* Looks like the Rays are still a go to play some exhibitions in Cuba during spring training. In the over-all, spring-training schedule released by Major League Baseball, there are no games listed for the Rays March 28-30, the proposed time frame for the Cuban trip.
* It was one of those routine, off-season announcements from a MLB team. The Miami Marlins had signed veteran pitcher–and former Ray–Edwin Jackson to a one-year deal for the major league minimum, which happens to be: $507,500.
Something about a salary “minimum” and a half-million dollars that seems incongruous, but that’s the marketplace. For added societal context, consider what the most important job in the world–president of the United States–pays: $400,000. Plus a $50,000, non-taxable expense account. For what it’s worth, the vice president of the United States, which is still a lot more important than a back-of-the-order starting pitcher, pulls down $230,700.
* MLB word is that the National League is becoming more receptive the Designated Hitter than previously–just not enough to employ it yet. Too bad. The DH, which adds more offense to the game, has been employed in the American League since 1973. Most collegiate, amateur and professional leagues also use it. The NL only uses it when its member is the home team in interleague and World Series competition. All All-Star games now use the DH.
It would be as if one conference of the NBA still didn’t employ the 3-point shot or half of the NFL didn’t allow a 2-point PAT after a touchdown. It’s the same game, but a certain fundamental rule is not applied equally across the spectrum of competition.
* Imagine, the world’s best golfer, 22-year-old Jordan Speith, is also a nice guy. For the longest time we couldn’t say that about the world’s best golfer.