact, the Devil Rays had more hits, runs scored, doubles, triples, rbis and stolen bases than the World Champion Chicago White Sox.

This year the team has even improved its offense with the return of Rocco Baldelli. Things could get even more interesting if the team could move some of its talented outfield for some pitching.

Besides Scott Kazmir, who seemingly owns the Sox, the team pitching is particularly weak. Although, I like the addition of Edwin Jackson. I'm surprised that the Dodgers gave up on him so; Jackson has looked particularly strong this spring.

No, they will never be contenders but spoilers for sure.

Some passing thoughts as I consider watching another WBC game.

One more thing...I can't stand the use of the word Americans when describing Team USA in the WBC. There are several other American teams participating: Canada, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela, etc. Perhaps a new name should be given to shorten Team USA, though Team USA may even be shorter than Americans.

Posted by Ed Walsh at 12:35 PM
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Sign that boy up, oh wait, the Sox already have him on the roster. Even so, I don't think anyone, including Adam Stern himself, could foresee this type of performance.

Stern had a career of a game. He almost single-handedly upset the U.S.' WBC team. By exercising his speed, he managed an inside-the-park home run, knocked-in four and made an astounding leaping catch at the wall to negate the U.S. chance of a comeback. Actually he made two outstanding leaps.

Not too shabby for the fourth or fifth Red Sox outfielder. If the WBC were an audition, Stern would most assuredly be the leading man. In Canada, he is becoming a bonafide star. The Toronto Sun recaps the game.

Canada's win puts them in the driver's seat to advance to the second round. The Toronto Sun breaks down the team's chances.

Newsday reports that the U.S. looked confused from the start. They may even be eliminated before their next scheduled game.

However, Jason Varitek did hit a grand slam that gave the U.S. a fighting chance. Too little, too late.

This was the biggest upset thus far and puts the favored U.S. team in desperation mode. If they do not advance, it would be an embarrassment.

A look at the lineup and it is obvious that Canada was overmatched.
Team USA had a major league starter at every position. In fact, even the backups were major league starters (in most cases All Stars), while the Canadians had only two starters (Jason Bay and Justin Morneau).

Truth be told, I haven't paid too much attention to the WBC, up to this point. The game schedule has not exactly been the most favorable. But this upset most definitely piqued my interest.

Get rosters, results, schedule at World Baseball Classic

Reader comments: What do you think of the WBC?

Finally, we can all relax. According to SI.com, like the first robin, Manny has arrived.

It's time once again to put these tabloid stories behind us.

I don't like the fact that he was, er, delayed, but so be it. He and the fans can concentrate instead on the games ahead. His numbers will once again be overwhelming; his big, goofy smile apparent for all to see and his occasional lack of focus, well, we'll live with it.

Why? Because he has 435 home runs going into this season and could surpass 500 within two years - if he should wear the Red Sox uniform that long; Because in five years with Boston he has driven in 610 runs; Because he is undoubtedly a first-ballot Hall of Famer; Because the opposition fears him; And well, he is Manny.

Despite his faults, Boston fans love having this guy on the field and especially in the lineup.

Without Manny, David Ortiz' numbers wouldn't be as good, the Sox wouldn't score as many runs and Boston wouldn't win as many games. It's that simple and every Red Sox fan knows it, fears it even.

Now let's move on to more important things...