Remembering Arthur Richman, 83, a Baseball Lifer  —  Arthur Richman had a distinctive way of saying hello to me and to others.  He never really said hello.  He asked how you were doing, then asked if you needed any money.  He must have asked me that a thousand times.

Hunter leaves game after freak play  —  Angels center fielder expected to miss next contest  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Torii Hunter, ringleader and lightning rod of the Angels' clubhouse, missed all the fun on Tuesday.  —  While his team was putting an 18-11 hurting on the Rockies' pitching staff …

Back From Classic, Pérez Is Source of Concern for Mets  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Mets have seen Oliver Pérez at his best and they have seen him at his worst.  They know his habits, his quirks, his foibles, and one thing they will not tolerate is laziness.

Nixon released, Gamel optioned  —  By Anthony Witrado of the Journal Sentinel  —  Phoenix - Outfielder Trot Nixon was released this morning, a move that had manager Ken Macha a bit emotional - no tears, but some heartfelt words for a guy he considers a friend.

Price, 4 others optioned to Durham  —  LHP David Price was among five players optioned to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.  —  Also sent down were OF Justin Ruggiano, INFs Reid Brignac and Elliot Johnson, and C John Jaso.  —  Price said he expected the move and considers it “part of the game …

Phillies shopping catcher Paulino  —  Coste likely to serve as backup at position for Ruiz  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. — It looks more and more like Chris Coste will be Carlos Ruiz's backup this season.  —  Baseball sources said Wednesday the Phillies are letting teams know that catcher Ronny Paulino …

John Smoltz says first mound session felt ‘awkward’  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Right-hander John Smoltz pitched from the mound in a Boston Red Sox uniform for the first time Wednesday, testing his surgically repaired shoulder by throwing 40 pitches in the bullpen.  —  Smoltz

Please help John's family  —  THT and the baseball community lost a dear friend and writer this week when John Brattain passed away.  But, of course, his wife and two teenage daughters feel the loss much more keenly.  THT has started a donation drive to help them.

Carter, Palmeiro lead College Baseball Hall of Fame class  —  LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Former World Series star Joe Carter of Wichita State and Mississippi State's Rafael Palmeiro, who hit 569 home runs in the major leagues, are among 10 inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Final: Red Sox 2, Reds 1  —  IT'S OVER (3:27, END 9, 2-1 RED SOX)  —  The Red Sox scored two in the ninth and notched a comeback victory at Ed Smith Stadium.  —  BUCHHOLZ OUT, PAPELBON IN (2:35, BOT 7, 1-0 REDS)  —  Jonathan Papelbon has replaced Buchholz.

Jackson the Younger Impresses Jackson the Elder  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Reggie Jackson beat the Yankees prospect Austin Jackson into the clubhouse Tuesday night, and it was hard to tell who was happier.  Jackson, the youngster, pulled a full-count pitch high over the left-field foul pole for a grand slam in the eighth inning.

WHITE SOX IN BRIEF: Danks betting on Danks  —  Lefty turns down same $15M deal Sox gave Floyd  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — The first thought in John Danks' head when he heard four years, $15.5million was “Heck, yeah.”  —  When it came time to sign the contract extension, however, it was “Heck, no.”

Colon improves, but Ozzie not convinced yet  —  GLENDALE, Ariz. — Bartolo Colon may have lost out on any chance of an extra 10-day stay at the lovely Camelback Ranch.  —  And his loss would be a huge White Sox gain.  —  Making his third start of spring training — and only his second …

Cardinals Outright Royce Ring  —  JUPITER, Fla. - The Cardinals have placed lefthanded reliever Royce Ring on waivers for the purpose of removing him from their 40-man roster.  If no other major league team claims Ring, he will have the option of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Memphis or becoming a free agent.

Source: Sale of Padres to Moorad appears close  —  SAN DIEGO (AP) — The sale of the San Diego Padres from John Moores to former agent Jeff Moorad appears to be almost finalized.  —  The two sides were close to wrapping up the sale, a baseball official with knowledge of situation told …

Big Apple still loves the Yankees best - except in Queens, poll finds  —  New York City is still a Yankee town, a new poll found Wednesday, less than two weeks before Opening Day.  —  Among the New Yorkers who expressed interest in big-league baseball, more than half - 56% …