Taking a Different Kind of Dive  —  NEW YORK As Alfonso Soriano was about to slide into home plate, he suddenly saw the bat at the last instant.  By accident, or perhaps as an emblem of his luck since becoming a National, the large black stick lay in exactly the worst place a bat can be …

Schilling's form spoke volumes  —  ARLINGTON, Texas — He's been more style than substance since that October Sunday night at Fenway when he bled into his sock and established himself as superhero/ultimate warrior/Boston sports deity.  —  In the year and a half since that night …

Barry Bonds' aunt battled homelessness  —  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Barry Bonds' aunt spent months living in her car and a homeless shelter last year after a wreck left her out of a job, but the former U.S. Olympian said she was too proud to ask the baseball star for help.

Cubs' plan: Keep Hendry  —  Extension for Baker probably would follow  —  CINCINNATI — The Cubs will begin negotiations Wednesday on a contract extension for general manager Jim Hendry, sources said.  —  A deal could be announced as early as Thursday.  —  It's no secret the Cubs …

Anna Benson drops divorce petition  —  Tabloid favorite Anna Benson no longer wants to divorce Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kris Benson.  —  On Tuesday, she dismissed the divorce petition she had filed last week in Atlanta, attorney Jeffrey B. Bogart said in a press release.

Rollins owes La Russa one  —  The Cards' manager helped extend the hitting streak by asking for a strike.  —  Jimmy Rollins' hitting streak survived the long, cold winter, and he has two people to thank for that.  —  The first, of course, is himself.  While some players might have stiff-armed …

Lackey signs through 2009  —  Pitcher says, 'It is nice for them to show the confidence in me.'  —  SEATTLE — John Lackey signed a $17.01 million, three-year deal with a club option for 2009 on Monday.  —  The right-hander avoided arbitration in January when he signed a one-year deal …

Garciaparra hurting  —  LOS ANGELES - No one was willing to say it, but Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra probably will be placed on the 15-day disabled list today with a strained muscle in his right side, an injury he suffered during Sunday's Freeway Series finale at Angel Stadium.

MLB Power Rankings: Week 1  —  Much has changed since the end of the 2005 season — amphetamines were banned, the Marlins gutted their roster, the Mets and Blue Jays spent money in Yankee-esque proportions.  —  But one thing hasn't changed: The Chicago White Sox are still baseball's No. 1 team.

Sabathia put on DL, could be out 3 to 5 weeks  —  Sabathia put on DL, could be out 3 to 5 weeks  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Cleveland Indians ace lefty C.C. Sabathia was put on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday and is expected to be out three to five weeks with a strained right oblique muscle.

The Talent Gap  —  Their starting catcher, Ramon Hernandez, is an established talent though not immediately an impressive figure.  Around the infield, though, this team is good.  Jim Thome at first base, Luis Castillo at second base, Alex Gonzalez at short, and Troy Glaus at third?

Gearing up for Opening Day  —  We're within spitting distance of opening day — the greatest day of the year, of course — and it's time to dish out the final pre-season rankings of 2006.  —  Questions for this week ... Who is the best team in A.L. (provided it stays healthy)?

Notes: Record six rookies start  —  Management renewed; German claimed off waivers  —  HOUSTON — In settling on Monday's starting lineup, Marlins manager Joe Girardi made some baseball history.  —  For the first time since 1900, regarded as the beginning of the league's modern era …

Pirates GM Littlefield gets contract extension through 2008  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pirates and general manager Dave Littlefield agreed Monday to a one-year contract extension through 2008, the second time in three seasons he got a new deal on opening day.  —  Pittsburgh has gone through 13 straight losing seasons.