We start our report this week with a few questions for agent Scott Boras regarding the change in Manny Ramírez's personality, his conditioning, his desire to play at least four more years - all of which occurred since Boras began representing Ramírez this winter.


Still, when Thome’s career statistics are dissected and debated, he is not universally considered an automatic Hall of Famer. Of the 16 players with at least 500 homers who are eligible for the Hall, 15 have made it. Mark McGwire, who has been suspected of using steroids, is the one player in the 500 club who does not have a spot in Cooperstown.
After five straight disastrous outings, Morris (0-4) is forcing management to make a hard decision. The Pirates have three options, none very palatable. They could hang tough with Morris in the rotation, and hope he soon finds a solution to his troubles. They could release Morris and eat $11,037,283 in salary, including a $1 million buyout for 2009
By successfully handling second baseman Dustin Pedroia’s throw on Eric Hinske’s groundball for the third out of the seventh inning in the Red Sox’ 2-1 loss to the Rays last night, Youkilis broke McGinnis’ nearly 86-year-old major league record for most consecutive errorless chances (1,700) by a first baseman.
Home plate umpire Kerwin Danley, who was hit on the right side of his jaw by a 96-mph fastball from Penny that sailed past catcher Russell Martin, was on his back and not moving. "I felt horrible," Penny said. The mishap in the fourth inning of the Dodgers' 11-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium resulted in a delay of more than 10 minutes and camera flashes to go off in every section of the stands as Dodgers trainers attended to the umpire.
Howard went 1 for 4 with a walk and two strikeouts in the Phillies' 8-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, which guaranteed the Phils' first April without a losing record since 2003. It also ensured their first series victory in Pittsburgh since 2001.