Rick Ankiel received 12-month supply of HGH, News learns  —  PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel, baseball's feel-good story of the season, received a 12-month supply of human growth hormone in 2004 from a Florida pharmacy that was part of a national illegal …

Inside Pitch with the White Sox  —  Showing his hand  —  Manager Ozzie Guillen said he will give reserve Andy Gonzalez (above) a few consecutive starts at shortstop over the next three weeks, indicating that the White Sox are sold on the versatile rookie as a future bench player — and that Juan Uribe's days might be numbered.

Breaking down who's on the hot seat  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  Manager A is in last place with a record of 59-81.  His team, perhaps the most disappointing in the majors, could finish with the worst record in the American League.  —  Manager B is three games out in the wild-card race with a record of 73-66.

Yanks' hopes rest on rookie arms and pitching by committee  —  The Yankees have used 13 different starting pitchers this season, including eight rookies, six of whom made their major league debuts, so they certainly know how fickle the fortunes of a rotation can be.  Heck, Carl Pavano, of all people, started on Opening Day.

Wild Card no longer such a crazy idea  —  After a skeptical start, two-team addition a postseason success  —  The Wild Card can now be seen in the context of contemporary existence in much the same light as the cellular telephone:  —  How did life go on before it existed?

What will Gord do?  —  MILWAUKEE — Tomorrow afternoon, the Milwaukee Brewers will participate in coin flips with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs to determine home field for potential one-game playoffs in the event of a tie for the Central Division title.

JOBA'S DAD TRAVELING TO K.C.  —  A dream comes true tonight when Harlan Chamberlain will be at Kauffman Stadium to see his son Joba in a Yankee uniform.  —  "There probably will be a tear or two running down my cheek," Harlan told The Post last night from his home in Lincoln, Neb. "I'll just say a little prayer and thank God.

Former Cubs, Giants manager Dusty Baker leading busy life this year away from baseball  —  Strolling across his Northern California estate, Dusty Baker stops to pull weeds, checks out the solar paneling that provides energy to cool and heat his new home, and fixes the drip irrigation system in his vineyard.

David Wright closing in on homers-steals plateau  —  David Wright is not a speedster like Jose Reyes, but the Mets' third baseman always presumed it would be easier for him to swipe 30 bases than belt 30 homers in a big-league season.  —  As the Mets open a home stand tonight against the Astros …

The 10 Greatest Yankees Pennant Races of All-Time  —  In a two-part piece, Jonah Keri lists Nos. 10-6  —  David Ortiz and Derek Jeter.  —  A second-half surge by the Yankees, combined with recent slumps by the Mariners and Tigers, have allowed the Bombers to open up a three-game lead in the Wild Card chase.

From worst to ... not quite first  —  Every spring, Baseball America ranks the 30 major league organizations based on minor league talent, a list that gets significant credence from club executives and media members alike.  —  This year, the magazine ranked the Washington Nationals 30th …

A few things.....  BALTIMORE - The Sox arrived here at about 2:30 a.m. this morning which was considered "a civilized" time by Sox manager Terry Francona.  The manager has his family with him on this trip as do a few of the Sox players.  —  The Red Sox are trying to rebound from a 6-4 defeat …