MLB announces iN DEMAND deal  —  MLB Channel Expects to Launch in 40 Million Homes through Multi-Distributor Pact  —  Major League Baseball announced today that iN DEMAND has entered into a seven-year agreement in principle to carry the MLB EXTRA INNINGS subscription package of out-of-market games …

Notes: Damon remains hobbled  —  Initial cramp diagnosis updated to calf strain; severity unknown  —  NEW YORK — A day of rest and treatment did little to ease the concerns and pain of Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, who said he could "barely walk" on Wednesday and was held out of the lineup …

Oakland hits Batista hard to win final game of series  —  This has been the overriding question facing the 2007 Mariners: How good were the three new arms acquired for the starting rotation?  —  Would the addition of Miguel Batista, Horacio Ramirez and Jeff Weaver signify a step forward …

Francisco Rodriguez doctoring the ball  —  4-2-2007, against the Rangers, K-Rod put something on the ball repeatedly during the 9th inning, and wasn't even subtle about it.  First, I'm going to admit these are bad pictures.  Patches welcome, as they say in the open source world.

TBS lands Gwynn, Ripken  —  Soon-to-be Hall of Famers hired as baseball analysts  —  Before Cooperstown honors Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken later this year, the Hall of Fame duo will be suiting up for another team.  —  SI.com has learned that Gwynn and Ripken have agreed to join TBS as analysts …

Young's walk-off hit caps Nats' rally  —  Three-run ninth inning helps Washington avoid sweep  —  WASHINGTON — Emotions ran high for Nationals manager Manny Acta and first baseman Dmitri Young on Wednesday afternoon after Acta received his first victory as a big-league manager and Young helped …

15 more persons of baseball influence  —  Just beyond baseball's 50 most influential people is a group of 15 people — up-and-comers, women and silent types — who have an effect on the game:  —  Five up-and-comers  —  •Steve Greenberg: The son of Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg …

3 Types of Home Runs, and the players who hit / allowed them.  —  A new feature for Hit Tracker is the classification of all home runs into one of three categories, based on how far past the fence they flew.  The categories are:  — "Just Enough" or "JE", which means the ball cleared …

Dodgers ready to celebrate 2007 home opener  —  Steve Sax to throw out first pitch, Nomar Garciaparra to receive his Comeback Player of the Year Award from the MLBPA  —  LOS ANGELES — Dodger Stadium will host its first game of the 2007 season on Monday, April 9 when the Los Angeles Dodgers …

D-backs drop Durbin from roster  —  Arizona makes room for Owings, opts to keep Nippert  —  DENVER — Dustin Nippert was a bright spot on an otherwise forgettable day for the D-backs.  —  The right-hander was impressive in his one inning of work, and after the game found out that he would be staying …

Cards' La Russa charged with drunken driving in Florida  —  JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa was arrested Thursday on a drunken-driving charge after police said they found him asleep inside his running sport-utility vehicle at a stoplight.

Mets' bullpen appears mightier  —  ST. LOUIS — Letting Chad Bradford go this winter was supposed to be a huge mistake.  Losing Duaner Sanchez until August because of another shoulder setback in spring training figured to be a crippling blow as well.  But the Mets' bullpen seems just fine …

Boston 7, Kansas City 1  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — When Gold Glove third baseman Mike Lowell committed errors on consecutive ground balls, Josh Beckett figured it was time for payback.  —  "As many times as he's picked me up in my career, I wanted to pick him up so bad," the Boston right-hander said.

'67 Sox gather for salute  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Red Sox [team stats] will mark the 40th anniversary of the fabled "Impossible Dream" team with a season-long tribute that begins prior to the home opener at Fenway Park [map] on Tuesday.  —  The 1967 Sox, who went from a ninth-place team …