I have been holding onto this clip for several weeks, awaiting verification that the person in the video actually is Matt Leinart, former USC quarterback who was the first round pick of the Arizona Cardinals. We spotted him at a Diamondbacks game right by (team owner) Jeff Moorad’s box, so we made the logical assumption.

Anyway, a few weeks later and after looking at pictures and other clips, we decided it is the former Heisman Trophy winner.

He won’t be on our flight to Pittsburgh, but Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Webb will be joining us in the Steel City for the upcoming All-Star Game. Webb is, without question, one of the best if not best right-handers in the National League. He has nine wins (he slumped a bit after winning his first eight), and has a 2.72 ERA as of this writing. He does lead the league in number of innings thrown (132.1) which is both good and bad; good in that he pitches well into the game, but bad if it causes him to run out of steam later in year.

Webb will have at least two fans at PNC Park. Maybe he’ll be the one to calm down those hot AL bats.

Difficult to imagine that it was just a few months ago that we saw Team USA play South Africa in the World Baseball Classic live at Scottsdale Stadium. And now, on a 100-plus degree day we’re back (with about 20 others) to watch The Giants host the Mariners in Arizona Rookie League play. Rookie League is officially known as a Short Season A league for recent draftees and others with less than two years of playing experience.

The Giants have moved their Rookie League venue from the rather scruffy park on the corner of Hayden & Camelback to Scottsdale Stadium, one of the crown jewels of the Cactus League (spring training).

Among the players featured in the clip are: GIANTS– Jose Valdez (pitcher); Robert Davis (catcher); Allen Balmer (infield) and Joe Roundy (outfielder); MARINERS-Stan Posulszny (outfielder); Matt Vogel (infield) Alex Liddi (infield) and Aric Van Gaalen (pitcher).

We’ll probably catch another game before we leave for the big event–THE MLB All-Star Game in Pittsburgh.