NOTES: Team bonding

And a history lesson to boot
By Beth Sass / hereforthesass.blogspot.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Sass decided their team-building this year will be to gather before every game for a rousing round of “Ring around the Rosie.” The younger boys particularly enjoyed dramatic falls at the end, while the older guys tended to drop to a sitting position in a more controlled manner.

“Well, I can see it’s a fun game for kids, so I have no problem indulging them,” said utility player Casey Blake, who will be filling in at third base. “But they bounce back easily. I can’t risk getting injured playing a kid’s game. The press would go insane, to say nothing of Beth, who was panicked about third base until she found out I could still play there.”

“Wheee!” said pitcher Kyle Kendrick, who toppled over with a dramatic fall, “This is the most fun since the last time [outfielder Lastings Milledge] and I put the snake on Beth’s desk.

Manager Beth Sass raised her eyebrows at this, now knowing who was responsible for that little prank.

Tired, but not retired The Sass are usually known for their youth, so it was surprised when they signed on closer Joe Borowski. Joe is the oldest Sassian, nearly a year older than catcher Paul Lo Duca, and anchors a pitching staff of youth. The younger men refer to him as their grandfather, as the next younger guys are Grant Balfour and Matt Guerrier, who are six and seven years younger than Joe.

As a gift, pitchers Kyle Kendrick and Joel Zumaya bought him a rocking chair to keep in the bullpen, and infielder Edgar Renteria is working on crocheting a lap blanket.

Recovered Outfielder Nate McLouth was feeling much better and returned to Sass Spring Training, and is expected to start the year with the team. Zumaya and Andy LaRoche stayed behind in Nice, and expect to spend the early part of the season there.