Sports

MOVIN’ ON

Port St. Lucie is in my rear view window.

It’s always tough leaving PSL because it’s so close to Jensen Beach, one of my favorite spots in Florida and a place that hasn’t been taken over by Condo World that has nearly every part of the state in its grip.

Jensen Beach also is Martin County, not St. Lucie County, and they have some building rules in Martin County, no building can be more than four stories high and that has kept some of the charm in the county.

The charm of Mets spring training will soon be replaced by the rigidness of the Yankees, where life is a bit more stern, but always fascinating and where there is Star Power deluxe and egos that just don’t quit. That’s part of what makes the Yankees so attractive. I won’t get to Tampa for awhile so we’ll have time to look closely at many issues and many teams.

Let’s start with these.

We enter a new phase of Where’s Kernan? starting with Monday Mailbag tomorrow. If you have a question or comment, send it along, even if you’re busting my chops, I will offer a reaction. If you are a little off the deep end, I’ll probably ignore you.

•I love dogs, but why would you bring your yapping little pooch on an airplane? I can live with a crying baby seated next to me, that’s life and anyone with a family, we’ve all been there, but what do you do about a barking dog? Any suggestions?

•I’ve said it from Day One, Joel Pineiro will not survive as the Red Sox closer. Even Bill James can see that it makes no sense. Jonathan Papelbon will return to that role at some point. Pinero gave up four runs Saturday in one inning against the Phillies. Even in spring training, closers don’t have those kinds of outings.

•Carl Pavano did better today against the Phils than Pineiro did. Maybe Pavano will be the Yankees next closer.

•Can’t beat the 3-D glasses in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, that’s advertising genius at work right there.

•I get the feeling that A-Rod is laughing at all of us, all the way to the bank.

•It was about three years ago when I mentioned that HGH will be the new wave of cheating in baseball. By the way, I love the tainted supplement argument when athletes fail those tests that are so easy to beat. If the supplement was tainted don’t you think they might sue somebody?

•Curt Schilling has added a changeup because hitters have been sitting on his fastball. He worked into the fourth today against the Twins.

•Mark Prior, who goes tomorrow, has gotten a lot more aggressive with his mental approach to pitching and and that will help him overcome his physical woes. He basically realizes that there will be some pain.

Happy Birthday Tom Lampkin.