A COUPLE OF QUICKIES

** CC Sabathia lost 25 lbs over the winter last year, but put the weight back on over the course of the season. After the season, he met with Cashman & Girardi and promised to be more diligent in controlling his weight this year. In a related story, CAP'N CRUNCH cereal has laid off their whole second shift.

** I don't know about anyone else, but I'm tired of all the "Lin-whatever" stuff that continues to go on. It's a great story, and I'm happy for him, but I wish the media would stop all the 'Lin-sanity' insanity (Oops, sorry. Guess it's tougher than I thought)).

** As Mike Lupica says, "It's officially baseball season now that Roger Clemmons has thrown out the first deposition."

** Jon Papelbon, now with the Phillies, told reporters, "Mariano Rivera is the standard by which other relievers are measured." This is the same guy, who, in his first All-Star game, said HE should be closing, not Rivera. With age comes wisdom, I guess.

** Pitchers and catchers report today. Derek Jeter asks, "What kept you?"

** Syracuse is on TV at One O'Clock today, and are favored against Rutgers. The Knicks are on at One also, and the Orange are favored against them, too.

** Headlines on ESPN: Bobby Valentine to keep focus on Red Sox attitudes. And - Brian Cashman to focus on Yankees. I'm glad these guys have worked that out.

***THEY SAID IT***
"At midweek, the Nebraska men's basketball team was tied with Penn State. For those who don't follow Big Ten basketball, this is similar to learning your SAT score matched Jessica Simpson's. -- Brad Dickson
"The Texas Supreme Court denied Mike Leach's appeal in his wrongful-termination lawsuit against Texas Tech, but the football coach's appeal might make legal history. Ever see a red challenge flag fly across a courtroom before?" -- Dwight Perry
Headline at SportsPickle.com: "Knicks front office unsure of how they're going to mess this one up."
"Opinions are deeply divided on Kate Upton's bikini on the SI Swimsuit Issue cover. I say it's really something; my wife says it's really nothing." -- RJ Currie
"How big a sensation is Jeremy Lin in New York? Out of habit the Yankees offered him a free agent contract." -- Janet Hough

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