Source: Robinson won't return in 2007  —  Nationals manager won't be retained after end of regular season  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals are planning to tell manager Frank Robinson on Thursday that he will be not return to the club in 2007, a baseball source said after Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Mariners to season ticket holders: Bavasi, Hargrove to return  —  With commentary.  Short version: Lincoln/Armstrong says "Bill Bavasi will continue to lead our baseball operations and Mike Hargrove will continue to manage the team."  —  The full letter, with extra snarky comments, after the break.

The Yankees' Game 1 Pitcher?  Wang.  The Lineup?  All Stars.  —  There were 20 uniformed players on the field at Yankee Stadium for the national anthem last night.  Eleven were All-Stars from the Staten Island team that played in the Little League World Series last month.

Hodges, Santo head Veterans Committee ballot  —  COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Gil Hodges, Ron Santo, Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat are among the 27 players on next year's Veterans Committee ballot for the Hall of Fame announced Thursday.  —  Umpire Doug Harvey, former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley …

Seaver remains Mets' biggest hero  —  'The Franchise' wins Hometown Hero Award by vote of fans  —  Long before NFL negotiations created the franchise player, the Mets had The Franchise.  And The Franchise was a player, a pitcher of such prowess and distinction that he exceeded the boundaries …

Garciaparra Gets a Break Today  —  DENVER — Nomar Garciaparra started Wednesday at first base for the Dodgers, after leaving Tuesday's game because of a strained oblique muscle.  He also is playing with a strained quadriceps muscle, and he grimaced noticeably upon reaching first after a single in the first inning.

Astros keep rolling, blank Pirates to extend winning streak to nine  —  CBS SportsLine.com wire reports  —  PITTSBURGH — They needed nearly five hours to win the night before.  This time, they waited for 3½ hours just to play.  Time is running out on the Houston Astros, but it's not stopping them from winning.

Pujols punishes Padres  —  NL West lead is trimmed to a game over the Dodgers  —  ST. LOUIS - The Padres had vowed not to let Albert Pujols beat them during their three nights in St. Louis.  On the third night, he did.  —  Punishing the Padres for allowing him the chance to decide the game …

Pirates Notebook: Tekulve had hand in Torres' ascent  —  By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette  —  Kent Tekulve soon could lose his claim to the Pirates' record for pitching appearances, but he still will be able to take some credit for it.  —  Three years ago at spring training …

Fenty's First Challenge — the Stadium  —  Mayor-to-be Adrian Fenty is probably marveling at the sheer irony of the situation — a project he voted against may become his first challenge as the District's chief executive.  —  As the Post reported last weekend, the development plans …

Royals see Angel in the infield  —  GM Moore says the team still views struggling Berroa as a key player in the rebuilding plan.  —  Here's the official line: The Royals don't plan to address Angel Berroa's declining production and seasonlong struggles by shopping this winter for another starting shortstop.

The Secret Lives of Baseball Card Writers  —  I WORKED FOR TOPPS AND LIVED TO TELL ABOUT IT.  —  As a child, when I had what might be called a serious baseball card habit, I looked forward to a new year of Topps baseball cards in a way I looked forward to nothing else.

Notes: Migraines end Otsuka's season  —  Rangers shut down closer because of severe headaches  —  ANAHEIM — On Sept. 10, Akinori Otsuka recorded his 32nd save in a 4-2 victory against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.  —  Otsuka gave up a couple hits in the ninth inning …

Rays blast off against Beckett  —  Sox starter's exit is far from a hit  —  With all the questions that have flowed through Josh Beckett's initial season with the Red Sox — Why all the home runs?  When is he going to live up to his potential?  Why did Anibal Sanchez, and not Beckett …

Hurdle believes money available to aid wish list  —  A summer swoon not only spoiled the Rockies' season, but shaped their offseason wish list.  Colorado will attempt to add an everyday center fielder, an eighth-inning reliever and a bat off the bench.  More important, manager Clint Hurdle …

T.O: 'There was no suicide attempt'  —  NEWS 8 EXCLUSIVE  —  Just hours after News 8 first broadcast details of a Dallas police report that said Dallas Cowboys star receiver Terrell Owens attempted suicide Tuesday night, Owens was back at the Cowboys' Valley Ranch training center catching some passes from quarterback Drew Bledsoe.