Edes: Beckett's postgame defiance says it all  —  His weak performance and postgame comments show he doesn't care, either … BOSTON — Josh Beckett has chosen sides.  —  On one side, everyone who cares so much about the Red Sox that they are even personally affected by the death of a public address announcer.

Last-place Phillies: Buyers or sellers?  —  I don't care what Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says — I'll believe his team is a seller when I see it.  —  But know this:  —  According to major league sources, at least one club — the Toronto Blue Jays …

Hamilton's deal possibly short, sweet  —  If you think outfielder Josh Hamilton will sign a contract that sufficiently protects the Texas Rangers from any injuries and relapses that he might suffer, think again.  —  Hamilton need not make concessions when he likely would receive a massive …

PADRES: Cabrera's promotion on hold following arrest  —  If the Padres plan to promote minor-league shortstop Everth Cabrera, they might have to put those plans temporarily on hold.  —  The team confirmed on Thursday night that Cabrera, their Triple-A shortstop, was arrested in mid-March.

People and Entities Out-Walking Albert Pujols  —  Pardon me for hitting this point again and again, but it's by far the most fascinating part of Albert Pujols' season so far.  Anybody can go into a home run drought; the difference between a home run and a flyout is, what, the width of a cuticle?

The Next MLB Commissioner  —  A generation of fans, players, and front office personnel have only known one commissioner.  Bud Selig has been in office for two decades, longer than anyone since the sport's first commissioner, Kenesaw Mountain Landis.  —  But at some point …

7,999 and counting  —  Tonight will be the 8,000th game in Mets history.  Provided the Marlins get a hit, it will also be the 8,000th straight game without a no-hitter.  —  Whatever opinion you may have of this odd streak, every Mets fan seems to have their own close call story.

Sox' Ortiz unhurt in pre-game car accident  —  Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz [stats] was not hurt after being involved in a car accident on Boylston Street near Fenway Park [map] while on his way to tonight's game, a team spokesperson confirmed.  —  Ortiz was pulling out of a gas station when his Audi R8 began spinning.

Chris Marrero suffers setback; injury updates on Chien-Ming Wang and Mark DeRosa  —  Setbacks in both his shoulder and his hamstring have delayed first baseman Chris Marrero's recovery from the torn hamstring he suffered this winter, Manager Davey Johnson said.