Erstad foresees a title for the Sox—and Bears  —  Being an ex-football player at Nebraska and this being his first day in Chicago, Darin Erstad was asked who was going to win the Super Bowl.  —  "Bears," he said without hesitation.  —  Aha, the newest member of the White Sox is a quick learner.

Pirates re-introduce red to uniforms  —  Bucs unveil new alternative home jerseys for 2007 season  —  PITTSBURGH — There's an initiative from the Mayor's office here to clean up the city called, "Let's Redd Up Pittsburgh."  —  To Redd up, for those not familiar with Pittsburghese …

Drew healthy, eager  —  Nothing changed for J.D. Drew.  Nothing in his offseason workout program, nothing in getting ready for yet another move and yet another city.  Nothing, except for more than seven weeks, he wasn't technically signed.  But now, with all that minor contract language worked …

Weaver agrees on deal with Mariners  —  A World Series ring, a restructured one-year contract and his former manager's personal touch were not enough to keep Jeff Weaver in St. Louis.  —  The righthander accepted a more lucrative offer Friday from the rebuilding Seattle Mariners, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Delegation to visit Ghana to promote baseball  —  NEW YORK — New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya will be among a delegation of baseball officials going to Accra, Ghana, next week to hold a clinic and promote baseball.  —  Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, former San Francisco …

Yankees' farm system packed with punch … The Yankees have long had the game's biggest payroll, but their farm system has lain fallow for several years, the result of some uninspired draft picks and trades that rid the system of the few prospects who remained.

Cubs only have a decent shot to win NL Central  —  How much do faith and hope cost on the North Side of Chicago?  —  A plausible guess might be $300 million.  This winter, the Cubs, after the recent signing of outfielder Cliff Floyd to a one-year, $3-million pact, have spent …

Ripken, Gwynn promote Aspire Gala  —  Annual event supports Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation  —  BALTIMORE — Sometime soon, they'll share the stage again.  Recent Hall of Fame electees Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn brought Cooperstown to the Baltimore Convention Center on Friday …

Emmy award stolen from Brenly's home  —  An Emmy award was stolen from the Scottsdale home of former Arizona Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly, police said Friday.The uniquely engraved trophy, which Brenly earned for his part of a Chicago Cubs play-by-play tandem last season …

Capitol idea: Senator Schilling?  Curt's not so sure, but fans think he's just the ticket  —  Curt Schilling seemed surprised yesterday by the sudden groundswell of local supporters hoping to draft him into national politics and a 2008 Senate run against John Kerry.

Hall of Fame pitcher Ryan hospitalized, doing well  —  ROUND ROCK, Texas — Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan was hospitalized Friday, but his son Reid said it was not an emergency and he is good condition.  —  Nolan Ryan, 59, checked into Round Rock Medical Center for treatment of recurring symptoms …