Right now, team is fourth-rate  —  If there is any set of fans who should know, it's the people right here in New England, where professional baseball has been a passion for more than 130 years.  —  Baseball is not like the other sports.  More than basketball, more than hockey …

Bucs' GM search over: It's Huntington's job  —  PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Pirates have all but settled on their next general manager and it appears their choice is going to be a surprise.  —  Multiple baseball sources told The Times on Thursday night that the Pirates are leaning heavily …

I Don't Gotta Believe Anything  —  No doubt some tried and true sportswriter somewhere has referred to Thursday night's apocalyptic meltdown as a heartbreaker for Mets fans.  —  Your heart broken?  Mine isn't.  Not really.  —  I'm not gonna feed you some line about there are more important things …

Goodbye RFK  —  If you will forgive me from my usual posts of comedy and uncomfortable jokes, I have to share with you my true feelings for once.  Last night I made my way up to section 440, row 3, seats 9-10 for the final time this year.  And at 10:35 last night, I looked at the RFK diamond …

Arizona League Top 20 Prospects List  —  Subscribers can read scouting reports on all 20 players (Click here to subscribe)  —  The Rookie-level Arizona League has only a few veterans: the managers and coaches who return to the league year after year.  Ruben Escalera was in his sixth season …

Dodgers too old (or is it young?) for this  —  This youth movement has officially gotten old.  —  I thought it would work, I really did, but I admit today that I am wrong.  —  By using the last couple of months to integrate, the Dodgers have done nothing but alienate.

Notes: Uggla sets club record  —  Slugger first Marlins second baseman to hit 30 home runs  —  MIAMI — If someone makes Dan Uggla a cake to commemorate his sophomore season, they'd better have 30 candles ready.  —  Uggla became the first second baseman in Marlins franchise history …

Holliday credits 'Big Mac' for recent homer surge  —  DENVER (AP) — Fans serenaded Matt Holliday with chants of "MVP!  MVP!" as he circled the bases with his 11th homer in 12 games.  —  "I'm very humbled by that and honored," said Holliday, whose latest moon shot Thursday helped Colorado complete …

Angels show M's who's boss in West  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — On Aug. 25, the Mariners were one game away from leading the American League West.  —  On Sept. 21, four weeks later, the Mariners are one game away from elimination in the AL West.  —  For much of this misfortune, Seattle can look within.

Playing for pride, future teammates  —  WASHINGTON (Map, News) - It should be a fun last three days at RFK Stadium.  To have National League East rivals like the Mets, Braves and Phillies come in for the final homestand has been exciting for all of us because every single game feels like it's the postseason.

Mets Fans Brace, Wincing, for a Familiar Old Feeling: A New York City Flameout  —  As mortified fans watch the Mets fritter away their once-commanding grip on first place in the National League East, dread infects the city that it might be witnessing a collapse of unprecedented proportions.

The New Gossage?  The Old One Says Yes  —  Across the country, all the way to the mountains of Colorado, is not too far to experience the heat, embrace the hype, when Joba Chamberlain goes into the game.  —  The occasional fastball under the chin — even over the head — is music to an old intimidator's ears.

Red Sox trying to avoid '78 sequel  —  Not long ago, their lead was oversized, roomy, comfortable.  —  Now, with just over a week remaining in the regular season, it's suddenly snug, tight, constricting.  —  The talk that they are creating an unwanted sequel to 1978 has grown …

New York METS  —  Carlos Delgado (hip) had an encouraging batting practice session Thursday and is likely to start Friday's game.  —  Delgado put his spikes on late in Thursday's game in case he was needed, though the Mets didn't want to use him.  —  Shawn Green will sit out Friday night's game in observance of Yom Kippur.