An American classic.

A’s closer Sean Doolittle, always an entertaining interview, found great pleasure in exclaiming to reporters three times Saturday morning, “I’m in the best shape of my life!”

It wasn’t the atmosphere of Opening Day, but throwing off the mound for the first time in Spring Training on Saturday afternoon was reason to celebrate for Marlins ace Jose Fernandez.

Stephen Strasburg is a free agent after the 2016 season, but free agency was the last thing on his mind Saturday morning as he worked out at the Nationals’ Spring Training facility.

Since Jake Arrieta won the National League Cy Young Award, it would seem he would be the Cubs’ Opening Day starter. Manager Joe Maddon wasn’t ready to say that on Saturday because he wanted to talk to the other starting pitchers.

Now that Jake Arrieta has pitched into October, the right-hander knows how important it is to be strong at the end of the season, which is why he’s accepted the Cubs’ plan to hold him back a bit in Spring Training.

Tyler Beede plans to dabble as a rapper, not double as one. Beede intends to launch a website (tylerbeede.com) that will feature about a half-dozen of his recordings, reflecting an interest in music that has gripped him since high school. For now, however, the rhythm he seeks is found on the pitcher’s mound, not in the studio or on stage.

Returning home to the Dominican Republic this past winter, Luis Severino experienced some increased levels of fame. The young Yankees hurler was regularly stopped on the street to pose for cellphone selfies and sign autographs.

Cole Hamels learned from great pitchers in Philadelphia as he rose to become one of the best left-handed starters in the game. Now, having been dealt to Texas at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline last season, he is in a different position as a mentor.

At his first Major League camp, Lucas Giolito — the Nationals’ No. 1 prospect — outlined his primary target for 2016. “My goal is to definitely reach the big leagues,” he said. “I feel like if I continue to progress the way I want to, I’ll have a good shot.”

Eight months after being selected with the first pick in last year’s Draft, Dansby Swanson has come to his first big league Spring Training as one of the most intriguing players in Braves camp. But the former Vanderbilt University star certainly hasn’t yet separated himself from his roots.

For Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, change is the operative word this spring. New faces all around him, new results hoped for when it comes to a playoff push for the Mariners, and yes, a new look for The King himself as he prepares for his eighth straight Opening Day start.

“I’m just trying to prepare my body, along with my mind, to be as strong as I could for the season coming up,” Lance McCullers said. “It’s a long year, but trying to prepare myself to handle that workload.”

Jordan Zimmermann plans to be “the same old Jordan” in 2016. The Detroit Tigers would be just fine with that level of accomplishment. One of the reasons for renewed optimism in Tiger Town this Spring Training is the acquisition of Zimmermann. He figures to be the No. 2 starter in Detroit’s rotation behind a once again healthy Justin Verlander.

Youth took center stage at the Urban Invitational on Saturday, as Major League Baseball held several events designed to benefit the next generation of potential players.

The Barry Bonds batting coach era began with the Marlins on Saturday as the former left-handed power hitter met with the local media for the first time as the club’s hitting coach.

The most impactful everyday player on the Marlins is back. He’s bigger and stronger than ever, and most importantly, he’s healthy. Giancarlo Stanton, now 26, is fully recovered the broken left hamate bone that limited him to just 74 games a year ago. When Miami’s full-squad workouts get underway on Tuesday at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter, Fla., Stanton will be at full speed.