April 1 -- RYAN HOWARD: PERSON TO WATCH

Got an e-mail yesterday from the folks at Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal, who wanted to promote their annual list of the top 20 people to watch in Major League Baseball this season. Ryan Howard is one of only two players (Yankees reliever Joba Chamberlain is the other) on the list, which also features owners and executives.

Here's what Street & Smith's had to say about Howard:

Given baseball's intensifying efforts to reconnect with the African-American community, MLB would love for Howard to continue on his rapid rise into one of MLB's truly elite players. Howard, however, had an up-and-down season last year, and his once lighthearted demeanor darkened deeply at times. Now, fresh off a record $10 million arbitration win, expectations will be through the roof for the young slugger. Exposure is already on the rise after an expanded endorsement deal with Adidas.

Also on the list: Dodgers chief operating officer Dennis Mannion; MLB senior VP of special events Marla Miller; Rays owner Stuart Sternberg; Pirates president Frank Coonelly; Rangers president Nolan Ryan; Cubs chairman Crane Kenney; Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon; Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III; Giants executive VP and chief operating officer Larry Baer; MLB Players Association general counsel Michael Weiner; FSN executive VP Doug Sellars; ESPN VP for event production Tim Scanlan; MLB Advanced Media executive VP Dinn Mann; Brewers owner Mark Attanasio; Nationals president Stan Kasten; MLB senior VP of broadcasting Chris Tully; New Era CEO Chris Koch.