Dugout Diary by Joe Boesch

What a way to start the 2025 season.  The time has come for the sun to shine, the grass to be cut, and the sound of  "Play ball," to be known. It's for the fresh-cut grass, the peanuts, crackerjacks, and the players themselves. This is the time of year when dreams come alive, and as we are a couple of days into the 2025 MLB season, the teams are already making noise. From the Dodgers, Red Sox, Mets and Yankees, each has one thing in mind - to win. We must remember that it was baseball that re-energized a nation after 9/11. It's baseball that comes calling in April and showcases the Fall Classic. It's baseball that connected countries and their differences in the World Baseball Classic. Forever, baseball will be the dream. For every fan, this is the time. For every writer, this is our game to write about. This is the time we wait for so patiently for baseball, America's Pastime. Baseball, by all accounts, is America's Pastime and the game that shapes Americ...

Finally, Opening Day is here this week, and we see the return of baseball — America's Pastime. "Swing batter, swing," the young boy yelled. "I love to say that at a baseball game." The young boy continued to enjoy the game that we know as America's Pastime. Enriched, in the mind of a young boy, is his favorite player making a diving catch or taking a full swing for a home run. It starts at a young age and continues throughout life. This is baseball, and one of the reasons why I love the game. My love for the game began when I was young and had the dream of being a Major League baseball player. I love the nostalgia of the game and what it stands for. Forever in my mind is the bedroom I created when I lived at my parent's home — pictures, stories, autographed baseballs, bats and hats decorated around. I lived the game, dreamed the game, and treasured the game. Everything the game stands for will come to light, from the yelling of "Play Ball" to t...

With expectations high for the Yankees, since making it to the World Series last season, the glimmer of hope has faded fast in Spring Training. The injuries have mounted fast, with Gerrit Cole needing Tommy John surgery, Giancarlo Stanton dealing with torn tendons in both elbows, and D. J. LeMahieu dealing with a calf strain.  Additionally, newly acquired Paul Goldschmidt is showing his age with a sore back, and Clark Schmidt is dealing with a sore shoulder. Though they have the pieces to be successful this season, the ultimate question is: can they stay healthy? That will only be answered when the season starts. The Yankees may need to look at the open market if they want a repeat of the World Series. If not, they may be spectators this season. — Joe Boesch 

You're a MLB veteran unsigned, but holding on to the dream to continue playing baseball. A dream that begins on a sandlot or field somewhere tucked in Brooklyn or the fields of Iowa. It is baseball — a dream that lives forever, but a body that can't take the wear and tear of being a professional baseball player. As Spring Training wraps up in a couple of weeks, there are still top free agent players still unsigned. Teams have also seen their fair share of injuries — from the Yankees on down. So what does a team do? Look at the free agent market or their farm system. It's a decision every GM must make, and one that comes with a price to pay. Here's a look at the available market players: Anthony Rizzo — 2024 season with the Yankees. J.D. Martine — 2024 season with the Mets. Alex Verdugo — 2024 season with the Yankees. Kyle Gibson — 2024 season with the Cardinals. Whit Merrifield — 2024 season with the Braves. There are others, but these are the top five....

Opening Day 2025 is upon us.  Here's a look at the rookie players to watch in the 2025 season. I have to say the Washington Nationals are going to make some noise again, with Dylan Crews and James Wood as the top rated rookies it should be interesting. Here's the 2025 Rookie Class: Dylan Crews James Wood Coby Mayo Brooks Lee Jacob Wilson Rhett Lowder Connor Norby Cade Povich Drew Thorpe Hurston Waldrep Jace Jung Jhonkensy Noel Orelvis Martinez Trey Sweeney Until then, see you at Spring Training. — Joe Boesch 

With Spring Training well under way, Opening Day is getting closer and the sound of "Playball" will be heard to the ears of fans of the game. Spring Training signals the beginning of what every baseball fan waits for. Next week the clocks "Spring Forward" and the countdown to Opening Day begins. Here's an inspirational quote to get the season started: As far as sleeping goes, you're up and ready to go at six in the morning. Spring training was always a combination of relaxing and working, and I missed that quite a bit. I missed being around the ball field. A baseball. A bat. The smell of the uniform, you might say. Talking baseball. Seeing opponents as well as the Cubs.  — Lou Boudreau — Joe Boesch