Josh schools 'em: Beckett changes speeds, confuses NU  —  FORT MYERS - Josh Beckett [stats] never attended college, and prior to yesterday, he had never even faced collegiate competition due to his direct path from high school to the pros.  —  Red Sox spring training:

Marlins' Johnson could miss season  —  JUPITER — Marlins starting pitcher Josh Johnson might miss at least the first month of the season and could be lost for the year because of possible nerve damage in his right arm, sources said Wednesday.  —  Johnson is scheduled to have an MRI today …

Here's one $80 million signing that's priceless  —  Consider the numbers.  —  Five years, $80 million.  —  Huge dollars, yes.  But look at it a better way.  —  Instead of one Alex Rodriguez at 10 years and $252 million, Rangers owner Tom Hicks could have had three Michael Youngs.

Cain signs multiyear deal with Giants  —  Young right-hander goes for four years with option for fifth  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Noah Lowry used the calendar to put Matt Cain's brand-new deal with the Giants in perspective.  —  "When he's done with that contract, he'll be almost my age," Lowry said.

Mets built for the long haul  —  Remind critics NL East race isn't a sprint  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - The slights keep coming for the Mets.  It was one thing for Jimmy Rollins to declare his Phillies, those perennial underachievers, as the team to beat in the National League East this season.

Lefties rule Randolph's bullpen  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Dae-Sung Koo's headfirst dive into home while wearing a warm-up jacket with a weighted ball in his pocket, after reaching on a double against Randy Johnson, cemented his place in Subway Series lore.  —  But now when Willie Randolph calls …

Gabbard, Hansack face Jays in loss  —  Hinske smacks double off former teammate Halladay  —  BLUE JAYS 4, RED SOX 1  —  Red Sox at the plate: Boston's lone run came in the seventh inning, when Brandon Moss grounded into a 4-6-3 double play with no outs and the bases loaded.

Dentist sues late pitcher's estate over plane crash  —  NEW YORK — A dentist to the rich and famous has filed a $7 million lawsuit against the estate of late New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle, claiming his home was destroyed when the ballplayer's small airplane crashed into his apartment building.

Notes: A dash of soreness for duo  —  Fielder, Gross hurting after timed sprint; Braun makes noise  —  PHOENIX — First baseman Prince Fielder was scratched from the Brewers' first Cactus League game because of a sore right quadriceps, another casualty of the team's much-ballyhooed 60-yard dash.

Day Two of Not Caring  —  Honestly, I've tried, and I just can't bring myself to care about this whole Gary Matthews thing.  Quite honestly, I'm much more concerned about UCLA vs. Wazzu, and Anze Kopitar missing the game against the Ducks tonight, because really, if he's not playing, what point is there in watching?

First base a first for Boone  —  JUPITER — After 10 major-league seasons, Aaron Boone had another first Thursday.  —  Boone made his first career start at first base in Florida's 8-6 victory against the Orioles.  His first putout came in the first inning when Melvin Mora bounced into a 6-4-3 double-play.