Prize Japanese import Yu Darvish makes his Cactus League debut with the Texas Rangers by striking out the first batter he faces, San Diego’s Cameron Maybin. He pitches two scoreless innings while striking out three and impresses all onlookers as the Rangers go on to win the game, 6 – 2.

With the Marlins about to inaugurate Marlins Park, team President David Samson does what he does best – put his foot in his mouth. According to Miami Today, speaking before the high-powered “Beacon Council” of Miami, FL, Samson makes disparaging remarks about state politicians and the intellect of local residents. This is particularly damaging given the new ballpark has been largely financed by local taxpayers, to a degree such that the Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating whether the bonds issued to finance the stadium were proposed on terms misleading to potential investors. For his part, Samson claims he was misquoted.

Marlins Park in Miami, FL is host to its first game, an exhibition contest won by the Marlins, 7 – 6, over the University of Miami. Newly signed Mark Buehrle starts for the Fish, Hanley Ramirez hits the first-ever homer in the new ballpark off Alex Fernandez Jr., son of former Marlin Alex Fernandez, and Terry Tiffee ends the game with a game-winning single in the bottom of the 9th.

The College Baseball Hall of Fame names its new class of inductees, consisting of players Lou Brock, Nomar Garciaparra, Brad Wilkerson and Tim Jorgensen, and coaches Ed Cheff, Frank Sancet and Wayne Graham.

Major League Baseball confirms that starting this year, the postseason will be expanded from 8 to 10 teams, with an extra wild card team in each league. The two wild card teams in each league will play one game to determine which one will then face the team with the league’s best record in the Division Series.