Angelos the answer man … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // Orioles owner Peter Angelos emerged from the club's spring training offices moments before yesterday's exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox and told a group of waiting reporters that he was there to watch a game and not to make statements.

Floyd goes to bat defending his defense  —  TEMPE, Ariz. — With Lou Piniella's emphasis on fielding in Cubs camp, left fielder Cliff Floyd can only think: Don't forget about me.  —  Thought to be the weak link in the outfield defense, especially as he recovers from off-season left heel surgery …

Sox missing idiot: Team lacking Millar's levity  —  FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A familiar scene played out at the ballpark before yesterday's game between the Red Sox [team stats] and Orioles - one that was reminiscent of an unforgettable time not so long ago.  —  There was an idiot at center stage.

2007 Projected Division Standings  —  Thanks to the extremely hard work of the contributors at this site, The Hardball Times keeps on getting better.  No doubt by now you have flicked through our latest offering: The 2007 Preseason Annual.  There is no excuse not to own a copy …

Bowden: Left Field Race Is Still Open  —  Less than two weeks after Washington Nationals Manager Manny Acta declared Ryan Church would be the starting left fielder even if he went " for the rest of . . . spring training," General Manager Jim Bowden declared the left field situation …

Wells has new ailment: diabetes  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - David Wells' life changed two weeks ago when he learned he has Type 2 diabetes, also called adult-onset diabetes.  —  "Obviously, this is a concern," the Padres' 43-year-old pitcher said yesterday.  "But it's beatable.  And I'm going to beat it.

Sore knee adds to Hermida's misery  —  MELBOURNE — Right fielder Jeremy Hermida's efforts to work out of a spring slump were put on hold Sunday when he was scratched from the lineup because of a sore right knee.  —  Hermida fouled a pitch square off his right kneecap in his last at-bat Saturday.

No more baby steps: Seattle to let loose Hernandez  —  "He's stupid young," Bavasi says.  "It's ridiculous.  That is so forgotten because he's as big as a house, he's sure of himself and he's never done anything wrong.  —  "People look at him like Bob Gibson.  But he was a child last year."

Velocity rarely fast track to top  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Watch Ambiorix Burgos' eyes light up like the red digits on a radar gun when asked about his fastest pitch.  "Last year, 103 [mph].  Three or four times," the Mets' 22-year-old reliever said.  —  Watch pitching coach Rick Peterson grimace at the same question.

Notes: Hendrickson clears waivers  —  Brewers considering trade options for embattled right-hander  —  PHOENIX — Brewers right-hander Ben Hendrickson, the onetime top pitching prospect who has struggled to jump to the Majors, cleared waivers on Sunday and was sent outright to Triple-A Nashville.

Rangers' starter race tightens up  —  Competition for No. 5 spot whittled down to Chen, Wright and Loe  —  rdurrett@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen threw three scoreless innings for the Rangers in Sunday's 12-8 win over Colorado.

Charles Einstein, Editor of Baseball Tomes, Dies at 80  —  Charles Einstein, a sportswriter and author who edited a prominent baseball anthology and chronicled the career of Willie Mays, died March 7 in Michigan City, Ind. He was 80.  —  His death was announced by his son David.

60 seconds with Stan Kasten, the president of the Washington Nationals  —  Joe Capozzi spoke with Stan Kasten, the president of the Washington Nationals.  —  The Marlins and Nationals will play the last home opener at RFK Stadium on April 2.  Will President Bush throw out the first pitch?

Pettitte shines, but Yankees fall  —  Left-hander tosses five scoreless frames against Phils  —  PHILLIES 3, YANKEES 2  —  Yankees at the plate: Miguel Cairo drove in New York's first run with a two-out single in the second inning.  The run was set up by a Chase Utley error on a fielder's choice grounder.

Gorzelanny gives up beer ... and also is giving up runs  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Gorzelanny decided a few weeks ago to give up beer and soda for Lent.  —  What he didn't decide to do was give up runs during Lent.  —  "I'd rather give up beer than runs," he said.

Easley Takes a Roundabout Route to the Mets  —  Damion Easley considers himself a New Yorker, but he can safely say that leaving is one of the best things that has happened to him.  —  At age 11, Easley moved to Southern California to live with his father.