I'm watching Mets @ Reds on high definition over the internet and it is amazing. Much better than last year.

Mets ace Johan is a bit wild, but highly effective so far (6K, 4BB, 1H), while his opponent Aaron Harang is laboring. However, despite seven hits and three walks in five innings, Harang has kept his team in the game, giving up only one run in five innings. He's probably done for the day now, having thrown more than 100 pitches already. I expect the Mets to come through against the Reds bullpen, but we'll see.

Update: I'm testing the picture in picture function to check the Rangers - Indians game, but the game does not show. Hm.

Update: Reds lefty Herreira walks Santana and Reyes after giving up a double and the bases are loaded for the Mets with one out. Time to break it open.

Update: The Mets only get one runs and now lead 2-0.

Update: The Reds finally get to Santana, scoring a run on a sac fly. With two out and a runner on second, Manuel goes to his bullpen. Lets see if all the money spent on arms pays off or if the Mets pen blows another potential W for Johan.

Update: The Mets get lucky and out of the inning on a hard liner to Murphy in left field.

Update: Dusty Baker is critized by the Mets broadcasters for not bringing in lefty Arthur Rhodes against the left-hitting Carlos Delgado with the bases loaded in the last inning and instead starting the next inning with him.

Update: The Yankees get two back on a home run by Jorge Posada and a ground-rule double by Nady. Jeter gets an infield single, but Nady is trapped between home and third because he thought the ball went to the outfield. 6-3 Orioles.

Update: At 1 a.m. central European time, my opening day comes to an end, unfortunately. I will have to watch the end of the game tomorrow morning.

Foxsport's Ken Rosenthal hands out his preseason hardware, and he comes up with a few "original" picks:

American League MVP - Grady Sizemore, Indians

Only three center fielders have won this award in the past 25 years — Willie McGee in 1985, Robin Yount in 1989 and Ken Griffey Jr. in 1997. [...] Sizemore, by approximating his '08 numbers — 39 doubles, 33 homers, 90 RBIs, 38 stolen bases — would emerge as a favorite for the award.

Granted, the AL MVP race is much more difficult to predict than the NL MVP, but Sizemore seems to be an odd candidate. Not because he is not good enough - on the contrary - but with voters looking at RBIs, team performance and home runs first, lead-off man Sizemore faces an uphill battle. As much as center field is a premium defensive position, as a middle infielders he would probably get much more support.

National League Cy Young - Yovani Gallardo, Brewers

Yeah, it's a wacky pick, but hear me out. Several of the league's top starters worked harder last season than they ever had before. Those pitchers might not be as strong in 2009, creating the potential for a darkhorse to emerge. [...] Gallardo made a strong debut in 2007, then missed most of last season with a knee injury. The Marlins' Ricky Nolasco or Josh Johnson probably would be a better choice; the Brewers need Gallardo to be an ace at 23, and their bullpen is a mess. Whatever, he's my Cliff Lee.

Basically, Rosenthal picks Gallardo because all other candiates may regress. Hm. I'm not saying Gallardo is a bad pitcher - he probably is not (admittingly, I can not recall having seen him pitch) - but there are too many other more likely choices who also play on teams that should give them more wins, which is still important to voters.

National League Manager - Charlie Manuel, Phillies

Manuel, the runner-up to the Cubs' Lou Piniella last season, would have won the award if the votes were collected at the end of the postseason instead of the end of the regular season. [...] The Phillies [...] should be headed to their third straight postseason appearance under Charlie Manuel. If it happens, the vote might not even be close.

No, not going to happen. Why? Because the manager of the year award usually goes to the manager of the team that surprises most. And how are the Phillies going to surprise? They won it all last year, it will be difficult to top that in the regular season for which the award is given. The Phillies have to win 100 games and outclass every other team in the NL, very, very unlikely.

If you are looking for more prediction, the At Home Plate writers picked AL awards, NL awards, AL standings and NL standings.

When I watch the baseball headlines these days, it feels like nothing important is happening. Most news are injuries, e.g. the Angels and A's are both sending their opening day starters to the DL in an attempt to hand the division to the Texas Rangers, or retirements, like Curt Schilling's, which in return prompted the inevitable first hall of fame articles (or here or here or ...), or predictions, like on FOXSPORTS, where they can't agree if the A's will win the West this year or not, or reports on players send down, like everyone's favorite picks for AL rookie of the year, or about Japan.

I guess this all feels so irrelevant because my mind is paralyzed with anticipation of opening day. I seriously can't wait to see the meaningful games begin and find out if Kendry Morales can hit like a first baseman, if Griffey is the best hitter on the Mariners, if the Royals start hot in the Central, if CC Sabathia breaks down under his 250 innings from last season and his barrel-shaped belly, if Big Papi's wrist holds up, if the Mets bullpen dominates, if Albert Pujols has the greatest season ever, if Manny hits like Manny or whines like Mandy, if Brewers have enough starter, if the Giants can hit a home run, if Paul Konerko hits again, if Justin Verlander dominates again, if the Yankees realize they need to move Derek Jeter...

Jim Caple, in a highly recommended article, discusses the death of newspapers and the impact on baseball fans. I would discuss the article here, but Caple did such good work that I suggest everyone read it in its entirety.

Juan Pierre is not pleased with his playing time (or lack thereof), telling USA Today's Bob Nightengale the Dodgers are mistaken if they think he'll be happy sitting on the bench this season. 

One thing I want to get out of the way: Some may twist Pierre's quote into him airing dirty laundry, publicly bashing the organization. I don't think that's the case here. (And many probably think the same thing.) The quote's perfectly innocent.

Good for Pierre for saying this. He is one of baseball's good guys. Pierre shows up to the ballpark hours before game time. He takes extra work and hustles whenever he does get a chance to play. More power to him for being a respectable person and wanting to take the field. There are many players who sign big contracts and just coast. No one can rightfully accuse Pierre of doing that.

Jon Weisman, a blogger with the Los Angeles Times, gives his take on the Pierre situation here. Weisman dispenses the following advice:

This might be easier said than done, but here's the choice I would recommend: Enjoy your financial good fortune, root for the Dodgers to do well despite being on the bench, and be prepared to contribute whenever called upon, however frequently or infrequently. In short, count your blessings.

Weisman makes a good point. Pierre is in the midst of a contract that will pay him $44 million, and he has made a lot of money previously and won a World Series ring with the Marlins in 2003. He's financially set for life. Pierre has received a lot of positives from his baseball life; he definitely should count his blessings.

However, you can't fault a ballplayer for wanting to play ball. Sure, he's not the best player, or even one of the three best outfielders the Dodgers have. But Pierre is an example of someone we should emulate, unlike a certain teammate of his. Let's congratulate Pierre for his desire to play, praise him for his work ethic and not effectively tell him to keep his mouth shut.