This late in the spring, you're more apprehensive than anything. He said it was mild. He felt it on one of his pitches -- he sort of winced.

An older club tends to get it together later than a young club. Just like spring training. Young guys, two weeks, they're ready to go. Where the older guys, it takes them longer to get their timing.

He said he could go one more. But you could see he was laboring out there, throwing the ball high,

Maybe I shouldn't have cursed. I had just given him the highest compliment last week when I said he's one of the pitchers I respect most in the league, because he doesn't clown, he doesn't showboat. He just pitches.

That's not overrated. One thing's for sure. Good hitting really beats bad pitching. You can count on that one.

I got no one to root for. I sure as heck ain't rooting for the White Sox or Cardinals.