The new MLB postseason  —  How expansion will affect September races, postseason schedule and much more  —  For 6½ decades, baseball invited only two teams to its postseason extravaganza.  Those were the days.  It's now 2012, and this sport has actually quintupled that number.

Replacing the Duncan trunks  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • This vast traveling library lived in a red, wheeled trunk that was modeled after an equipment box that was once re-engineered to have a secret compartment for stashing booze during prohibition.  —  Hiding goodies goes with the job.

Cubs call Braun collector a pro … Several Chicago Cubs players spoke Friday in support of the man who collected Ryan Braun's urine sample, despite the fact his handling of the sample led to Braun's 50-game suspension being overturned by an arbitrator.  —  The legal team for the Milwaukee …

Alex Rodriguez steps up to challenge Yankees  —  TAMPA, Fla. - On the morning of the first game they'd play since Game 5, the night the New York Yankees all went home for the winter, Alex Rodriguez stood before them and, according to witnesses, gave the sort of speech that wouldn't have been possible five years ago.

Mets having fun as they try to improve ‘D’  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — First comes the familiar slap of the fungo bat, followed closely by the voice of Ike Davis.  —  “Nice one, Rabbit.”  “C'mon, Captain Ron.”  And finally, “Let's go, Forrest.”  —  So what, or more precisely whom, is Davis talking about?

Pitching prospects Matt Harvey and Jeurys Familia have NY Mets armed for future  —  Mets can't wait for prospects to pitch in  —  Mets prospect Jeurys Familia impresses batters and Mets wth two scoreless innings.  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — An intrasquad game without a single projected starter in either lineup?

Dummy Hoy movie script ready  —  Ellsworth “Dummy” Hoy (right) and 1940s Reds pitcher Ewell “The Whip” Blackwell at Crosley Field.  —  If Robert Redford was “The Natural,” who would be “The Silent Natural?”  —  Steve Sandy of Columbus has a screenplay ready for a movie about Dummy Hoy …

Manny quiet, Montero shaken up in spring training opener  —  Manny Ramirez had a quiet debut for Oakland and Jesus Montero had a painful start for Seattle on Friday as the Mariners beat the Athletics 8-5 in an exhibition opener.  —  Ramirez saw only three pitches in two at-bats in his first game …

Healing Trumbo more comfortable at third  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Instead of lazily shagging balls in the outfield while his teammates are taking batting practice, Mark Trumbo has made it a point to position himself at third base at Tempe Diablo Stadium, hoping to field as many hard-hit ground balls off the bat as possible.

Inside the Phillies: Who needs sabermetrics?  —  Phillies evaluate players the old-fashioned way.