Clear as Mud: What Was on Rogers's Hand?  —  Correction Appended  —  The various explanations were as clear as mud or whatever you call that now-you-see-it, now-you-don't substance on the magical left hand of Kenny Rogers.  —  After Rogers led the Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals …

Nelson De La Rosa, 38, Actor and Good-Luck Charm for Red Sox, Dies  —  Nelson De La Rosa, the diminutive actor who became a good-luck charm for the Boston Red Sox during their victorious 2004 World Series run, died at a hospital in New York on Sunday.  He was 38.

Delgado tops Mets' surgery list  —  First baseman, three others go under knife  —  New York Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado, catcher Paul Lo Duca, right-hander Aaron Heilman and infielder Chris Woodward had successful surgery Monday.  —  Delgado had surgery on his right wrist because of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Mischief on the Mound: An Abridged History  —  The moment of truth for Jay Howell in 1988.  Howell's glove had pine tar on it.  —  Major league pitchers have a long history of shenanigans, doctoring baseballs with such substances as sandpaper, thumb tacks, emery boards, pine tar and saliva.

The Giants, their job, and the thing in the room  —  I'm wondering how the Giants' interview process is going with that elephant in the room.  It must be a little awkward.  —  On Monday, Brian Sabean, Mets coach Manny Acta and the elephant met about the team's vacant managerial job.

Mailbag: Potential comings and goings  —  Beat reporter Alyson Footer answers fans' burning questions  —  Do you think the Astros will make a run for Barry Zito or Jason Schmidt?  —  They'll inquire about them, I'm sure, but I'm guessing that both are out of the Astros' price range.

2006 Minor League Free Agents  —  The following is the list of minor leaguers who have been declared free agents following the 2006 season, as provided by Major League Baseball.

Prospectus Matchups  —  Breakin' the Law  —  Mon dieu!  You would think nobody in baseball ever cheated before to hear folks carrying on about Kenny Rogers and his dirty hand.  Remember: this is a game with a long history of players and teams doing untoward things to get the upper...er...hand.

The David Eckstein Memorial Eckstein of the Year Award  —  Finally, they did it.  Major League Baseball and Holiday Inn proudly bring you the David Eckstein Memorial Ecksteiniest Eckstein of the Year Eck-ward, also known as the Holiday Inn Look Again Player of the Year.

Hall Watch 2006- Leadoff Hitters-Ichiro Suzuki  —  Ichiro! is an icon.  This makes it hard to look at him objectively.  But, try we will.  2006 was an interesting year for Ichiro.  His batting average and isolated power were down, and his strikeout and pop-up rates were up.

Mailbag: Benson-Maine deal analyzed  —  Beat writer Spencer Fordin answers Orioles fans' questions  —  Do you think trading John Maine for Kris Benson was a good deal?  I understand Benson is a reliable innings eater, but Maine seems to have much more potential to contribute to the Mets in the future.

Phillies extend Moyer's contract  —  Veteran southpaw signs two-year extension  —  PHILADELPHIA — How long will Jamie Moyer pitch?  —  At least through his 45th birthday, as far as the Phillies are concerned.  The club signed the veteran to a two-year contract extension worth $10.5 …