News item: Sports Illustrated reported on its Web site yesterday that several sources have confirmed Alex Rodriguez tested positive for anabolic steroids while playing for the Texas Rangers in 2003.
My take: Is it too late to get that into the Mitchell Report? The Joe Torre book?
Bonus take: No, really. The Mitchell Report was funded by Major League Baseball to peel the cover off the game's steroid scandal, and it didn't include a positive steroid test - administered by MLB - involving the game's greatest player. Of course I know there was only anonymous survey testing that year and some results have come to light only because they were seized by the feds. I still rest my case.
News item: The Ravens have sent out letters to their season-ticket holders notifying them that the price of their seats will increase $5 to $15 for the 2009 season and explaining that the every-other-year increase is necessary to offset rising payroll costs.
My take: I'm not surprised, but I've heard from fans who were hoping for a hometown discount.
News item: USA Swimming has suspended Michael Phelps from competition for three months in the wake of his bong photo. Phelps called the decision "fair."
My take: It's also largely symbolic because it will only keep Phelps from swimming in some smaller meets and cost him a $1,750 monthly stipend, but swimming's national governing body needed to do something, if only to reinforce the notion that Phelps is not bigger than the sport.
Bonus take: Even though he is, of course.
News item: The Orioles appear to have finished making their offseason improvements and will open spring training camp in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., next weekend.
My take: I probably won't recognize anybody in the crowded spring clubhouse, but I can't wait to get there and break out this year's collection of Aloha shirts.
News item: Federal officials reportedly have old urine samples that show Barry Bonds took the then-undetectable designer drug THG ("The Clear") in 2003 and steroid syringes from personal trainer Brian McNamee that reportedly contain the DNA of Roger Clemens.
My take: Not sure how much that advances either federal perjury investigation. Bonds testified he took "The Clear" unwittingly, and Clemens claims McNamee manufactured evidence. It was great reading, though.
News item: The best of the AFC meets the best of the NFC in the Pro Bowl today in Honolulu, officially marking the end of the 2008-09 NFL season.
