In a first time showdown of two first round picks making their major league debut on the mound, "Rockin' " Ricky Romero bested Rick Porcello in Thursday afternoon's 6-2 victory at the stadium formerly known as SkyDome.

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two others were killed in a three vehicle accident in Anaheim overnight Thursday.  The tragedy comes after he pitched six shutout innings Wednesday night against Oakland.  Adenhart was 22.

The first inning was the worst inning as the Jays lost their first game of 2009, a 5-1 setback to the Tigers at Ted's Shed Wednesday night.

Bart Given is the former Assistant General Manager of the Blue Jays.   Given has filled many roles with the Blue Jays including the role of travelling secretary.  Since leaving the Blue Jays Given has created his own website, www.insidethemajors.com.  On his site Given provides perspective on front office activities such as rules around roster management and dates, waivers, player options, rule 5 draft and other rules the front office needs to be aware of.  Given agreed to be interviewed by Batters Box.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats kicked off the 2009 minor league season tonight.   Brad Emaus continued his hot spring with three doubles and four RBI's.  Marc Rzepczynski got the win and recorded nine strikeouts in five innings.Plus we have some comments from Dick Scott on the opening day rosters.

The Fighting Jays moved into sole possession of top spot in the American League East with a 5-4 walkoff win against the Tigers at the Rogers Centre Tuesday night.  The magic number for the Mighty Jays to clinch the East is only 161 while the wild card magic number is a mere 160. 

That makes up for Opening Day 2004!  The Maple Leaf wearing Blue Jays hammered the Tigers 12-5 Monday night at the Rogers Centre to grab a share of first place in the American League East.

Wednesday is opening day for the minor leagues.  Earlier this week we looked at the rosters, today Marc Hulet and I look at the key questions for each affiliate.

Okay, it's time for the annual edition of Batter's Box's The Contest, whereby you predict various things about the forthcoming 2009 season -- standings, awards, achievements, etc. Your answers -- well, the correct ones anyway -- earn you points on a carefully-considered, awesomely well-thought-out (translation: randomly-assigned) basis.

The Bauxite who compiles the highest number of points will be awarded the title of Unbelieveably Awesome Basebally Predictor-Head of the Internets and win a standard Batter's Box No-Prize, which in the past has included a cuttlefish, multiple cuttlefish and once, if I recall correctly, an entire school of cuttlefish. Note: your deadline for entering The Contest is Monday, April 13 at 5 p.m. -- but enter early, for each day you wait to post your predictions past Wednesday, April 8, 10 points will be deducted from your score. Unless you have a really excellent excuse that we buy, fictional or otherwise. (See, it really is random!)

Anyway, on with The Contest '09 ... your 38 predictions-to-be-made, worth up to 700 points in total, are as follows ...

Three players will be wearing the black, blue and graphite for the first time on Opening Day when the Blue Jays take on the Tigers Monday night at the Rogers Centre.  They'll also get to wear powder blue during Flashback Fridays if they stick around long enough.

Cleverly, I waited until the roster had been set before I started to write this. No point in previewing a bunch of guys who won't be on the roster, right?

Minor league rosters will be released this weekend.  Mendocino found the Lugnuts roster last night and it is shown below.   Kevin Gray at the Union Leader got Dick Scott to reveal a few of the players that will be on the Fisher Cats roster, namely 1B David Cooper, 2B Brad Emaus, LHP Marc Rzepczynski, C Brian Jeroloman, RHP Zach Dials, C Kyle Phillips.

Is there anything we can deduct from what we know so far?

It must be Data Table time.

Once more, it's time - way past time, in fact - to check in with the ancient sage of the desert.

Is there an economist in the house?