Bochy similar to Alou, according to new book  —  Writer/historian James examines managers in his latest baseball handbook  —  Bill James has noticed that whenever fans start debating the merits of a manager, there are essentially two types of arguments.  —  There is "He's a genius."

Hamilton's Red-letter spring is made for Hollywood … SARASOTA, Fla. — Sometimes, the stories we tell aren't really baseball stories.  —  Sometimes, they're just the stories of human beings — people who rise, who fall, who sadden us, who inspire us.  We only use baseball as a reason to tell those tales.

Let's Make a Deal!  —  In a market that values a league-average starting pitcher at $10 million a season guaranteed for performance that is decidedly not so, finding five guys who fit that description isn't easy.  Looking around, there aren't five teams who, even in hopeful sunshine of March …

Hansen back in mix: Young righty makes first appearance  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - On the day the Red Sox [team stats] lost reliever Mike Timlin [stats] to injury, Craig Hansen made his return.  —  The young right-hander pitched for the first time this spring, allowing three hits and two runs …

Hope and Faith  —  How the Milwaukee Brewers Can Win the World Series … —Bud Selig  —  These aren't Bud Selig's Brewers.  Selig may have brought baseball back to Beer City, maybe swindled a big freaky stadium out of the state, and he may be a peachy commissioner …

Braves ink Redman to minor-league deal  —  The Altanta Braves, acting quickly to replace injured left-hander Mike Hampton, have signed free agent lefty Mark Redman to a minor-league contract, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Redman will pitch for the Braves Saturday in a Grapefruit League game …

Hendrickson hopes to make roster, stay  —  Out of Minor League options, prospect eyeing big-league shot  —  PHOENIX — Simple question: Does Ben Hendrickson, who has been stalled in "prospect" purgatory for three years, feel like this is the year he finally cracks the Brewers roster and stays long enough to unpack his suitcase?

Notes: Sanchez in Randolph's doghouse  —  Reliever's tardiness leads to one-day banishment from camp  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — In Willie Randolph's clubhouse, rules are rigid or they're not rules at all, but merely guidelines.  As the Mets manager explained that Thursday, his back became rigid …

Andruw Jones ready to strike gold  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Andruw Jones shuffles through the Atlanta Braves' clubhouse, full of bravado and bluster, the voice rising as he switches easily from English to Spanish to rant about some perceived slight during batting practice.  —  Not to worry.

An expert's take on Rays … ESPN's Peter Gammons might know more about baseball than anyone on the planet.  In the 1970s and '80s, his full-page Sunday columns in the Boston Globe became a must read not only for sports fans but baseball executives.  He went on to work for Sports Illustrated …

The Best Benches in the National League  —  Earlier this week, I took a look at the best benches in the American League.  Naturally, it's time to switch our focus to the senior circuit.  —  In general, benches appear to be a little weaker in the National League.

What's a Hum dinger?  —  Just as Mike Pelfrey took a step towards making the Mets rotation on Thursday, Phil Humber took a step away from serious consideration on Friday.  Humber, pitching in relief of John Maine in the Mets' 9-5 loss to the Tigers at Tradition Field, allowed three runs on two hits and two walks in two innings.