23 first-time All-Stars debut as young stars emerge  —  PITTSBURGH — Ryan Howard's eyes widened when someone asked him about Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon.  —  "Nasty.  Nasty, filthy stuff," the Philadelphia slugger said Monday.  "His split-finger is ridiculous."

Abreu has experienced a power outage … PITTSBURGH — Here in this modern sports world, where we'd much rather believe in supernatural forces than reality, we love our curses.  So it's time to ask a question we know you've all been wondering about pretty much 24/7:  —  Is there any such thing as a Home Run Derby Curse?

Liriano fills in for Contreras as All-Star  —  Twins southpaw finished second in AL Final Vote  —  PITTSBURGH — For Francisco Liriano, it was a case of "better late than never."  —  Liriano, the Twins' rookie sensation who was edged out by White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski in the 2006 Monster …

All-Star players on Pirates' performance: No excuses  —  Game's best say other teams doing fine with low payrolls  —  Roy Oswalt, the Houston Astros' fireballing gem, was asked yesterday to try to imagine how frustrating it must be for Pittsburghers to put up with so much losing baseball for so long.

Guillen names Rogers AL starter, NL taps Penny  —  PITTSBURGH — Kenny Rogers has gone from all-star scourge to All-Star Game starter.  —  The Tigers' left-hander, the top winner for the team with the best record in the majors, will be on the mound for the AL on Tuesday night against Brad Penny of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

One Phillies owner speaks out on team's struggles  —  PITTSBURGH - The Phillies have been bloodied and beaten on the field, and intensely criticized off it.  —  The starting pitching and hitting have been awful.  Manager Charlie Manuel is feeling the heat.

Incidents tarnish Cabrera's stardom  —  PITTSBURGH - Cookie Rojas, a five-time All-Star in the '60s and '70s, has some advice for Miguel Cabrera: Cool it.  —  "He's going to have to understand the fact that he can't react all the time the same way,'' said Rojas, the Marlins' Spanish television analyst. "

Worst.  Post.  Ever.  —  First thought in my brain after the Giants won the third game of the series: Ooh.  Good.  Now the worst they can do is split.  —  Second thought in my brain after the Giants won the third game of the series: Dang it, they're going to split.

Zambrano: Get off Baker's back, let him finish year  —  PITTSBURGH — Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs' lone All-Star representative, conducted most of his hourlong interview Monday in Spanish, but he also defended beleaguered manager Dusty Baker against what are perceived as media attacks.

Soriano a star likely on the move  —  PITTSBURGH — When Alfonso Soriano leads off for the National League in tonight's All-Star Game, he will wear his third uniform in the Midsummer Classic; before his current Nationals employ, he represented the Yankees and Rangers.

It's Time to Fire Omar Minaya  —  Note: please actually read this before leaving a comment.  For those of you that don't get sarcasm, thanks for stopping by.  —  Something has been nagging me lately as I read all the reports in the papers about Omar's willingness to give up top prospects in the right deal.

Nats announce 'Grand Reopening' for old RFK … WASHINGTON // The lines are too long, the concourses are dirty, the food service is lacking, the music isn't fun, the prices are too high, the marketing is virtually nonexistent, and the team stinks.  —  While there's no quick fix for that last item …

Maddux on the move?  —  Brewers, Dodgers likely suitors; potential Abreu deal  —  PITTSBURGH — Cooperstown-bound Cub Greg Maddux has veto power over trades, but it's believed he'd accept a deal to at least two teams: the Brewers and the Dodgers.  —  If the noncontending Cubs decide to deal him …