Dodgers lose Choi to Red Sox  —  First baseman claimed by Boston off waivers  —  • Get Dodgers Spring Training tickets  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Hee-Seop Choi, the poster boy for "Moneyball" aficionados but a disappointment in his days as a Dodger, was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox on Friday.

Game of Shadows  —  When Kirby Pucket died a couple weeks back, I didn't post a memorial on The Crawfish Boxes.  And when Hall & Oates came to town last week, I didn't post a review here either.  And that's because I try as best I can to keep this space all Astros.

Notes: Unsung Hart continues to flourish  —  Versatility key for young player  —  thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com  —  Tucson, Ariz. - Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned Yost, never one to spend much time perusing statistical printouts, was checking out his club's exhibition numbers the other day when one stat caught his eye.

Johnson explores roots with O's … VIERA, FLA. // The trim man in the sunglasses, jeans and matching World Baseball Classic ballcap and golf shirt wandered into the visiting dugout at Space Coast Stadium yesterday hours before the Orioles played the Washington Nationals.  —  "Hey, Skip," he yelped

Notes: Dallas down on depth chart  —  McPherson might not make Angels' Opening Day roster  —  • Angels edged by A's in extra innings  —  • Buy Angels Spring Training tickets  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Dallas McPherson is ready to deal with the future even though he's not quite sure where that might take him.

Reed out with broken right wrist  —  Expected to miss six weeks, center fielder flies to Seattle  —  • Buy Mariners Spring Training tickets  —  • Complete Spring Training coverage  —  PEORIA, Ariz. — The Mariners' quiet spring of health has been disrupted in a potentially big way.

Reds are putting things together  —  Keep your eye on the Reds, who might attempt to trade catcher Jason LaRue after acquiring David Ross from the Padres earlier this week.  —  LaRue and Javier Valentin formed the most productive catching tandem in the majors last season, combining for 28 homers and 110 RBIs.

ESPN's Stark apologizes for Cuba remarks  —  ESPN and reporter Jayson Stark apologized Thursday for his tasteless remark involving the manager of Cuba's World Baseball Classic team, but Stark said there was no indication he will be disciplined by the network.

Eight Is Enough  —  The Nationals trimmed eight more players from their spring roster leaving 38 in the major league camp.  They optioned LHP pitcher Billy Traber to AAA New Orleans.  They reassigned RHPs Kyle Denney, Saul Rivera, & Steve Watkins; CA Mike DiFelice; and, OFs Kenny Kelly and George Lombard.

Five Questions: Cincinnati Reds  —  I'm sick and tired this offseason seeing the Reds ranked last in various important statistical categories from last season and projections for the upcoming season.  —  They finished last in runs allowed in 2005 (including last in component statistics such as DER …

My 15 Minutes  —  This week's Sports Illustrated has a lengthy article about "How the Web is Changing Sports Coverage."  —  The piece, which centers around the culture and growing popularity of online sportswriting, focuses largely on Bill Simmons of ESPN.com and to a lesser extent Will Leitch …

Five Questions: Seattle Mariners  —  How painful were the Mariners to watch last year?  Miguel Olivo was replaced by Pat Borders and it actually constituted an improvement.  A full 80% of the starting rotation posted an ERA north of 5.00 while pitching in the cavernous Safeco Field.

Lastings impression  —  Mets foresee bright future  —  JUPITER, Fla. - Wednesday night, Lastings Milledge whacked the game-winning hit against the Dodgers, and yesterday he was penciled in to make the road trip south for a night game against the Marlins.  —  There is just over a week left …

Circumstantial Evidence  —  • Colin's NCAA Tournament Bracket  —  • Circumstantial Evidence- Vince Young was impressive at his personal workout yesterday.  Big deal, says Colin.  He controlled all the circumstances.  And Colin apologizes for inaccurate reporting — Young actually got a 15 on his Wonderlic test, not 16.