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Hail to the Giants, worthy champions again. But even their nifty drive to the title can't disguise the continuing decline of the World Series brand.

Any way you crunch the numbers, Johnny Cueto comes out near the top. But for some reason, the Reds' ace and Game 1 starter still flies under the radar.

Although there are more high-profile spots on the calendar, the next six weeks of the baseball season is by far the most intriguing. This period of discovery foreshadows the pennant finale and October glory.

It's always a harbinger of hope, sure. But in this year's mixed-up, locked-out sports world, baseball's Opening Day is something else, too. It's shelter from the storm.

It's always a harbinger of hope, sure. But in this year's mixed-up, locked-out sports world, baseball's Opening Day is something else, too. It's shelter from the storm.

In a life filled with good times and bad, Dusty Baker takes pride in having now guided three different teams to the postseason.

From the diamond to the the tennis courts, bigger, more powerful is better. Is height and strength pushing skill out of sports?