Red Sox mob beats up Yankees fan in Cambridge  —  The official start to the 2008 baseball season is about a month away, but the age-old rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox is already getting ugly.  —  Cantabrigia blog: Share your thoughts  —  A group of men — some with Irish accents …

Moose caught in spring trap  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Giving up five runs over two-plus innings is generally a cause for concern for a pitcher.  Unless that outing takes place in the first week of March, of course.  —  To say that Mike Mussina was pleased with his performance against the Astros Monday …

Texas Rangers' Broussard won't get left out against lefties  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The Texas Rangers faced a left-handed starter for the second time this spring.  Ben Broussard, the newly acquired left-handed hitting first baseman, was in the starting lineup for both games.

Run of Bucks broadcasting Cardinals comes to an end  —  For the first time since 1960, there won't be a Buck in a Cardinals broadcast booth this year.  —  Joe Buck, who had been doing the play-by-play for a few Redbirds games on FSN Midwest in recent seasons, has decided not to return …

The ten worst leadoff hitters since 1957  —  Our buddy Brandon Isleib has done it again!  He's provided me with a spreadsheet chock full o' fascinating stuff.  —  Using the “Batting Orders” feature on Baseball Reference, Brandon compiled every instance since 1957 (because that's as far …

Lineup for today's game  —  Pitching  —  Notes: Mariano Rivera will throw batting practice at 10:30 a.m. in Tampa.  He will get in his first game on Friday or Saturday. ...  Hideki Matsui (stiff neck) will skip BP again today.  Joe Girardi said Matsui could get in a game early next week.

SS Crosby has joined injured back brigade  —  (03-04) 04:00 PST Tempe, Ariz. —  On the same day Eric Chavez made his first clubhouse appearance since having an epidural for his surgically repaired lower back, shortstop Bobby Crosby was scratched after experiencing upper back spasms while fielding grounders Monday.

Notes: Gagne feeling good already  —  Reliever not worried about hand dryness in Ariz. weather  —  PHOENIX — After working a scoreless inning in a “B” game Monday morning, new Brewers closer Eric Gagne was on pace for about 10 appearances this spring.  He said he only needs half that to be ready.

Heavy expectations (cont.)  —  Nonetheless, Sabathia appears to remain unfazed by the pressure of his walk year.  He knows that whatever transpires, riches lie ahead.  After a rough spring opener, he and his boyhood pal from Oakland, Dontrelle Willis, joked and compared notes outside the cramped visitors clubhouse here.

O's, Markakis renew contract for $455,000  —  Outfielder eligible for arbitration after 2008 season  —  The Orioles failed to agree to terms with Nick Markakis by today's deadline, meaning the outfielder's contract will be renewed for the 2008 season.  —  Markakis, who hit .300 last year …

Ellsbury on the fast track  —  JUPITER, Fla. - He is the next one, the can't-miss kid of Boston sports, the player fans didn't want the Red Sox to trade - even when Johan Santana was on the block.  —  He is Jacoby Ellsbury, maybe the fastest player in Red Sox history, a guy who can score …

Two on Two: 2008 AL West Preview  —  This week's edition of the annual Two on Two series focuses on the American League West.  We were thrilled with the way last week's discussion on the NL West went, and we think we have assembled a similarly excellent ensemble for readers this week.

Dodgers' Pierre has work cut out for him  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. - Baseball people have always loved Juan Pierre.  If only Dodgers fans liked him now.  —  P.J. Carey had seen a lot of minor-leaguers in his day, managing or coaching them for almost two decades, long enough to know it's next …

Rolen Enjoying New Address: With Toronto, and Far From La Russa  —  DUNEDIN, Fla. — Scott Rolen answered a simple question with a question on a sleepy Monday morning.  When Rolen, the Toronto Blue Jays' new third baseman, was asked if he would agree to an interview, he turned from infielder to interrogator.