Pujols angered at La Russa for All-Star benching  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Albert Pujols was angry about being left on the All-Star bench and the St. Louis slugger took aim at the National League manager — who just happened to be Tony La Russa of his own Cardinals.  —  "It's the All-Star Game.

Seattle's Japanese superstar displays a sublime sense of timing  —  Since it appears the Mariners are poised to offer as much as $100 million in a new contract for Ichiro, perhaps they should meet him at his San Francisco hotel for breakfast this morning before his price goes up.

Thrills abound despite You Know Who  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It was breathless by the Bay, a dust-churning downhill trolley, 360 feet of some of the coolest magic in All-Star game history.  —  I never saw it.  —  While Ichiro Suzuki was sprinting to his inside-the-park homer at the 78th All-Star game Tuesday …

Ramirez named NL Player of the Week  —  Marlins shortstop hits .520 with three homers to cap first half  —  MIAMI — Most players are glad to see the All-Star break come, because it gives them a chance to rest, relax and visit family for a few days.  For Marlins opponents, however …

Twins, Yankees Like Dan Johnson  —  There's a lot of buzz going around that the A's may become sellers soon, nine games back in their division and eight out in the Wild Card.  Typical impending free agent parts like Mike Piazza and Shannon Stewart are candidates to be moved.

Atlanta could witness Bonds' 756th HR  —  San Francisco — While Braves fans wait to see if the team can continue its recent resurgence after the All-Star break, here's a possible cringe-inducing scenario to think about regarding Barry Bonds.  —  What if the Giants slugger …

The Big Picture  —  All-Star Ratings … The All-Star Game first made its way to nighttime television in 1967.  In the first 15 years of the broadcast, the game was a ratings juggernaut—from 1967 to 1982, the stars consistently pulled a rating around 25, meaning one quarter of households with televisions watched the game.

Rockies an arm short of a buff body  —  Greek mathematician Archimedes solved the puzzle of the sphere inside the cylinder, but never studied the circle within the diamond.  —  The Rockies must figure out that perplexing riddle on their own after the all-star intermission.  —  For the next 74 games, do the Rox:

Pittsburgh getting an extreme makeover  —  LIKE THIS STORY? … McClatchy liked his role on center stage with the Pirates, particularly in that he was viewed as the savior of baseball in Pittsburgh and the man who orchestrated the construction of PNC Park.

YANKS: IT AIN'T OVER YET  —  JETER 'NO QUESTION' WE CAN CATCH BOSOX  —  The Yankees sit 10 full games behind the Red Sox in the AL East, but the Bombers believe Boston can be caught in the second half.  —  "You don't set your goals on second place," Derek Jeter said last night before the 78th All-Star Game at AT&T Park.