Dawson earns long-awaited Hall call  —  Alomar, Larkin, Blyleven fall short in BBWAA voting  —  NEW YORK — Andre Dawson is this year's sole electee to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, it was announced on Wednesday.  —  Dawson, an outfielder, made it on his ninth try.

A few notes from Cashman  —  After the Hall of Fame announcement, I checked in with Brian Cashman.  The Yankees general manager confirmed a report that Sergio Mitre has avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year deal for next season.  Jerry Crasnick says it's worth $850,000.  It's a non-guaranteed deal.

Roundup: Selig proposes global series with Japan  —  TOKYO (AP) — The champions of U.S. Major League Baseball could face the champions of Japanese professional baseball in a regular Global World Series under a plan being discussed by the two countries.  —  In meetings with Japanese …

Papelbon's recurring nightmare  —  Blown save to Angels that ended last season serves as motivation  —  Jonathan Papelbon hasn't forgotten the way his 2009 season ended, walking off the mound as a loser in October for the first time in his career.  —  “I got a copy of it,” he said …

Mark McGwire one of Tony La Russa's top pet projects  —  TONY LA RUSSA vowed Wednesday to put on a nice show.  —  He meant his Animal Rescue Foundation's 19th annual benefit gala Saturday night in Walnut Creek.  —  But he's as excited about another upcoming extravaganza …

AP source: Cards will pay Holliday through 2029  —  NEW YORK (AP) -The St. Louis Cardinals will be paying Matt Holliday through 2029 under the $120 million, seven-year contract that is likely to be finalized Thursday.  —  Holliday will get $17 million a season in salary …

Brewers' Hot Stove action may cool  —  After busy December, Crew looks to keep payroll flexibility  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers general manager Doug Melvin is back to work after a holiday break, but his December aggressiveness means he could be less active in January.

Girardi's staff intact for Yanks' 2010 run  —  Coaches all set to return as club defends championship  —  NEW YORK — The coaching staff that helped Joe Girardi secure the Yankees' 27th World Series title will be back in the dugout for the 2010 season.  —  New York announced on Wednesday …

Holy crap, Bob Klapisch  —  Sometimes I actually think people are a little too hard on Bob Klapisch.  He at least thinks differently than his hordes of mainstream media columnist brethren, and sometimes he stumbles upon an interesting idea.  And I think it's become sort …

Wizards' Arenas suspended indefinitely as new details emerge in gun incident  —  National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern suspended Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas indefinitely without pay Wednesday, saying a gun incident in the Wizards' locker room last month …

Coonelly discusses Bucs in monthly chat  —  Team president addresses expectations, additions … Coonelly: Hello everyone and welcome to today's chat.  I hope you all had a happy and healthy holiday season.  Let's get to the questions.  —  gobucsin10: Will you be at Somerset on Jan. 24 for the Winter Caravan?

Minors system continues to fuel Sox  —  Prospects allow team flexibility to acquire veteran talent  —  CHICAGO — As the White Sox Minor League director, Buddy Bell understands how part of his job responsibility is to get talented players within the system ready to contribute at the Major League level.

Astros decide to pass on Chapman  —  GM Wade would rather make investment in multiple players  —  HOUSTON — Astros general manager Ed Wade got an up-close look at Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman during a private workout in Houston on Dec. 15 that was arranged by his agents and came away impressed …

With Holliday gone, who are the best remaining free agents? … Funny free-agent market.  At its top, it's very good.  —  Just ask stars Matt Holliday, John Lackey and Jason Bay.  They all cashed in big-time.  And that's not such a shock.  —  But at the bottom, it's pretty darned rewarding, too.

Captain Kirk's Glove  —  One of the more controversial prospects in the Mets system is Kirk Nieuwenhuis.  For those of you unfamiliar with Nieuwenhuis, he's a Center Fielder out of Azusa Pacific University, a small NAIA school.  Despite the low level of amateur competition …