This will be my 26th year covering spring training. I wouldn't even know where to start if you asked me how many stories I have written, not to mention the countless stories about regular season and post season.

But, I can tell you my favorite spring training story. It happened in the late 1970s, when the Brewers were just starting to piece together the team that eventually would win the American League pennant.

Larry Hisle, who still makes his home in Milwaukee, was a key player on the team this particular season. In fact, he really was the MVP on the team for at least one of his seasons.

Now spring training interviews do not always make for great journalism. After all, the players haven't played a game that really counts yet. Many of the questions, and the answers to them, are somewhat canned and mundane.

When I asked Larry one of those type of questions, "what are your goals for the season?," he responded with, "I want to hit .314, hit 34 homers and drive in 112 runs" or something with that degree of details. Usually, the response would have been something like, "I just want to stay healthy and help the team." So, I asked Hisle why he gave me such specific goals.

He proceeded to tell me a human-interest story that indicated what a fine human being the soft-spoken Hisle was and still is. It turned out the son of his high school basketball coach had a rare disease and was doomed to live a short life.

Each year, Larry would go back to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he was from, to visit with the boy and ask him to set his goals for the coming season. Larry would then strive to reach those goals, while the young man followed his progress closely throughout the season. Doctors said his love for baseball, and Larry's friendship, was helping the boy cope with his illness.

I knew I had much more than a typical mundane spring training story. I wrote it for the Racine Journal Times, for whom I worked at the time, and Associated Press picked it up. The story ran all over the country and was picked up by several national media outlets.

Larry, the boy and his family received some deserved recognition. The story showed how baseball can serve as the glue between people who share a love for it.

Hisle told me just last year that the boy did eventually die. But, Larry expressed the hope that the boy's goal setting duties, and love for the game, gave him some purpose during his life.

Perhaps there will be a story to top it this spring in Maryvale. But, it will always remain my favorite spring training story.

It looks like Jamey Wright's side injury could keep him from being the Opening Day starter. Speculation is that Ben Sheets might get that job if Wright is not ready.

Look for a column on the rotation, some interviews with newcomers Eric Young, Matt Stairs, Glendon Rusch and returnee Alex Ochoa, updates on the battles at third base and right field, and status reports on the health of outfielders Geoff Jenkins and Jeffrey Hammonds, among the daily BCRs from Maryvale.

The Brewers are dangling some incentives in front of teams that might want infielder Mark Loretta. Baseball Weekly reports that the club will pay part of his $5 million salary and take fringe prospects in a deal. If Loretta is dealt, Ron Belliard and Tyler Houston likely would platoon at third base.

BBW also reports that the Phillies are trying to deal third baseman Scott Rolen. Wouldn't it be great if GM Dean Taylor could work a deal for Rolen to play third? Don't hold your breath.

If you are a real baseball history nut, you might want to consider two organizations in town. The Ken Keltner Chapter of SABR (Society for American Baseball Research) held their first meeting last weekend at UWM.

The group is made up of people with a variety of interests in baseball history, and could end up planning several projects over time. You can find more information by going to sabr.org/reg/Wisconsin/index.html.

One of my few regrets about the spring training trip is that I will miss next Thursday's dinner of The Milwaukee Braves Historical Association. Former Braves Johnny Antonelli, Frank Torre and Sibby Sisti will be honored at the Italian Community Center.

Information about the dinner and association can be obtained by calling 466-7200 or 347-1212. The group plans to dedicate a monument to the Braves May 12 near Helfaer Field, the Little League field that will sit on the former site of County Stadium.