BuffettNews.com

Today's schedule:


CACTUS:
San Francisco/Milwaukee
Chi. White Sox/Colorado
San Diego/Seattle
Kansas City/Texas
Arizona/Chi. White Sox
Oakland/Chi. Cubs

GRAPEFRUIT:
Philadelphia/N.Y. Yankees
Cleveland/Houston
N.Y. Mets/St. Louis
Florida/Baltimore
Pittsburgh/Washington
Cincinnati/Detroit
Tampa Bay/Toronto
Atlanta/L.A. Dodgers
Boston/Minnesota

Bret Boone retires:

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9276363

All-Star second baseman B. Boone retires after 14 seasons



PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Bret Boone retired Wednesday at New York Mets camp, the culmination of a swift decline for a player who was one of baseball's best second basemen only a few years ago.

Boone's production had plummeted dramatically since the 2003 season. The three-time All-Star was cut by the Seattle Mariners last July 3, dealt to Minnesota eight days later, then released by the Twins on Aug 1. He batted .221 with seven homers and 37 RBI in 326 plate appearances last season.

The 36-year-old Boone agreed to a minor league contract with the Mets in January and came to spring training with an opportunity to win the starting second base job. The four-time Gold Glove winner was at least expected to push incumbent Kaz Matsui, a two-year bust since arriving from Japan.

But Boone cut the competition short and called it quits before the Mets even played their first exhibition game.

"At the end of the day, this really gives me some closure," Boone said, his eyes moist at a morning news conference. "I went out this winter and worked as hard as I could, and it would have been easy to walk away after last year."

Boone said he discussed his decision with family, friends and former teammates. He missed New York's first intrasquad game Tuesday because of personal reasons, and said he woke up Wednesday morning with a decision that was "crystal clear."

"Physically, I think I can still do it. It wasn't as easy as even three or four years ago, but I had lost the edge. I couldn't look in the mirror and think that I would get that edge back," Boone said.

Boone batted .266 with 252 homers and 1,021 RBI in 14 major league seasons. He also played for Cincinnati, Atlanta and San Diego.

His best years came in Seattle, where he was a big reason the Mariners won an AL-record 116 games in 2001. He finished third in MVP voting that year after hitting .331 with 37 homers and a league-leading 141 RBI.

Boone made the All-Star team again in 2003, when he batted .294 with 35 homers and 117 RBI. He followed that up with 24 homers and 83 RBI the next season, but dropped to .251.

By last year, he was struggling mightily at the plate.

As for Matsui, he will now try to hold off youngsters Anderson Hernandez and Jeff Keppinger at second base.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

Copyright 2005-2006, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

Yesterday:

CACTUS LEAGUE:

SF 10, Mil 5
KC 5, Tex 5
Col 8, CHW 1
Sea 2, SD 2
Arz 9, CHW 2
CHC 8, Oak 7

GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE:

Phi 6, NYY 3
Cle 5, Hou 2
NYM 12, STL 7
Fla 6, Bal 4
Pit 9, Was 1
Det 8, Cin 5
TB 9, Tor 5
LAD 3, Atl 2
Min 6, Bos 3

White Sox are 0-3....

CaptainP wrote:Yesterday:

CACTUS LEAGUE:

SF 10, Mil 5
KC 5, Tex 5
Col 8, CHW 1
Sea 2, SD 2
Arz 9, CHW 2
CHC 8, Oak 7

GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE:

Phi 6, NYY 3
Cle 5, Hou 2
NYM 12, STL 7
Fla 6, Bal 4
Pit 9, Was 1
Det 8, Cin 5
TB 9, Tor 5
LAD 3, Atl 2
Min 6, Bos 3

White Sox are 0-3....

Oh captain my captain, thanks for he update bro.

Looking forward to seeing ya in Brookfield soon!

Brett Boone was on my 1990 Peninsula Pilots team in the Carolina League. Besides being a great player, he was one of the nicest "star" players (he had his moments) I ever came across. Plus, he was the funniest guy you could imagine, especially on a golf course.

Given what an a$$bag his Dad has been, every time I met him, its was wonder how great a kid Brett was. Good luck to you Brett

Has Dusty Baker been hanging around the Brookfield Zoo lately??? This wolf is in as good of shape as most of the Cubs pitchers since he's been there....missing a limb.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/cust ... &cset=true
Wolf's missing leg puzzles zookeepers
The Associated Press
Published March 3, 2006, 6:20 AM CST

Officials at Brookfield Zoo say they have no idea how a Mexican gray wolf's front right leg was torn off.

The male wolf was in its exhibit Wednesday when zookeepers discovered that the limb was gone.

Director of veterinary services Tom Meehan says the wolf likely lost its leg in some sort of accident before the zoo opened that day.

Zookeepers searched the exhibit yesterday but couldn't find the missing leg.

Meehan says it was a clean break in the middle of its lower leg.

He says the wolf showed no signs of having been in a fight with another wolf.

He says the animal is recovering after surgery to remove the limb to the elbow and it should be able to get by on three legs.

CaptainP wrote:Yesterday:GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE:

Phi 6, NYY 3
NYM 12, STL 7

Yankees lose, Mets win. Life is good, even if it doesn't count.

Typical Met fan...Paying attention to spring training.
I guess it is the only season you guys have a winning record in!

Nationals' Guillen has wrist injury, might miss three months



VIERA, Fla. -- Washington Nationals outfielder Jose Guillen has a wrist injury that could require surgery and sideline him for three months.

Guillen was examined early Friday by a hand specialist, who diagnosed swollen tendons and a damaged tendon in the left wrist.

Guillen felt discomfort during batting practice Wednesday and later told the team he thought he had hurt himself during weight training.

The doctor recommended surgery, which would likely keep Guillen out of the lineup until June. The Nationals said Guillen will travel to Baltimore on Saturday for a second opinion.

Asked what the Nationals would do with Guillen out, manager Frank Robinson said, "Plans? Right now? Nothing. He's going to get a second opinion, and we'll wait and see what happens then."

Guillen was already questionable for opening day because of shoulder surgery in November, although Robinson had been pleased with Guillen's progress during the first week of spring training.

Guillen was hoping to return strong after fading in the second half of last season because of his ailing shoulder, which he hurt during a headfirst slide in June. He batted .283 with 24 home runs and 76 RBI.

The injury was the second significant setback for the Nationals in less than two weeks of spring training. Brian Lawrence, acquired in a trade with San Diego and projected as the No. 3 starter, is out for most -- if not all -- of the season after shoulder surgery and a torn rotator cuff.

Guillen's absence would leave another hole in the outfield. The Nationals were hoping Alfonso Soriano, acquired in a trade with Texas, would be willing to switch from second base to left field. Now, Soriano might be an option for right field. He returns from the World Baseball Classic later this month.

Friday cactus league results:

Mil 6, SF 2
Mil 5, Oak 1
CHC 15, Sea 8
KC 7, Tex 6
Arz 13, CHW 6
LAA 10, SD 1

Will the White Sox ever win a game?



Friday's grapefruit league results:

Phi 11, NYY 10
Fla 5, Bal 4
Pit 6, Was 4
Hou 11, Cle 5
Cin 9, Min 1
TB 4, Tor 2
Atl 8, LAD 7
Det 17, Atl 10
StL 11, NYM 8

Kerry Wood to have arthoscopic knee surgery.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ba ... rtsnew-hed

And so it begins, once again

CaptainP wrote:Bret Boone retires:

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9276363

All-Star second baseman B. Boone retires after 14 seasons

One word: JUICED

When he played for Padres, he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat....

Lightning Bolt wrote:

CaptainP wrote:Bret Boone retires:

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9276363

All-Star second baseman B. Boone retires after 14 seasons

One word: JUICED

When he played for Padres, he couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat....

Good thing he was a baseball player, not a swimmer....

CaptainP wrote:Has Dusty Baker been hanging around the Brookfield Zoo lately??? This wolf is in as good of shape as most of the Cubs pitchers since he's been there....missing a limb.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/cust ... &cset=true
Wolf's missing leg puzzles zookeepers
The Associated Press
Published March 3, 2006, 6:20 AM CST

Officials at Brookfield Zoo say they have no idea how a Mexican gray wolf's front right leg was torn off.

The male wolf was in its exhibit Wednesday when zookeepers discovered that the limb was gone.

Director of veterinary services Tom Meehan says the wolf likely lost its leg in some sort of accident before the zoo opened that day.

Zookeepers searched the exhibit yesterday but couldn't find the missing leg.

Meehan says it was a clean break in the middle of its lower leg.

He says the wolf showed no signs of having been in a fight with another wolf.

He says the animal is recovering after surgery to remove the limb to the elbow and it should be able to get by on three legs.

That's too damn funny. Before Dusty in SF it was Roger Craig who kept the DL list full with his split finger.

Tequila Revenge wrote: That's too damn funny. Before Dusty in SF it was Roger Craig who kept the DL list full with his split finger.

The wolf is missing the same number of limbs as Kerry Wood is right now...

Just heard on ESPN....Kirby Puckett Suffered a stroke and is headed for Surgery.......prayers to him and his family.........he was one of the most classiest guys that put on the uniform!!

tequilatom wrote:Just heard on ESPN....Kirby Puckett Suffered a stroke and is headed for Surgery.......prayers to him and his family.........he was one of the most classiest guys that put on the uniform!!

I have actually been watching the Sox-Twins game on TV...they've been talking about him all game...awaiting some word on his prognosis.
Prayers to him!

(sox lost! )

Cubbie Bear wrote:Brett Boone was on my 1990 Peninsula Pilots team in the Carolina League. Besides being a great player, he was one of the nicest "star" players (he had his moments) I ever came across. Plus, he was the funniest guy you could imagine, especially on a golf course.

Given what an a$$bag his Dad has been, every time I met him, its was wonder how great a kid Brett was. Good luck to you Brett

All you ever had to do was meet his grand dad, former MLB all-star Ray Boone. His grand dad, a former neighbor of mine, was such a great guy. You are right Brett could have his moments. I also think he had a needle or two in his day. Still both he and brother's Aaron and Matt are good kids.

TheSecretsInTheCrust wrote:

Cubbie Bear wrote:Brett Boone was on my 1990 Peninsula Pilots team in the Carolina League. Besides being a great player, he was one of the nicest "star" players (he had his moments) I ever came across. Plus, he was the funniest guy you could imagine, especially on a golf course.

Given what an a$$bag his Dad has been, every time I met him, its was wonder how great a kid Brett was. Good luck to you Brett

All you ever had to do was meet his dad, former MLB all-star Ray Boone. His grand dad, a former neighbor of mine, was such a great guy. You are right Brett could have his moments. I also think he had a needle or two in his day. Still both he and brother's Aaron and Matt are good kids.

I did rip him earlier, and his numbers, unfortunately, bear some truth to the "altered" reality of the times he played in,
but I will say he was perfectly cool when we ran into him last year at McDuffy's in Peoria.

Word is that Kirby is in Critical condition in the ICU right now.