Rickey Henderson hired as Mets hitting coach  —  Newsday has learned that Rick Down has been relieved of his duties and that the future Hall of Famer will take over immediately.  —  The Mets will begin the season's second half with a dramatic change in their coaching staff, Newsday has learned.

Simple truth: Big Papi's mortality showing  —  Say the words "David Ortiz [stats]" and "knee surgery," and it's enough to make you feel about as robust and October-optimistic as a Tampa Bay Devil Rays fan.  —  Say those words and you are suddenly filled with dread, worried that this long …

Club's course of action generates plenty of interest  —  A number of the top team officials in the major leagues convening for the All-Star festivities in San Francisco privately wondered whether the Astros would make any changes at the All-Star break or heading into the July 31 trading deadline.

Boras says A-Rod assured to reach $30M annually  —  After the New York Yankees on Wednesday indicated they would break from tradition and negotiate during the season with Alex Rodriguez on a contract extension, his agent moved in quickly to define what it would take to keep the superstar third baseman playing in New York.

Hafner gets 4-year, $57M extension  —  FOXSports.com, Updated 8 minutes ago  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Indians have signed designated hitter Travis Hafner to a four-year, $57 million contract extension, FOXSports.com has learned.  —  Hafner, 30, was eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.

Some starry pieces  —  SAN FRANCISCO — Picked-up pieces from All-Star week in the postcard-perfect Bay Area:  —  If we can agree that Fenway is the best old ballpark, can we make a case for AT&T Park as the best of the newbies?  The setting is spectacular.  It's an easy walk from anywhere downtown.

PHIL IN THE BLANK  —  YANKS HAVE 'TIMELINE' FOR HUGHES' RETURN  —  Brian Cashman has an idea when Phil Hughes will be ready to provide the Yankees with a much-needed boost it the back of their rotation, but the GM isn't ready to make it public.  —  "We have a timeline, but we aren't going to announce it," Cashman said yesterday.

Angels quietly dominating AL West  —  Despite potential weaknesses, Halos manage to click  —  Major League Baseball, like life, is defined by checks and balances and decisions to live with.  Teams are forever juggling strengths and deficiencies, especially in this big-ticket era.

2007 ALL-STAR GAME  —  GIANTS: Magowan wants Sabean to stay  —  Contrary to rumors that the Giants are preparing to fire Brian Sabean, ownership has decided it wants Sabean back next year for a 12th season as general manager, and the two sides have begun discussions about a contract extension, The Chronicle has learned.

MILLEDGE IS SLATED FOR MAJOR RETURN  —  Lastings Milledge is expected to be promoted today and return to the Mets for the first time in three months.  —  Milledge, who had three at-bats with the Mets in April before being demoted, has been playing minor-league