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Boys With Bats: In an attempt to woo Barry Zito to sign with the Mets, slugger David Wright has offered to show the free agent pitcher around the Big Apple. Sounds fun -- can I come? (NYDN)

Duke Plot Twist: No sooner did I read that DNA of "several men" in the Duke lacrosse rape accuser's underwear -- none of which matched her three accusers -- was discovered by a lab hired by the prosecution, now I'm reading that she is due to give birth any day now -- almost exactly 9 months after the alleged incident. Just when you think this case can't get any more bizarre. (AP)

Separate But Equal? With a mandate from New Jersey's highest court to offer gay couples the same rights as heterosexuals, the state legislature voted Thursday to create civil unions but stopped short of using the word "marriage." In joining Vermont and Connecticut in establishing the parallel institution of civil unions, New Jersey shunned the option of opening marriage to same-sex couples. Massachusetts is the only state that allows gay marriage, and it has a residency requirement; some same-sex couples have married in Canada. Marcye Nicholson-McFadden, one of the original plaintiffs in the court case, was at home in suburban Aberdeen, N.J., listening to news of the legislature's decision on the radio. "My reaction, frankly, is disappointment," said Nicholson-McFadden, who has two children with her partner. "It's creating a completely separate class of people that will not be eligible for marriage but for marriage-lite or marriage-less or whatever you want to call it. It especially sends that message to our kids: If you're gay and you want to marry the person you love, New Jersey says you're not quite good enough for that." I couldn't agree with her more. (WP)

This Kitty's Got Claws: It takes a lot to make Oprah Winfrey tremble, but even the control freak talk show queen must be a little bit concerned by the news that she is in the sights of Kitty Kelley, the poison pen biographer. Kelley, who has made millions slaying giants such as Frank Sinatra, said recently that she had chosen Winfrey for her next work, which would include interviews with "hundreds of sources, many of whom have never before spoken on the record." I'm guessing this one won't make Oprah's Book Club, but it definitely should get the fur flying around Harpo Studios. (WP)

Canadian Anthem: Ty Gretzky has his hands full on the ice trying to live up to his dad Wayne's name and reputation. Ditto with mom Janet's at the craps table. (NYT)

McHatred: The High Court in Dublin has rejected a lesbian couple's case to recognize their Canadian marriage in Ireland. In a landmark case in October, the court heard arguments from Katherine Zappone and Ann Louise Gilligan claiming discriminating against homosexuality can lead to clinical depression and that the current concept of marriage is outdated. In dismissing the case, the judge allow that same-sex couples may face difficulties because of this, but said legislation should be introduced to amend that. (PinkNews)