With pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training today, we thought we’d mark the occasion by compiling some baseball links that may or may not have anything to do with advertising. You probably saw the Super Bowl TV spot advertising the World Baseball Classic, but here it is again. (WBC) • Did you know official World Baseball Classic jerseys are available for the low, low price of $234.99? (Shop MLB) • Despite all its troubles, MLB remains a remarkably resilient brand. (New York Sun) • Here’s an update on MLB’s struggles to renew its TV-rights deals. (Brandweek) • The MLB 2K6 videogame sounds cool, if you’re into that sort of thing. (TotalPlayStation) • How a French blogger managed to evade MBL Blogs censors. (Deadspin) • A jury rules that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim did not breach a contract with the city of Anaheim when it changed its name. (Associated Press) • Simply a great headline: “MLB prepares to cut off nose in War on Face.” (Field of Schemes) • And following George Steinbrenner’s lead, new Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi takes a courageous stand against facial hair. (Associated Press) UPDATE: In the comments, the ever-vigilant Bob Shiffrar rightly points out that I should include Soxaholix in this roundup. They even have a new cartoon up about the King.

—Posted by Tim Nudd

Credit: Corbis