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 …

Red Sox owner renews plea for MLB salary cap … FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Boston Red Sox owner John Henry is renewing his call for a baseball salary cap.  —  He says he thinks all owners would support an “enlightened” salary cap to improve competitive balance and that players might agree.

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.

Waiting for Griffey's arrival....  Editor's note: Please go the latest blog posting and comment <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta- braves-blog/2009/02/18/waiting-for- griffeys-arrival-2/">here</ a>.  We've had to shut off commenting here because of technical problems.  We're working on them.

Andruw Jones hopes to revive career with Texas Rangers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - The drive from Duluth, Ga., to the Surprise Recreation Campus stretches nearly 2,000 miles and takes the average motorists a few days to complete.  —  Andruw Jones made the trek earlier this week …

Derek Jeter ‘disappointed’ but supportive of Alex Rodriguez  —  Yankees captain Derek Jeter said he's “disappointed” in Alex Rodriguez for using performance-enhancing drugs, but while he doesn't “condone” what Rodriguez did, he plans to support him and help him through this season.

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.

Yankees boss critical of Rodriguez's drugs explanation  —  TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) - New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman criticized Alex Rodriguez's explanation for using performance-enhancing drugs on Tuesday.  —  “I like the fact more when he says he was stupid, not young and naive …

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.

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.

The Fabulous New Life Of Cole Hamels … IT WAS 6:15 on the evening of Jan. 18, and were this any other year, the couple of hundred sports fans who had gathered in the Diamond Club inside Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park might have been consumed by despair.

Encarnacion out to shake ‘homer-itis’  —  Slugger plans to bring consistent approach to plate in 2009  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — Edwin Encarnacion admitted as much.  When the Reds third baseman stepped into the batter's box last season, he may have been staring at the opposing pitcher …

Joe Posnanski: Silence proved golden for this steroid star … You probably remember that exchange.  It occurred on March 17, 2005, and the Committee on Government Reform held a hearing with the understated name: “Restoring Faith in America's Pastime.”  The idea, as everyone understood it …

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 …

Wrapping up the first full-squad workout  —  Back later with some audio, but for now:  —  · Joe Girardi said that Hideki Matsui will not play any outfield in spring training because of his knees.  He also conceded that once the season starts, Matsui would only play the outfield in an emergency.

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.

Aybar deal done, could be worth $4.525 M  —  The Rays officially announced the signing of INF Willy Aybar to a two-year deal with a 2011 option that could be worth $4.525 million.  —  “We've had the chance over the last year to really get to know Willy and we feel he brings a lot of our club,” executive VP Andrew Friedman said.