Will Bonds Break Hammerin' Hank's Record?  —  It doesn't take a clairvoyant to prophesize that one of the media events of 2007 is the likely celebration/opprobrium when, or if, Barry Bonds clubs home runs numbers 755 and 756 out of the yard.  —  But is such a celebration likely to happen?

Cubs open checkbook, raise expectations … Was there any event that summed up baseball's wacko winter better than this:  —  A general manager's signing a free-agent pitcher to a $40-million contract while hooked up to an EKG machine?  —  This actually happened, you know.  In real life.

Interview with Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News  —  Adam Rubin, who covers the Mets at the New York Daily News and runs the great and informative NY Mets Blog, answered some of my questions on the Mets upcoming season.  —  Pat Andriola: What do you make of the Mets rotation this year?

Relief need remains as Kolb rejects bid  —  Maybe the Rockies' complementary setup man will come from within.  On Saturday, Colorado was left without Dan Kolb.  —  The Rockies could not bridge a salary gap as Kolb signed a one-year, $1.25 million, minor-league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The truth according to Sosa  —  Sammy Sosa signed a minor-league deal with the Rangers on Tuesday.  Here's what he said to the Rangers and their fans via a conference call with reporters:  —  "I am not going to let you guys down.  So trust me."  —  Because Sosa feigned having …

Can an American coach and a book deliver success in English football?  —  It's been called the most influential sports book ever.  David Runciman, in this remarkable report, explains how Moneyball transformed American sport and is doing the same here  —  Observer Sport Monthly

Hill climber in Chicago  —  Cubs believe Milton pitcher can reach top  —  Baseball officials are known to gush about their pitching prospects almost as if they were speaking about their own children.  Such is the case with lefthander Rich Hill.  For while the Cubs spent zillions this offseason …

Mets' Johnson looking for chance to play  —  Ben Johnson, a stranger in his new town, was eager for the opportunity to spend one of his dwindling days before spring training teaching kids how to swing a bat.  —  "I feel as a major-league player, I should give something back," …

Magadan keepin' score  —  Lest anyone forget, pitching was not the only problem for the 2006 Red Sox [team stats].  The Red Sox finished a relatively mediocre sixth in the American League in runs scored and ranked 11th after the All-Star break, the latter of which undoubtedly had a great deal …

Why Sinatra Missed Bobby Thomson's Legendary Homer: Interview  —  Feb. 5 (Bloomberg) — The day after Bobby Thomson hit his pennant-winning home run for the New York Giants on Oct. 3, 1951, the story got bigger headlines in some newspapers than the Russians conducting their second nuclear test.

Williams' moves head lengthy list of worries for Sox  —  With Super Bowl XLI history, it's time for Chicago fans to refocus on the team that produced the city's last parade: The MMV White Sox, champions of World Series CII.  —  Yes, spring training is bearing down on fans preoccupied …

Boys of winter have plenty to keep them busy  —  Even though spring training is not yet upon us, people in baseball are already hard at work getting ready for the new season.  —  General managers are still trying to fill out rosters, looking at the few remaining free agents, and discussing possible trades.

Caribbean World Series  —  Day One  —  Oh.  My.  God.  —  There was a point in the first game of yesterday's Caribbean World Series doubleheader—men on second and third, two outs, 16th inning, Gregor Blanco swinging right out of his socks on the first pitch, and whiffing two pitches later—when I thought, this game will not die.

Hot Stove: Altoona to reap talent curve  —  Pine-Richland graduate and former No. 1 pick Neil Walker figures to open 2007 at Class AA Altoona.  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Neil Walker has spent the past month enduring two-a-day workouts as part of a clinic at Arizona State University.