Chicago Cubs News Blog @newzblogz.com

MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- Sammy Sosa got some boos. Cheers, too. An old teammate, Carlos Zambrano, greeted him. So did general manager Jim Hendry, who traded the former star away from the Chicago Cubs. Looking fit and familiar with the No. 21 on his back, Sosa didn't seem moved either way by the mixed greeting Wednesday from a large crowd of 11,674 at HoHoKam Park, where he spent so many spring afternoons during his 13 seasons with the Cubs. "You know, regardless, no matter where I play, my heart ...

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Texas Rangers' Sammy Sosa (21) beats out a throw as hicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee scoops the ball out of the dirt, during the third inning of their spring training baseball game, Wednesday, March 21, 2007, in Mesa, Ariz.(AP Photo/Roy Dabner)

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Despite hitting .571 this spring, the 23-year-old slugging outfielder lacked the experience of Jason Lane and Luke Scott in a crowded battle for right-field playing time.

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Garry Meier doesn't want to talk until the paperwork's complete, which is

understandable given how his last contract negotiation turned out.

Sources close to Meier's talks with CBS Radio's WCKG-FM 105.9 say the two

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Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list.

Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring-training complex in Mesa, Ariz. On March 11, he strained his right triceps while pitching against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

"Until we get him back out there and get him on a schedule, you just don't know," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "Hopefully he could, but it has to work for the team and it has to be in his best interests."

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The bad news keeps coming for the Chicago Cubs' once-dynamic duo of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.

For the second straight year, the oft-injured veteran pitchers could start the season on the disabled list.

The 29-year-old Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring training complex in Mesa, Ariz. He strained his right triceps on March 11 against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

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Tribune Co. said total revenues declined 3.4 percent in February, as a modest uptick in television advertising failed to offset a drop in ads at the media company's big publishing group.

For the period ended March 4, consolidated revenues fell to $385 million from the year-ago month's $398 million.

At Tribune's publishing group, February revenues were $294 million, down 5.1 percent compared with the year-earlier $310 million last year.

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Baltimore vs St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Boston vs Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Cincinnati vs Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

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Eric Gagne pitched in a game for the first time this year and Barry Bonds hit his fifth home run.

It wasn't your regular everyday exhibition.

Gagne pitched one inning, giving up a home run to Kevin Frandsen, in the Texas Rangers' 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

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Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list.

Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring-training complex in Mesa, Ariz. On March 11, he strained his right triceps while pitching against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

"Until we get him back out there and get him on a schedule, you just don't know," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "Hopefully he could, but it has to work for the team and it has to be in his best interests."

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Failing to follow instructions cost Buena High dearly 10 days ago.

Colts coach Bill Wright instructed his pitching staff to keep the ball away from Hamilton slugger Kyle Peterson, a junior outfielder, but the strategy didn't work. Peterson saw enough good pitches to slam three home runs and a triple for seven RBIs in a 15-4 win.

Several days later, Wright still was shaking his head.

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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Real-estate magnate Sam Zell is negotiating a revised offer for publisher and TV broadcaster Tribune Co. , according to people familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Details of Zell's revised offer weren't clear, the Journal said, although it is already known that his bid involved use of an employee stock-ownership plan taking on debt to buy some of the newspaper and TV company.

Tribune executives have become increasingly concerned about any deal involving a large amount of debt given the weakening business outlook for newspapers.

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I have never been to spring training. Even though my brother Greg has lived in the Greater Phoenix area for a million years - yes he is my older brother - I have never had a chance to go.

Well the opportunity finally came about when the Athletic Director of Allan Hancock College, Scott Cathcart, convinced me it was time to go.

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TUCSON, Ariz. - Well, at least Ryan Dempster seems to be healthy.The Chicago Cubs closer returned to the mound for the first time in a week, pitching an inning Tuesday in the Chicago Cubs' 4-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies.Dempster had been bothered by shoulder spasms, which he described as a knot in the back of his right shoulder after his March 13 appearance against Arizona."I definitely felt good. The ball was coming out good," Dempster said. "We could start opening today, tomorrow, and I woul...

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New best buddies Tiger Woods and Roger Federer's paths cross again this week in Miami.

They've become a mutual admiration society, having so much in common. They're Nike guys and arguably the most dominant athletes in the world, but who is better?

Advertisement

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Tampa Bay 7, Cleveland 0 F

Pittsburgh 3, Detroit 1 F

Washington 3, Florida 0 F

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Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list. Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring-training complex in Mesa, Ariz. On March 11, he strained his right triceps while pitching against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season. "Until we get him back out there and get him on a schedule, you just don't know," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "Hopeful...

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Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list.

Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring-training complex in Mesa, Ariz. On March 11, he strained his right triceps while pitching against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

``Until we get him back out there and get him on a schedule, you just don't know,'' pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. ``Hopefully he could, but it has to work for the team and it has to be in his best interests.''

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MESA, Ariz. -- Wade Miller has all but won the job as the Chicago Cubs' fifth starting pitcher and got extra help Monday from his teammates at the plate.

Michael Barrett hit two home runs and drove in four runs, Aramis Ramirez had a two-run homer and Alfonso Soriano added a solo shot -- his second home run of the spring -- as the Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 16-4 in a split-squad game.

Second baseman Ryan Theriot, who has won a spot on the roster after playing in 53 games last year, went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI. Derrek Lee had three singles, a double and three RBI for Chicago.

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If Ken Griffey Jr. is ready to play on opening day, he'll find himself in right field instead of center.

Cincinnati Reds manager Jerry Narron said Monday he expects to start Ryan Freel in center April 2 against the Chicago Cubs because Griffey is still working his way back from a broken left hand. The longtime center fielder was injured in the offseason while wrestling with his kids.

``We had to make a decision. This late in the spring we need to get our club out on the field,'' Narron said in Sarasota, Fla. ``I've got to do everything I can do to put our best club out there. My feeling is that with Ryan Freel out there, it gives us strong defense up the middle.''

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PEORIA, Ariz. — It isn't really a stretch to envision Mariners backup first baseman Ben Broussard playing some right field this season.

After all, his teammates apparently have no trouble picturing him as a male nurse.

Broussard has taken quite the razzing throughout his career for a one-line entry in his media-guide biography that mentions how he was once "a nursing major" while attending McNeese State University in Louisiana.

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Baseball fans reach with items for Florida Marlins Hanley Ramirez to autograph during the Marlins' spring training baseball game with the Houston Astros at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., Monday, March 19, 2007. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)

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Tucson It's decision time in the desert. With just 10 Cactus League games remaining and opening day a mere 13 days away, the Rockies stand face to face with some major choices.

Start with the rotation. Aaron

Cook is No. 1, followed by Jeff

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PHOENIX - In the end, Ryan Braun's bat couldn't overcome his glove - or, more accurately, his arm.

The Milwaukee Brewers' rookie third baseman hit his fifth home run of spring training, tying for the Cactus League lead, but was sent back to minor league camp Monday after his team's 11-7 loss to a Chicago Cubs split squad.

On his way out, Braun showcased the same tools that defined his spring: good bat, shaky defense. He hit a three-run homer as a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning, then committed his fourth throwing error in the seventh.

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Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington still has a tough decision to make for the fifth starter in the rotation.

He doesn't mind too much, though, because all three remaining candidates have been pitching well in spring training.

"Hopefully, it goes down to the last meeting that we have to have to do it," Washington said. "If they keep pitching the way I feel they are capable of pitching, whatever guy we leave out of here with, I feel we'll be all right."

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SURPRISE, Ariz. ? Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington still has a tough decision to make for the fifth starter in the rotation.

He doesn't mind too much, though, because all three remaining candidates have been pitching well in spring training.

"Hopefully, it goes down to the last meeting that we have to have to do it," Washington said. "If they keep pitching the way I feel they are capable of pitching, whatever guy we leave out of here with, I feel we'll be all right."

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Dontrelle Willis is all set to start on opening day. If Ken Griffey Jr. is ready to play, he'll find himself in right field.

Cincinnati Reds manager Jerry Narron said Monday he expects to start Ryan Freel in center April 2 against the Chicago Cubs because Griffey is still working his way back from a broken left hand. The longtime center fielder was injured in the offseason while wrestling with his kids.

``Right now, that's what our plan is. We would have loved for him to be available opening day to play center field - it just didn't work out,'' Narron said in Sarasota, Fla.

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MESA, Ariz. - Wade Miller has all but won the job as the Chicago Cubs' fifth starting pitcher and got extra help Monday from his teammates at the plate.Michael Barrett hit two home runs and drove in four runs, Aramis Ramirez had a two-run homer and Alfonso Soriano added a solo shot _ his second home run of the spring _ as the Cubs beat the Seattle Mariners 16-4 in a split-squad game.Second baseman Ryan Theriot, who has won a spot on the roster after playing in 53 games last year, went 4-for-5 wi...

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PHOENIX, Ariz. - The Seattle Mariners split a split-squad doubleheader today in Arizona, beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 8 to 5 in Peoria and losing to the Chicago Cubs 16 to 4 in Mesa.

Seattle Mariners starters Jarrod Washburn pitches in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington still has a tough decision to make for the fifth starter in the rotation.

He doesn't mind too much, though, because all three remaining candidates have been pitching well in spring training.

"Hopefully, it goes down to the last meeting that we have to have to do it," Washington said. "If they keep pitching the way I feel they are capable of pitching, whatever guy we leave out of here with, I feel we'll be all right."

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Ameriquest's deal with the Rangers, announced in 2004, was reportedly worth $75 million. The parent company of the subprime lender, ACC Capital Holdings Corp., announced last week that it was slashing its work force for the second time in less than a year.

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When I was in college, my friends and I planned a cross-country road trip to New York. We were going to rent an RV and drive there, see the Letterman show (back when he was on after Carson!), and drive home.

Of course, we were in college. This means we had no money and no motivation to actually carry out any plans. So, we never went.

And then after I got married and had kids, we went on a family road trip. The portable DVD player saved us a lot of the headaches my parents suffered on similar trips, but when you stop every 20 minutes for a potty break, you don't get to see much road.

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Business calendarMarch 12 The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry and the Oregon Nanoscience & Microtechnologies Institute will present a public forum, “The Benefits and Risks of Nanotechnology,” from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Gumwood Room of the Erb Memorial Union at the University of Oregon, Eugene. Free. Registration: http://green nano.org/ register.html, 541-713-1330.

nMarch 14 The Willamette Valley Association of Health Underwriters will present a breakfast forum on the state of health care in Oregon at 7:45 a.m. at the Salem Conference Center, 200 Commercial St. S.E., Salem. Dr. John Kitzhaber, health insurance agent Rick Rebel and state Sen. Frank Morse will speak. Cost: $110. Registration: 877-412-6248, www.orahu.org.nMarch 14 The Cascade Employers Association will present “Lead Person Effectiveness” from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 3747 ...

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SARASOTA, Fla. - Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson homered off Aaron Harang to lead an Atlanta Braves split squad to a 6-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

Harang, the projected opening-day starter for the Reds, pitched five innings, allowing four runs -- three earned -- and eight hits while striking out nine. Harang led the NL with 216 strikeouts in 2006.

"It seems like they were hitting my off-speed pitch," Harang said. "The only ball hit really hard was Francoeur's, the other one (by Johnson) was a fly ball. I don't know if you want to call it wind-aided or not. We were joking that there were a lot of balls that hit off the plate and found a hole."

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Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Acting Director L. Tammy Duckworth has announced that the annual free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans are available now.

IDVA is reminding disabled veterans that the 2006 Illinois issued hunting and fishing license will expire on March 31. Disabled veterans must visit one of the state's 51 Veteran Service offices to renew or obtain the free hunting and fishing license.

The licenses will not be mailed out.

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Cincinnati vs Detroit at Lakeland, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Cleveland vs Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Houston vs Florida at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

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You can scour the rosters of all 64 teams that reached the NCAA Tournament, but you won't find a more convincing celebrity lookalike than Kammron Taylor. The Wisconsin point guard is a ringer for comedian Chris Rock.

If Taylor had a few jokes or Rock had a crossover dribble, there would be no telling them apart.

"I'm ready for a title shot now."

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Before the first note even sounded from the gym at Spring Brook Elementary School, the hallways and cafeteria were already packed with friends and supporters of 11-year-old Evan Garrett during the Knoch Knolls Rock 'n' Rolls benefit Sunday.

Adults and kids crowded around tables to purchase raffle tickets, special "Supporting Evan" shirts that featured a spin-off of the Chicago Cubs logo, pizza and ice cream. Spread around were photos of the baseball-loving Naperville youth, currently in Seattle awaiting his second bone marrow transplant this week in a last ditch effort to beat his second bout of leukemia.

» Click to enlarge image

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SARASOTA, Fla. ? Jeff Francoeur and Kelly Johnson homered off Aaron Harang to lead an Atlanta Braves split squad to a 6-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

Harang, the projected opening-day starter for the Reds, pitched five innings, allowing four runs ? three earned ? and eight hits while striking out nine. Harang led the NL with 216 strikeouts in 2006.

"It seems like they were hitting my off-speed pitch," Harang said. "The only ball hit really hard was Francoeur's, the other one (by Johnson) was a fly ball. I don't know if you want to call it wind-aided or not. We were joking that there were a lot of balls that hit off the plate and found a hole."

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Paunchy body. Mop-top flapping in the wind. Dirt covering his uniform from head to toe. Running to first base at a full sprint after ball four. Spraying line drives everywhere.

Nope, it really doesn't seem that long ago that Peter Edward Rose was the player we all wanted to be. Flash forward to today, however, -- barely more than two decades later -- and he's become as undesirable as a lawn full of dandelions.

And if Barry Bonds is smart, he's taken notice.

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PHOENIX -- Joe Kennedy, the favorite for Oakland's fifth starter's spot, was shelled for nine runs in 21/3 innings Saturday in the Athletics' 11-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Brewers had a balanced attack with 17 hits, seven players driving in runs and 10 scoring runs. Rickie Weeks, Bill Hall, Johnny Estrada and Kevin Mench all drove in two runs apiece as Milwaukee jumped on Kennedy from the start.

David Bush allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings to earn the win for Milwaukee.

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If opening day seems far away, it’s possible to get a taste of Major

League Baseball even without a game to watch.

And it’s easy to accommodate an appetite for just about any team.

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Subscribe to the TimesExclusive Online OfferAre you kidding me? SAT/SUN home delivery for 40% off the newsstand price?!

Eye Openers: Bees, Irish played once - almost a half century ago

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This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Valley Press Staff Writer

-------------------

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I was disheartened that The Reporter would give voice to someone who chose to write a piece as devoid of feeling as “We Are All Poorer for Having Known Her.”  

 Let me begin by saying that I am not‚ nor have I ever been a fan of Anna Nicole Smith. 

However‚ it seems to me that anyone with even an ounce of compassion would see an unhappy and exploited woman‚ gone much too soon. 

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/* body, tr, td, p, li { font-family: verdana; font-size: 9px; } */

hr { color: #336699; height : 1px; }

/* a {color: black; } */

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His given name is Joseph, but for the past 50 years, thousands of St. Francis Borgia High School students have called him Mr. Kaiser.

Joe Kaiser has worked at Borgia High School since 1956, teaching history for 43 years, and in recent years supervising school lunches.

At 80, Mr. Kaiser still has a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step.

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"He was really, really eager," said Saralee Keropian, Mike's wife of 40 years. "He didn't necessarily go after people because he wanted them to look better; he felt the body, if held properly and maintained straight and tall, the health and everything would be better."

Mike Keropian, a man who issued four patents that helped support the upper body for patients, died Wednesday of a massive stroke. He was 82 years old.

Keropian was born in 1924 to Eva and Arshag Keropian in Granite City, Ill. Five years later, he and his family moved to San Francisco in 1929. When he was 19 years old, he was drafted into the Army and served as a medic in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge.

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If anyone told John Ross in early January that he would throw out the first pitch at a Cactus League spring training game this month, he wouldnt have believed them.

If anyone told Ross he would be able to walk and use his left hand and arm two months after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, he would have doubted that, too.

Ross, 57, suffered a stroke on Jan. 8 and was unable to use his left arm and leg for weeks. He lost his pulse while in the hospitals emergency room, was confined to a wheelchair and had impaired speech.

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9:30 a.m. Golf Channel: European PGA: TCL Classic, third round. (delayed).

9:30 SPEED Channel: Auto Racing: Twelve Hours of Sebring.

11:00 ESPN: College basketball: NIT, TBA at Miss. State, second round.

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11 a.m.NASCAR Nextel Cup Kobalt Tools 500TV: 11, 6 R: 1260, 540

2 p.m.NHRA Gatornationals, final eliminations (delayed)TV: ESPN2

10 a.m.Exhibition, Dodgers vs. ClevelandR: 980, 1330

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Reporters regularly congregate around Moyer's locker and fellow pitchers often chat him up. Coaches sometimes seek his advice and just about anyone with a question about pitching turns to Moyer.

The 44-year-old left-hander entering his first full season with the Philadelphia Phillies epitomizes the term ``crafty veteran.'' He's never had an overpowering fastball or been a dominant pitcher. Instead, Moyer has relied on offspeed pitches and his knowledge of hitters to rack up more than 200 wins in 20 seasons in the major leagues.

After signing a two-year, $10.5 million contract extension with the Phillies last October, Moyer isn't ready to hang up his cleats. He has a few more wins in his left arm and is hoping to finally get the championship ring that's eluded him since he entered the majors with the Chicago Cubs in 1986.

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The weather is warming and if you're itching to spend some time in the great outdoors, now is the time to start planning a trip to Patoka Lake in Birdseye, Ind.The destination fits well for fishermen, water sports enthusiasts, nature lovers and families looking for a relaxing getaway.The 8,800-acre lake in Southern Indiana offers activities for all ages, from fishing to hiking to camping to boating. It's also a short drive to several other area attractions. "It makes a great center poi...

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Baltimore (ss) vs Florida at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Cincinnati vs Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Cleveland vs Tampa Bay at St. Petersburg, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

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(Reuters) Tribune Co. may pare back a restructuring plan even as the company's interest in bids from outside investors dwindles, media reports said on Friday.

Shares in Tribune fell more than 2%, deepening a slide that began on Thursday after its Chicago Tribune newspaper reported the company's interest in a late-breaking offer by Chicago real estate magnate Sam Zell was waning.

The publisher and TV broadcaster likely will press ahead with a "self-help" plan that involves taking on debt to pay a shareholder dividend, spinning off its TV station group and selling the Chicago Cubs baseball team, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

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White Sox move not reflected in game day attendanceJoe Pangburn, Inside Tucson BusinessAfter a down year in 2006 n and despite the Chicago White Sox announced intention to leave after next year, attendance this year’s spring training Major League Baseball games is up.Walk-up attendance to games at Tucson Electric Park, 2500 E. Ajo Way, is up 15 percent this month, according to Tom Moulton, director of economic development and tourism for Pima County. Overall attendance