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Pitchers and Catchers Loosen Up on Satellite TV

For the true baseball fanatics out there, the only thing that will get them through the dead of winter is the thought of teams reporting to Florida and Arizona for spring training. Once the famed “Pitchers and Catchers” reporting is underway, the boys of summer start another marathon campaign. America’s Pastime continues to enthrall the nation. Every year, a new set of controversies emerges, only to be overcome by the will of the organizations and fans. To paraphrase a famous writer, rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated on an annual basis. For the upcoming 2010 campaign, the drama is sure to be thick. If you have the baseball bug in a special way, you might want to upgrade your satellite TV package with an MLB Extra Innings subscription. Here are five stories to follow all year long.

1. How ’bout them Yankees? Will those perennial favorites be able to make it back to the World Series? The Red Sox seem intent on preventing such a conclusion, already making a number of big signings. Adrian Beltre should represent a power boost from the hot corner, while John Lackey should provide intensity at the top of the rotation. They’re good, but so are those darn Yankees. Hopefully, there will be drama later into 2010, since 2009 was decided by August. September death matches are what satellite TV baseball fans crave.

2. Can Rocky get off the mat? The Phillies made it back to the World Series, only to be vanquished by the Bronx juggernaut. Many questions remain – about Cole Hamels, about the bullpen (esp. Brad Lidge) and about Jimmy Rollins. You have to question the ability of a superstar who cannot keep it going year in and year out. Rollins, Lidge and especially Hamels will be under intense HD scrutiny all year long. The Phillies need them all back if they want to be at the top.

3. Keep an eye out West, young man. There was a blockbuster trade or two, but the real story was Seattle fielding a stronger team. By subtracting the strike-out prone Beltre and adding the wily Chone Figgins, the Mariners made an upgrade. Adding Cliff Lee was a gigantic step forward, as Lee is one of the top pitchers in the game. Meanwhile, the perennial AL West favorite Angels lost Lackey and Figgins. Will there be a shift in the power rankings?

4. Many questions linger from La-La Land to the Rocky Mountains. For many satellite TV subscribers on the East Coast, it’s all about the pleasure of checking in on the Wild West late nights all summer long. Baseball fanatics marvel at the seemingly endless stream of contests. Joe Torre’s Dodgers have many questions to answer, while the Rockies will try to bounce back from an awful postseason.

5. A big city revival? Enough is enough with the Cubs’ and Mets’ failures. The time has come for these two storied franchises to make a comeback. Stay tuned to your nightly satellite TV broadcasts to see if it will happen.

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