Major League Baseball started Sunday night, with the Boston Red Sox coming from behind to whip the mighty New York Yankees, 9-7. When October rolls around, all the teams will have played 162 games, and the World Series will be the focus of our attention.

Baseball, however, is more fun in the spring. Maybe, just maybe, the Atlanta Braves can send manager Bobby Cox out on a high note in his last year of managing. Those playoffs we took for granted for 14 years are now but a musty memory and only Chipper Jones is left from those teams. This is his last year as well, as he gets ready for a certain Hall of Fame induction.

But more than Braves fans are hopeful in April. Perhaps the Chicago Cubs can overcome their long-standing failure and finally make it to a World Series. Perhaps the Red Sox will continue their winning ways and once again replace the Yankees as world champs. Or perhaps the Yankees and all their talent will win it all again.

At the moment, every team is in contention. And over 162 games, anything can happen. That is why we watch.

Batter up!