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.

Yanks want to talk deal with A-Rod during season  —  The New York Yankees are willing to bend their own rules to keep Alex Rodriguez in pinstripes beyond this season.  —  The Yankees have changed their traditional stance and are now willing to negotiate during the season with their star third baseman …

ICHIRO ACES INSIDE JOB  —  Ichiro Suzuki once again showed the world what a unique talent he is on the baseball field.  —  Ichiro's fifth-inning, two-run, inside-the-park homer was the key hit in the American League's 5-4 win last night in the 78th 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.

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.

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 …

Zito's Deal May Rank Among the All-Time Worst  —  For San Francisco Giants fans, last night's All-Star Game should have been a wonderful event, a chance to show off their beautiful ballpark and shower love on the twin pillars of their franchise — Barry Bonds, their unaccountably beloved left fielder …

Milledge to play tonight in Troy?  In the words of the late Gilda Radner, never mind  —  UPDATE to UPDATE to UPDATE:  —  If you see Lastings Milledge, have him give me a call.  —  He is not in Troy tonight.  —  After hours of he's coming/maybe/no/yes/maybe, it turns …

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.

Balmy Weather May Bench a Baseball Staple  —  RUSSELL, Pa. — Careers at stake with each swing, baseball players leave little to sport when it comes to their bats.  They weigh them.  They count their grains.  They talk to them.  —  But in towns like this one, in the heart of the mountain forests …

Report says M's calling up Jones, shuffling outfield  —  News of Ichiro Suzuki possibly signing an extension with the Mariners on Tuesday overshadowed the potential shake-up in the club's outfield when the season restarts on Thursday.  —  According to a published report, Adam Jones …