I wanted to post a blog entry, as it’s come to my attention that I haven’t done so in 6 days. (Sorry about that.) I’m not going to focus on any one topic, or any particular team, but just a few of the latest things that have happened in MLB since the last time I blogged:

JASON VARITEK RETIRES

First it was Tim Wakefield, now it’s Jason Varitek. Two guys who have been with the Boston Red Sox for years, have called it quits within the past two weeks.

Varitek, who officially announced his retirement in a press conference yesterday, spent his entire 15 season career with Boston. Varitek ends his career just seven home runs shy of 200. While he wasn’t able to hit the 200 home run mark, he was able to crack the 1,000 hit mark, as he recorded 1,307 in his career.

Varitek was an icon in Boston, and was able to accomplish a lot in his career. Here’s just a few of the impressive attributes Varitek has:

• Only player to play in Little League World Series, College World Series, MLB World Series, Olympics, and World Baseball Classic.

• Played in more post season games than any other player in Red Sox history.

• Only player in MLB history to catch four no-hitters.

Truly remarkable stuff.

INJURIES, INJURIES, AND MORE INJURIES

A.J. Burnett fractured his orbital bone on a fould tip while bunting during batting practice yesterday. Burnett, who underwent surgery earlier today to repair the damage, is expected to be out for 8-12 weeks.

This is a huge blow to the Pittsburgh Pirates, as Burnett was due to make the start on opening day. Now, with the injury, the Pirates will be forced to rethink their options. Although they have a few other decent pitchers in the rotation, you know they have to be disappointed, as they just acquired Burnett from the Yankees in return for a couple of minor leaguers. It doesn’t help the Pirates if Burnett’s on the bench.

After being hit by a fastball the fear by the Tampa Bay Rays was that Evan Longoria’s hand would take time to heal. Considering the fact that he was the major reason they made the play offs in the first place last year, that obviously wouldn’t be good news.

Luckily, after an x-ray, there are no broken bones, and Longoria’s hand swelling should decrease by Monday, which is when the Rays hope to have him ready to go for Spring Training.

It wasn’t looking very likely for Grady Sizemore that he’d make the Opening Day roster due to a back sprain, but after surgery was performed today, it is certain. Sizemore is expected to miss 8-12 weeks.

It’s a real shame for both the Cleveland Indians and Sizemore. The poor guy can’t seem to catch a break. Plagued by injuries over the past couple of years, Sizemore has gone from “future hall of famer”, to present day flop. Hoperfully, once his surgery scars have healed, Grady can get back to playing the way he used to, but unfortunately, as Kevin Millar put it, “back injuries are hard to come back from.”

MLB ADDS EXTRA WILD CARD

When I first heard that an extra wild card was going to be added to each League this season I wasn’t a big fan of the idea. Not because I’m not a fan of change–change is a good thing, sometimes–but for the fact that I really didn’t understand it all. To tell you the truth, I still don’t understand it completely, but as I begin to slowly understand what’s going to happen this season, I’m starting to become a fan of the idea.

Since I’m not 100 percent sure of how things are going to work, and how the play off schedule is going to work, the best thing I can do is tell you to go take a look at the EXCELLENT article detailing everything you’d ever want to know about the extra wild cards: CLICK HERE

SPRING TRAINING GAMES BEGIN

Spring Training games have already begun, however the first MLB Network broadcasted game isnt’ until Saturday at 1:05. The game, which features the New York Yankees taking on the Philadelphia Phillies, is sure to be exciting. Not only is it the first time you’re getting to see Jim Thome play first base, but you’ll also get to see how A-rod does. Whether Rodriguez has a come back year, or a repeat year, has a major impact on how the Yankees do this year. I for one, think that Rodriguez is going to do well this year, but it’s one of things you can’t really predict.

ALL PLAYER AUDIO MLB SPRING TRAINING GAME

If you don’t find this cool, you might want to check yourself for a pulse. Coming up on Wednesday March 7th, at three o’clock eastern standard time, MLB Network is going to broadcast an all player audio game, seeing the Cleveland Indians take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. In other words, no announcers doing play by play. Instead, every player and upmire will be mike’d up, and you’ll have to use their audio to guide yourself through the game. I think it’s an awesome idea. Very cool stuff.

UPCOMING ENTRIES

This time of year is when blogging gets exciting. During the off season there were a bunch of big trades and signings to talk about, but now with Spring Training kicking off, the topics to blog about are endless. That’s good news for you the reader. The more I have to blog about, the more often I’ll post a new entry, and thus the more you have to read.

I’m going to do my best to keep up with what’s going on around MLB. I really don’t have anything planned, except for one blog entry that I’m working on at the moment. Friday or Saturday of next week I’m going to post my 2012 MLB predictions blog entry. It’ll include how I think each team will place in their divisions, all the way down to who I feel will win the World Series. So be sure to check back for that.

Here’s what I’d suggest to you. If you’re not already, go ahead and enter you email address, and click the follow button, on the right side of the screen. Doing so ensures that you’ll never miss a word of what I have to say about what I’m thinking, as you’ll recieve an email with a link every time a new entry is posted. It’ll make it a lot easier then having to check back in every few days.