The 2006 schedule, with dates and series worth circling:

April 11: Toronto, the new power in the American League East, makes its first visit to Fenway Park. There is no television. ESPN forgets.

April 13: Barry Bonds hits his sixth home run of the season in a game against Houston in San Francisco, tying Babe Ruth's 714 career total. The fans go crazy, and the Giants honor Bonds at home plate. Nobody boos.

April 14: In a game in Los Angeles, Bonds hits career home run No. 715, passing Ruth. Dodgers fans litter the field with debris and boos. There is no ceremony.

April 18: The New York Yankees visit Toronto. Again, no television. Again ESPN forgets because it's waiting for the first Yankees-Red Sox game and wonders when it will be.

April 26: Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins gets a hit in his 21st consecutive game this season, extending his hitting streak dating to last season to 57 games. This breaks Joe DiMaggio's record somehow.

May 1: Ah! Yankees and Red Sox play for the first time. ESPN, buoyed by its success with North Carolina/Duke in college basketball, televises the game on three of its channels.

May 18: The Yankees' Hideki Matsui extends his consecutive games streak to 527, the longest streak at the start of a career.

May 19: Matsui misses a Yankees game against the hated New York Mets to tape a promo for the next World Baseball Classic. George Steinbrenner is less than pleased.

June 1: Another book is released detailing Barry Bonds' alleged steroids use. Enough! Bonds, by the way, now has 27 home runs on the season, putting him 20 away from Hank Aaron's career record of 755.

July 11: All-Star game at PNC Park! Jason Bay, Sean Casey, Zach Duke and Jack Wilson are representing for the local nine.

Aug. 1: Bonds is closing in on Aaron's record 755. He has 42 for the season and is at 750 lifetime.

Aug. 6: Bonds goes on disabled list with knee problems.

Aug. 31: Toronto begins crucial four-game series in Boston, holding a 3-game lead in AL East. Yankees trail Blue Jays by 6 games.

Sept. 1: Marlins lose at Milwaukee. Record falls to 36-100.

Sept. 2: Bonds is activated from disabled list and celebrates with three home runs at Wrigley Field. He's at 753.

Sept. 6: Bonds ends streak of 17 consecutive intentional walks with career home run No. 754 in Cincinnati.

Sept. 7: Commissioner Bud Selig, having finally gotten around to reading all the steroid material concerning Bonds, suspends the left fielder until the 2007 season "pending further review."

Sept. 21: Pirates win in Los Angeles, clinching first winning season since 1992. Manager Jim Tracy enjoys the irony.

Sept. 22: Blue Jays beat Boston in Toronto -- A.J. Burnett beating Josh Beckett, 1-0 -- to clinch AL East.

Sept. 26: Yet another "Fireworks Night" at PNC Park to honor Pirates achieving winning season following return from California trip.

Sept. 29: Blue Jays win in New York to knock Yankees out of wild-card battle with Cleveland. Game is televised on ESPN.

Sept. 30: Review completed, Bud Selig lifts Bonds suspension.

Oct. 1: Bonds hits career home runs Nos. 755 and 756 at home against hated Dodgers in win that clinches NL West for Giants. Bonds announces he'll retire after postseason.

Oct. 2: Bud Selig breathes sigh of relief.