Willie backs Alou, keeps close eye on Duaner

First things first. I know there couldn’t possibly be anything better to do on a Friday night in New York, especially after working about 60 straight days of spring training. But A-Rube is committed - or, maybe should be - to this beat, and his was the first car in the media lot this afternoon despite the ominous forecast. He said he was here to film a couple of TV spots, but that doesn’t explain why he’d choose to stay for the game on a cold and rainy April eve when given the opportunity to head to his bar-filled beachfront area of Long Island instead. But hey, at least, as he put it, I should be proud of him since he didn’t keep score while watching all 12 innings last night against the Phils. OK, Onto the pregame guest-blogging minutia… The questions I heard most often today on the radio driving in and read in the comments section of your favorite Web site, were… What happens to Pagan when/if Alou ever comes back, and why not try someone else in the eighth inning after ... [link]