I somehow got the dates mixed up, and thought that the voting was to start on the 15th of February. It turns out it was supposed to end on the 15th of February. Mea culpa. So I've changed the dates of voting from February 16th to the 18th, to give us a few more days to discuss possible rule changes. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Voting Period Has Started - Current Owners Get Your Ballots in ASAP!

In a news item that may have been overlooked in Canada, the United States has charged four people, including Barry Bonds's personal trainer, with running an illegal drug distribution operation. (Thanks to Mike Green for pointing out the Foxsports.com story on another thread.) It was big enough in the U.S. to be the lede on one of National Public's Radio's hourly news updates, and in this article, Shaun Assael of ESPN's The Magazine offers his opinion. I have serious doubts that Barry Bonds has ever done anything that would possibly harm his body. He's much too intelligent, and he's already good enough; he does not need more of an edge than he already has. Others, though, may feel that need, and they might consider the juice or legal supplements as the answer.

If I ever run for office, I will make sure that Lincoln and Washington's birthdays are separate holidays again here in the states. President's Day my a--. But this holiday is more than just celebrating famous U.S. presidents like Abe Lincoln and FDR; it's also about celebrating some of the medicore ones, like Fillmore and Taylor, Ford and Hayes -- or Harrison, who died in 40 days.

There are some people, regrettably, who do not get Monday off. For them I am truly sorry, for either their company is too stingy, or they have not found the greatest person in the world -- my wife -- to support them while they search for their place in the universe. (Keep away; she's mine.) For some people, though, I am not sorry. I like to call those people "major-league baseball players." Yes, finally, for some teams, it's the start of spring training. Like every Bauxite, I view this news with great joy; I am tired of speculation and rumor: let's get it on already.

The Blue Jays held their annual bash for season-ticket holders tonight at Alice Fazooli's. A lively crowd of more than 400 enjoyed the complimentary food and beverages, then a Q & A session, with Paul Godfrey and J.P. Ricciardi among the head table guests.

Speaking by telephone from Florida, Carlos Tosca said, "Our number one goal, our priority this year, is to get into the playoffs." The skipper believes it will take between 94 and 96 wins, and seems confident that he has the talent. "The biggest key for us to be able to do that is to stay healthy," he explained. "The one thing that we are unable to do that those other ball clubs can, is reload in the middle of the season. If we stay away from key injuries, I don't see any reason why we won't be in the pennant hunt. I will not be satisfied this year if we don't get into the playoffs."

According to the ever-interesting Peter Gammons, the Los Angeles Dodgers have hired Paul DePodesta to be their new General Manager. While Pete's rumour mill is usually about as reliable as the Weekly World News, he rarely gets a news story wrong, so the hiring seems like a go. This opens up any number of interesting points.

Hello, Knology Park. The Blue Jays have sold the naming rights to their spring-training stadium, also home to the Florida State League's Dunedin Blue Jays. Knology, apparently, is the name of a Georgia communications company. Anybody know who Grant was, and whether he's likely spinning in his grave?

This year's convention of the Society for American Baseball Research is taking place from July 15 to 18 in Cincinnati. This is SABR 34, the 34th annual meeting.

Any Bauxites headed to the Queen City for the fun? I am seriously torn about going and if there are others headed there it might just spur me to take the plunge. I've never been to a SABR convention before and would love to go...

Incidentally, the 2005 convention is in Toronto, and I'll DEFINITELY be at that one.

In an earlier thread Gitz mentioned the current U.S. Democratic Primaries. As a former resident of the United States and someone who has to write on the U.S. economy, I've been following the process closely. So I was quite interested when I learned about AOL's President Match.

The cure for it's-oh-so-close-to-spring-training blues? Meaningless polls, such as U.S. Democratic presidential primaries, but also those related to baseball. Alexis Rios gets a fair amount of cyber-ink on Da Box, and, while Phil Rogers is not exactly a favorite at Da Box, a reader pointed out that Rogers has Rios has the #2 impact rookie in 2004, right behind Kazuo Matsui of the Mets and just in front of Atlanta's Adam LaRoche. Putting aside, for now, our questions about whether Rogers is right or not, here's the question of the day for Bauxites: how many at-bats will Rios get this year? I'm not asking how you think he'll do when he reaches the majors, just how much you instinctively feel he'll play. I'll start the bidding: the hunch here is that Rios gets 50 September at-bats.

We'll know more in two months, of course, but we'll check back at the end of the year to see how our first impressions went, and whoever's closest wins the all-time favorite, non-material gift of parents from every nation: love.

Today's pinch hit is courtesy of reader Mike Green, who has some thoughts and analysis on reliever usage. Thanks Mike!

Today's edition of Aaron's Baseball Blog features an article written by a very special guest : Me!

It's more basketball stuff. I promise to get back to baseball by the time pitchers and catchers report. Promise. By the way, I can't stress this enough : if you don't read Aaron's blog every weekday, you are missing out. You *do* want to be one of the cool kids, don't you? The best part is, usually there's nothing whatsoever by me.

In the latest edition of the Pinstriped Bible, Steven Goldman looks at the Blue Jays, and throws in his D-Rays appraisal for no extra charge. He admits he underestimated Vernon Wells, credits the Jays with "baseball smarts" for replacing Frankencatcher with Crash & Cash, and gets off some great lines, as usual.

Anyone who has seen Phelps show Roger Clemens' fastball who's boss knows he has more power than Harry Nilsson had high notes.

Goldman, not much of a Hudson fan, suggests Cat could play second when Toronto's "fly-ball mavens" are on the hill. That's an interesting theory, with no chance of happening. At least Steve is bullish on Eric Hinske, and his conclusion is spot on -- "They'll go as far as their pitching can carry them, because offense won't be a problem."

I have been pouring too much time into basketball research recently, but there have been some side benefits. I have developed two metrics which I will explain briefly, that measure a player's defensive contributions. These are not perfectly original, however I believe that no such metrics have been developed before.

Incidentally, look for me in an upcoming Aaron's Baseball Blog discussing more basketball-related stuff.

Winter still reigns in most parts of Canada, but on the Toronto baseball beat, you can see the first signs of a spring thaw. Ken Fidlin wrote a strongly positive column about the Jays' chances in 2004 and beyond in today's Sun (assuming you can find the column amidst all the sidebars and advertisements). Thanks to Jimmy Key's Christmas Lights, my favourite Box moniker, for the link.

Thanks to Steve Z. for this find. Kevin Gray of the Manchester Union Leader spoke to J.P. Ricciardi about his new "home" team:

"I’m a New England guy. I think New Englanders love baseball . . . and they understand the game a little bit more than the average fan. I would love to see us have a long-term relationship with the people in Manchester. It’s got a long history of baseball. I grew up right down the street in Worcester, so it’s an easy commute for me. I think our kids get to play in the weather that they’re going to play in at the big-league level in April. I like the Eastern League. There’s a lot of nice things that fit here for us."