A brief aside here: My dad is at spring training in Tampa, Fla., with my cousin, a VIP in Ohio media who is following the Indians. He works as my dad tags along in a role that seems to consist of sleeping until 10 a.m., drinking cold beverages, smoking hand-rolled cigars and calling or texting me whenever possible to rub it in.

I requested he be of some use and check in every so often with updates on teams that might be of interest to the readers. He called yesterday with an evaluation of the Pirates in their game against the Phillies.

“They suck,” he said.

More to follow … perhaps. He’s watching the Yankees and Blue Jays today. Requests?