Dice-KKKKKKKKKK  —  Matsuzaka lives up to billing in debut victory  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Dice-K was Ice K. He was also 10 K. And Special K.  —  Maybe even a Japanese Pedro.  Or a Pocket Rocket.  —  Given the hype and hysteria that have accompanied his every move and word since …

Commencing A New Chapter  —  NEW YORK—Of all the tidbits my father could have imparted at my high school graduation, the spectrum of timeless bons mots on life and love and other paternal precepts, he took me aside and discussed the word "commencement."  —  As a longtime champion …

Wild Card: Fashion Faux Pas  —  If Jerry Seinfeld's right that we baseball fans really just root for laundry, then it only seems appropriate that, after all of the words spilled on new faces in new places (or rather, old faces in new laundry), we spill a few on the laundry itself.

Insider: Reyes the marketing odd man out  —  The most accessible athlete in New York these days has to be David Wright.  Not even Derek Jeter has appeared on more magazine covers, video game boxes or ESPN promos lately than the Mets' photogenic third baseman.

Throwing Batters Curves Before Throwing a Pitch  —  The pitch was nothing remarkable: Pat Venditte, Creighton University's temporarily right-handed pitcher, threw a fastball past a Northern Iowa batter for a called strike three.  It was his next windup that evinced this young pitcher's uniqueness and, perhaps, professional future.

The Big Lead: Still Down.  Thanks, Schrutebag.  — TOP STORIES -  ·The Big Lead: Still Down.  Thanks, Schrutebag.  ·Finally, MLB Will Allow You To Pay Them -  ·Billy Packer's Curious Choice Of Words  —  next » … If you have attempted to access The Big Lead …

Phillies Notes |  First college night prompts a review  —  PHILLIES NOTES  —  The Phillies said yesterday they would look at ways to improve college nights at Citizens Bank Park after Wednesday's first college night got out of hand.  —  Rowdy fans threw objects from the upper deck onto the field and fans below.

In young season, MASN gets no-decision on O's … Early in the baseball season, when everything is new, each movement on the field is put under a microscope.  So the Orioles' 0-3 start gets scrutinized far more than a three-game losing streak in the middle of the season.

Mets: Peterson sees 'A' talent in young staff  —  ATLANTA — Even before John Maine's seven-inning, one-hit wonder against the defending world champions Wednesday night in St. Louis, Rick Peterson was excited about what he'd seen.  —  The Mets pitching coach has been around talented young pitchers before …

Sportscasters go comical in 'Blades'; Ripken, Gwynn join TBS  —  Like disfigured guys with chainsaws and precinct captains infuriated by rule-breaking maverick cops, sportscasters in movies are usually stock characters.  —  Usually, real sportscasters are cast to sort of sound like themselves.

K-Rod says he's not cheating, plays down smudge  —  Los Angeles Angels reliever Francisco Rodriguez says he has nothing to hide in response to allegations he doctored baseballs during two games this week.  —  Photos on the Web site "The Cheater's Guide to Baseball Blog" appeared to show how Rodriguez …