Last year’s NL Cy Young award winner is just one of many players who are in new places this spring. Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) throws during the top of the second inning of a spring training split squad game against the Boston Red Sox at Florida Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Remember “Who’s On First?”  the classic routine perfected by the legendary comedy team of Abbott and Costello ? If you’re too young to know what I‘m talking about, then YouTube it sometime. That question is even more pertinent today, with many teams cleaning house pretty frequently. A franchise will put all of it’s money and hopes into a team, win a championship, and then unload everyone to get it’s payroll back down. The Florida Marlins were the first team that I remember doing this, when after their championship season in 1997, they conducted their infamous “Fire Sale.” It’s only a gut feeling, but I’ll bet the Washington Nationals pull something similar, should all the millions they’ve spent on Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Dan Haren, and Rafael Soriano, ever bring them a World Series victory. Just a hunch.

At the risk of sounding like an old guy cliché, back in the good ol’ days the players tended to remain on teams for much longer durations. Before Curt Flood of the St. Louis Cardinals opened the gates to free agency following the 1969 season, many players stayed on one team their entire career. Stan Musial was a Cardinal, Ernie Banks was a Cub, Ted Williams played for the Red Sox, and Mickey Mantle stayed a Yankee. You couldn’t envision these players in any other uniform. Today, I would say that Derek Jeter is the only current MLB player that I would be shocked to see play for a new team. I still concede it a possibility, but I just don’t think he ever leaves New York.

February 24, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (left) and third baseman Kevin Youkilis (36) share a laugh as they stretch prior to the game during spring training against the Toronto Blue Jays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to loyalty in sports in the 21st century, I believe that the fans are much more given to feelings of team spirit and unity than a lot of GMs, owners, and even players. Players chase the bigger money at the first opportunity, regardless of any prior rivalries or previous ill feelings for a team. Not saying I blame them. Some acquisitions just shouldn’t be allowed, though. They threaten the balance of the universe. Case in point…. Kevin Youkilis. If you are a Yankee fan of at least the last several seasons you have grown to regard Kevin Youkilis with a special kind of disdain. You loved it when Mariano Rivera struck him out and maybe even rejoiced when Joba Chamberlain “let one get away” and plunked Yuke between his broad shoulders. Now, GM Brian Cashman has elected to bring in the free agent third baseman and put him in pinstripes. Just like that, a player you detest is supposed to be welcomed into the fold. The other Yankees have voiced no objection. Obviously, Cashman and Youkilis are tickled pink. It only matters to some fans, apparently.

Do the Yankees and Red Sox even have a rivalry anymore ? Does it mean anything at all to the players ? The opponents chat amiably when on base, and are known to dine out together afterwards on occasion. Since players do change teams so much, you have former teammates continuing their friendships even after they become opponents on bitter rivals. Which is fine and dandy by me. Elvis Costello correctly surmised that there’s nothing funny ‘bout peace, love, and understanding. I’m just showing how fan loyalties seem to differ from that of the players.

It used to be easier to be a fan of a team. You became more familiar with players, since they tended to stick around longer. I mean, do we even know who the players really are anymore ? In this cyber age of imaginary girlfriends and on-line aliases, you can’t be too sure, can you ? The Tampa Bay Rays seem to be where players guilty of assuming fraudulent identities, go to resurrect their careers. The former Leo Nunez is now going by his real name of Juan Carlos Oviedo and signed with Tampa Bay on January 22, 2013. Fausto Carmona had some good years in Cleveland. Now he’s known as Roberto Hernandez and was also last seen trying to win a spot in Tampa Bay‘s bullpen.

Now, let’s turn our attention to some of the player moves that feature more star power than Juan Carlos or Roberto ( or whoever they are ) possess.

February 26, 2013; Tempe, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Josh Hamilton (32) signs autographs before a spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Hamilton is the newest big addition to an already good Angels squad. Having Mike Trout leading off, with Albert Pujols and Hamilton hitting three and four, they should have opposing pitchers muttering expletives on their way back to the dugout all season.

Shin-Soo Choo might be the answer to the Reds leadoff woes. Drew Stubbs hit an anemic .213 with 166 strikeouts last year for the Reds, while often hitting in the first spot. He goes to Cleveland in exchange for Choo. Choo hit .283, but also struck out too much, fanning 150 times himself.

The Upton brothers will both patrol the outfield for the Atlanta Braves. However, the two young men are widely considered to be talented players who have underachieved to this point. Early in his career, Justin was touted as a possible MVP candidate and perhaps to be a “new Ken Griffey, Jr.”. Brother B.J. has also had some up and down years with the Tampa Bay Rays. Many fans are waiting to see if they can finally put it all together.

Nick Swisher, Rafael Soriano, Russell Martin, Raul Ibanez, Andruw Jones, and Eric Chavez all leave the New York Yankees via free agency. Don‘t let the door hit you on the way out, boys. The much-maligned Kevin Youkilis ( for the White Sox last year, he hit a paltry .235 and struck out 108 times in 438 at bats ) arrives to hold down the hot corner. A-Rod is injured and possibly in hot water over PEDs again. Curtis Granderson just broke his forearm at the start of the preseason and is out until May, making the departures of Swisher and Ibanez sting all the more.

The Toronto Blue Jays made several big acquisitions. R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, and Mark Buerhle come in to bolster their pitching staff. While Melky Cabrera and Jose Reyes will help the offense. With Juan Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion already in the lineup, the Jays were no slouch at the plate even last year.

Better buy a program when you attend your first game this year, as these are just a few of the player moves since the 2012 season ended. Look for even more free agent activity as the preseason goes on. As players are released, they will be considered for holes on other teams. Already speculation is rampant on how the Yankees might fill the void left by Curtis Granderson in the outfield. Vernon Wells name has been whispered, as has the names of two former Yankees, Johnny Damon and Alfonso Soriano.

Last year Brad Keselowski took the Sprint Cup, but can he repeat this year? What drivers are trending upward while others fade? Find the answers in our full NASCAR preview. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

It’s almost time for the gentlemen ( and ladies ) to start their engines again ! There are a lot of driver and crew chief changes that have taken place in the off-season. The Sprint Cup season begins with one simmering feud and one budding new romance. ( One of which involves Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer. Guess which one ? ) All developments which will serve to make this NASCAR season an interesting one to follow.

The 2012 season ended with Brad Keselowski fending off Clint Bowyer and five-time champion, Jimmie Johnson, to win his first championship. This season, the Dodges are gone, largely due to the fact that Penske Racing has made the jump to Ford. Roger will also be getting his engines from Roush-Yates now, after years of always building his own. This could be quite an adjustment for Keselowski and his new Penske teammate, Joey Logano. Logano comes to Penske after four years of under-achieving for Joe Gibbs Racing.

JGR might have lost faith in Logano, but they are bringing in Matt Kenseth. Kenseth is a consistent Chase participant and brings a winning attitude to a team that is already strong, with Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch on board.

NASCAR can be every bit as good of a soap opera as “The Young And The Restless”. If R & B singer Chris Brown isn’t the poster boy for anger management therapy, then the title must belong to the easily irritable, Kurt Busch. He has a long history of run-ins with reporters. Penske gave him his walking papers, but his issues continued to be a problem with Phoenix Racing last year. He begins this season with Furniture Row Racing, replacing the talented Regan Smith, who has joined Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Nationwide team. Furniture Row Racing is a single-car operation, and Kurt is basically starting at the bottom to try and restore his reputation.

The “ First Couple Of NASCAR “ may still be Kevin and Delana Harvick, but Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. are sure to have tongues wagging and camera phones clicking this year. I hope the two lovebirds don’t let their battle for Rookie Of The Year bring trouble to paradise !

Reportedly, Clint Bowyer is still infuriated with Jeff Gordon, after the Wonder Boy wrecked him in Phoenix, ending any hope Bowyer still had of winning the 2012 championship. Will there be quick retaliation at Daytona ?

The racing will begin this Saturday, February16th, with the Sprint Unlimited At Daytona
( formerly the Budweiser Shootout, formerly the Busch Clash ). No points are awarded, but a large purse is at stake, encouraging the drivers to take more risks than they normally might. Qualifications begin on February 17th, with the Gatorade Duel qualifying races scheduled for Thursday, February 21. The Super Bowl of NASCAR, the Daytona 500, will take place on Sunday, February 24.

Here is how I rank the top thirty drivers in Sprint Cup, as the season begins….

Nov 18, 2012; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

1. Jimmie Johnson – He is still the most consistent driver around. He handles the pressure of big races better than anyone and he’s on a team that can afford the best of everything. He also has one of the best crew chiefs in Chad Knauss, however unscrupulous he may be.

2. Denny Hamlin- Hamlin is now one of the elite drivers in my opinion. He led the series with five wins and was ranked second with fourteen top-5 finishes.

3. Brad Keselowski- This will just be his fourth full season, and he should continue to put up impressive numbers and bring home a lot of wins. Penske’s switch to Ford could require some adjustments, however.

4. Kasey Kahne- After a dreadful start to the season, Kahne finished last year on fire. He has the tools and the backing to challenge for the title.

5. Kyle Busch- Busch’s up and down seasons are perplexing. He drives with a reckless abandon that sometimes results in DNFs for the talented driver. Still, he led all drivers with seven top-5 finishes last year.

6. Matt Kenseth- The addition of Kenseth could ensure a monster season for Joe Gibbs Racing. I have three Gibbs drivers ranked in my top six. Maybe collectively, they can team up to keep the championship from going back to Johnson or Keselowski.

7. Tony Stewart- His detractors say that he’ll have his hands so full with Danica Patrick’s transition to Sprint Cup, and with paving the way for friend Kevin Harvick to join the fold next year, that his own performance will suffer. They also said running his own team would prevent him from winning a championship. They were wrong.

8. Jeff Gordon- Gordon has been after his elusive fifth championship title for some time now, and some might say that his best years are behind him. He is still a front-runner in a stable of strong Hendricks drivers. The “ Rainbow Warriors “ remain one of the top pit crews, as well.

9. Carl Edwards- Edwards should have a rebound season for Roush Racing this year. He only has three wins in four seasons, but he should return to his old, reliable self. Expect some top-5 and top-10 finishes from Carl, and maybe even a back-flip or two along the way.

10. Clint Bowyer- He has at least sixteen top-10’s in six straight seasons. That is pretty impressive, sports fans.

11. Dale Earnhardt, Jr.- Dale should continue to rack up top-10 and top-15 finishes and he remains the most popular driver in the sport. Until he can start finding the winner’s circle consistently, he and his many fans won’t be celebrating any championships, though.

12. Greg Biffle- Biffle finished second in total points scored over the course of the entire season and had twenty-one top-10 finishes.

13. Kevin Harvick – Harvick enters his final year with Richard Childress Racing, and one wonders if the fire still burns in that race team. His numbers have declined for two years running, and he may be looking ahead to next year with Tony Stewart. At least for Kevin, even on a bad day, he still has the hottest wife in NASCAR. ( Delana. She took the crown when Buffy Waltrip and Michael finally divorced in 2010. )

Nov 18, 2012; Homestead, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (6) leaves a trail of sparks during the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

14. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.- Ricky is the favorite for Rookie Of The Year honors. He replaces Matt Kenseth at Roush Racing, and I expect him to adapt quickly to Sprint Cup Racing after a great stint in the Nationwide series.

15. Martin Truex, Jr.- He still needs to cut down on his DNFs to make a serious run at The Chase, but he set career highs for himself last year.

16. Ryan Newman
17. Paul Menard
18. Joey Logano
19. Mark Martin
20. Kurt Busch
21. Aric Almirola
22. Marcos Ambrose
23. Jeff Burton
24. Jamie McMurray
25. Brian Vickers
26. David Ragan
27. Juan Pablo Montoya
28. Bobby Labonte
29. Danica Patrick
30. Trevor Bayne