Hanley Ramirez has no problem with playing third base. In recent weeks, the three-time All-Star talked with manager Ozzie Guillen about sliding over to third.

When the new wave of ballparks began sprouting up in the 1990s,Commissioner Bud Selig knew that harkening back to the intimacy of old-school designs would alter the way baseball games might be played. He didn't know back then that those parks would have a big impact on the way NHL games are played, too.

For the most part, a sea of red was transformed into a sea of orange as the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the New York Rangers in the fifth annual Winter Classic on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

Just like last year — when he cracked the Angels' Opening Day roster, but was sent down 3 1/2 months into the season — Hank Conger will have plenty to prove this Spring Training.

A division not always used to making headlines, the National League Central has been the epicenter for baseball news over the past three months. From the Cardinals' World Series run to the Reds' win-now makeover, no division had more intriguing developments over the final quarter of 2011.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said the club entered the New Year with no word about the status of outfielder Ryan Braun, and the club has until 4 p.m. CT on Jan. 17 to work out a contract for Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki.

While the Tigers ran away with the American League Central in 2011, the fact that the White Sox and Twins were supposed to contend for the top slot speaks volumes about the unpredictability of the division.

It's a wonder the 2011 World Series even matched up the Cardinals and Rangers, never mind seeing the clubs play seven stunning, draining, historic games. A twist here, a turn there, and who knows if either even makes it to the Fall Classic.

Tigers' slugger Miguel Cabrera's dominance in "rate stats" over the past two seasons nearly put him in the company of some of history's greatest first basemen.

The Blue Jays reacquired veteran reliever Jason Frasor from Chicago on New Years' Day in exchange for Minor Leaguers Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb.

A season of mystery lies ahead for fans in 2012, after a host of player moves, as well as several changes in dugouts and front offices, marked a volatile offseason.

The last day of the 2011 season saw a pair of compelling stories come to fruition. The Cardinals finished their improbable rise to the playoffs, while the Rays' collapse felt its final innings.

The night of Sept. 28, 2011, is one that will be celebrated for decades and chronicled as one of the most magical few-hour spans the game has ever seen. But for two cities and two franchises, it will be remembered as a dark night that served as a fitting gut-punch from a month gone very, very bad.

The arrival of 2012 means that the next Major League Baseball season is getting closer. Fans will have plenty to look forward to during the upcoming year, including 12 possible storylines that could dominate the summer.

Kathy Porter, the wife of Braves head athletic trainer Jeff Porter, died Saturday when the Porters' vehicle was struck by a Georgia State Patrol cruiser in downtown Atlanta.

The Phillies are playing the part of a terrific civic partner, hosting Monday's annual Bridgestone Classic for the National Hockey League. The regular season game between the Flyers and rival Rangers is slated for 1 p.m. ET on Monday.

Could the first big trade of 2012 send Matt Garza out of Chicago? The Cubs have reportedly been talking to several teams, including the Marlins, about the 28-year-old right-hander.