ound"Astros NewsThe pitching was not exactly on point in yesterday’s 12-9 exhibition win over Pittsburgh (Sports 610 Radio)And though he was knocked around a little http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-b.j.-upton-jersey , it capped a strong spring for Whitley (USA Today)The game also marked the official opening of the Astros’ Hall of Fame (Astros.com)Here are four thoughts on JV’s monster contract extension (HoustonPress)Which also extends him into record territory (FanGraphs)And gets Mrs. Verlander pumped, who’s happy to stick round for the next 3 years (KHOU 11)Charlie Morton had a little chat with the Athletic about how his time with the Astros came to a close and what the future holds (The Athletic, $$$)Let’s peep at the payroll now that the dust is settling from extension week (Climbing Tal’s Hill)George Springer and I have a good feeling about the team’s makeup this season (Houston Chronicle)The Hooks and the Express will play a home-and-home series this weekend for the inaugural Houston Astros Futures Weekend (The Runner Sports)The Astros were recognized on the State Senate floor this week for their 2017 WS title (KXAN)They also got to party with Ludacris, who performed for owner Jim Crane’s wife’s birthday (ABC 13)Around the LeagueAre contract extensions becoming the new normal? (Baseball America)It seems like the Opener might be here to stay, which would mean an adjustment in some stats as well as strategy (The Ringer)Speaking of changes, it looks as though the LOOGY may not be long for this world with the upcoming 3-batter minimum rule (Sports Illustrated)Former Astro Dan Straily has been cut by the Marlins in what appears to be an effort to trim payroll (ESPN)The Hall of Fame will recognize the humble but ubiquitous baseball card with its new Shoebox Treasures display (CUT4) FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — It’s early in spring training, time to get the new mitt ready.Or is it?For the World Series champion Boston Red Sox, some like the feel of new leather, some like it old. Some are superstitious and don’t like change and others don’t worry about that even after a great season.“A new glove every year,” reigning AL MVP and three-time Gold Glove winner Mookie Betts said Saturday morning at the team’s spring training complex.But http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-b.j.-upton-jersey , is the right fielder a bit superstitious about changing after such a successful year?“No, they all catch the same,” he said, breaking into a grin. “It’s the operator.”Shortstop Xander Bogaerts agreed.“New year, new glove,” he said.World Series MVP Steve Pearce had a different thought. He’ll likely start the season with a new one if he’s broken it in on time but gave some thought to not changing anything after winning the title last fall.“I have them right here in my locker,” the first baseman said. “I’m bringing almost everything back I had last year.”But Pearce did say he changes when things aren’t going well.“Oh, for sure,” he said. “You play baseball, usually you’re superstitious. If I start out and I don’t like it, I’m not hitting or I’m not playing well http://www.indiansfanproshop.com/authentic-b.j.-upton-jersey , I’ll switch gloves.”When the Red Sox fired hats and gloves into the air before racing to mound to celebrate with left-hander Chris Sale after he fanned Manny Machado to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers and end the World Series, Pearce, for one, thought a bit about whether he’d even get his glove back.“It was in the back of my mind, I was like, ‘Man, if I throw this up, I wonder how it will make it back to me,'” he said.Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi doesn’t like to change mainly because he likes the feel of his old one.“Same glove. I’ve had the same one since 2015,” he said. “It’s just comfort. I don’t do a good job breaking them in, so I just keep the same one.”Some players even take ribbing about whether they’ll need a glove. Two days ago Roberto Perez Jersey , when Pearce, mainly known for his bat after Boston made him a midseason acquisition last year, headed out to take BP on a back field, a member of the team’s staff kidded him about not having a glove with him.“It’s spring training,” the staffer yelled. “Did you bring your glove? You having it shipped?”David Price, a 2012 Cy Young Award winner when he was with Tampa Bay, didn’t seem to care about the previous year’s success when choosing to go new or old, but did say he’d be quick to change if things don’t go well.“I’ve got an old glove, but I’ve got a new one that I’ll start breaking in,” he said, sitting at his locker in a nearly empty clubhouse.“If I’m winning and throwing the ball well Eddie Robinson Jersey , I’m not going to switch gloves. If I’m not going to win, I’ll switch. I have no problem with it.”Eovaldi made sure he put his glove safely away, too, before racing in to join the Series celebration.“I was running in from the bullpen, so I saved it in a good spot,” he said.NOTES: Sale and Price threw side-by-side on a back field. “They’re locked in,” manager Alex Cora said. “The way they go about their business is impressive. They take pride in what they do and know they set the tempo for us” . Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez worked with left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez.