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 …

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 …

Bonds won't return with Giants for 2008 season  —  The San Francisco Giants won't be bringing back Barry Bonds for one more season.  —  Bonds won't return with the Giants for 2008, the slugger wrote on his Web site Friday.  —  Bonds, 43, said on the site that he was told Thursday …

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 …

Holliday credits Big Mac for recent HR 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 …

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 …

Under The Knife  —  September Strains  —  No intro today, as I'm finishing up work on getting the next BP Conversation up and ready.  I spoke with Dr. Olivier Rabin, the Science Director for the World Anti-Doping Agency.  He's one of the men who has been at the forefront of the fight …

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 …

Kennedy scratched from Saturday start  —  Rookie Ian Kennedy, who is 1-0 with a 1.89 ERA after three starts in the majors, has been scratched from tomorrow's start against Toronto with what the team is calling a muscle strain in his upper back.  —  Since the team has been using six starters …

Drehs: Diverse groups line up to bid on Cubs … CHICAGO — From the third seat in the fifth row of Wrigley Field Section 105, Thomas Mandler seems to have everything any Cubs fan could ever want.  —  To his right, his 26-year-old son Jason.  To his left, his 31-year-old daughter Amy …

Guerrero, Anderson drive Halos past M's  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles Angels moved to the brink of their third AL West title in four years.  —  Vladimir Guerrero hit a two-run homer, Garret Anderson had two hits and three RBIs and Los Angeles beat …

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.

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.

Jays shutting down Wells  —  Instead of waiting, slugger to have surgery next week  —  NEW YORK — Vernon Wells has played with a left shoulder injury all season, but the Blue Jays have decided enough is enough.  Toronto is shutting its center fielder down for the remainder of the year …

Goodbye, RFK: Not too many tears shed by Nationals as they prepare to leave ballpark  —  WASHINGTON (AP) -Oh, sure, there are some fond memories for those Washington Nationals who played at RFK Stadium in 2005, back in the days when even if the ol' ballpark might not have been much of a home, at least it was a home.