Saves Won't Help Torre Save Yankees  —  A frustrated reader suggested that today's column should be devoted to a thorough recitation of "the worst on-field blunders in the history of the Yankees."  The reader was moved to make the request after watching a stunned Scott Proctor hold on to the ball …

Buehrle wins, wants to stay with ChiSox  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Ozzie Guillen wants Mark Buehrle in his rotation, and the White Sox left-hander wants to stay in Chicago.  —  "I think everyone knows where my heart's at ... and how bad I want to stay here," Buehrle said Wednesday after beating the Tampa Bay Devil Rays 5-3.

Revitalized Tom Mets' reign man  —  1-hits Cards over six  —  There's a strange reverence in the Mets clubhouse on the days Tom Glavine pitches.  Teammates respect that every time he takes the mound, it could be a step toward 300 wins and baseball immortality.

Bats erupt for 22 hits as Smoltz wins ninth  —  Four days after they feuded, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones returned to the business of leading the Braves to victories — in this case a seriously one-sided win.  —  Order was restored on several fronts Wednesday night, as Smoltz got …

Honor Where Honor Is Due … In the spirit of a surprising three game sweep of the best team in the American League (and yes, I know that they threw Gabbard and Tavarez at us, but we threw Weaver and Feierabend at them, so call it even), this post is for one thing - to give credit to the performances …

The best unemployed GM in baseball  —  In his 18-month tenure as Dodgers' GM from February '04 to October '05, Paul DePodesta did all of the following things:  — Helped construct a roster that produced the 2004 NL West Divison title, the Dodgers' first playoff berth in eight years.

Angels designate disgruntled DH Hillenbrand for assignment  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shea Hillenbrand wants out and the Los Angeles Angels are granting his wish.  —  The team told Hillenbrand after Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Kansas City that he will be designated for assignment Friday …

Diamondbacks eke past Dodgers  —  Bob Melvin's hands were tied Wednesday night, so all the Diamondbacks manager could do was stand behind the railing in the dugout and watch the drama unfold just like everybody else.  —  Normally, when the less-dependable components of his bullpen falter …

Sosa might be Rangers' only All-Star  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  DETROIT - Sammy Sosa's remarkable return to baseball could take another dramatic turn this weekend.  He could end up as the Rangers' lone representative to the All-Star game, to be played July 10 in San Francisco.

Peanuts, Cracker Jack and Jesus Make an Unsavory Mix at Ballparks  —  T he last time the Washington Nationals tried to mix baseball and religion, the team ended up suspending its volunteer chaplain and having to apologize for a player who suggested that Jews are destined for eternal damnation.

Major league shame  —  You think steroids are a plague in the baseball universe, right?  My sense is that most Hardball Times readers are angry that so many players took steroids, while Major League Baseball, the union and the media looked the other way.  Heck, I'm angry about it too.

Wally Backman Has Had A Tough Few Years: How The "Mighty" Have Fallen  —  WALLY BACKMAN HAS HAD A TOUGH FEW YEARS  —  How The "Mighty" Have Fallen  —  You might remember, almost three years ago, when the Arizona Diamondbacks hired former Met Wally Backman to be their manager before firing …