Making name for himself  —  Smith's uncommon sidearm delivery has turned heads in camp  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The only thing ordinary about Joe Smith is his name.  Flip through the phone book here, and there are more than a dozen.  But on the Mets, Smith is easily singled out from the rest …

Santo: The bummer of 69 (percent)  —  Ex-Cub leads voting, but Hall veterans shut him out again  —  MESA, Ariz. — Ron Santo's heart was broken again Tuesday when he was denied entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame, leaving the former Cubs icon to wonder whether his day ever will come.

The scene at Roger Dean Stadium  —  JUPITER — The simple pleasures of life need not be enhanced by cutting-edge computer graphics to be appreciated.  Simple pleasures, in fact, may be improved upon in only one way.  —  Multiply them.  —  So it is that two scoops of ice cream melting …

Notes: Not as hectic for Hatteberg  —  First baseman more at ease in second spring with Reds  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — The pace of Reds Spring Training hasn't been quite as frenetic this year for first baseman Scott Hatteberg.  —  Hatteberg first came to the Reds when he signed late as a free agent on Feb. 12, 2006.

The new choice of the fan  —  The users have won.  —  What else is there to conclude from the Albany Times-Union report Tuesday that a New York state grand jury investigation linked Los Angeles Angels center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., boxing champion Evander Holyfield and the Pittsburgh Steelers organization …

An Open Letter to Murray Chass  —  Hi, Murray.  —  I write to you as one baseball fan to another.  There are only a few of us who are fortunate enough to have turned our love for baseball into a career.  We are both in that lucky group.  That's why I was disappointed to read the following in your column today.

Jeter and Jordan's Eurotrip  —  Instead of watching the Cards win the World Series, Derek Jeter went where nobody knew his name.  —  TAMPA, Fla. — There are still places in the world where people don't care whether Derek Jeter is still tight with Alex Rodriguez.

Honus card sells for $2.35 million  —  Anonymous collector pays record-setting price  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — The "Mona Lisa" of baseball memorabilia, an almost mint condition 1909 Honus Wagner tobacco card, arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday in the company of an armed guard but without its new owner …

Ponson has a serious visa issue  —  Wait for proper permit frustrates Ryan, Gardenhire  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — For a guy who admittedly is down to his last chance in baseball, Sidney Ponson hasn't shown his new team a sense of urgency.  —  And that is hurting the oft-troubled veteran pitcher's chances …

Coaches translate to comfort … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // On a recent afternoon at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada approached his new infield and third base coach, Juan Samuel, and told him about their chance meeting more than 20 years ago.

Education still a priority for standout baseball player  —  WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass.(CNS) — Long before Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano reported to spring training this year he was doing his homework, working out and preparing for what he hopes will be another All-Star season.

Notes: Hampton progressing at camp  —  Southpaw recovering from surgery, likely to miss first start  —  LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — To determine how Mike Hampton fared while throwing his latest session of batting practice, one must decide whether to side with Hampton's cautious evaluation …

Officials reveal plan for retractable-roof Marlins stadium in downtown Miami  —  Miami-Dade County and city of Miami officials unveiled on Tuesday the framework of a financing plan for a $490 million downtown Miami ballpark for the Florida Marlins and said they hope to work out the details by the end of April.

Nats' Future Is Just Down The Road  —  At 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, the Washington Nationals were assembled on the field at Space Coast Stadium, taking batting practice and throwing a bit as they prepared for an intrasquad scrimmage, their first competition of the spring.