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.

Marlins find plenty of positives after season's first win  —  WASHINGTON — Big hits. . . . Big smiles all around in the Marlins' clubhouse.  —  Coming off his Rookie of the Year season, shortstop Hanley Ramirez grinned when informed that he's on a pace to steal 324 bases.

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 …

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.

Cleveland 12, Chi White Sox 5  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Grady Sizemore set the tone for the Cleveland Indians with his first swing.  —  Sizemore homered off Jose Contreras on the game's second pitch, and the Indians added four more runs in the first inning on their way to a 12-5 victory …

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 …

Prospectus Hit List  —  Preseason Edition  —  If it's Opening Day, it's time for the first edition of the Hit List.  Few things in baseball generate as much controversy as preseason predictions, particularly when they contrast with what happened the season before.

What Really Ruined Baseball  —  WITH an off-season that included Mark McGwire's rejection by Hall of Fame voters, Barry Bonds's continuing problems and accusations that Gary Matthews Jr. of the Angels had obtained human growth hormones, it's hard not to think about the influence of performance-enhancing drugs this opening day.

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 …

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.

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 …