Q&A with Tom Hicks  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Rangers owner Tom Hicks encountered a strong headwind as he flew into Arizona on Friday and because he was 30 minutes late, he missed the first team meeting conducted by new manager Ron Washington.  —  "I got a little tardy," Hicks said.

Sox to Curt: Fat chance — Team sticks with wait-and-see tactic  —  FORT MYERS - When you really stop and think about it, Curt Schilling [stats] never had a chance.  Not when he is 40 years old and just one in a strong class of potential free agent pitchers.

Getting With the Times Could Hinder Future  —  The Nationals may no longer have Alfonso Soriano's 46 home runs.  Maybe Nick Johnson won't be back until midseason after breaking the biggest bone in his body.  And the smooth switch-hitting of Jose Vidro won't be on display at RFK.  But look on the bright side.

El Duque sidelined with arthritic neck  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) — New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez has arthritis in his neck and will be sidelined for three or four days after receiving a cortisone shot.  —  El Duque, slated to be the No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine …

Slugger vows defense won't take a Holliday  —  Tucson - As Rockies position players arrive for physicals today, left fielder Matt Holliday discussed the health of his defense.  —  Holliday, an all-star and a Silver Slugger, knows he must get better.  His glove caught plenty of flak last season …

Myers fires next derogatory shot at Mets  —  Phillies notebook  —  CLEARWATER, Fla — This is starting to get just a bit silly, or as the New York Daily News put it, "Sillie Phillie."  In volley five of the give-and-take between the New York Mets and Phillies, the Mets' reaction was characterized as …

Eckstein plays on, mindful of the business  —  JUPITER, FLA. — December 2004 burned a two-week hole in David Eckstein's eternal optimism.  —  It's still there.  —  Two years into his term with the Cardinals and eight months shy of possible free agency, Eckstein speaks enthusiastically …

Starting Pitchers, Part Two  —  There's no real need for much of an intro here, but if you really need one, just check out yesterday's.  What holds true for the Ones and Twos in major league rotations is true for the Threes, Fours, and Fives.  About all that's different for them in many cases is health …

New Met Slogan Sucks!  —  When Metsy Betsy, a friend of BMF, mentioned how bad the new Met slogan was I had to see for myself.  Sure enough when I went to Mets.com the utterly un-catchy phrase "Your Season Has Come" was splashed across the top of the team website.  —  "Your Season Has Come"???

Ortiz expects win fifth starter job for Giants  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Russ Ortiz expects nothing less than to be in San Francisco's rotation as the fifth starter this season.  —  That's why he returned to the comfort of his former club for 2007, and the Giants brought him back because they believe he can fill that void.

Mariners Notebook: Book tells tale of Ichiro's plate production over six years  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — There is a book on Ichiro Suzuki, just like every player in baseball.  —  Most books tell a pitcher how to get a hitter out.  This book doesn't do that.  —  His agent, Tony Attanasio, put this book together.

Piniella's pitch: Keep 'em fresh  —  Manager rarely lets starters go past 120  —  MESA, Ariz. — Manager Lou Piniella stressed Thursday that the Cubs will not overextend their starting pitchers this season and risk injury by letting them throw more than 120 pitches in games.

Willie: Cliff's crossed up  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Willie Randolph and Jerry Manuel said they still "love" Cliff Floyd.  —  That doesn't mean they cared for him characterizing the manager as "confused" during the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS - or for Floyd portraying Randolph …