I've talked about how this winter has seemed longer. There's been nothing but drama, nothing but slow, laborious research, and very little of the interpersonal nature of what I really like about my job. With just days to go, the wait is getting worse. Spring training is pale substitute for the real thing, even though there is a bit of the rhythm of the injuries.

I spent a couple hours today chasing a story that I got fed by one of my best sources and in the midst of confirming it, I realized I didn't want to write yet another steroids story. I realized that the reason I got into this subject was to raise the level of debate by educating and explaining. By writing on it in a situation where, as Joe Sheehan might say, there's more heat than light, I'd merely be perpetuating the myths I'm fighting.

Instead, Brad Wochomurka and I went to lunch, ate some pizza, and talked about our fantasy league teams. Brad's a great guy, great radio skills, and a 'fantasy virgin' - it's fun seeing that excitement about a team again. In a couple days, the teams I want to see will be on the field. The players will be clutching hamstrings, shaking their arms, and twisting their ankles. That's baseball, to me.