Rich Hofmann: SAINTana  —  New York disgustingly canonizes new ace before he even pitches  —  NEW YORK - In the realm of the nauseating, this was even worse than Eli Manning and the fellas parading the Lombardi Trophy through the Canyon of Heroes (because the Giants earned it, after all).

McNamee's Evidence Would Be Hard to Date  —  The syringes, vials and gauze pads that Brian McNamee has turned over to federal investigators to back up his contention that he injected Roger Clemens with steroids and human growth hormone will be the subject of a strenuous attack if they enter the courtroom …

Rays sign Hinske to Minor League deal  —  Former Rookie of the Year also snags Spring Training invite  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays have signed Eric Hinske to a Minor League contract with an invite to Major League camp this spring.  —  “I'm excited to join the Rays,” said Hinske in a telephone interview.

Hagin set to join Mets' radio team  —  Wayne Hagin is expected to be announced next week as Tom McCarthy's successor as Mets radio voice alongside Howie Rose.  Hagin has called games for the Rockies and Cardinals.  He once got himself in trouble for implying Colorado first baseman Todd Helton used steroids.

Livan wants to lead Nats staff  —  Free agent righty makes desire to join Washington known  —  WASHINGTON — Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in less than a week and right-hander Livan Hernandez is still a free agent.  On Wednesday, Hernandez said he would like to play …

PAYROLL WON'T BE A PROBLEM, WILPON SAYS  —  If the Mets want to add to their payroll during the season, COO Jeff Wilpon told The Post yesterday there is still room to do it.  —  “Absolutely,” Wilpon said.  —  The Mets' payroll isn't fully determined yet, especially considering Ryan Church …

Cone Back With Yanks as an Analyst for YES  —  David Cone, who has lived a private life since his short comeback with the Mets in 2003, returned Wednesday to a more public role as a booth and studio analyst for a combined 50 to 75 games on the YES Network.  He signed a two-year contract.

Star pitchers looking to regain form  —  Several aces hope to rebound from injury-plagued '07  —  Off the radar screen for all or most of the 2007 season because of injury, several All-Star pitchers are hoping to get back in the picture in a big way in 2008.

Billy Joel To Be Shea's ‘Last Play’  —  Billy Joel will be the last artist to play at New York's Shea Stadium with a July 16 concert billed as “The Last Play at Shea, From the Beatles to Billy.”  The show comes in the midst of the New York Mets' final season at Shea; the team moves into its new home at Citi Field in 2009.

Q&A on Texas Rangers' Ryan hire  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  Rangers beat writer Evan Grant tries to answer lingering questions surrounding Wednesday's announcement that Nolan Ryan will join the club as team president:  —  What's the significance of the move?