Calling it quits  —  “Turn out the lights the parties over” ...  I used to wait with baited breath for Don Meredith to start singing that on Monday night football.  Normally it was sweet music if the Steelers were playing.  —  If I could get him to sing it again I would.  This party has officially ended.

Yankees' Ace Has Become a Leader  —  TAMPA, Fla. — C. C. Sabathia played the role of good teammate on Sunday and, as usual, it came naturally.  Sabathia uses a slide step from the stretch, which helped Jorge Posada catch three potential base stealers in a minor league game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Available players, Teahen, Harang and more  —  • Some of the players being dangled because of roster space and economics: Geoff Jenkins, Phillies; Brian Giles, Padres; Gary Matthews Jr., Angels; Marcus Thames, Tigers; Nick Johnson, Nationals; Jason Repko, Dodgers; Jeff Baker, Rockies.

Braves' other Jones having spring jam  —  Athletic outfielder raking after poor Grapefruit League last year  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Brandon Jones has a knack for masking his emotions.  There were no apparent signs of disgust when he squandered an opportunity to make last year's Opening Day roster.

An Apology  —  I owe an apology, because I said something stupid.  Really stupid.  I regret it tremendously.  This is certainly not the first time I've felt terrible or stupid, but it is my first time writing about these feelings on a baseball blog.  Why?  Because I want you to know how I feel about my job.

Flushing in Flushing  —  I threw myself a birthday party on Saturday afternoon, and everyone who showed up asked, “So what have you done so far on your special day?”  And for once I had a really good answer: “I spent the morning flushing a toilet at the Mets' new stadium.”

Padres' offense could surprise  —  Club posting impressive numbers, despite naysayers  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — If San Diego's offense were a restaurant, it would be getting one-star reviews from some observers.  —  Scouts have generally been remarkably unimpressed by the Padres' lineup.

Mets 12, Braves 1: Johan rolls  —  Johan Santana tossed five solid innings, limiting the Braves to a solo homer by Matt Diaz in his final frame and one other hit, as the Mets won, 12-1, Sunday.  Dillon Gee, Mike Antonini, Pedro Feliciano and Sean Green combined for four scoreless relief innings.

Tom Verducci: Japan gives USA lesson on WBC intensity, details … 1. Japan taught the United States a lesson Sunday with its 9-4 semifinal victory.  Is anybody in America listening?  Three of the four finalists in the two World Baseball Classics have been teams from Asia, including the all-Asian final Monday between Japan and Korea.

Sunday Notebook: Jones Willing To Be A Part-Time Player; Rangers Remain Committed To Chris Davis And More  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Andruw Jones passed perhaps his most significant test of the spring Sunday morning: It was the test of enthusiasm.  —  He assured the Rangers of his desire to play for the club …