Waxman Regrets Hearing Was Held  —  WASHINGTON — A day after a dramatic, nationally televised hearing that pitted Roger Clemens against his former personal trainer and Democrats against Republicans, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform said Thursday …

Cox greets 27th season, maybe more beyond  —  Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Today might be the last time Bobby Cox welcomes pitchers and catchers to spring training as a major league manager.  Then again, it might not be.  —  “I don't really look at it that way,” the Braves manager said Wednesday …

SPRING TRAINING  —  Molina: Giants don't need HRs  —  (02-15) 04:00 PST Scottsdale, Ariz. — To the legions of doubters who think the Giants will be too impotent to win games in 2008, catcher Bengie Molina offers a piece of jewelry as his counterargument.  It is his 2002 World Series championship ring …

Mets, Perez still negotiating  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Mets keep talking with agent Scott Boras in the hope of avoiding arbitration with left-hander Oliver Perez by signing him to a long-term contract.  —  The Mets are also talking with Boras about a one-year contract.

Texas Rangers, Kinsler in contract talks  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. - Last year, the Rangers celebrated the start of the exhibition season by announcing a five-year contract with Michael Young.  —  Could this year's lucky winner be Ian Kinsler?

Mets name Sandy Alomar, Jr. catching instructor  —  FLUSHING, N.Y. — The New York Mets today named Sandy Alomar, Jr. the club's catching instructor.  —  Alomar, 41, concluded a 20-year major league career last season with the Mets.  The six-time American League All-Star and recipient …

Pap strikes balance  —  Closer full of fun, yet focused … FORT MYERS - Right before our eyes, Jonathan Papelbon [stats] has transformed himself from dazzling but mostly low-key rookie to Top Gun closer and nationally recognized Dancin' Man.  —  And he seems to have pulled it off without raising …

Fasano sings the backup blues  —  Veteran catcher questions his future with the Jays after Barajas signing  —  DUNEDIN, FLA. — This should be the best of times for veteran catcher Sal Fasano, on the eve of major-league baseball spring training.  —  His infant son, Santino, born in September …

UTK Wrap  —  Red and Green  —  Pitchers and catchers have started to report; by next week, we'll have some real injuries.  Until then, I'll continue to not learn the lesson that every young sportswriter should learn—never make predictions.  —  Each year at Baseball Prospectus, I've done Team Health Reports.

Feds' typo spurs erroneous report on Bonds test  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Federal prosecutors mistakenly filed court papers Thursday that incorrectly stated that Barry Bonds failed a steroids test in November of 2001 — one month after breaking the single-season home run mark.

Breaking the News to Paul O'Neill About No.21  —  Paul O'Neill did not sound perturbed about the Yankees taking his No. 21 out of storage and giving it to Morgan Ensberg this spring, but he did sound perplexed.  The Yankees had not issued No. 21 to a player since O'Neill retired in 2001.

GENERATION TREY IS HERE TO STAY  —  Phil Hughes has been relocated from the outer edges of the Legends Field home clubhouse to the main pitchers row, stationed between Andy Pettitte and Carl Pavano.  So Hughes is now sandwiched by HGH and HMO.  —  The new address bespeaks the importance of not just Hughes …

Posada: I believe Clemens  —  No catcher has caught Roger Clemens more than Jorge Posada - 155 games.  Posada today said he believes Clemens when he says he didn't use performance-enhancing drugs.  —  “I'm supportive,” Posasa said.  “He says he never took it and I'm behind him 100 percent.