Extra Innings by Joe Boesch

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Here's a breakdown for MLB's Baseball Calendar up to the Hot Stove League. Sept. 1 -- Active rosters expand to 40 players. Oct. 6 -- Playoffs begin. Oct. 27 -- World Series begins in the city of the National League Champion. Nov. -- Free agent filing period, first 15 days after World Series ends. Dec. 1 -- Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents. Dec. 7 -- Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept offers. Dec. 6-9 -- Winter Meetings, Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Dec. 12 -- Last day for teams to offer 2011 contracts to unsigned players. Until then, see ya at the park. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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The New York Mets David Wright is two doubles short of tying the franchise record of 225 set by Ed Kranepool. The Mets all-time doubles leaders: 1. Ed Kranepool 225 2. David Wright 223 3. Howard Johnson 214 4. Edgardo Alfonzo 212 5. Mike Piazza 193 Until then, see ya at Citifield. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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Yankees manager Joe Girardi has announced his projected line-up for the 2010 season. Here it is: 1. Derek Jeter, SS 2. Nick Johnson, DH 3. Mark Teixeira, 1B 4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B 5. Robinson Cano, 2B 6. Jorge Posada, C 7. Curtis Granderson, OF 8. Nick Swisher, OF 9. Brett Gardner, OF Until then, see ya at the park! Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Mets can't catch a break with their players headed to the disabled list. Jose Reyes, who was out most of last season, is having his thyroid tested because of a possible imbalance. I hope this is not a sign of the Mets upcoming season. Last season for the Mets was one to forget, with almost the whole team going on the disabled list at one-point during the season. The crosstown rival Yankees are still trying to get the off-season kinks out. Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes were less than impressive in a 12-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Also, Nick Johnson is hoping to return to action after experiencing back stiffness. Until then, see ya at Spring Training! Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The time for baseball is just around the corner. Pitchers and catchers report next month and most teams will be getting ready for another season of excitement. The following is on everyone's mind who enjoys America's Pastime: Is this the year for the Yankees again? Will the Mets turn-the-page from last season? The Angels and Phillies are teams to keep an eye on. One great season ahead with a great many teams. The words of "Playball" will be heard shortly. Until then, see ya at Spring Training. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Major League Baseball has donated almost $1 Million dollars to help in the rescue and recovery operations in Haiti, which was hit with a 7.0 earthquake. If you want to help, it is suggested by authorities that you donate to the American Red Cross. The Mets again are making news as Carlos Beltran had surgery on his knee and GM Omar Minaya said he "didn't sign off on it." This past week we also heard Mark McGwire admit that he used steroids for nearly a decade and that he also used it when he hit 70 homeruns in 1998. Let's hope the coming weeks are more peaceful. Until then, our prayers go to Haiti. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

All along many thought the Roberto Alomar was a shoe-in to the Hall of Fame. But, the few votes he didn't receive were because of his past and treatment of umpires. Marty Noble of MLB.com punished him for it, and I believe rightly so, after he appeared on the MLB Network and defended his decision. The top five HOF votes: Andre Dawson 420 votes 77.9% Bert Byline 400 votes 74.2% Roberto Alomar 397 votes 73.7% Jack Morris 282 votes 52.3% Barry Lark in 278 votes 51.6% Until then, see ya in Cooperstown. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Here is 2010 and before we know it, the baseball season will be right around the corner. That means the first sign of Spring. Every season I enjoy what the NHL does with their Winter Classic. Maybe it is because they play it in baseball stadiums? Maybe it is because my career in writing started in hockey and the New York Islanders magazine? But, I like the play of the Winter Classic. The Yankees have 27 World Championships now and many teams will be chasing them in 2010. I see a repeat! The Mets are trying and you can't fault them. Bernie, Omar, etc., it has been a rough season and hopefully 2010 will be the turn around. Until then, see ya at the Winter Classic. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Here's a look at the MLB activities scheduled for 2009/2010: Oct. 28: World Series begins. Nov. 09: Free agent filing first 15 days after World Series ends. Nov. 9-11: Chicago holds the GM meetings. Nov. 30-Dec. 4: MLBPA executive board meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dec. 1: Last day for salary arbitration. Dec. 7: Last day for players to accept salary arbitration. Dec. 7-10: MLB winter meetings in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dec. 12: Last day to offer 2010 contracts. 2010 Schedule Jan. 5-15: Salary arbitration filing. Jan. 6: Hall of Fame BBWAA voting announced. Jan. 19: Exchange of salary arbitration figures. Feb. 1-21: Salary arbitration hearings, St. Petersburg, Florida. Feb. 18: Spring Training reporting date for pitchers and catchers. Feb. 23: Spring Training voluntary reporting date for other players. Mar. 2: Spring Training mandatory reporting date. Until then, see ya at the park! Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Not many shockers from the prediction makers as the Yankees face the Angels in the ALCS and the Dodgers face the Phillies in the NLCS. Should be some exciting games played as the teams prepare for the road to the World Series. Before you know it, the World Series will be here and the final two teams will be known. So, it is time to get ready for the ALCS and NLCS games. This is the post season. This is The Fall Classic. Until then, see ya at the World Series. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Much to the Tigers suprise, the Twins pulled off a killing (wins) with the Royals and will be squaring off with the Tigers on Tuesday to see who will be the Central Division Champions. Jim Leyland looked a little stressed as he probably thought his team had the division. The feisty Twins, who just years ago were named as one of the teams rumored to be extinct, surprised everyone. If this is how the playoffs are going to be, it should be exciting. Until then, see ya at the Fall Classic. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Now is the time to say goodbye to the baseball season -- what a season. The Yankees turned out to be the best team, while the Mets were the one of the worst. Eric Wedge of the Cleveland Indians and Cecil Cooper of the Houston Astros were shown the door as managers. Also two GMs were fired: JP Ricciardi of the Toronto Blue Jays and Kevin Towers of the San Diego Padres. One has to wonder if Mets GM Omar Minaya will be joining them? So off to fall. The cold weather, basketball, football and hockey. The Mets have the whole off-season to turn things around. The Yankees have it all. And I will miss baseball. "Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is really appreciated." Until then, see ya at The Fall Classic. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Derek Jeter has done it. The "Captain" of the legendary New York Yankees now is the all-time Yankees career hit leader with 2,723 passing Lou Gehrig. Here's a look at the Yankees Hit Leaders: 2,723 Derek Jeter 2,721 Lou Gehrig 2,518 Babe Ruth 2,415 Mickey Mantle 2,336 Bernie Williams 2,214 Joe DiMaggio 2,153 Don Mattingly 2,148 Yogi Berra Until then, see ya at the park! Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Well...Mets' fans don't have to hang their heads down in disgust. The season is over...The Mets season is over. What started out, as predicted by many in the media, to be the year turned into a MASH mobile unit being set-up in the CitiField parking lot. We also can't forget the laughable GM Omar Minaya and all the tricks he had up his sleeve -- Adam Rubin, press conferences, Johan Santana injuries. So folks, the bleeding has stopped for the Mets. Until then, see ya at the park! Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

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