The lowdown on Lo Duca  —  New York guy horses around  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - The Mets' new catcher needs the answer to a geography question.  Paul Lo Duca spent the first two years of his life in Brooklyn, Ave.  U and E. 2nd St., he tells me.  But since I'm a Bronx guy and all I know about Brooklyn …

Cedeno no sure thing  —  Cedeno no sure thing 'Everything man' Perez ready to go if shortstop stumbles  —  MESA, Ariz. — Ronny Cedeno's grip on the Cubs' shortstop job may be more tenuous than he knows with Opening Day around the corner.  —  Cedeno hit .216 in the Cactus League this spring …

Reality Bites Back: Some at ESPN Assail Bonds Show  —  A two-day seminar attended by ESPN personnel at an airport hotel in Hartford earlier this week exposed a schism within the network about the wisdom of televising a 10-hour reality series starring Barry Bonds.

With Eaton out, Dominguez likely in Rangers' rotation  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Adam Eaton still isn't sure if it will be rest and rehab or surgery for his injured right middle finger, but he does know now that he'll be out at least three months.  —  That was the discouraging dispatch …

Dowd criticizes Selig's selection of Mitchell  —  NEW YORK — Baseball launched its probe Thursday into alleged steroids use by Barry Bonds and others, and right away the head of the investigation came under attack because of his close ties to the sport.  —  In the wake of a searing book about Bonds …

Anna Benson files for divorce from O's pitcher  —  New Baltimore player says Mets traded him because of wife's actions  —  Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kris Benson, left, and his wife Anna Benson talk with media after the pitcher's trade from the Mets in January.  —  Slide show

Notes: Wright encouraged by outing  —  Yankees right-hander pitches in Minor League game  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Jaret Wright threw 4 1/3 innings of one-run ball in a Minor League game on Thursday, seeing his first game action since suffering back spasms on March 19.

Rivals Share Common Enemy  —  Symbolic days can surprise you.  You don't know how you'll feel until they arrive.  Tonight, the Baltimore Orioles come to RFK Stadium to play the Washington Nationals in a game that, for more than 30 years, many doubted would ever come to pass.

As Mets Ponder Final Cuts, Roster Has International Cast  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., March 30 — On a recent morning, Jose Lima cranked up some merengue music and started moving his arms and legs in a way that only he knows how to do.  He grabbed Duaner Sanchez, a fellow Dominican, from his stool …

Myers Wants Frisbee to Be a Collector's Item  —  TAMPA, Fla., March 29 — There have been many, many players more famous than Mike Myers.  But somehow, year after year, Myers winds up on the same field with all the talented guys, delighted to be in on a wonderful joke.

Baseball 2006: Tracy's goals are big, but strategies small  —  FORT MYERS, Fla.— When presenting challenges to his players, Pirates manager Jim Tracy stresses thinking big.  —  The day before the first full workouts of spring training, he gathered all 62 of them in a Pirate City cafeteria …

2006 Team Previews: St. Louis Cardinals, Pitching  —  This pitching preview was written by Ryan of Cardinals Diaspora, "A Refuge for Cardinals Fans Disenfranchised by Geography."  Be sure to check out his site, and enjoy this preview.  —  Imagine a Successories poster that said …

Nationals finalize 25-man roster  —  Tucker released, Gryboski and Castillo reassigned to Minors  —  VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals have their Opening Day roster set as they made their final cuts on Thursday morning.  Washington gave outfielder Michael Tucker his unconditional release …

Notes: Roster spot for Fernandez?  —  Manager Yost says knuckleballer's 'chances improved'  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — Jared Fernandez has one knuckle in the door, but his spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster is not ensured just yet.  —  The Brewers placed Ben Sheets on the 15-day disabled list …

The American League: Like you knew them in high school  —  For my Major League Baseball 2006 Preview, I figured I would relate each baseball team to people you knew from high school.  Everybody remembers high school and if not, play along with these slight stereotypes.  —  American League