Rangers feel they can make their pitch  —  In a sense, signing Barry Zito would have been like winning the lottery for the Rangers, although in the player-friendly economics of baseball, winning the lottery is a costly experience for teams.  —  Adding Zito to the Rangers' rotation …

Minaya's off-season enhances his rep  —  New York Mets GM Omar Minaya has already established himself as one of the most effective execs in the game today, and this winter has done nothing to change that.  —  Since the Mets came up short in the NLCS, Minaya has re-upped with Tom Glavine …

Howard still looking for new agent  —  The Phillies' MVP slugger may hire Leon Rose, who represents Allen Iverson and other NBA stars.  —  Ryan Howard recently fired agent Larry Reynolds, but it remains unclear who his next agent will be.  —  The buzz in baseball Saturday …

In the Long Run, Great Arms Come With Big Risks  —  Pete Seeger wrote it and Peter, Paul and Mary sang it and made it hugely popular during the Vietnam War.  It could apply to the war in Iraq, but the refrain in "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" applies to baseball as well:  —  "When will they ever learn?

The Virtual 1946-1949 St. Louis Cardinals (Part 1)  —  The St. Louis Cardinals of the 1930s are among the most colorful and well-remembered ball clubs in history.  With a lineup chock-full of lively, high-spirited stars, a high proportion of them country boys recruited from the rural hinterlands …

Memo to Omar: Just Don't Do It  —  Lastings Milledge has been mentioned in so many trade talks that it's surprising the Sixers didn't get him back for Allen Iverson.  The latest rumor has him being shipped to the A's for Joe Blanton.  —  Omar Minaya needs to be very careful about what he gets …

Ex-Brooklyn Dodger Koy dead at 97  —  BELLVILLE, Texas (AP) — Ernie Koy, the former Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder who homered in his first at-bat in the majors, died Monday.  He was 97.  —  Koy's family said he died in his sleep at home, longtime University of Texas sports information director Bill Little said.

Williams killed when limo sprayed with bullets  —  DENVER — Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed early Monday when his white stretch Hummer was sprayed by bullets after a nightclub dispute following a New Year's Eve party.  —  Police have no motive and no indication the 24-year-old Williams …

Players now believe Cowher is quitting  —  By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Some Steelers players came from yesterday's meeting with coach Bill Cowher believing even more firmly that he will quit as their coach.  —  Cowher met with his players and assistant coaches …

Rangers join A's in Piazza hunt  —  The A's biggest competition for free-agent catcher Mike Piazza might come from within their own division.  —  The Rangers have shown steady interest in Piazza, FOXSports.com has learned, envisioning him as lineup protection for Mark Teixeira.

Huff, Orioles agree in principle on three-year deal  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Aubrey Huff has reached a preliminary agreement on a three-year, $20 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, who hope the versatile free agent can add punch to a lineup that ranked 11th in the AL in home runs last season.

Royals' arms ready to go for 2007  —  Moore has worked to beef up Kansas City's pitching  —  KANSAS CITY — He should slap a big stamp on the pitching staff: "Made by Dayton Moore."  —  Moore wasn't in the Royals general manager's chair for long before observing that the club's biggest need was pitching.