With the All-Star picks, there's always some All-Star nits  —  As often has been the case these past few seasons, the bulbous, Jupiter-sized head of Barry Bonds overshadowed baseball's attempted formal proceedings Sunday.  —  The game's newest television partner, TBS, didn't help things, either.

Is tonight Buehrle's swan song?  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Mark Buehrle might want to start hiding personal belongings over the next few weeks.  His teammates and even his manager have started ''collecting'' memorabilia connected with anything the White Sox pitcher touches.

Sox extend contract  —  The Red Sox have extended their player development contract with the Portland Sea Dogs through 2012, according to a statement released by the team.  The deal extends the contract with Boston's Double-A affiliate by four years, the longest extension permissible by league rules.

NL West: Heroes today, gone tomorrow  —  The past week in the NL West saw the departure of a minor folk hero, a dispiriting losing streak by one team, a matchup of two of the NL's best starters and two outstanding efforts by young pitchers who hope to become two of the NL's best starters in time.

MRS. A-ROD IS A BRONX F-BOMBER  —  OBSCENE SHIRT SHOCKS STADIUM  —  Oh, no, she didn't!  —  Yankee superstar Alex Rodriguez's long-suffering wife, Cynthia, may have finally flipped her pretty lid yesterday when she went to a game in The Bronx wearing a tight-fitting, white tank top bearing a foul message on the back: "F- - - you."

Hargrove: 'I don't expect people to understand' … The only way the Mariners' homestand could have been stranger is if the team's mascot, Mariner Moose, took off his headpiece to reveal that he was actually Bill Gates.  —  When Ken Griffey Jr. and the Reds came to town last weekend …

Narron out, Mackanin in  —  Sources have told me Jerry Narron has been fired, Pete Mackanin will be the interim manager.  More to come.  —  From the Reds:

Note: Olney on Chad Cordero, and Mets  —  In his recent chat at ESPN.com, Buster Olney was asked by a reader if he, as Omar Minaya, would accept Nationals RHP Chad Cordero in exchange for OF Lastings Milledge, in which Olney responded...  In 39 games this season for the Nationals, the 25-year-old Cordero has a 3.00 ERA.

Prospect Hot Sheet  —  Another week, another Hot Sheet.  —  As we head into the dog days of summer—and with the Futures Game less than a week away—we're waiting for some of the bats to heat up again.  —  Pitchers have taken center stage over the last two weeks, and as we close out June …

Petrick hitches his pants, faces cruel curveball  —  Disease stole his career, but not his gallant spirit  —  HILLSBORO, Ore. - The lineup card is on his basement wall, next to a page from a score book detailing that dreamy afternoon in Coors Field.  —  It was Sept. 1, 1999.

Proctor's Fiery Temper  —  NEW YORK - In what was probably his way of trying to end his recent struggles, reliever Scott Proctor set his equipment on fire near the Yankees dugout after the Yankees' 7-0 loss to the A's Saturday, MLB.com reported.  —  Proctor, who allowed two singles …

Rangers' Gagne a saver to savor  —  egrant@dallasnews.com  —  BOSTON - In the last week, Eric Gagne has repeatedly demonstrated that he can do the things the Eric Gagne of old used to be able to do regularly.  —  Pitch on back-to-back days?  Check.  Be available for more than two consecutive days?

The cream of the crap (Part 1)  —  A year and a half ago, some Yankees fans at the Baseball Think Factory had a great idea: Take a poll to determine the 28 greatest teams in baseball history, and run 1000 simulations to figure out who really were the best of the best.

Efficient Baker  —  Scott Baker just finished the third inning, retiring all nine batters he's faced.  The Tigers are putting the ball in play early tonight, as Baker has just one strikeout and has thrown just 25 pitches.  Six of those were against ninth slot hitter Brandon Inge.