Body language analyst breaks down Clemens, McNamee performances … ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The first verbal knife had yet to be thrown.  Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee had yet to say a single word.  And yet renowned body language expert Janine Driver already had jumped off her couch …

George Steinbrenner's Bronx legacy  —  As the Boss' control of the Yankees has passed on to younger generations of Steinbrenner children, Yankee fans are grappling with an interesting question: How will Yankee fans remember George Steinbrenner?  —  When I, on Monday, wrote about George's buying the Yankees …

Pitchers and catchers start to check in  —  Had a chance to speak to Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain so far this morning.  —  Hughes, as always, was measured and confident.  He said he was shocked at the revelations about Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens but still feels the same way about them personally.

Sabathia, Indians Put Off Contract Talks  —  We know the Indians had been working with ace C.C. Sabathia on a contract extension over the course of the winter, but nothing has materialized.  This morning, front and center on his official website (because some poacher has ccsabathia.com) …

At long last, spring training is upon us … CLEARWATER, Fla. — Well, it's that time again ...  Time to pay way more attention to those Molina brothers than those Manning brothers.  Time to zone in on George Sherrill instead of George Mitchell.  Time to stop focusing on Byung-Hyun Kim's exhaustive search …

Mets sign outfielder Ben Johnson  —  FLUSHING — The New York Mets announced today they have signed outfielder Ben Johnson to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.  —  Johnson, 26, batted .185 (5-27) with one double and one RBI in nine games last season with New York.

Johan Santana pitches in at Mets camp  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - One day before pitchers and catchers officially reported, Johan Santana arrived at the Mets' spring-training complex on Wednesday afternoon and quickly got to work with an impromptu throwing session.

Pap on Pap  —  While Jonathan Papelbon's not about to explore the wonderful world of starting (again), he did offer that he might take on Terry Francona's job this season.  Reliever?  Starter?  Manager?  —  OK, maybe not.  But that doesn't mean that Papelbon's not going to use …

Billy Ball  —  Billy Wagner settled into his corner locker this morning and fired away to reporters like he already was in mid-season form.  The Mets closer, though thrilled with the Johan Santana trade, doesn't believe he's an automatic ticket to the playoffs this season.

Leyland: ‘Strong possibility’ Inge still will get traded  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Promptly addressing the biggest unresolved issue of the Tigers' off-season, manager Jim Leyland said Thursday there's a “strong possibility” Brandon Inge still will get traded.  —  But Leyland is not going to let it become …

Lies, Damned Lies  —  The Smoking Gun?  —  friendly  —  There has been a Dueling Banjos dynamic between two conflicting analyses that attempt to address the potential impact of performance enhancing drugs on Roger Clemens's career.  One, put out by Hendricks Sports Management …

Beckett lives in present  —  Future furthest thing from Sox ace's mind … FORT MYERS - Josh Beckett [stats] hadn't heard about the ESPN.com report quoting an unnamed Red Sox [team stats] official stating: “We'd better enjoy Josh Beckett the next three years.  Because we won't be able to sign him after his deal is up after 2010.”

First Step to One-Name Status  —  Time stopped here a little before 10:40 a.m. when Johan Santana made his way from a back field toward the six-pack — the six pitching rubbers outside the Mets' clubhouse — to pitch off a mound.  Standing in the shade, Brian Schneider and David Wright stopped their conversation to watch.

Pettitte, Wang otherwise occupied as Yanks report  —  TAMPA, Fla. - The Yankees have all kinds of questions about their starting rotation as they wait for pitchers and catchers to report to spring training today.  Concerns about Andy Pettitte may dominate their thoughts …