Tony Batista, 2002 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia #17

It's been a long, strange winter, from the 70-degree temps of Christmas week to last month's weekend blizzard, and it's still far from over. It looks like a few more inches of snow are en route to Baltimore tonight and tomorrow, though in my house we'll be turning our pajamas inside out and backwards just to seal the deal. There are signs of hope, nonetheless. In just ten days, pitchers and catchers will report to Sarasota to kick off Orioles Spring Training. Sure, we still have to wait until April for games that count, but practice drills and exhibition games are better than no baseball at all.

Josh Towers, 2002 Playoff Absolute Memorabilia #20

It's a hit-and-run piece tonight because I spent the day at my good friend Mike's wedding. They had beautiful weather and a classy ceremony and reception, and I had a blast seeing all of my college friends again. At the same time, I am thrilled to know that there are no other weddings on my radar for the foreseeable future. This was the third set of nuptials that I've attended in the past five weeks, and I'm pretty sure there are laws against that kind of thing. I'm ready to put away my fancy clothes for a while.

Oh, why Josh Towers? He shares a birthday - February 26 - with Mike. Good for them.