Sammy dodges the steroids issue with a Texas two-step  —  It must have been difficult for Sammy Sosa to decide between giving baseball another try or following Emmitt Smith to fame in Dancing with the Stars.  —  My suggestion: He's better off sticking with baseball.

Finally, peace ... La Russa, Rolen end their spat  —  JUPITER, FLA. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen have declared a cease fire.  —  The two shared a firm handshake and a brief but congenial exchange outside La Russa's office Thursday.

O's radio policy rebuffs former flagship WBAL … It's a staple of sports talk radio — a club official comes on the air, and fans get to call in and ask questions.  —  But, as WBAL (1090 AM) host Steve Davis has learned this week, it's not working that way with the Orioles since spring training has begun.

Lies, Damned Lies  —  Charting the Spectrum  —  So tonight I was supposed to write a column on shortstop prospects.  The first words of my column were to be as follows: "We're going to try and get out of here in less than 2500 words."  Unfortunately for that mission …

Pitching duo helps give Brewers depth  —  Jackson, Villanueva likely to start season in Nashville  —  PHOENIX — Last year at this time, Zach Jackson was a newcomer to the Brewers who quietly dressed at a corner locker.  Carlos Villanueva was entering his third season with the club …

Duaner counting on coming up North  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Duaner Sanchez has yet to gain clearance to step on a mound, but the reliever, who had surgery last Aug.1 to repair a separated shoulder, still expects to break camp with the Mets.  —  Sanchez continued to make progress yesterday, tossing a baseball on flat ground at 130feet.

On farm, O's batting crop lean … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // There are plenty of former position prospects here, guys like Jason Dubois and J.R. House, who are desperately trying to keep their major league dreams alive as players invited to spring training.  —  Orioles outfielders Val Majewski …

Rotation  —  Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla each made more than 30 starts, won at least 15 games, pitched at least 200 innings and struck out at least 150 batters.  They are the only two Rangers to accomplish that feat in the past 10 years.  The rest of the rotation is unproven, but the Rangers believe it is ready to blossom.

Clement aiming to pitch this season  —  Right-hander was 5-5 with a 6.61 ERA and 43 strikeouts in '06  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — When Red Sox right-hander Matt Clement lost his durability last summer, he almost felt as if his identity went with it.  —  "I think over time the one thing I took …

Sabean is on the hot seat  —  Giants boss Magowan says status of the GM's expiring contract will not be addressed until later in the season  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - If there is such a thing as an empty vote of confidence, Giants general manager Brian Sabean has it.

Here's a bombshell: Jeet-Rod drama not a Bronx issue  —  Miller: Five things to know  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Let me ask you something.  —  When Barry Bonds wrapped his hands around Jeff Kent's throat in the middle of that game in 2002 and was pulled away before he made like a crumpled Pepsi can with Kent …

Finally, Rockies' shelves appear filled to the brim  —  TUCSON - Two years ago, the Rockies were willing to slot in the inexperienced players from their farm system, willing to live with the mistakes as part of a long-range building plan.  —  This year, things are different.

Notes: Leyland, Perez see eye to eye  —  Utility infielder doesn't take offense to manager's statement  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Neifi Perez understands how Jim Leyland feels.  —  One of the Tigers' late-season acquisitions became one of Leyland's quotes of the offseason last month when the manager …

Mets Bench Coach Prefers Being Heard and Not Seen  —  Jerry Manuel sat in his hotel room in Dearborn, Mich., early in the 2000 season watching his Chicago White Sox eke out a tense victory against the Detroit Tigers when he started planning a welcome back party.

Notes: Comebacker fells Walker  —  Lefty suffers minor concussion after taking line drive off head  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The serene and carefree atmosphere of Spring Training was shattered in a moment Friday, when Baltimore reliever Jamie Walker was hit in the back of his head by a line drive.

Is recruiting his new pitch?  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — The news that Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, frustrated by years of losing in Seattle, may explore free agency after the season has not been lost on Daisuke Matsuzaka.  —  Matsuzaka was asked about Ichiro leaving Seattle …