Rangers chat: What about the new guy?  —  Rangers beat writer Evan Grant answered questions about the team on Tuesday, Nov. 7.  —  Evan Grant: Welcome to the Ron Washington era.  If his opening press conference is any indication, the Washington Era will be full of candid, honest, often funny, moments.

Update: Gravity-Defying Baseball Pitch Ready for U.S.  —  American baseball fans are preparing to finally get a closer look at the "gyroball," a pitch that may or may not really exist, but one that has been steadily gaining notoriety over the past year.  —  The pitcher most often associated …

Howard's clutch homer sparks MLB  —  OSAKA, Japan — Perhaps the loaded lineup of Major League Baseball had done so much damage in the first three games of this Japan All-Star Series that Nippon Professional Baseball finally reached the point of pure fear.  —  For, in Game 4, NPB's pitching staff nibbled all night, issuing 10 walks.

Report: Gooden scheduled to be released from prison  —  GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Former baseball star Dwight Gooden is set to be released from prison Thursday after finishing a sentence for violating his probation by using cocaine.  —  "He's eager to get home and see his family again," …

Battle scars: Reflection and recovery  —  Drugs nearly drove former Major League star Lonnie Smith to murder.  The events and confusion of those days still stick with Smith, all these years after he cleaned himself up.  —  kbabb@thestate.com  —  FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — He is aging …

Expect a bidding war for Japan's Matsuzaka  —  The days are shorter, the temperatures are dropping, and NBA games are infecting the television.  —  In baseball, that means it's almost open season on free agents.  —  So to get you ready for one of the most frantic (and expensive) …

Padres leave Roberts in limbo  —  The Padres yesterday told the agent for Dave Roberts what has been apparent for several months: The club's No. 1 priority of the offseason is to acquire a power hitter, even if it means losing Roberts to free agency as a result.

Nats sign 21 Minor League free agents  —  Two pitchers, infielder, outfielder added to 40-man roster  —  WASHINGTON — In need of depth in both their 40-man roster and Minor League system, the Nationals agreed to terms with 21 Minor League free agents.  —  Right-handers Tim Redding and Joel Hanrahan …

Notes: Phillies expected to pursue Soriano; Jennings stays in Colorado  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Hoping to protect Ryan Howard in the middle of their lineup, the Philadelphia Phillies are expected to make a strong push for Alfonso Soriano.  —  General manager Pat Gillick said he can't speak …

Will Sheff trade list matter?  —  Gary Sheffield had tried his best to intimidate the Yankees into setting him free, but that didn't work.  They announced yesterday that they have picked up his $13-million option for 2007.  —  Now Sheffield is trying a new tactic to determine his fate.

Darryl Strawberry: Live And In Person  —  "We used to tag-team women.  I know all you dudes in here know what I mean when I say that.  We used to laugh about it, but now I know it was really wrong."  —  That sentence was uttered today by Darryl Strawberry, the star player on the world champion …

Reports: Athletics will build stadium in Fremont  —  The Oakland Athletics are expected to announce next week they will build a new stadium in suburban Fremont, Calif., the San Francisco Chronicle and San Jose Mercury News reported Tuesday, citing sources close to negotiations for the deal.

Winter of discontent for Sox?  —  Exodus of prospects from Venezuela no problem, Guillen says  —  Venezuela has produced White Sox standout shortstops Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio and Ozzie Guillen, as well as top Venezuelan victory leader Freddy Garcia.

Yanks eye Astro pair  —  Roger, Andy free to pick team & fate  —  Two old New York friends filed for free agency yesterday and though neither Roger Clemens nor Andy Pettitte has decided whether to play next season, the Yankees intend to inquire about both, according to a team source.

Centers Thomas, Haywood Reportedly in Recent Fight  —  Washington Wizards centers Etan Thomas and Brendan Haywood were involved in a physical altercation last Thursday in which the two traded punches at Verizon Center, according to two team sources.  —  One source, who requested anonymity …

Rockies add Alan Cockrell and Glenallen Hill to Major League coaching staff  —  Both hires come from within Rockies organization  —  DENVER — The Colorado Rockies have announced two additions to the major league coaching staff.  Alan Cockrell, a part of the organization for the last nine years, was named the club's hitting coach.

Offseason preview: Shop swap  —  The owners had things under control there for a few years, didn't they?  —  Times were tight, they said.  Offers from different teams for the same players were strangely similar.  —  Only George Steinbrenner and a few others were willing to step out of line to pay for premium talent.