Sunday reading: Mark McGwire, Derek Lowe, John Lackey and Nick Johnson  —  In the absence of real baseball news going on, and with space to fill in our newspaper, I decided to divulge a decision that I've made, that probably won't shock the regulars: I'll be voting for Mark McGwire on this year's Hall of Fame ballot.

Selig reiterates plans to retire in 2012  —  Commissioner reportedly unswayed by inquiry to stay on  —  Commissioner Bud Selig has said for months that he plans to retire from Major League Baseball's highest post when his current term expires in 2012, and he reportedly made that clear …

Starting Pitcher Showdown - Banuelos vs. Kelly  —  The two most polished starting pitchers I had the opportunity to see in person during the 2009 season, Yankees fans have been questioning my placing Casey Kelly above Manuel Banuelos in terms of prospect ranking.

Marco Scutaro confirms Mariners have approached him  —  ADDITIONAL NOTE 8:03 p.m.: It seems that today's story is causing all kinds of fuss down in Texas, where fans are wondering why the Rangers would be pursuing Marco Scutaro at third base when they already have Michael Young.

Plenty of foul picks for dubious award as News picks Top Ten baseball Turkeys of 2009  —  No shortage of turkeys in baseball this year.  All season long, into the postseason and even beyond, it was a smorgasbord of monumental ineptitude, intolerable bad behavior and insufferable arrogance.

Group fights New York City to keep original Gate 2 of Yankee Stadium  —  'If you want something from the '20s, it's got to be that exterior wall,' said John Trush of the Save the Yankee Gate 2 Committee.  New York City's Department of Parks and Recreation thinks differently.

Two million for the Phils?  Swing and a miss  —  When attendance figures are tossed out like confetti, the mistakes can add up.  —  On Oct. 31, 2008, after the Phillies won the World Series, rivers of red - caps, sweatshirts, jerseys, and jackets - lined Broad Street as Budweiser Clydesdales …

Whispers  —  On Baseball  —  Collusion is expected to be a big topic at the players union's board meeting this week in Scottsdale, Ariz., where Michael Weiner (left) will be approved formally as successor to Donald Fehr.  Agents quietly are pushing Weiner to file a collusion charge. ...

Let's build the 2010 Astros.  Together.  Like friends.  —  You don't like my ideas.  You don't like Tal and Ed's ideas.  You don't think Drayton ever had a good idea, which is ridiculous because I have inside knowledge he's working on a plan to add corny dogs to the menu at Minute Maid Park.

Son of former Yankee has shot to follow father's footsteps to the big leagues  —  When Ron Davis' major league career came to an end at age 32, he thought it was the worst thing that could have happened to him.  —  Turns out, it was the best move, because he walked away from baseball and into his life.