Pitchers and Catchers Report

On February 15, I will turn 39. But even more important than that, MLB pitchers and catchers report for spring traning. Baseball is looming over the horizon. One of life's greatest feelings, knowing the boys of summer are preparing.

It doesn't take a historian to note that a lot has changed since Bruce Sutter, who will enter the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this summer, led the National League with 25 saves in a strike-shortened 1981 season.Gone are the polyester uniforms and most of the stolen bases, replaced by fashionable new duds and even more fashionable home runs. Starters no longer finish many games, and closer no longer start many eighth innings. The game of baseball itself may be timeless, but its many nuances change with the times. Here is a look back at the last 25 years in baseball innovations.


Addition of wild cards expands pennant races and the postseason field
Advent of interleague play
Cable and pay-per-view packages make almost any game viewable
Oriole Park at Camden Yards ushers in a new era of retro ballparks
Revenue sharing that resulted from the strike in 1994-95
Expansion adds the Diamondbacks, Devil Rays, Marlins and Rockies
Dramatic increase in offense and power hitting
Steroids fuel power explosion and force baseball to reform drug testing
Dramatic increase in Latin American players; one in four MLB players now Latino
Bullpen specialization redefines the final innings of games
Younger general managers bring new ideas and fresh perspective to front offices
Dramatic increase in Asian players makes scouting a global task
Internet makes baseball history easily accessible to fans, fueling research and nostalgia
Development of fantasy baseball, fueled by easy-to-manage internet leagues
Tommy John surgery becomes almost routine, prolonging careers
Development of the splitter
College baseball gains equal footing with high school for high-profile draft picks
Day games no longer a part of World Series schedule
Scheduled doubleheaders disappear
Symbolically fueled by ''Bull Durham'' minor leagues become big business
Home Run Derby takes center stage before the All-Star Game

Without the wild card, Boston is still "cursed" instead of 2004's champs.

Favorite 10 baseball movies:
10. Angels in the Outfield
9. The Natural
8. A League of Their Own
7. 61
6. The Sandlot
5. Major League
4. For Love of the Game
3. The Rookie
2. Fever Pitch
1. Field of Dreams