Alex Cora News

New York Yankees third base coach Rob Thomson, left, watches as Washington Nationals third baseman Steve Lombardozzi fields Curtis Granderson's first-inning single during their spring training game at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., Friday, March 16, 2012.

My sense is that nationalism and various stripes of monarchism and absolutism are closely intertwined, save for a few countries that have cultivated a strong republican mythology, like France.

The Cards return from a rain shortened loss yesterday to face the Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium...ironically, another game that could be threatened by rain.

Zimmermann breezed through three innings with a nasty slider and an occasionally erratic fastball, allowing no runs on three singles and a walk while hitting a batter and striking out three.

Things are just about to get underway here in Viera for the Nationals-Cardinals 1 p.m. tilt at Space Coast Stadium.