Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Team

When we predicted with such assurance that the Angels and Dodgers would have competitive seasons, we probably forgot to mention that the season was spring. No matter. Baseball went on without the slightest regard for clubhouse revolts on Gene Autry Way or gross insubordination in Chavez Ravine. Indeed, local entrants aside, the game thrived.

Jimmy Rollins would have called his shot. Orlando Hudson would have none of it. Rollins told the world two years ago his Philadelphia Phillies were the team to beat in the National League East, stoking a rivalry with the New York Mets.

Randy Johnson got 20 strikeouts but not the glory. Johnson became only the third pitcher to strike out 20 in nine innings but missed out on tying the record because the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds went to extra innings Tuesday night, the Diamondbacks winning, 4-3, in 11 innings.

Several players from the region could be taken in today's expansion baseball draft, if mock drafts held by various publications can be believed. Baseball America magazine has the Arizona Diamondbacks taking Baltimore Orioles double-A infielder David Lamb (Newbury Park High) and the beat writers for the Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected Boston Red Sox right-hander Jeff Suppan (Crespi) and Cincinnati Reds first baseman Dmitri Young (Rio Mesa).

The Cleveland Indians sent Matt Williams home to Arizona on Monday, acquiring Travis Fryman and left-hander Tom Martin from the Diamondbacks in a trade brought about by a player's divorce.

Call it a do-over. Shawn Green and the Arizona Diamondbacks will begin a second 48-hour negotiating period today, attempting to come to terms on a contract extension that is expected to complete a long-awaited trade and free enough payroll for the Dodgers to sign free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe.