Ronny Ballgame, Marlin

Ronny has been traded twice in a few hours, and will now be calling games from the Marlins' bench. Bad news for the Bucs that RBG will be staying in the NL, as his deep familiarity with the Bucs' signs and ability to steal these at will from the bench could be the difference between 66 and 68 wins.

In other news, Chuck Finder reports that proud father hurt and gullible 20-year-old Jose Tabata honestly believed his 43-year-old wife to be pregnant, and that the snatched baby was his. We raise our glass to this Honest Tabata, and wish him the best in getting through this trying ordeal.

550 feet

This Pedro Alvarez piece from Jayson Stark is a welcome distraction from Cougargate.

Slowly back away from the baby

Confusing, eyebrow-raising news from Bradenton. Basically, 20-year-old Jose Tabata is married to a 43-year-old woman who has many aliases, has been convicted of arson, fraud, and theft, and has just been accused of taking someone else's baby.

60-Prevent-Slot-Hook-And-Go

John Stallworth named part-owner, reports Ed Bouchette.

Operation Meltdown

Rob Biertempfel twists the knife, revisiting the free agents.

From the mothership, Nyjer's .173/.211/.250 line doesn't seem to stand in the way of Nyjer being named the team's starting left fielder.

Awesome with a capital A

Pour some out for the late Vince Lascheid. PPG obit here.

Gorzelaaanny

Roster cuts send Gorzo to Indy to work on a more consistent delivery, Chuck Finder reports. Neil Walker also sent down due to the "ugly business side." As opposed to the even uglier baseball side?

Green alternate uniforms

Dan Rooney, ambassador to Ireland.

The Branch Rickey Pirates

Steve Treder for THT strums the lyre about Branch Rickey's 1950-1951 Bucs.

Taking root

When I first settled in to read this John Perrotto story on the state of the minor-league system, I mis-read the title and thought the system was "talking rot."

Stopgap gone wild

I was more entertained with the upper right part of this boxscore than this one. Does Monroe-on-fire trump Pearce's achy calf?

27 days

Opening day creeps a little closer.

Be like Roberto

Jose Tabata has a Clemente tattoo, Dejan Kovacevic reports.

wtf

Something very strange is happening right now.

No time for losers

In preparation for the 2009 baseball season, the beer fort is now crenelated with monitors looping this tear-jerking Steelers slideshow.

Pirates and Astros and other exhibition games

Here's a thread for whatever exhibition action you might want to kibitz about. I am taking it easy with these Pirates, and deliberately trying to stay away from the radio these first few weeks. I'm not sure how much patience I am going to have if these guys start the season on the usual losing bender. The beer supply, however, is coming along well and starting to look good. By opening day, I should have a nice fort I can camp behind.

Pirates and Astros are playing now. The Bucs are up 1-0 on a solo shot from the Prison Baller. Maholm is pitching for the Pirates. Scuffy Moehler is out there for Houston.

Honest Moskos

Daniel Moskos has started a blog, where he graciously and honestly humors comments. Despite our immediate worry that Moskie watches way too much TV, we are entertained and applaud his efforts. Daniel sees himself in five years as the #2 starter between Morris and Lincoln, and is not sure Rinku and Dinesh have million dollar arms.

the Torpedo

With March fast approaching, it's time to start the stockpile you'll need to make it through the season.

I am starting with this guy. What are you laying up for the long, hard season ahead?

Salary cap

The Red Sox owners are down with a salary cap, the P-G's Dejan Kovacevic reports.

In other non-McLouth news, pool sharks Rinku and Dinesh are eating a lot of protein and getting checked for hernias.

Pitchers and catchers

Any day now.