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.

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 …

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 …

Uribe off the hook, reports to camp  —  Shortstop cleared in shooting, lawyer says  —  TUCSON, Ariz. — White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe reported to spring training Friday, looking fit and happy after a winter ordeal in his native Dominican Republic.  —  Uribe arrived late Thursday night …

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"???

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 …

Extra Innings Deal Has F.C.C.'s Attention  —  For five or six minutes yesterday, there was delicious speculation that Major League Baseball would officially announce its extremely pending $700 million deal with DirecTV to carry its Extra Innings package of out-of-market games.  —  It didn't happen.

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.

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 …

Dice-K gets busy: Extends 'pen session  —  FORT MYERS - The Red Sox [team stats] typically ease pitchers into their first bullpen session of spring training, permitting them to throw 35-40 pitches in 7-10 minutes.  —  Yesterday, Daisuke Matsuzaka threw 103 pitches off the back bullpen mound …

Nightmare living  —  Koskie struggles to return from head injury  —  Phoenix - When Corey Koskie says the words, he can't help smiling.  —  "I am getting better," the veteran third baseman said Thursday after reporting to the Milwaukee Brewers' spring camp.