Happy Spring Training!

Taking a break from the rundown of the Sox/Yankees rivalry's laws, I'd like to wish everyone a happy Spring Training. In order of American-ness (Americanity?), this falls just behind Independence Day and Thanksgiving as the top holiday for our country.


A coworker of mine and a staunch Sox fan put it perfectly for all those in New York and New England: "Spring Training not only means the arrival of baseball, but it means that pretty soon, I'll be watching a warm weather sport while it's warm here."


With Spring Training here, and all that comes with it, life just feels good.


Here's a smattering of goodness:

• ESPN's Jayson Stark writes that there's a positive vibe around the Yanks this spring. Meanwhile, it's a time for new beginnings for the Sox.
• Jorge Posada plans to be a mentor for his younger backstops, while new fourth starter Javy Vazquez had his first mound session on Sunday.
• The Red Sox weigh their strengths, which may not be the heart of the order. And Josh Beckett won't talk about his future.

And finally, few movies can echo the emotion, passion and joy that Spring Training brings to players and fans better than these two: