A sports brand dream team gets into concessions game  —  In a precedent-setting venture by two of the leading brands and families in sports, the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys have jointly launched a concessions company, which borrowed $100 million several weeks ago, sources close to the teams said.

Vegas odds favor Rays to win Series over Phillies  —  LAS VEGAS - The Tampa Bay Rays are favored to win the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies, but sports books would owe huge paydays anyway if the American League champions prevail, oddsmakers said today.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry signs 4-year contract extension  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jim Hendry, architect of the Cubs' back-to-back Central Division champions, isn't going anywhere, at least not soon.  Club Chairman Crane Kenney worked around the stalled sale of the franchise to give Hendry …

Mark Ellis  —  Why did Mark Ellis give the Oakland A's millions of dollars in free agent money, when he's already given them millions of dollars in arbitration and slave-wages money?  Will Mark Ellis go down as the one player in my generation who has earned the least amount of money for a player …

Agent: Peavy won't be pitching for Mets, Yankees  —  It appears increasingly likely that the Padres will trade Jake Peavy.  But neither the Yankees nor the Mets rank among the favorites to land the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner.  —  Peavy, armed with a no-trade clause …

Lowell's surgery a success; Epstein speaks  —  Third baseman Mike Lowell's surgery this morning was “a complete success” and his doctors were “pleasantly surprised” with the condition of Lowell's labrum in his right hip, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said this afternoon.

Cards are done with Mulder  —  After two seasons lost to a persistent and perplexing shoulder injury, Mark Mulder and his representative received notification last week that the Cardinals will not exercise the $11-million option on the lefty's contract.  —  Mulder, 31, continues to rehab …

Monday Ten Pack  —  Bleich is a hard guy to get a real feel for.  He held out until the signing deadline, but then signed for an under-slot bonus.  Some saw him as a overdraft in the supplemental first round, and some scouts thought he would have been a legitimate first-round pick …

BoSox's Lowell has surgery to repair tear in hip … BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell has had surgery on his right hip.  —  Red Sox spokesman John Blake said Lowell was awake after his surgery Monday.  Blake said last year's World Series MVP wanted to surgery …

Joba's blood alcohol well above legal limit  —  Yankees star Joba Chamberlain's blood alcohol content was well above Nebraska's legal limit when he was busted for drunk driving, prosecutors charged Monday.  —  Chamberlain, who failed a Breathalyzer test when he was pulled over early Saturday …

Macha has been interviewed  —  St. Petersburg, Fla. - A very reliable source familiar with the situation just told me that Ken Macha has interviewed for the Brewers' managerial opening.  If you read my earlier blog, I ranked Macha among the front-runners for the job.