Mattingly steps down as hitting coach  —  Leaves position for family reasons; will remain advisor  —  LOS ANGELES — Don Mattingly, named by the Dodgers as hitting coach two months ago and the presumed eventual replacement for new manager Joe Torre, stepped aside on Tuesday for family reasons …

White Sox agree to terms on four-year contract with Alexei Ramirez  —  CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a four-year, $4.75-million contract with free agent infielder/outfielder Alexei Ramirez.  Under terms of the deal, Ramirez will receive a $500,000 signing bonus …

Matsui's knee not quite there yet?  —  My Baseball Bias tips us off to this post at the Let's Go Yankees Blog about Hideki Matsui's knee.  Let's Go Yankees Blog sends us to an article on MLB.com's Japanese affiliate.  Got all that?  There will be a quiz.  —  The article, according …

Knoblauch subpoenaed by House committee  —  WASHINGTON — Four-time All-Star Chuck Knoblauch was subpoenaed Tuesday by a congressional committee investigating steroids in baseball after he failed to respond to an invitation to give a deposition.  —  Knoblauch, who played for the Yankees …

The “Great Debates” — BJ Upton vs. Robinson Cano  —  After a knock-down drag out brawl in yesterday's Democratic debate, Rays Anatomy is ready to argue major leaguers once again.  There are several worthwhile points of debate in the national pastime, and nothing gets fans or bloggers riled …

Shields deal set; announcement Wednesday  —  The new deal could pay Shields more than $38-million over the full seven years, the Times has learned.  Plus there are incentive clauses that could push the total value to more than $40-million.  The guaranteed portion of the deal …

Report: Padres GM Towers agrees to extension  —  SAN DIEGO — Padres general manager Kevin Towers agreed to a two-year contract extension that runs through 2010, The Associated Press learned Tuesday night.  —  The deal was confirmed by two people familiar with the negotiations who spoke …

Cherished mementos part of the game  —  Every baseball fan has a favorite collectible keepsake  —  Brian Michael is a Phillies fan in Washington whose prized possessions include a few personalized Mike Schmidt-signed baseballs, a rare Steve Carlton ball signed “Lefty,” and one autographed by Willie Mays.

Marquee Value for A-Rod or Santana?  Nearly Impossible  —  On more than one occasion, authors and analysts have worked to try and assign a value of a player, beyond the wins that they may contribute on the field.  Players like Alex Rodriguez, Johan Santana, and others have been talked …

Tigers invite 21 to Spring Training  —  Only Lopez, Perez and Mantei have big league experience  —  DETROIT — Don't count on many “Where-are-they-now?” stories when the Tigers open Spring Training in three weeks.  There could be a few more stories of “Where are they going?”

Tigers invite 21 players to Major League camp  —  DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has invited the following 21 players to Major League camp:  —  Pitchers:  —  Aquilino Lopez  —  Catchers:  —  Max.  St. Pierre  —  Infielders:  —  Outfielders:  —  Timo Perez

Starting point: stability  —  Schilling's right: The durable rotation has the edge  —  Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling last March correctly predicted, in theory, the winner of the American League East when he said, “The rotation that makes the most starts wins the division.  It's that simple.”