¡VIVA RIVAS!

With all the great new blogs from the Twin Cities papers, I've resorted to writing about baseball fashion to contribute new content to the Twins blogosphere. I heard this interesting piece on NPR tonight on MLB changing their caps from classic wool to polyester. Why? No, not because George Costanza's visionary suggestion 13 years ago. Here's how a USA Today article explained the switch:

MLB and its Buffalo-based manufacturer, New Era Cap Company, say the new caps - making their debut opening day - look just like their predecessors. The samples certainly do.

But replacing the traditional wool is a polyester fabric that MLB and New Era say is designed to "wick" away sweat and evaporate it, resist shrinkage and fading and reduce odor and glare.

This means, of course, that John Wetteland's iconic sweaty cap, made famous during the Yanks' 1996 title run, will now be an impossible fashion accessory. First the wild card and inter-league play, and now polyster. What's this world coming to? (For all things sports fashion, visit www.uniwatchblog.com. The site is currently down, but should be back soon.)

NOTES:
If you take Torii's word for it, it's safe to draft him for steals in your fantasy leagues this year. There's nothing more entertaining than watching Torii pull off one of his signature steals, where he takes off before the pitcher even enters his wind-up. That brand of ballsy base theft was sadly absent from Hunter's game last year.

"I'm 100 percent," Hunter said. "You better watch out; it's going to be scary. I'm actually ready to go. I gained like 4 or 5 pounds, but I'm still agile, just to get a little more power. I've been working on my sprints, too. My goal is to steal a lot more bags and hit some home runs."

Some notes on the BitchSox:
Memo to Johan: Study up on Toby Hall. Pierzynski predicts he'll lose some AB against lefties to Toby Hall, who was signed this off-season as a backup C.

Here's a White Sox story line sure to make the Vikings insanely jealous: Shortstop Juan Uribe may have to return to the Dominican Republican twice a month until his home country's courts decide whether or not he was involved in a shooting this winter. Tank Johnson, you're so yesterday's news.

Some Indians news that somehow slipped under my radar last week: Keith Foulke announced his retirement. This puts the Indians in a bit of a bind, as they were banking on Foulke, whom they signed to a 1-year, $5 million contract, to provide some stability to the back end of their rotation. Joe Borowski, who saved 36 games for Florida last year, will enter camp as the team's closer. The bullpen looks to cause the team problems again this year. Cleveland signed over-the-hill veterans Roberto Hernandez, Aaron Fultz and Cliff Politte this winter to stabilize the 'pen after the team struggled miserably to replace closer Bob Wickman after he was traded before the deadline last year.

GYROBALL
The NY Times writes the gyroball exists, according to its inventor, but it won't revolutionize the game. It's essentially a pitch thrown like a spiral football that flies directly straight, fooling hitters who expect it to drop like a changeup or curve like a slider.