NL lineups aren't as deep … There are lots of surer bets than the American League beating the National League in a head-to-head matchup.  —  Try Phil Mickelson out-finessing Charles Barkley in a closest-to-the-pin contest.  Or Takeru Kobayashi downing more all-beef wieners than Calista Flockhart.

Sources see indictment on deck for Barry  —  BY MICHAEL O'KEEFFE in Pittsburgh and T.J. QUINN in New York  —  Barry Bonds has played in 13 All-Star Games during his career, but during yesterday's All-Star media sessions he seemed like one of those old Soviet leaders who were airbrushed …

Stroke is all Wright  —  David blasts way to 2nd in Derby  —  PITTSBURGH - David Wright practiced on Sunday morning, accepting Paul Lo Duca's offer to pitch and getting Xavier Nady to crouch behind the plate to provide a target at Shea.  And when Wright arrived at the Home Run Derby …

MLB and Fox to Announce 7-Year Television Rights Extension  —  Yesterday, my article for Baseball Prospectus went into how MLB media revenues impact the overall health and wellbeing of Major League Baseball.  A key element of that discussion - and one that has been a looming topic …

For Tanner, Garner, All-Star game is like 1979 revisited  —  PITTSBURGH (AP) — Chuck Tanner always said it would take someone special to get him back into a major league uniform for the first time in two decades.  —  Phil Garner was that guy.  —  Tanner, who managed Garner …

Nats' New Owners Hoping Changes Lure Fans to RFK  —  Faced with sluggish attendance and a last-place team, the incoming owners of the Washington Nationals said yesterday they will reduce the price of 2,000 upper-deck seats, some to as low as $3 each, and cut the cost of some refreshments in an effort to attract more fans.

Count gimmick out  —  Playing game for home field is lame  —  PITTSBURGH - They'll be playing tonight's All-Star Game without the DH, which supposedly should give the NL a little extra advantage, if only because David Ortiz will have to flash some leather at first base for the first few innings.

Under The Knife  —  Which Limp?  —  friendly  —  Contact  —  By the time you read this, I'll be in Pittsburgh.  Brad Wochomurka and I will be covering the All-Star Game for Baseball Prospectus Radio and, like last year, we'll talk with as many players as possible.

Why so many home runs?  —  PITTSBURGH — Major League Baseball insists its steroid-testing policy is the most stringent in sports.  Federal agents, with the raid of an infamous Bay Area laboratory and a former pitcher's home, let baseball fans know they're cracking down on the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs, too.

Klesko, Castilla could be on way out  —  Padres eye trading veterans for hitters  —  The Padres are looking to trade Ryan Klesko in August, and to trade for a third baseman and possibly a relief pitcher later this month, General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday.

Kazmir soaking it all in  —  Young lefty basking in All-Star week celebration  —  PITTSBURGH — Scott Kazmir's first All-Star experience couldn't have started out any better.  —  Following Sunday's game against the Yankees, shortstop Alex Rodriguez asked the Devil Rays ace if he wanted …

POWER PLAYS  —  MINAYA, CASHMAN MUST NOT REPEAT BAD DEALS OF THE PAST  —  "With great power comes great responsibility."  - Uncle Ben to Peter Parker (Spider-Man)  —  THE most important players, right now, for the Mets and Yankees carry Blackberrys.  The statistic to watch is cell minutes used.

Baker at the break  —  After a difficult 2005 season, Dusty Baker returned to his California home from a Hawaiian vacation with a new mantra he hoped to carry into 2006:  —  "No worries."  —  But the first half of '06 has produced one headache after another, and now Baker's uncertain job status threatens …