Yanks' Boss Says That His Health Isn't Failing  —  A day after the Yankees clinched their ninth consecutive American League East title, the principal owner George Steinbrenner followed yesterday with his usual statement praising the team and its fans.  —  More surprising was the release …

Marlins' Girardi not coming back, source says  —  Joe Girardi, who guided the surprising Marlins into playoff contention despite baseball's lowest payroll, will soon be out as manager after just one season.  —  On a scale of 1 to 10, Girardi's chances of returning next year are "zero," …

Orioles protesters walk out on team  —  BALTIMORE — Nearly a thousand disgruntled Orioles fans walked out of Baltimore's game against Detroit en masse on Thursday, culminating a demonstration aimed at team owner Peter Angelos.  —  A majority of the protesters wore black T-shirts that read …

Guillen to finish with his 1st string  —  Manager wants to get 90-plus wins but may rest Crede, Thome  —  Despite the likelihood of elimination from postseason play, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen plans to stick with his regular lineup the rest of the season.

Tavarez: Manny's All Done  —  BOSTON — If you believe one of his closest friends on the team, Manny Ramirez will not play another game this season.  —  "He's done.  Take my word, I know," pitcher Julian Tavarez said Wednesday.  "If he has one more at-bat, I'll give you one thousand dollars."

Pads tab Williams to work rubber game  —  Arizona (72-79) at San Diego (79-72), 7:05 p.m. PT  —  The rubber match between the Padres and Diamondbacks takes place Thursday night, when San Diego will try to hold its ground in a tight division race and take the three-game set from Arizona.

A Change Has Done Him Good  —  "I can see now the benefits of change," Thomas said of his move to Oakland.  "It's like a shot of adrenaline.  It made me hungry to be the player I want to be."  —  The television in the Oakland Athletics' clubhouse was tuned to a mini-drama that Frank Thomas had seen many times before.

Freel out for season with broken thumb  —  Milton also done, will undergo season-ending surgery  —  CINCINNATI — Another Reds player is done for the remainder of the season.  —  Tests performed on Thursday revealed that outfielder Ryan Freel suffered a hairline fracture of his left thumb.

July deal paying off for Bowden, Nats  —  Kearns, Lopez and Wagner have performed well with new team  —  WASHINGTON — Since Jim Bowden became the general manager of the Nationals in the fall of 2004, one of his top priorities was to try to land the players he drafted or traded for when he held the same position with the Reds.

Notes: Radke feels good in 'pen session  —  Punto likely to remain third baseman; no rest for regulars  —  BOSTON — The news on Brad Radke's possible return to the mound changes by the day.  But judging by Thursday's news, things appear to be on the right path.

Jays, Adams approach crossroads  —  Infielder's future with club is uncertain after this season  —  TORONTO — When a team drafts a position player in the first round of the First-Year Player Draft, it hopes that player will one day become "the guy."  —  This doesn't mean that the player …

Raiders audition Maddox  —  Former Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox worked out for the Raiders on Wednesday, but the free agent has not been signed.  —  Maddox was flown to the Bay Area for a brief visit to Raiders headquarters in Alameda, one day after he tried out with the Patriots, according to his agent, Vann McElroy.

Rebuilding, the Marlin Way  —  Short of a miraculous final two weeks, the Marlins will miss the playoffs this year.  To be writing that sentence in September is a bit of miracle in itself: aside from the Royals and the Devil Rays, the Marlins entered the 2006 season with the lowest expectations in baseball.