Rangers Josh Hamilton transcript  —  Here are a few of the things that Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton had to say Friday about the tragic accident Thursday at Rangers Ballpark.  —  “I understand there's nothing you can do to change it now.”  —  “Behind me I heard someone say ‘Hey Hamilton’ how about the next one.

Alex Rodriguez Out of All-Star Game  —  NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez has pulled out of the All-Star game, joining his New York Yankees' teammates Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera in missing the midsummer classic.  —  Rodriguez was elected by the fans to his 14th All-Star appearance.

Bothered by Dodgers' mess, Ethier may be thinking of Red Sox … Dodgers players generally deny that the team's ongoing financial troubles (a.k.a. the McCourt mess) are affecting them.  But at least star right fielder Andre Ethier is said by several sources around the team to be unhappy with what's going on with the last-place team.

Angels promote Mike Trout from Double-A  —  In the manager's office after Thursday's game, Angels manager Mike Scioscia and GM Tony Reagins discussed their options for nearly 30 minutes after center fielder Peter Bourjos injured his hamstring in the eighth inning.

Braves need some creative financing  —  The Braves, like most clubs, are near their payroll limit.  But the team was in a similar position last season, and general manager Frank Wren still made two trades.  —  In both deals — the first for Royals reliever Kyle Farnsworth and outfielder Rick Ankiel …

Tragedy taught Palermo life lessons  —  ATLANTA, GA.  —  Twenty years later, Steve Palermo — then the No. 1 rated umpire in baseball — hasn't forgotten the slightest detail of those early morning hours, laying on the street outside a Dallas restaurant, shot by a mugger, uncertain he would see another tomorrow.

Joe Buck would ‘happily step aside’ for Vin Scully in World Series  —  A few weeks back, we gave the initial nudge to the online petition requesting that legendary announcer Vin Scully replace Joe Buck in the broadcast booth during this fall's World Series.  —  Not that the movement first founded by The Daily 'Stache needed much help.

Former catcher Chris Hatcher returns to Florida Marlins as a pitcher, first such move in 75 years  —  UPDATE: Just heard back from the Elias Sports Bureau, which reports that Hatcher will be the first catcher-turned-pitcher in the majors since Art Doll of the Boston Braves.

Pregame notes: Weiland to start Sunday  —  Red Sox manager Terry Francona reported this afternoon that Kyle Weiland will be called up from Triple A Pawtucket to pitch in Sunday's game against the Orioles.  —  Weiland, 24, of Albuquerque, N.M., will draw his first career major league start for the Sox.