Bobby Murcer faces new brain cancer scare  —  Former Yankee outfielder Bobby Murcer's battle with brain cancer may have taken a turn for the worse, the Daily News has learned.  —  According to an emotional e-mail sent to friends Thursday from Murcer's wife, Kay, the Yankee broadcaster …

Red Sox ace Beckett pleased after 24-0 win over Boston College  —  FORT MYERS, Fla.—Josh Beckett and the Boston Red Sox were in October form during their exhibition opener.  —  Baseball's only 20-game winner last year didn't care that his first opponent of spring training was a Boston College team …

Church In Hell  —  I'm really getting tired of Ryan Church.  The guy took a lot of crap.  Far too much crap.  But, jesus, the guy has to be the dumbest guy on the planet.  He doesn't know when to shut the hell up.  What's that about opening your mouth to remove all doubt?

Congress Requests Clemens Inquiry  —  WASHINGTON — A Congressional committee asked the Justice Department on Wednesday to investigate whether Roger Clemens made false statements under oath about his suspected use of steroids and human growth hormone, strengthening the possibility that he could be charged with perjury.

Mets evade discipline from MLB  —  Office ‘satisfied’ with club's answer about Wednesday's game  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Mets will not be disciplined by the league office for what appeared to be defiance of the edict that all teams must have at least four regulars in the starting lineups of exhibition games.

Oedipus Bronx  —  Hank Steinbrenner was driving like he owned the place.  “This thing's got no pickup,” he said, gunning my midsize Hyundai down Steinbrenner Drive in Tampa, Fla. We had just finished lunch on a January afternoon at a Steinbrenner family favorite, an Italian restaurant called Iavarone's …

Bowa sounds off on helmet rule  —  LA third-base coach says he won't wear new mandated gear  —  VERO BEACH, Fla. — Many base coaches are unhappy with the new rule mandating helmets in reaction to the death last year of Minor League coach Mike Coolbaugh, who was struck by a line drive while coaching first base.

MLB to test proposed rules in Minors  —  Length of time pitcher takes to deliver ball under scrutiny  —  Rule changes adopted by Major League Baseball's Playing Rules Committee on an experimental basis for specified Minor Leagues will affect the amount of time pitchers have to pitch and mean fewer visits to the mound.

Hoping to Become the Next Hot Baseball Export From Japan  —  NAGO, Japan — No. 81 is the eighth uniform number of Masato Yoshii's professional career.  —  He wears this one, though, with a stopwatch dangling from his neck and a folded schedule of the day's exercises protruding from his back pocket.

Game(s) over  —  After two seven-inning games against BC and Northeastern, City of Palms Park has emptied out.  The Red Sox beat the two college teams by a combined 39-0, 24-0 over BC in the first game and 15-0 over Northeastern in the second game.  —  Terry Francona announced the regulars …

Putting Bad Luck Behind Them, 2 Yankees Focus on Standing Out  —  TAMPA, Fla. — They are right-handers with less than a year of major league service time.  Neither has overpowering stuff, and for the Yankees, they are best suited to make occasional starts or pitch in long relief.

Cubs announcer's big voice, low profile  —  But — quick quiz — who is Len Kasper?  —  Cubs annoucer Len Kasper at Wrigley Field on Thursday, Jan. 31.  (Tribune photo by Antonio Perez / February 28, 2008)  —  Meet the most famous man in the room.  That guy.  Wait ... who?

Fukudome reaches base 3 ways in Cubs win  —  SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Kosuke Fukudome got on base every which way in his first exhibition game for the Chicago Cubs.  —  The Japanese newcomer was plunked on the first pitch he saw in the first inning, walked in his next turn and then hit …

Top prospect Bruce keeping his cool  —  Center fielder rated No.1 prospect by Baseball America  —  SARASOTA, Fla. — On any given day this spring, outfielder Jay Bruce will move comfortably through the Reds clubhouse, confident in his abilities and at ease with himself.

Rockies give closer Corpas four-year, $8M deal  —  Manny Corpas' clutch relief work as the Rockies' closer last year was a big reason they made it to the World Series.  Now, the team has rewarded him with the longest extension it has ever given a reliever.  —  The Rockies and Corpas agreed to a four-year, $8 million extension.