 Welcome to Under the Bleachers, where the best MLB writers from Bleacher Report give their unique take on the latest action. Just Don't Use the Phrase "Hip Surgery" Thinking of making a trip to the Yankees' palatial spring training digs in Tampa? This guide will let you know where to spend the night, where to get autographs, and how to enjoy games at George M. Steinbrenner Field. It doesn't tell you what to say if you meet Cody Ransom, though. Some suggestions: "Wow, I didn't realize you were so old!" or "33 years old with 183 career at bats? So how many times do you watch "Bull Durham" a week? 10? 20?"Call it "We're Finally Spending a Little Money Ball" How will the A's fare in 2009? The AL West could be ripe for the plucking, and Billy Beane opened the wallet a bit to bring in Matt Holliday and Orlando Cabrera this winter. If the starting pitching can stay healthy and effective, this team could be frisky this year. We mean, look at that first base platoon of Giambi and Nomar! Can't beat two future HOFers at one position! It's still 2001, right?And This Isn't Even Counting Bernie Brewer's 'Stache With the rotation gutted by free agency, what do the Brew Crew's loyal fans have left to look forward to this season? According to this column, quite a bit. It leaves off quite possibly the sweetest relief Milwaukee fans will get this season: hearing grim medical news about Ben Sheets and quietly thinking, "Ah, that's not our problem."The Game's Hard to Kill Alarmists may be worried that steroids and the economy will kill the game, but baseball's survived all sorts of scandals throughout its long history. Here's a look at the historical reasons why baseball always bounces back. And no, it doesn't even mention, "Ever since his rookie year in 1904, fans have packed the yard to see the masterful pitching of a crafty, cagey lefty named Jamie Moyer."A World Cup Where the U.S. Isn't Terrible After its weak showing in the 2006 WBC, Team USA seems pretty driven to bring home the title this year. It makes sense given that the WBC is the ultimate test of what the best baseball nation in the world is. You hear that, international scouts? Pull out of the Dominican Republic. The Netherlands is where the hot prospects are from now on!Check out more fan opinions by going to Bleacher Report's MLB page. Got something to say to us? Feedback, comments, and tips can be sent to underthebleachers@bleacherreport.com. Want your story linked here? Become a Bleacher Report writer. Play FOX Fantasy Baseball today
Author:Fox Sports
Author's Website:http://www.foxsports.com
Added: March 11, 2009
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