Kevin McClatchy's letter to fans  —  Dear Pirates Fans:  —  Today I announced that I will be stepping down as the Chief Executive Officer of the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of the 2007 season.  —  A decision of this personal and professional magnitude is not something you make overnight.

Neifi Perez first to be banned for stimulant  —  The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced on Friday that infielder Neifi Perez of the Detroit Tigers has been suspended 25 games, effective immediately, for testing positive for a banned Stimulant in violation of Major League Baseball's …

Local Yankees release pitcher  —  MOOSIC — Rain hammered PNC Field on Thursday, cancelling the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees' series finale against the Pawtucket Red Sox after a rain delay of an hour and 15 minutes.  —  While the steady downpour fell outside the stadium …

Mets' Maine wins again, Ks 9 Astros  —  HOUSTON (AP) — The New York Mets needed one inning to purge the memories of their nightmare series in Colorado.  —  John Maine set a career high with nine strikeouts in 7 2-3 innings and Ramon Castro hit a two-run double filling in for suspended Paul Lo Duca …

Bush celebrates birthday at RFK  —  Day before turning 61, President watches Nats-Cubs game  —  WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush celebrated his birthday on Thursday at RFK Stadium, but the party was a secret to the 22,594 in attendance.  —  The President, who turns 61 on Friday …

One year later, Marlins pitchers ailing  —  SAN DIEGO — Though the Marlins aren't sure how long they will be without Josh Johnson, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with what the pitcher was told is a strained right forearm, this much is certain: The season has gone nothing like last year for the team's young rotation.

Raburn on the rise  —  Ryan Raburn, the best all-around hitter at Triple-A Toledo this season, will join the Tigers today, according to a member of the organization with knowledge of the team's plans.  —  Raburn, 26, was removed for a pinch hitter during the Mud Hens' 10-7 loss to Louisville on Thursday night.

Nats agree to deal with '07 top pick  —  Bowden: Detwiler could possibly make debut this year  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals agreed to terms with left-hander Ross Detwiler, the sixth overall pick in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, on Thursday.  Detwiler will get a $2.15 million signing bonus.

Okajima wins popular vote for All-Star team  —  Reliever is added to All-Star roster  —  Earlier in the week, when he wasn't in the Red Sox lineup, infielder Alex Cora spent three innings online in the clubhouse, voting for teammate Hideki Okajima in the Major League Baseball All-Star balloting.

Adding injury to insult  —  Hall forced out after severely spraining ankle during Brewers' loss  —  Pittsburgh - Bill Hall didn't realize how high he had jumped.  —  Trying to rob Pittsburgh's Ryan Doumit of a home run in the second inning Thursday afternoon at PNC Park …

Gaudin, homers lift A's past Mariners  —  Left-hander allows two runs; Swisher, Crosby hit solo homers  —  OAKLAND — Chad Gaudin followed what was the best start of his young career with one of the longest.  —  In his last start, he gave up just one hit over seven shutout innings …

Taxpayers' costs for Twins ballpark may be going up  —  Hennepin County could be on the hook for millions in legal fees, depending on the value of the land for a new Twins stadium.  —  As a condemnation hearing over the site of the new Minnesota Twins stadium nears its midpoint, the best drama may still be found outside the courtroom.

'I'm proof that hope is never lost' … Editor's Note: This story appears in the July 16 edition of ESPN The Magazine, on sale beginning July 4.  —  To let you know how far I've come, let me tell you where I've been.  —  Not that long ago, there were nights I went to sleep in strange places praying I wouldn't wake up.

Palmer lends helping hand to Cabrera … CHICAGO // As he always does, pitching coach Leo Mazzone stood back and to the right as Daniel Cabrera worked through his bullpen session before last night's game.  However, Mazzone and Cabrera also had company.  —  Seeking to get the struggling pitcher …