No raves for Ozzie's rants … Can we all agree that certain words are so potentially hurtful they should be used either rarely or never?  —  Good.  Then let's not call it a suspension.  Let's call it an intervention.  —  C'mon, White Sox, rescue your guy before he goes Archie Bunker on the rest of the world.

Red Sox Pound Nats Again  —  Third Straight Loss Leaves Team Searching for Answers: Red Sox 9, Nationals 3  —  BOSTON, June 21 — They came here on such a high that their manager said they might not need a plane to fly north from the District.  But on Wednesday night …

Little Asks Izturis to Switch to Third Base  —  The Dodgers, unsure whether Bill Mueller will play again this season and unconvinced that Willy Aybar can play third base every day, told Cesar Izturis on Tuesday that he is their new third baseman.  —  "That's the only spot we've got," Izturis said.

'It's like playing with fire' … Paxton Crawford was a top pitching prospect who went 5-1 in 15 games for the Red Sox in 2000 and 2001.  Then back problems — which he blames on steroid use — derailed the right-hander's career, which ended in the minors in 2005.

Angels salvage series finale  —  Izturis' bases-clearing double in the eighth propels club  —  SAN FRANCISCO — It was Jeff Weaver's turn on Wednesday to provide some quality innings, yet be denied a victory.  —  But in a positive twist to the story, the offense responded with a late-inning rally …

Youth is served in Futures Game rosters  —  Maybin, Liz and Hughes to take field on All-Star Sunday  —  They come from all over the world and are at different stages of their professional careers but have one thing in common — Major League potential.  —  The 50 Minor Leaguers that adorn …

Milledge: To stay, I'd sit  —  Rookie outfielder Lastings Milledge isn't buying into the Mets' company line that he'd be better off playing every day for Triple-A Norfolk when Cliff Floyd returns rather than sitting on the bench with the big club.  —  "I think I'll get better as a player …

Notes: Patterson ready to go Friday  —  Nationals right-hander hasn't pitched since April 21  —  Nationals right-hander John Patterson, on the disabled list because of a right forearm strain, said he is ready to pitch against the Orioles on Friday night at Camden Yards.

Finding out what it's like to be the Melk Man  —  NEW YORK - Melky Cabrera began playing baseball at age 3, with a stick and a rock and a plea to anyone who visited the family's humble roadside home on Carretera Sanchez, in the village of Haina, not far from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

Papelbon is a perfect fit in 'pen  —  Editor's note: This article appears in the July 3 issue of ESPN The Magazine.  —  Trick question: Who was the best sixth man in NBA history?  —  Answer: Larry Bird.  The Basketball Jesus missed five games in March 1982 after absorbing an errant elbow.

Gathright gets a fresh start; Rays get an arm  —  ST. PETERSBURG - Just like that, Joey Gathright went from minor-league afterthought to starting centerfielder.  All it took was a trade to the Royals.  —  The Devil Rays on Tuesday dealt Gathright and minor-league infielder Fernando Cortez …

MLB Transactions  —  Acquired pitcher Jason Johnson from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named or cash considerations; optioned pitcher Kyle Snyder to Pawtucket of the International League (AAA); announced outfielder Dustan Mohr has elected free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment to Pawtucket.