Suppan finalizes deal with Brewers  —  Veteran right-hander signs largest deal in club history  —  MILWAUKEE — Jeff Suppan passed a physical Friday morning, formally clearing his path into the Brewers' starting rotation.  —  Suppan and the team came to terms Christmas Eve on a free agent contract …

Zito's deal would burden Rangers  —  The Rangers got some good news Thursday.  They aren't going to be the ones to overpay Barry Zito.  —  Texas fans should embrace the Giants' decision to lure Zito across the Bay Bridge with a seven-year, $126-million contract.

Marlins ink Boone to one-year contract  —  Infielder will back up at first and third and come off bench  —  MIAMI — Scratch the need for a veteran backup, right-handed hitting infielder off the Marlins' shopping list.  —  Quiet for much of the offseason, the Marlins on Friday filled …

Candidates using new means to gain votes … Tom Petty made his mark toting a Rickenbacker electric guitar rather than a Louisville Slugger, and he's immortalized in a Hall of Fame in downtown Cleveland, not upstate New York.  But he might as well have been speaking for Cooperstown aspirants everywhere …

Mets miss out on Zito  —  After hearing the numbers, the Mets were never in the game for Barry Zito.  —  The biggest fish in the free- agent pond agreed to terms on a seven-year, $126 million contract with the San Francisco Giants pending a physical yesterday.

Tribe among Mulder's three suitors  —  Agent Gregg Clifton said Thursday that the Indians, Texas and St. Louis are the three finalists in the bidding for injured left-hander Mark Mulder.  —  Mulder wants a two-year deal to keep his options open as he recovers from rotator cuff surgery on his left shoulder.

A 'no' for Big Mac  —  Tainted McGwire fails to make my Hall of Fame ballot  —  Also in this column:  —  Upon seeing my filled-out Hall of Fame ballot, some will call me lenient, say I'm a soft touch or maybe even claim I'm a little too giddy with spiked eggnog this Holiday season.

Yanks, D-Backs close to Unit deal  —  The Diamondbacks have been the most aggressive suitors for Randy Johnson and sources close to the negotiations said yesterday that the Yankees and Arizona could complete a trade to send Johnson back to the desert before next week.

1. Boston Red Sox: Wally the Green Monster  —  If you're a self-proclaimed Red Sox die-hard, then you hate Wally.  But everyone else seems to like him.  According to the Red Sox, Wally lived in the left field wall (aka the Green Monster) and didn't decide to show his face until 1997, the 50th anniversary of the wall.

Murcer surgery called a success  —  Bobby Murcer emerged in good spirits yesterday from six hours of surgery to remove a brain tumor and, according to close family sources, the Yankee legend's doctor was "completely happy" with how the operation went.  —  According to former Yankee publicist Marty Appel …

Giants now have shot at NL West crown  —  It's a Happy New Year for Barry Zito and the San Francisco Giants.  —  The classy left-hander surprised a lot of people when he decided to remain in the Bay Area and inked a seven-year, $126 million pact with the Giants, the largest contract ever given …

Ramirez sidelined with sore shoulder  —  Marlins shortstop to miss rest of Winter League  —  MIAMI (AP) — Hanley Ramirez, this year's top rookie in the National League, will miss the rest of the Dominican winter league season because of a left shoulder strain, but the Florida Marlins shortstop …

Blurst of times...  Flying cars.  —  Female atheist president.  —  Cold fusion.  —  Portuguese military base on Jupiter.  —  "Now taking the mound for the Giants, Barrrrry Zito!"  —  Still in shock.  —  Myth: This prevents the Giants from constructing a good team in the future.  Crazy talk.