Curt Schilling: ‘Members of the [Red Sox] organization’ encouraged me to use PEDs  —  Curt Schilling, in a Wednesday interview on ESPN Radio, said toward the end of his tenure with the Red Sox he was encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs by “members of the organization.”

Francisco, Collins say vet still Mets closer  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Frank Francisco made his closing argument yesterday.  This is an open and shut case.  —  “I am the closer,” Francisco told The Post at the Mets spring-training complex.  —  No ifs, ands or buts about it.

Tigers' Peralta linked to Bosch, PEDs  —  Jhonny Peralta is the 12th player connected to Biogenesis, the Florida wellness clinic at the heart of the scandal.  —  Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta is named in the records of Tony Bosch, the director of the Biogenesis wellness clinic in Coral Gables …

NY Mets still motivated to sign Michael Bourn but adamant about keeping first-round draft pick  —  As it stands, the Mets have the unprotected 11th pick, because the Pittsburgh Pirates failed to sign their top draft choice last year, and received a top-10 pick this year as compensation.

Lonely days ahead for Mark Buehrle  —  Pitcher's pit bull outlawed in Toronto, so family won't join him once season begins  —  A brief scouting report on Slater Buehrle:  —  He's 2 years old and weighs 65 pounds.  His coat is slate blue, his ears are floppy and his eyes are a doleful shade of gray and green.

Cards issue No. 32 for first time since Hancock wore it  —  • By Derrick Goold dgoold@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8285  —  JUPITER, Fla.  • For the first time since pitcher Josh Hancock died in an automobile accident early in the 2007 season, the Cardinals will issue his No. 32 to an active player at spring training.

Better to judge baseball talent with the naked eye  —  ONCE, WHEN the Internet was not as friendly and we sought to observe athletic greatness rather than quantify it, sports was a simpler world.  You watched under well-lit skies and inside of electrified arenas and amid pivotal moments …

After bruising years, Lackey ready to take mound  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — To fans, John Lackey is the most unpopular player on the Red Sox.  There is no second place; that's how much of a landslide it is.  —  Lackey is an expensive free agent who didn't meet expectations, a quick path to getting booed at Fenway Park.