Brian Wilson: Too Much Magic Inside

Fear the beard. And while you're at it, spread the word that once we reach our 3,000th Twitter follower we will randomly give away a complimentary copy of MLB2k11 to celebrate! The lucky winner even gets to choose which format they'd like. So awesome.

[MLB 2k11 Official Trailer] | [MLB 2k11 Developer Diary]

Evan Longoria and MLB2k11: What More Could You Want

We love Evan Longoria. Plus, we love video games, especially if they're baseball-related.

Clearly, we love this commercial for the new MLB2k11, which will hit the shelves March 8, 2011. Of course, the incredible $1 Million Perfect Game Challenge is back, so give that your best shot as well. When Marea and I get our copies for the Wii, we will accept challenges from anyone. Come get some.

[MLB 2k11 Official Trailer] | [MLB 2k11 Developer Diary]

Adam Wainwright's Season Ends Before it Begins

Unfortunately, Adam Wainwright's 2011 season has ended before it even got a chance to begin.

The St. Louis Cardinals ace will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow after feeling some stiffness in his arm after Monday's throwing session and learning of the severity Wednesday night.

Wainwright, 29, won 20 games for the Cardinals last season with a 2.42 ERA. He was once again runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award, this time behind winner Roy Halladay. He finished third in voting in 2009 behind winner Tim Lincecum and teammate Chris Carpenter.

Always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as they say.

We Want to Shampoo Joe Mauer's Hair

By now, you've heard about Joe Mauer's new gig as a pitchman for Head & Shoulders. He's no Troy Polamalu, but damn those sideburns are nice.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the Head & Shoulders commercial shoot as well as an interview with Man Muscles himself. It's Sexytime.

[FOX Sports]

Season Previews: Cincinnati Reds

With Spring Training camps already open, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Moving right along with our preview of the National League Central, here are the Cincinnati Reds.

We voted Votto
MVP has dollars now
Thirty-eight MILLION

Bruce got a deal too
He goes yard, hits bombs, homers
And strikes out a lot
Swings for the fences

Janish and Phillips
Will dp up the middle
Renteria too

Miguel Cairo is
Backing things up at second
Hot Corner Rolen!

Season Previews: Chicago Cubs

With Spring Training camps already open, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Kicking off our preview of the National League Central, here are everyone's favorite underdog, the Chicago Cubs.

One-hundred-and-three
Seasons without a title
Good luck there Quade!

Matt Garza is new
And so is Carlos Pena
No more Derrek Lee

Farewell to Sweet Lou
His rants and tirades will be
Missed at Wrigley Field

Soto at the plate
Blake DeWitt up the middle
With Starlin Castro

Alfonso in left
Fukudome in right field
Best jersey ever

Hank Steinbrenner is All Business

New York Yankees co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner had a little something to say regarding his team's social lives on Monday:

I think, maybe, they celebrated too much last year. Some of the players, too busy building mansions and doing other things and not concentrating on winning. I have no problem saying that... maybe they were riding the wave of '09 a little too much, and it happens sometimes.

Season Previews: Arizona Diamondbacks

With Spring Training camps already open, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Polishing off our preview of the National League West, here are the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Spankin' new ball club
Kirk Gibson's first full season
Break a leg buddy

New GM Towers
Twenty-one new players too
Interesting Spring

J.J. Putz will close
David Hernandez is new
Smokin' stove action!

Miranda at first
Mora is the hot corner
Platooning with Blum

Chris Young in center
Johnson, Drew up the middle
Nady and Upton

No more Big Unit
He's doing commercials now
We're gonna miss him

With a clean slate year
D'Backs will look for a way
Out of the cellar

[AZ Snakepit] | [Venom Strikes] | [AZ Central]

Rich Harden is a Bit Injury Prone

Look out! Rich Harden is hurt again.

The Oakland Athletics righty is expected to miss two weeks of Spring Training after experiencing "stiffness" in the lat muscle just below his pitching arm after tossing in the neighborhood of 15 pitches. Two days later, manager Bob Geren relayed the news that he won't be pitching again until he's pain-free.

Bad news for the 29-year-old Harden, who is back for a second stint with the Athletics and hoping to make it into the rotation. What's worse is that it seems to be quite a stiff competition for the fifth starter spot.

Harden signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract back in December to rejoin the A’s after going 5-5 with a 5.58 ERA in 20 appearances with the Texas Rangers during an injury-ridden 2010 season. After beginning the season as the Rangers’ No. 2 starter, he walked 62 batters in 92 innings.

Yikes. Good luck with that lat muscle Rich!

[MLB]

Season Previews: Colorado Rockies

With Spring Training camps already open, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing with our preview of the National League West, here are the Colorado Rockies.

CarGo is the shit
Tulo got an extension
He's also awesome

Chris Ianetta
Will squat down behind the plate
See more time at bat

Jose Morales
Will steal his job before long
Cause that kid can hit

Stewart at third base
Todd Helton's goatee at first
Wigginton backs up

Look at that drawing!
The likeness is uncanny
But no Wilson Beard

Seth Smith in left field
Eric Young playing backup
Dexter in center

Jiminez is the
First man in the rotation
That makes him the Ace

Miguel Cabrera Arrested for Drunk Driving

Oh, Miguel Cabrera. When will you ever learn? The first baseman was arrested late Wednesday night on suspicion of drunken driving in Florida, not the first alcohol-related problem for the Detroit Tigers player who was thought to be rehabilitated and recovering.

The Motown slugger was found by a deputy, chilling in his 2005 Land Rover with a smoking engine alongside a road in Fort Pierce. According to the officer, Cabrera smelled like booze and his speech was slurred.

But wait, there's more. Cabrera actually took a swig from a bottle of scotch right in front of a deputy. Then, he refused to cooperate and more deputies were called to the scene. Yep, he was bombed.

According to the police report, the 27-year-old All-Star was wandering into the road with his hands in the air before he was handcuffed and actually said this:

"Do you know who I am?! You don’t know anything about my problems," while cussing at the deputies who tried to get him into a patrol car.

Jose Bautista is About to Be Filthy Rich

Just a few days after opening their Spring Training camp in Dunedin, Florida, the Toronto Blue Jays have reached an agreement with Jose Bautista worth $65 million over five years.

The 30-year-old slugger, who was eligible for arbitration, led the majors with 54 home runs last season while batting .260 with 124 RBI.

Bautista's hearing was postponed Monday at the request of both parties with a Friday deadline to reach an agreement. While the hard-hitting outfielder/third baseman had asked for $10.5 million in arbitration, the Blue Jays were only willing to offer $7.6 million. Clearly, negotiations were in order.

Bautista started most of last season in right field, but played 45 games at third base, where is expected to play during the 2011 season... WHICH IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER! YAY!

[Ottawa Citizen]

Season Previews: San Diego Padres

With pitchers and catchers already at their Spring Training camps, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Continuing with our preview of the National League West, here are the San Diego Padres.

Goodbye Gonzalez
Hello Orlando Hudson
and Jason Bartlett

Heath Bell, the closer
Has strained his left calf muscle
Don't forget to stretch!

Chase Headley at third
Now Brad Hawpe will play first base
Big shoes to fill there

Maybin in center
Ryan Ludwick in right field
He's a big fella

Venable in left
He's got some real potential
and a nice smile

It Was Love At First Sight

We love you, baseball. Thanks for having the ability to make us happier than anything else ever could. Happy Valentine's Day!

Season Previews: Los Angeles Dodgers

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps next week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Moving right along with our preview of the National League West, here are the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Fashion designer
Alyssa Milano is
A huge Dodgers fan

We love Vin Scully
Mannywood moved to Tampa
Russell Martin's gone

Clayton Kershaw and
Billingsley are the one-two
Punch the Dodgers need

Matt Guerrier is new
Padilla's the odd man out
Ted Lilly is old

Andre Ethier!
We've always liked Jon Garland
Rafael Furcal!

Just ridiculous:
Hiroki Kuroda makes
Fifteen million bucks?

Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers Avoid Arbitration

Josh Hamilton and the Texas Rangers have finally reached an agreement on a new contract to avoid arbitration just four days before the set hearing in Phoenix, Arizona.

The two sides came to terms Thursday on a two-year contract worth $24 million, including a $3 million signing bonus to cover the reigning American League MVP's last two arbitration-eligible seasons. This of course means he can become a free agent after the 2012 season if the Rangers don't offer him a new extension in time.

What's Your Fantasy [Baseball]

We are quickly approaching our fourth annual season of BLB's Fantasy Baseball League.

Due to popular demand... okay, like two people asked us... we've decided to open up a BLB Commenter League. Our Facebook and Twitter Followers, along with all you amazing folks who leave us smartass comments on the blog are invited to participate.

We'll play by the same rules we always have: head-to-head, three divisions, lots of smack-talk. In fact, if you're afraid of talking trash, we advise you not to join in an effort to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. Ya big baby.

By this point you may be wondering how to join this incredible league which is bound to be full of hilarious, baseball-loving folk. It's easy. Just Email Sooze and give her a one-sentence reason why you will dominate the crap out of this league. Basically, the first 12 people to email will get an invite, so my brain doesn't swell from having to choose.

Season Previews: San Francisco Giants

With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training camps next week, it's time for one of our favorite things in all the world: Season Previews. Four years ago, they began as a semi-serious analysis and ended up as half-assed haiku. We're just gonna go with what we know. Kicking off our preview of the National League West -- and season previews in general -- are none other than the reigning World Champion San Francisco Giants.

Fear the Beard people!
That thing is scarier than
Brian Wilson's gimp

World Series Champs
They never stopped Believin'
Misfits and Castoffs

Big Time Timmy Jim!
Kung Fu Panda lost some chub
Twenty pounds so far!

Sweet Lou Piniella
Has joined Giants' front office
No more rampages.

Oh Buster Posey
You are so fucking awesome.
Let us count the ways...

Michael Young May Be Held Hostage by Rangers

Michael Young has asked the Texas Rangers to trade him. Of course, they are willing to oblige... if it will improve the team.

The Rangers all-time hits leader is not impressed with his changing role, upon last month's signing of free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. Young is expected to become the club's primary designated hitter, while serving as a utility man all over the infield.

General manager Jon Daniels had this to say about his longest-tenured player's unhappy disposition:

"Nothing is imminent... [Young] has changed his mind, had a change of heart about that role, and if we can accommodate his request, and in doing so upgrade the club, we certainly would like to do that. It certainly hasn’t gotten to a point where we’ve presented Michael with anything because he’s been clear on his feelings about [being traded to teams not on his list.]"

Young is owed $46 million over the remaining three seasons of his contract —- $15 million in each of the next two seasons and $16 million in 2013 -- and he's made it extra difficult as there are just eight teams not on his no-trade list.

Francisco Liriano Gets One-Year Deal from Twins

The Minnesota Twins have agreed to terms with Francisco Liriano on a one-year, $4.3 million deal to avoid arbitration.

Two years off his recovery from Tommy John surgery, the 27-year-old lefty went 14-10 with a 3.62 ERA last season before starting Game 1 of the ALDS against the New York Yankees... who promptly swept the Twins.

Liriano was part of an incredible one-two punch with Johan Santana during the 2006 season before missing all of 2007 to go under the knife. He then struggled to regain his form and confidence throughout 2008 and 2009, which earned him the 2010 American League Comeback Player of the Year award.

There is just one more order of offseason business on the table for the Twins: giving arbitration-eligible Delmon Young the deal he deserves.

[Hardball Talk]

Vladimir Guerrero Has Found a Home in Baltimore

Vladimir Guerrero finally has a team to call his own, and the Baltimore Orioles have a badass cleanup hitter. Everybody's happy.

The two sides agreed to a one-year contract this weekend, apparently worth $8 million. Of course, nothing is final since the deal hasn't been announced yet.

The free agent slugger, sitting at 436 career home runs over 15 big league seasons, hit .300 last year with 29 longballs and 115 RBI for the American League Champion Texas Rangers. If the 36-year-old passes his physical, he will most likely become Baltimore’s designated hitter.

Best of luck to the Sporting News AL Comeback Player of the Year (turning 36 on February 9) on passing his physical and continuing on his road to The 500 Club.

[Sporting News]

Happy Trails Andy Pettitte

Andy Pettitte has announced his retirement from baseball.

Actually, he'll officially announce his plan to spend the rest of his life being a retired millionaire family man Friday morning at a Yankee Stadium press conference.

Pettitte had been letting on since the end of last season that he was planning on calling it quits. After becoming a free agent, he didn't even attempt to negotiate a contract, so it became pretty clear he wasn't going to play in 2011.

The 38-year-old lefty will hang up his glove with a career 240-138 record and 3.88 ERA over 16 big league seasons. Not bad, but his postseason numbers are what he's most proud of, where he posted a 19-10 record and 3.83 ERA to go nicely with his five World Series rings.

Although Pettitte spent 13 seasons with the New York Yankees, he took a hiatus from 2004-06 to pitch for his hometown Houston Astros. He was 11-3 with a 3.28 ERA in 21 starts with New York last season, limited by a strained groin that landed him on the disabled list for a couple months toward the end of the year.

Alexei Ramirez Gets Four More Years with White Sox

Alexei Ramirez and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a new contract that guarantees the shortstop $32.5 million over four years, keeping him around through 2015.

The deal also includes a $10 million option for a fifth year, after the team exercised Ramirez’s $2.75 million option for 2011 back in December.

The 29-year-old hit .282 with 18 homers and 70 RBI last season, leading all American League shortstops in batting average, slugging percentage (.431), longballs and total bases with 252. Also, he ranked second in RBI. Not bad.

[ESPN]

Play Poker Baseball to Tide You Over til the Opener

Pitchers and catchers report in just 12 days. That's a super long time huh. So what are you supposed to do with yourself in the meantime?

Of course, the Super Bowl is coming up this Sunday, which is pretty great for Pittsburgh and Green Bay fans. But what about everyone else? What are we to do to keep from dying of cabin fever?

There is a simple solution to the problem: get some buddies together and play Poker Baseball.

Sure, everyone is crazy about Texas Hold 'Em, but you can't scratch the itch of America's imaginary Pastime with that game. You could play poker online, but playing Poker Baseball with the people you love to rob is probably your best bet.

The rules for this basic 7 card stud game are fairly simple:

Baltimore Orioles Pitcher Alfredo Simon Denied Bail

Alfredo Simon was denied bail Tuesday morning and will in turn remain jailed on a month-old charge of involuntary manslaughter.

The Baltimore Orioles reliever will likely stay behind bars for an entire year while officials investigate the fatal shooting from New Year’s Eve in the city of Luperon in Puerto Plata.

The 29-year-old pitcher’s lawyer claims Simon was firing celebratory shots in the air. However, one bullet killed 25-year-old Michel Castillo and injured his 17-year-old brother, Starlling Castillo.

Simon's defense attorney Dinosa Dilone had this to say:

We think the judge acted in such a way to avoid a reaction from the media. There is already forensic evidence that Simon’s weapon did not cause the death of the victim.

Simon, who went 4-2 with a 4.93 ERA and 17 saves for the Orioles last season, could face up to two years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

[MLB]