Dear Winter

In Scottsdale, AZ at 3:11 p.m. Eastern, wiry Giants righty Tim Lincecum threw a first-pitch ball, low and inside, to Arizona's Willie Bloomquist. And with that, Spring Training began. Major-league pitchers are honing their deliveries; major-league hitters likewise their swings. Tomorrow brings a full slate of games in the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues, including my Blue Jays' Florida debut vs. the Detroit Tigers.

In a little over a month, the boys of summer will make their way north ... to Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago; to New York, Seattle, and Boston; to Pittsburgh and Philly and Baltimore. Yes, even to chilly Toronto.

Baseball is coming. Winter, you have been warned.