(By e.Chang)

The San Francisco Giants' Valentine to all of us: today, pitchers and catchers report to camp!

Flowers are blooming (no, seriously, I'm not a horticulturalist, but it seems freakishly early to see flowers), rain is on the way, and daylight savings is around the corner. Spring, my friends, is nigh and Spring Training is upon us.

Timmy and Matt and Madbum and Buster and the rest of the battery boys have checked into their rooms in Scottsdale, Arizona and will begin tossing the ball around in earnest today. The rest of the squad arrives next week. Here are some key dates for your Spring calendar:

Feb. 14: pitchers and catchers report.
Feb. 18: full squad reports.
Feb. 26: first Spring Training game, versus the Oakland A's.
Mar. 27-29: Giants return to the Bay to close Spring Training with games against the A's.
Mar. 31: OPENING DAY!
Apr. 8: the Giant's home opener.

Baseball is back.