Former Red Sox GM Lou Gorman dies  —  Lou Gorman, who built three playoff teams in his 10 seasons as the Red Sox general manager, died this morning at age 82.  —  A family member confirmed to the Globe that Gorman died at 1:50 a.m.  —  “Lou Gorman was a legendary figure in the game of baseball …

Rockies' non-stars will determine how season goes  —  In pursuit of truth, rising Rockies star Troy Tulowitzki needed to pose a tough question to Albert Pujols, three-time MVP of the National League.  —  Does the best hitter on the planet fear failure?  —  The answer might keep you awake nights, worried about monsters under the bed.

Jays have a gambling chance for second place  —  As a baseball fan (I hate the word!), hope springs eternal for the Toronto Blue Jays—as it does on opening day every year.  —  This year, however, is a bit different — and not just because it's April Fool's Day.  —  First of all, let's clarify the “fan” aspect.

Plenty to like with Dodgers' stars  —  LOS ANGELES  —  Public opinion polls can be expensive, and, as you may have heard, the Los Angeles Dodgers aren't keen on spending money unless they have to.  Fortunately for them, baseball produces an annual fan referendum at no cost.  It's called Opening Day.

Giants Extend Freddy Sanchez  —  The Giants have reached an agreement with second baseman Freddy Sanchez on a one-year, $6MM extension, MLBTR has learned.  The Giants have confirmed the agreement (on Twitter).  —  Sanchez's previous contract, signed in October of 2009, runs through this year …

Pujols has an epically poor opening day  —  ST. LOUIS - The worst game of Albert Pujols'  —  career included the sort of denouement reserved for far lesser beings.  To those inside the game of baseball and especially those who spent Thursday in this city's secular cathedral, Busch Stadium, Pujols is a god of the sport.

Matt Holliday to undergo appendectomy  —  Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday will undergo an appendectomy today.  —  Holliday, who hit a solo home run in the opener, went home after the 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Padres and began feeling pain.  —  General manager John Mozeliak said the club …

Opening day 2011: Nationals have added gloves — and strikeouts  —  Gallery: Nationals opening day: The Nationals drop their opener to the Braves, 2-0.  —  The Nationals can catch the ball now.  They proved that on opening day.  —  Can they hit it?  That may take months to answer and define their season.

Phillies score three in ninth, rally to down Astros  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pinch-hitter John Mayberry Jr. lined an RBI single off closer Brandon Lyon that capped a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning Friday and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Houston Astros 5-4.

Morneau will be no picnic for Romero  —  The good news is that Ricky Romero says he's not scared.  —  The bad news is he has every right to be scared.  —  The Blue Jays' schedule the first month of the season is like a walk through baseball's version of Death Valley.

Charlie Manuel tweaks Phillies opening-day lineup  —  Ninety-four times last season, Charlie Manuel changed the batting order of his lineup.  Injuries, ineffectiveness, and indecision prompted a new combination regularly.  Yet his starting eight was arranged in exactly the same way for Game 1 as it was in Game 162.

Comparing 2011 Division Projections  —  Last year before the 2010 season started I looked at how a couple different projection systems saw the season playing out.  With this season just one day old, I wanted to do the same for the 2011 projections.  Here I take a graphical look at the number …

Mets' Mike Pelfrey gets his chance on Opening Day to prove he can be the ace with Johan Santana out  —  MIAMI - Mike Pelfrey grew as a pitcher and person last year, managed a midsummer slump and became the Mets' de facto ace when Johan Santana suffered a serious shoulder injury in September.

Weeks, Gomez hit back-to-back jacks  —  CINCINNATI — Sure, the Brewers were bummed about Zack Greinke's place on the Opening Day disabled list.  But they showed Thursday how they'll try to get by in his absence.  —  Rickie Weeks and Carlos Gomez delivered back-to-back home runs in the Brewers …