Selig wants pitchers rested  —  Proposes ban for All-Star hurlers Sunday before game  —  PITTSBURGH — While meeting with baseball writers Tuesday before the All-Star Game, Commissioner Bud Selig threw out a stunning proposal—banning All-Star Game pitchers from being used on the Sunday before the Midsummer Classic.

Wright, Beltran hit home  —  PITTSBURGH - Don't blame the Mets.  —  David Wright, who reached the finals of the Home Run Derby, picked up where he left off with the first pitch he ever saw in an All-Star Game.  Wright, who had a .367 average against lefties during the first half …

Phil in blank  —  All-Star Confidential  —  PITTSBURGH - In their quest to land a power-hitting outfielder before the trading deadline, the Yankees are closely monitoring developments in Philadelphia, where GM Pat Gillick is seeking to dump the hefty contracts of Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu.

Report details injury  —  Ramírez might have tear in knee  —  PITTSBURGH — Even as Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig reiterated yesterday he was irritated with Manny Ramírez's no-show at the 77th All-Star Game, a report purporting to offer details of the injury to Ramírez's right knee emerged.

All-Star game unplugged  —  PITTSBURGH - Come on.  Like Fox was really going to show the good stuff when it placed microphones on players during the All-Star game.  —  Much as we'd love to write about the game, it can be summarized in two sentences.  The American League won 3-2.  The National League stinks.

Ortiz pondered Rangers  —  PITTSBURGH - This might pain Rangers fans, but designated hitter David Ortiz considered coming to Texas before signing with Boston in the 2002-03 off-season.  —  Ortiz was released by the Minnesota Twins on Dec. 16, 2002.  He had batted .272 with 20 home runs …

Cora mishap with fungo bat KO's Zambrano  —  PITTSBURGH — A freak accident involving White Sox third base coach Joey Cora and Cubs All-Star Carlos Zambrano could send the right-hander to the disabled list for the first time since 2002.  —  Zambrano was the only Cubs representative …

JETER: 'THEY DESERVE THAT RESPECT'  —  July 12, 2006 — PITTSBURGH - You bet the Mets deserve to be the favorites at the All-Star break to win the World Series.  —  They still have to go out and prove it on the field in the second half, but they've earned the upgrade in odds.

Holliday sleepless in star-studded role … Pittsburgh - Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday awoke earlier Monday morning, a buzz of activity.  Well, that's not entirely accurate.  He hadn't gone to sleep, and at 3 in the morning, he began playing baseball in the hotel hallway with his infant son, Jackson, and one of his advisers.

Soriano unaffected by unfamiliarity  —  Left fielder goes 1-for-2 in first National League All-Star action  —  PITTSBURGH — In his previous three All-Star Games, Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano knew everyone on the American League team, from the Yankees' Derek Jeter to Rangers shortstop Michael Young.