Briefs: WBC experience still on Ichiro's mind

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Ichiro Suzuki returned to the Seattle Mariners a changed man.

No longer is he keeping his emotions and expressions hidden, as if they were the secrets to his hitting skills and perennial All-Star and Gold Glove selections.

After leading Japan to the championship of the inaugural World Baseball Classic three days earlier, Suzuki rejoined his American teammates Thursday. But his mind was clearly still back with Japan.

The usually reclusive Suzuki, one of only two major leaguers on Japan's roster, was the leader of that cohesion. He joked with teammates on the field. He yelled encouragement and willingly accepted the spotlight. At times in interviews, his voice was hoarse from all the chatter.

Immediately after Japan beat Cuba on Monday night to win the championship -- as the Baseball Hall of Fame collected his batting helmet for display in Cooperstown, N.Y. -- Suzuki was openly emotional. The 32-year old had his cap on backward, giddily shouting at teammates to respect their "old man." He was beaming with joy and pride. Full story

Red Sox will try to emulate 2004

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The 2004 World Series trophy has a permanent home in Fenway Park. Most of the Red Sox players who won it already are gone.

Seventeen months after becoming champions, only nine players from that team appear certain to be on this year's opening day roster. Why such a shakeup, especially since the last time Boston won the title it parted with a key contributor -- Babe Ruth -- 16 months afterward and didn't win another one for 86 years? Why tamper with success?

Older players whose contracts run out command more money than the Red Sox want to pay (Johnny Damon, now with the New York Yankees) or decline in performance (Kevin Millar, now with Baltimore). Young players develop to the point where they deserve to be in the majors (pitcher Jon Papelbon).

Starting pitchers find better free agent deals elsewhere (Derek Lowe and Pedro Martinez after brilliant outings in the 2004 World Series) or have reasonable contracts that make them good trade material (Bronson Arroyo).

Cards OF Bigbie out with stress fracture

JUPITER, Fla. -- Considering the alternative, outfielder Larry Bigbie isn't too disappointed about his latest setback.

The competition for the St. Louis Cardinals' vacant left field job got a little less crowded on Friday with Bigbie expected to be sidelined two to three weeks with a stress fracture of his left foot. But if he had tried to keep playing, Bigbie said he could have been out four months.

Bigbie, 28, was acquired from the Colorado Rockies in the offseason to compete for the job opening created when Reggie Sanders took a free-agent deal with the Royals. It had been anticipated that the left-handed hitting Bigbie and So Taguchi could share the position.

Now, at best, he won't be ready for the start of the season.

Vote to come on new Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK -- Community activists and critics of a proposed $800 million ballpark for the New York Yankees are discovering what teams across the American League already knew: It's tough to stop the Bronx Bombers. Especially when they're at home.

Since the new stadium plan was unveiled last June, it's moved across the New York landscape with more velocity than a Randy Johnson fastball. Land quickly was set aside, the Bronx borough president approved and the City Planning Commission OK'd replacing the House That Ruth Built with a new 53,000-seat stadium.

But this contest isn't over yet. On Tuesday, a City Council subcommittee holds a public hearing on the proposal, where opponents hope to convince elected officials that the new ballpark is a mistake for a variety of reasons: greed, hubris, lack of community involvement.

Royals uncertain about Greinke's return

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Kansas City Royals will start the season without Zack Greinke, and it remains uncertain when he will return.

Greinke left spring training Feb. 26 for unspecified personal reasons to return to his home in Orlando, Fla. Baird said, however, that it would be unfair to put a timetable on when Greinke could return to the team.

Since Greinke left before any spring training games had begun, he would have to work his pitch count up before appearing in any games.

Baird said the club has not decided whether to put Greinke on the restricted list without pay or on the disabled list to start the season. If he goes on the disabled list, he would receive service time and pay.

Prospect Marte sent down by Cleveland

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Top prospect Andy Marte and veteran utility infielder Lou Merloni were among six players cut Friday by the Cleveland Indians from their spring training camp.

The Indians obtained Marte from Boston on Jan. 27 in the six-player trade that sent outfielder Coco Crisp to the Red Sox.

The 22-year-old third baseman batted .359 this spring with six doubles and nine RBI, but Cleveland intends to begin the regular season with veteran Aaron Boone at third base. Marte, outfielder Franklin Gutierrez and catcher/first baseman Ryan Garko were optioned to Class AAA Buffalo.