McGwire's Hall hopes rest on confession  —  A confession would help.  —  A confession would liberate Mark McGwire, increasing his chances of redemption by an ever-forgiving public, not to mention the 10-year members of the Baseball Writers Association of America who vote for the Hall of Fame.

Cardinals await Mulder's decision  —  The Cardinals could learn as early as today whether free agent lefthander Mark Mulder will accept their modified two-year proposal potentially worth about $18 million.  —  General manager Walt Jocketty met with Mulder and agent Gregg Clifton in Scottsdale …

Rockies sign Javy Lopez  —  Signing strengthens competition at catcher  —  In the Rockies, Javy Lopez saw an opportunity.  In Lopez, the Rockies saw someone who has faced adversity.  —  Lopez's desire to revive his career led Colorado to sign the veteran catcher Tuesday …

No good reason for voters' capriciousness … Here's what we know, now that the results are in from one of the most fascinating Hall of Fame elections ever held:  —  • Mark McGwire is so far from Cooperstown, he could get there faster riding a pack mule than he could by having the baseball writers elect him.

Edmonds has surgery on foot, shoulder  —  The club confirmed center fielder Jim Edmonds had surgery on his left foot last Friday.  Edmonds, who signed a two-year extension with the club in November, is also recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery that team medical supervisor …

Giants sign free-agent pitcher Russ Ortiz  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Adding a veteran arm in the form of a familiar face, the San Francisco Giants have signed free-agent right-handed pitcher Russ Ortiz to a one-year contract for the 2007 season, club Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today.

Maine gets a head start  —  In previous winters, John Maine would have agonized over the Mets' pursuit of various big-name pitchers.  Would the possibility of a new star coming to Shea mean Maine would be bumped out of a place in the rotation?  —  By his own admission, Maine has a track record of fretting over such things.

Rock, Sox, and a hot time  —  Sunday night's Hot Stove, Cool Music benefit concert and auction was the best in the event's seven-year history.  —  Why?  In addition to Kay Hanley, Bill Janovitz, and a who's who of local musicians that have brought Boston's signature indie rock to Hot Stove stages …

Steve Garvey Gets No Respect  —  A couple of days ago, I wrote a quick take on 18 of the players on the 2007 Hall of Fame ballot.  That meant I ignored 14 others, including such legendary figures as Bobby Witt and Scott Brosius.  —  I also neglected to discuss Steve Garvey.

Brewers to preview DVD release  —  Video salutes 25th anniversary of World Series appearances  —  MILWAUKEE — A video documentary about the 1982 American League pennant-winning Brewers is due for release on April 10, the team announced Tuesday.  —  The release of "Harvey's Wallbangers …

Kornheiser back on Monday Night Football  —  After an inaugural season in which ESPN's "Monday Night Football" drew mixed reviews but strong ratings, the network plans to have analyst Tony Kornheiser back in 2007.  —  And Kornheiser is all for it.  Early yesterday, he told Newsday …

Tony Gwynn Hall of Fame Interview  —  I had the opportunity to tag along to interview Tony Gwynn yesterday in his office at Tony Gwynn Stadium.  I traded my photography skills for a chance to submit a few questions and hang out with him for about a half hour.  This was on the eve of his Hall of Fame announcement.

Mixed Up Sox  —  [Editor's note: Patrick Sullivan has agreed to join Baseball Analysts as a regular contributor.  Sully, as he is known throughout the baseball blogosphere, joins us from The House That Dewey Built.  He should be familiar to our readers, both as a guest columnist …