Ripken, Baltimore: A love affair  —  BALTIMORE (AP) — Cal Ripken Jr. rarely heard jeers when the Baltimore Orioles played on the road, even when he helped beat the home team.  —  Ripken rarely questioned umpires and never showed up the players in the other dugout.

Mailbag: Evaluating the signing of Fick  —  Nationals beat reporter Bill Ladson answers fans' questions … Do you think the signing of Robert Fick was a good move?  He said he feels he can get at least 300 at-bats this year.  — Jason D., Tustin, Calif.

Drew Is a Red Sox in Waiting ... and Waiting  —  J. D. Drew could not be reached for comment yesterday.  He changed his telephone number or had a problem with his phone service, because the automated message said his number had been disconnected or was not in service.

Mulder's time in St. Louis may be marked over  —  This is the week that could help define the defending world champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2007: Free-agent pitcher Mark Mulder will decide whether he will pitch this summer for the Cardinals, Texas or Cleveland by Wednesday or Thursday, his agent, Gregg Clifton, said Monday.

White Sox GM stands by Uribe  —  Williams confident shortstop will be cleared of charges  —  After sorting through the seemingly ever-changing information concerning Juan Uribe and his ongoing legal troubles in the Dominican Republic, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams reiterated his strong support for the embattled shortstop.

Littlefield: Trade for bat still possible  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  They are, without question, the burning questions of the Pirates' still-sleepy offseason:  —  Will they acquire that coveted left-handed power bat?  —  And might it be Atlanta Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche?

Notes: Griffey healing as expected  —  Junior's broken left hand to be reexamined in roughly 10 days  —  CINCINNATI — The latest tests on Reds center fielder Ken Griffey Jr.'s broken left hand appeared to be positive.  —  The club revealed on Monday that Griffey underwent X-rays …

Rox working on deal with Lopez  —  Former All-Star catcher could compete for starting job  —  DENVER — Javy Lopez's desire to regain his All-Star form behind the plate could change the complexion of the Rockies' catching position.  —  Lopez, 36, and the Rockies were still ironing out the details of a one-year contract on Monday.

Mailbag: Does Trachsel fit with team?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble tackles Mets fans' questions  —  With the current state of the market for starting pitchers and the Mets in need of a starter, what are your thoughts of bringing back Steve Trachsel?  If the front office truly is considering …

Reitsma, Mariners agree to deal  —  SEATTLE (AP) - Chris Reitsma is coming off a rare arm injury, similar to the one Kenny Rogers had.  —  No, not the Detroit Tigers pitcher.  —  "The country singer," Reitsma said.  "He held his mike, and he had the same problem."

Giants' free agents not officially signed  —  Contract language holding up finalizing nine players' deals  —  NEW YORK — Though all the focus recently has been on Barry Bonds, the San Francisco Giants have not officially signed any of the nine free agents they came to agreements with this offseason.

Why Rice deserves a Cooperstown plaque  —  In baseball, collective attention is gradually shifting from hot stove goings-on to annual Hall of Fame debates.  —  In recent years, one recurring and particularly feverish argument is the one over the status of Jim Rice.