Ex-Sox pitching coach Berres dies  —  Pierce: Kenosha native 'never wanted to take credit for anything'  —  Ray Berres, the pitching professor whose "doctorate" in mechanics helped the White Sox staff to rank consistently among the best in baseball for nearly two decades, died Thursday in Kenosha after a lengthy illness.

Pavano: I'll win Bombers back  —  Carl Pavano's extended absence from the Yankees' clubhouse over the past two years has been something of a running joke among his teammates.  One injury would appear just as another had healed, keeping the pitcher on the disabled list and the Yankees on edge …

Morneau, Punto, Ford agree with Twins  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — AL MVP Justin Morneau agreed Friday to a $4.5 million, one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins, who also settled their salary arbitration cases with third baseman Nick Punto and outfielder Lew Ford.

'Toughest division' tougher  —  Indians ready to make serious run in AL Central  —  At one time or another in the last two seasons, the American League Central has been the home to four of the strongest teams in the major leagues.  The only one that didn't make it even to the playoffs …

Rockies keep Fogg for $3.6 million  —  After severing one relationship, the Rockies renewed their commitment to another this afternoon.  —  On the same day that outfielder Choo Freeman was released, Colorado agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.625 million contract with starter Josh Fogg …

Altered Deal Hardly a Done Deal  —  It would seem that a player would be delighted if the commissioner's office struck from a contract he signed a clause that benefited the club and not the player.  That's what happened with the contract that Barry Bonds signed last Monday with the San Francisco Giants.

Ex-Cardinal Belliard named as target in extortion case  —  Former Cardinals second baseman Ronnie Belliard is the professional athlete at the center of a federal extortion case, the brother of the accused said Friday.  —  Milo Edwards said the name of his brother, George H. Edwards, 48 …

D.R. outlasts Venezuela in 18 innings  —  CAROLINA, Puerto Rico (AP) — Tony Batista's bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 18th inning gave the Dominican Republic a 4-3 victory over Venezuela on Friday night in the longest game in Caribbean Series history at 6 hours, 13 minutes.

O's sign RHP Shuey to minor league deal … BALTIMORESUN.COM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS  —  The Orioles have signed right-handed pitcher Paul Shuey to a minor league contract and invited him to their major league spring training camp.  —  Shuey, 36, spent 10 years in the majors …

Magowan sends letter to fans regarding Bonds' new contract  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Giants owner Peter Magowan sent a letter to  —  about 27,000 season-ticket holders this week explaining why the  —  club decided to re-sign free agent slugger Barry Bonds for another  —  season.