Around the AL - AthlonSports.com

AL Notes: No. 500...and counting

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera earned his 500th career save last weekend. Rivera is the second reliever to record 500 saves, joining all-time leader Trevor Hoffman.

AL Notes: Smoltz starts tonight for Sox

When John Smoltz takes the mound Thursday night for the Boston Red Sox, he’ll be working on 387 days’ rest. And he'll also be working in a different uniform, the first time that he’s attempted to add to his 210 career wins in a non-Braves jersey.

AL Notes: Halladay latest Jay to visit DL

This week's AL Notes looks at the injury problems that have plagued the Blue Jays, Boston's surplus of pitchers, Dontrelle Willis' latest setback and more.

AL Notes: Verlander bringing the heat again

Each time that Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander steps on a mound, you have to wonder: How did this guy lead the American League in losses last year? Right now, Verlander is 7-2 and leads the AL in strikeouts.

AL Notes: Escobar returns for the Angels

This week's edition of the AL Notes looks at the return of the Angels' Kelvim Escobar, Matt Wieters' defense, Josh Hamilton's second trip to the DL and other happenings around the league.

AL Notes: Wieters gets the call to Baltimore

The minor leagues couldn’t hold baseball’s No. 1 prospect any longer. Just days after David Price made his first start of 2009 for Tampa Bay, Baltimore announced catcher Matt Wieters would be making his debut Friday night.

AL Notes: Papi ends drought with first homer

The moment was worthy of a curtain call. Newspaper presses were stopped in Boston, and not because of the sorry state of the industry. That's right, Big Papi finally hit a home run.

AL Notes: Willis returns to the Tigers

Once one of the brightest prospects in baseball, Dontrelle Willis has been living a "traveling circus" for the last few months. He returned to the big leagues Wednesday night.

AL Notes: Grienke has been darn near perfect

At some point this season, Kansas City Royals right-hander Zack Greinke will lose a game. The odds say he won’t go undefeated. He’s bound to slip. But Greinke has two shutouts and three complete games this season. That isn’t perfect, but it’s darn close.

AL Notes: A-Rod getting close

Alex Rodriguez was scheduled to serve as the designated hitter Thursday in an intrasquad game at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa. It’s the latest step forward in his return from right hip surgery.

2009 Racing - Jimmie Johnson
The 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup season is just around the corner, and after a record-setting performance by three-time champion Jimmie Johnson, fans are clamoring for the roar of the en...
$6.99

Ron Turcotte Autographed Secretariat Belmont 16x20 Photo
Ron Turcotte hand autographed Secretariat Color 16x20 Photo from the Belmont Stakes. Photo is Limited Edition. In 1973, Secretariat became the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years...
$159.00
$75.00

Ron Turcotte Autographed Secretariat Belmont 8x10 Photo
Ron Turcotte became internationally famous in 1973 when he rode Secretariat to the first Triple Crown win in 25 years. In the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, Secretariat set a t...
$119.00
$59.00

- RB Sleepers

Athlon continues its release of the 2009 college fantasy draft kit with a look at the runn... more

- The Tide has turned in Alabama

Thanks to the hiring of Nick Saban, the balance of power has shifted between Alabama's two... more

- 13 things to watch in 2009: Part 4

This is Part 4 of a four-part series detailing 13 things to watch during the 2009 NFL seas... more

- 2009 Stanford Cardinal Preview

He’s got a 9–15 record in his first two seasons, but Jim Harbaugh has created a buzz a... more

- 2009 Boston College Eagles Preview

Even though Boston College returns 12 starters from last year’s 9–5 squad, it would be... more