Links of the Day + mascot bloopers

Just because, here’s a video of some mascot bloopers:

Your links of the day:

Out of all the coaching staffs in the Pac-10, UCLA’s has the most NFL experience. (Bruins Nation)

A season preview for the Blue Jays in haiku form and a not too pleased Roy Halladay. (Babes Love Baseball)

If the Devil Rays went to the NL, they might be pretty good. (Bugs & Cranks)

Johan Santana was traded for some Prada shoes. For real. (Larry Brown Sports)

Division I’s last team without a win fired their coach. There’s only one game left, NJIT might finish 0-29. (One More Dying Quail)

Over/unders for MLB teams this season. (Vegas Watch)

Dog shows are not a sport. (We Suck at Sports)

Prince Fielder is not going to eat meat anymore. (Signal to Noise)

39 days ’til Opening Day: Chone Figgins

There are 39 days left until that best day of the year, MLB Opening Day.

Chone Figgins was valuable early in his career mostly because of his versatility and his speed.

Last season he became valuable because of his bat too, getting on base 39% of the time (with an OPS+ of 117), easily his best season ever. He finished 6th in the AL in batting average (.330) and 10th in the AL in on-base percentage (.393).

It looks like Figgins will be playing mostly at third base this year. With the outfield pretty deep and Howie Kendrick at second base, Figgins probably won’t have to rotate positions much. But I’d rather him be valuable because he’s a good hitter than because he can play everywhere on the field.

Here’s hoping Figgins keeps up the good hitting.