Randy Johnson

Best interleague pitching pickup AL Randy Johnson, Yankees NL Tim Hudson, Braves Best future star AL Adrian Beltre, Mariners NL Carlos Delgado, Marlins Best burner AL Ichiro Suzuki, Mariners NL Juan Pierre, Marlins Most hated owner AL George Steinbrenner, Yankees NL Major League Baseball, Nationals Best comeback AL Red Sox vs. Yankees, 2004 ALCS NL Roger Clemens from retirement Best pitching matchup AL Randy Johnson vs. Curt...

As the Orioles attempt to pick up significant ground on the two teams that finished ahead of them last season, they also must look back to make sure nobody is gaining on them. Such is the life of a third-place club. Have the Orioles done enough? Did the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox do too much? The Orioles improved their lineup, bullpen and bench, but they haven't touched a starting rotation that won't scare anybody outside of Baltimore. The Yankees, meanwhile, traded for a five-time Cy Young Award winner, Randy Johnson, and handed out generous free-agent contracts to Carl Pavano, who was courted by the Orioles, and Jaret Wright.

IN A DYNAMIC move that should all but lock up third place in the National League East, the New York Mets reportedly have reached agreement with budding superstar Carlos Beltran on a seven-year contract worth $119 million. I guess that means Beltran is only going to be half of the next Alex Rodriguez, but it's still quite a chunk of change, and it sends an unmistakable message to long-suffering Mets fans: Don't get too comfortable with your current ticket prices. The Mets have succumbed again to the pressure to compete with the gaudy-rich Yankees for the heart of the Big Apple, even though it is apparent to all (most notably, the Orioles)

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He said it "I was looking for a fastball. I knew he wasn't going to walk the pitcher with the bases loaded." Adam Eaton, Padres pitcher, who hit a two-run double off the Reds' John Riedling on a full count On deck Paul Lo Duca returns to Dodger Stadium tonight for the first time since being traded last month to Florida. Who's hot The Indians lead the majors with 663 runs and are on pace to finish with more than 900 after scoring 699 in 2003. Who's not Garret Anderson, last year's Home Run Derby champion, has gone 121 consecutive at-bats without a homer.

I GUESS WE'RE supposed to care. I guess we're supposed to believe. I guess we're supposed to feel dedicated, loyal, invested. I guess we're supposed to root. I guess that's what it means to be a fan. Someone e-mail me. Tell me how. Shaq's gone from the Lakers. The most dominant player in the NBA, traded without a shred of care. See you, big guy. It's been real, it's been fun, but it hasn't been real fun. Pat Riley's probably so giddy, his hair's a mess. It's Lakers South now. It's Shaq Diesel partying in South Beach while Rudy Tomjanovich is left to pick up the pieces in Los Angeles.

At Oriole Park at Camden Yards Day Time TV Starters Tonight 7:05 CSN Randy Johnson (7-4, 2.88) vs. Sidney Ponson (3-6, 6.48) Tomorrow 7:05 CSN Brandon Webb (3-5, 4.35) vs. Eric DuBose (4-4, 5.23) Thursday 7:05 CSN Casey Fossum (0-4, 7.33) vs. Daniel Cabrera (3-1, 3.90) Radio: All games on WBAL (1090 AM) Diamondbacks update Arizona is making its first visit to Camden Yards, as the two teams begin the interleague portion of their schedules. The Diamondbacks are a half game ahead of Colorado in the battle to avoid last place in the NL West.