Royal chance for momentum swing  —  When it comes to knowledge of the Royals, nobody has more than Allard Baird, the former Kansas City general manager and newly appointed Red Sox special assignment scout, who will report to Boston GM Theo Epstein today as the Sox begin a three-game series against Baird's former team.

YA GOTTA BELIEVE  —  WRIGHT STARS IN AD FOR FAITH HEALER  —  July 17, 2006 — TO LIFT a line from The Doors, strange days have found us.  —  So it's Saturday afternoon and we're watching the Mets on Ch. 11.  They're playing the Cubs in Wrigley, when, during a commercial break, David Wright …

Gammons out of hospital, heads to rehab center  —  BOSTON — Longtime ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons was released from a Boston hospital Monday — nearly three weeks after suffering a brain aneurysm.  —  Gammons was moved to an undisclosed rehabilitation center, his wife, Gloria said in a statement.

Trade Winds: Chase for Hunter ends  —  Outfielder's injury, Twins' improvement alters situation  —  For several weeks, Minnesota's Torii Hunter has been among the more prominent position players who figured to be dealt before the July 31 trade deadline.  That changed Sunday when the five …

Sox can't help but revere Rivera  —  NEW YORK — While Yankees closer Mariano Rivera was delivering a pitch Sunday in the eighth inning, Scott Podsednik scooted a few inches back in the batter's box in anticipation of Rivera's signature cut fastball.  —  But it didn't matter …

In reversal, Pedro up & throwing  —  CHICAGO - Pedro Martinez figured his boldest move yesterday would be drinking coffee for the first time since experiencing food poisoning.  "Wish me luck, because I really feel like I want a cup," the ace said as he rested the drink in his locker.

'It was the right thing to do'  —  Giambi speaks about testimony; Yankees' wish list  —  While Barry Bonds awaits word as to whether he'll be indicted for perjury and possibly other charges (such as tax evasion), the Yankees' Jason Giambi is enjoying life again.

Mets' sixth is doubly grand  —  2 slams, 11 runs, 1 laugher  —  CHICAGO - Cliff Floyd began the onslaught with a grand slam.  Carlos Beltran delivered a grand slam, too.  And about the only thing that could slow the Mets during a history-making, 11-run sixth inning were the trash collectors …

AL teams take NL pitchers at their own risk  —  The countdown to the non-waiver trading deadline is 14 days and already, there is the sense of resignation in the air.  —  For the second consecutive year, few expect many important deals to be struck.  Talk?  Yes, plenty.  Proposals?  Sure.

Nationals recall righthander Tony Armas Jr. from rehabilitation assignment and reinstate him from the 15-day disabled list  —  Matthew LeCroy designated for assignment  —  The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Tony Armas Jr. from his rehabilitation assignment and reinstated him from the 15-Day Disabled List.

Willis makes day special  —  Brandon Martin, an 8-year-old Dontrelle Willis fan from Lauderdale Lakes, spent part of Sunday playing catch with, then taking batting practice against his favorite Marlin in an outing arranged by Chef David's Kids.  —  Brandon, who is afflicted …

Myers Makes a Quiet Return to the Mound for the Phillies  —  SAN FRANCISCO, July 16 — Brett Myers walked from the dugout toward the mound in the first inning at AT&T Park on Sunday, looked around and waited for the venom.  The last time he made this walk, on June 24, the fans at Fenway Park lambasted him.

The Rumor Mill: Market Place Mania  —  Finding that prices remain ridiculously high for even the mediocre of starting pitchers, Gotham Baseball is hearing that a shift in focus may be afoot.  —  It appears as if the market for pitchers is "crazy" and it doesn't look like it's going to change any time soon.

Going Deep: Mahar on unusual path  —  Gifted Rangers prospect never drafted during career  —  A strong July has lifted Frisco outfielder Kevin Mahar's 2006 numbers to .258/.304/.460, not in line with the .302/.366/.496 he put together in his rookie summer or his .315/.396/.508 line …

A curt response for Sox  —  Schilling resolves skid with quick work of A's  —  As sure things go, Curt Schilling winning at Fenway Park may be trumped by a tension level approaching DEFCON status for this afternoon's finale between the Red Sox and Athletics.

Fatigue a factor in starters' woes  —  Guillen stands behind rotation, has no plans to insert McCarthy  —  NEW YORK — Monday's day off comes at the right time for the White Sox's starting pitchers, as far as Jon Garland is concerned.  —  "I'm pretty sure there's definitely fatigue," Garland said.

The Week In Quotes  —  July 10-16  —  SOPHISTS: MAKING THE STRONG ARGUMENT WEAKER AND THE WEAK ARGUMENT STRONGER … —Cincinnati GM Wayne Krivsky, on the eight-player deal that sent Austin Kearns and Felipe Lopez to Washington (MLB.com) … —Krivsky … —Nationals GM Jim Bowden

GM Interview: Andrew Friedman, Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Part I  —  Last week we had the pleasure of interviewing one of the bright young minds in the game of baseball today.  Andrew Friedman, Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, agreed to speak with us …