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.

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.

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 …

Yankees' Pavano insists he's ready to pitch  —  Right-hander says he's finally healthy enough to start for Yankees  —  Carl Pavano hasn't pitched for the Yankees since June of the 2005 season.  The right-hander is entering his third season with the team.  —  NEW YORK - Carl Pavano …

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.

Ringolsby: Rockies on need-to-owe basis  —  Too much has been made of the Rockies' payroll.  It's projected to be $54 million in 2007.  —  It will be among the lowest in the big leagues.  —  So?  —  Question: Which player who might have made the Rockies a markedly better team did they miss …

Dark Days Follow Hard-Hitting Career in N.F.L.  —  Ted Johnson helped the New England Patriots win three of the past five Super Bowls before retiring in 2005.  Now, he says, he forgets people's names, misses appointments and, because of an addiction to amphetamines, can become so terrified …