This is an excerpt of an article by Chuck Finder published in the 02/14/2009 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First, there was the wait, a 31/2-month dispute over a contract for this second-overall draft pick. Then came the weight.
Befitting the inauguration of this annual baseball rite, a slightly trimmer, slimmer Pedro Alvarez yesterday exuded sunshine and warmth as he stood inside Pirate City, where he already has begun toiling toward a spring training that officially opens today for pitchers and catchers.
“I’m always tyring to work as much as I can to keep my body in as good a shape as possible,” the Pirates’ top selection said yesterday after more batting and fielding practice at the Pirates spring base…
