Thomas launches No. 500 at Metrodome  —  Blue Jays slugger hits three-run shot vs. Silva in first frame  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Seventeen years ago, Frank Thomas belted his first career home run off Twins pitcher Gary Wayne in Minnesota.  Thursday afternoon at the Metrodome, the pitcher was different, but the result was the same.

Any White Sox deal likely involves a pitcher  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If Mark Buehrle stays with the White Sox, at least one other pitcher likely will be traded.  —  That's the economic reality facing the Sox.  They have 13 players under contract at about $82.575 million for 2008.

Baseball fans bored with milestones … When Roger Clemens went for his 350th career victory on Wednesday night at Camden Yards, the ballpark was about two-thirds full and the excitement level for what could have been a rare piece of baseball history was not all that much greater …

Who Might Be Owning the Chicago Cubs?  —  The Chicago Cubs - one of MLB's crown jewels - will have a new owner in place before the start of next season.  Here's a break down of who's in the hunt to own them.  With the All-Star Game approaching quickly, eyes are starting focus on the sale …

Notes: Kearns not producing runs  —  Nationals right fielder realizes he must be more patient  —  ATLANTA — A lot of people in the Nationals' organization expected Austin Kearns to put up similar power numbers like he did last year, when he hit a career-high 24 home runs and drove in 86 RBIs, also a career high.

Michaels' 3-run HR lifts Indians by A's  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Jason Michaels can find a lot of ways to win a ballgame.  Playing long ball isn't usually one of them.  —  "I'm not a home run hitter," he said.  —  The Oakland Athletics might beg to differ.

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 …

Propelled Forward And Into The Air: ESPN, Woody Paige Sued For Sexual Harassment  —  ESPN, Woody Paige Sued For Sexual Harassment  —  As if ESPN wasn't having enough troubles, word just broke: The network and Woody Paige are being sued by a former "Cold Pizza" makeup artist for sexual harassment.

Astros recall Albers and McLemore  —  Club releases White, designates Randolph for assignment  —  HOUSTON — The Houston Astros announced today that the club has recalled RHP Matt Albers and LHP Mark McLemore from Triple-A Round Rock.  Albers and McLemore will be uniform for tonight's …

Playing Favorites  —  "On the other hand, if Rod Carew asked me to check the ball, I didn't even glance at it.  That ball was gone.  If Rodney didn't like it, I didn't like it.  That's one of the reasons we were such a good hitter."  —The late Ron Luciano, former umpire, in his 1982 book The Umpire Strikes Back.

Jon Heyman: Building the perfect title contender  —  I recently asked 14 baseball executives and experts to name the five players they'd choose to start their team, and the experts appeared to have so much fun with the exercise that I thought I'd try it myself.  —  Of course, I had a few advantages.

preGame: Mets vs. Cardinals (Game Four)  —  The Game...  The Mets (43-33) look to take three out of four from the Cardinals (34-41) tonight at Shea Stadium, starting at 7:10 pm EDT.  —  The Lineup...  Reyes SS  —  Lo Duca C  —  Beltran CF  —  Wright 3B  —  Delgado 1B  —  Green RF

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.