After Awkward Pause, Rodriguez Thanks Yankees  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez slowly read a statement that was part explanation and part apology off white sheets of paper.  He was offering some details about why he used steroids for three years, plodding through his nervousness.

Top Nats prospect falsified name, age … A top Washington Nationals prospect and recipient of the largest international signing bonus in team history is not who he appeared to be.  Esmailyn Gonzalez, who is listed as 19 years old on the team's roster, is actually 23-year-old Carlos Alvarez Daniel Lugo, four sources have told SI.com.

Owners provide State of the Nation address  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox owners Tom Werner and John Henry and team president/CEO Larry Lucchino sat down for a 20-minute chat with the media this morning at the team's player development complex.  —  Among the notable topics were the upcoming season …

Waiting for Griffey's arrival....  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - And so we begin Day 4 of the Junior Watch, and if Ken Griffey Jr. isn't officially a Brave by the end of the day, please shoot me.  —  OK, I guess I should say I don't mean that literally.  You never know what sun …

Shea demolition update  —  Shea will be gone, but not completely forgotten.  COO Jeff Wilpon said that home plate, the pitchers mound and the bases will be immortalized in the parking lot, which Shea's hallowed ground will hopefully become by April.  —  So good news — you can still do the DynaMets Dash.

Tuesday's Texas Rangers notebook: Cordero audition  —  My favorite memory: Eddie Guardado  —  Eddie Guardado is the second-oldest player in camp at 38.  Guardado went way back to find his best baseball memory, and it came from his senior year of high school at Franklin High in Stockton …

Last Section of Shea Stadium Is Torn Down  —  Shea Stadium, the site of the Mets' two World Series victories, their many seasons of futility and a few historic concerts, met the fate of Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds on Wednesday morning.  At 11:21 a.m., a demolition crew pulled down the final section …

BELTRAN AIM: ‘KILL’ HAMELS  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Carlos Beltran drew a bull's-eye on Cole Hamels yesterday.  —  Adding yet more fuel to the ongoing war of words between the Mets and Phillies, the Met center fielder said he hopes the Amazin's “kill” the Philadelphia ace every time they face Hamels this season.

Dodgers are in a mound of trouble with starting rotation  —  They should have held on to Brad Penny, as this year their choice for opening day starter is a guy coming off a broken leg or another coming off a sore shoulder.  —  T.J. Simers  —  I'm hoping Manny is spending this extra time …

LIFE OF REILLY  —  It's time to right some wrongs, one MVP at a time.  —  John Grieshop/Getty Images  —  It's been tougher than a $4.99 steak.  Got chased by Dobermans eight times.  Had to hire five different sticky-fingered third-graders.  Broke into the wrong house twice.  —  But it's finally done.

Forecast is hazy for Glaus  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals staged their first full-squad workout Tuesday with only one position player not on the field.  —  Four weeks after surgery repaired damaged muscle near his right shoulder, third baseman Troy Glaus is not close …

He really must change his tune  —  Young?  —  Alex Rodriguez kept going back to that.  He kept telling us he was young.  —  “I was 24-25.  It's part of being young and stupid.”  —  Twenty-four?  Twenty-five?  —  Young?  —  I kept thinking about my father-in-law.

The Gagne Experiment Redux  —  Oh, how the markets change.  Last night, we took a look at Will Ohman, a lefty reliever coming off of the best season of his career, who may be in line to take a 40 percent paycut off of his $1.6 mil salary in 2008.  Today, our subject of discussion is Eric Gagne …

Niners: No interest in Michael Vick  —  The 49ers emphatically closed the door on any possibility imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick will suit up for the club in 2009 or beyond.  —  Coach Mike Singletary did not express interest in acquiring Vick during a question-and-answer session …

BRAVES SIGN KELLY JOHNSON  —  The Braves signed Kelly Johnson to a one-year, $2.825 million contract, avoiding arbitration, the Post has learned.  —  Johnson had asked for $3.3 million in arbitration and the Braves had countered at $2.35 million.  —  Johnson also can make $50,000 for each of 620 and 670 plate appearances.

Who starts at shortstop?  Julio Lugo  —  FORT MYERS - On the face of it, the Red Sox [team stats] are holding an open competition for their starting shortstop job.  It's Julio Lugo [stats] vs. Jed Lowrie, and may the best man win.  —  Unless that man happens to be Lowrie.  Then, all bets are off.

Astros not interested in Pudge  —  Backup catcher Hall undergoes MRI on sore right shoulder  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The news that catcher Toby Hall had an MRI taken on his right shoulder inadvertently led to general manager Ed Wade making his most definitive statement yet regarding free-agent backstop Ivan …

O's closing in on extension with Roberts  —  Sources: Club nearing 4-year deal with 2-time All-Star second baseman  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - It appears that Brian Roberts, nearly traded on at least two different occasions during his Orioles tenure, will be staying put in Baltimore for several more seasons.