Prominent names mentioned as possible Cubs' buyers  —  CHICAGO — Tribune Co. said it plans to sell the Chicago Cubs at the end of the 2007 baseball season, putting one of its most valuable assets on the block as it simultaneously announced Monday that real estate magnate Sam Zell was acquiring the media conglomerate.

Green means go for 2 hits  —  ST. LOUIS - Shawn Green noted his .149 spring average didn't count.  Still, it was easier to forget after last night, when he singled in his first two at-bats and went 2-for-4.  —  "For me, if I can go out and have a good series, or get off to a good start …

Opening Day Butterflies Are Part of Acta's Game  —  Manny Acta told his wife this offseason that he had to be careful when he was driving.  —  "I haven't become a major league manager until Opening Day comes," Acta said.  "If I have a car accident, I'm not going to go down in history as the manager of the Washington Nationals."

Mr. Clean  —  He's young!  Rich!  Handsome!  Able to throw out a runner at first while flashing a killer smile!  David Wright is the perfect New York sports star—almost too perfect.  —  D  —  avid Wright is not a very good bowler.  He would like you to know this …

Balking at the First Pitch  —  Bush's Skipping of Opening Day May Perpetuate a Ritual's Slow Decline  —  This is a baseball story, so let's get right to the stats.  —  Today is Washington's 65th Opening Day since 1910, when William H. Taft gave us a tradition: the ceremonial first pitch by the president.

Hernandez out for Orioles with oblique strain  —  MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Baltimore Orioles catcher Ramon Hernandez was scratched from the lineup Monday because of a strained left oblique muscle.  —  The Orioles, who were in Minnesota to play the Twins for their season opener …

Milwaukee 7, LA Dodgers 1  —  MILWAUKEE (AP) — Ben Sheets started the season in dominating style.  —  Sheets gave up an early home run, then retired his next 22 batters in a two-hitter Monday that led the Milwaukee Brewers over the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 in their opener.

Schilling Broken  —  My daughter just heard on the radio that Curt Schilling broke his arm in a car accident in Kansas.  I'm looking for a story now.  —  Update 8:10 AM: Still nothing on the web, but our local radio station says that Schilling stepped off a curb this morning and was grazed by the side-view mirror of an SUV.

Rays need to find progress beyond wins … Yankee stadium is prepped for the season opener between the Yankees and the Devil Rays: 1:05 p.m. Watch it on FSN.  —  NEW YORK - Baseball success is usually measured in numbers.  —  As the Yankees run onto the field for this afternoon's season opener …

Zambrano extends deadline for contract extension  —  CINCINNATI — Pitcher Carlos Zambrano extended his deadline to reach a contract extension with the Chicago Cubs beyond Opening Day, a sign the sides are nearing agreement.  —  Zambrano and the Cubs are thought to be discussing a five-year deal worth about $80 million.

Opening Day fever  —  As anticipation bubbles near and far, Sox set to bow in  —  Daisuke Matsuzaka was blinded by the light as he made this grab while shagging flies yesterday.  (JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF)  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Red Sox are the baseball Beatles.  They are Elvis.

Talks with Eckstein appear stalled  —  As long ago as the Winter Warm-up, Cardinals officials expressed a hope to approach shortstop David Eckstein during spring training to discuss an extension to his current contract.  —  There were some talks but nothing substantial while the club was in Florida …