Phillies manager challenges radio personality to fight  —  As baseball season began, the Philadelphia Phillies were being eyed as a contender in the National League East.  In fact, outspoken shortstop Jimmy Rollins said the Phillies were the team to beat.  —  But the Phillies have stumbled …

Nats Show Their Support  —  Team Wears Va. Tech Hats : Braves 6, Nationals 4  —  The Washington Nationals fell behind against a pitcher bound for the Hall of Fame and predictably ended up losing to the Atlanta Braves last night, 6-4.  But what otherwise would have gone down as a routine April defeat …

"To See Ramon?"  —  OK, I'll say it.  —  I love Ramon Castro.  —  Seriously, is there a better backup catcher in the game?  The guy sits on the bench for three innings, he's ice-cold (literally), and Paulie Lo gets dinged and Ramon gets the call.  So what does he do?

Backman longs for his second chance  —  Two years after D-backs fiasco, he returns as manager in independent league  —  One month from today Wally Backman will officially be back in baseball.  May 18 is Opening Day for the independent South Georgia Peanuts, and the former Met is their new manager.

Past, Meet Future  —  Yes, the Cubs lost again, to the Padres 4-3 in 14 innings today, and yet another pitching meltdown from Will Ohman was the cause (and I won't blame Jacque Jones for letting the ball get by him, because the run was going to score anyway on the hit).

Lo Duca hit by foul tip, X-rays negative  —  Mets catcher removed from Tuesday's game vs. Philadelphia  —  PHILADELPHIA — X-rays of the right index finger of Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca, taken on Tuesday night during the Mets game here, were negative, but additional tests may be run on Wednesday when the Mets are in Miami.

Wright wins debut as Yanks bomb Tribe, 10-3  —  Chase Wright did everything the Yankees could have asked from an emergency starter who was pitching for Double-A Trenton just last week and facing one of the best lineups in the AL.  Outside of some jitters and control problems to the first two hitters …

Billy Wagner Starring as Mr. Efficient  —  Even if Billy Wagner will be remembered for being a small guy with a huge fastball, he is doing his best to change his legacy.  In Wagner's five appearances, he has struck out two batters (Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell) ­and that was in the same game, April 9 against the Phillies.

Virginia Tech tragedy hits home  —  DETROIT — I have to admit, I didn't remember the name at first.  —  Brian Bluhm.  —  No, never met him.  At least not in person.  But I had spoken to him, in the same way that I've spoken to many of you, through the magic of the internet.

Aaron's No. 755 landing site located  —  Plaque to mark landing spot of historic homer  —  MILWAUKEE — It was one of the more forgettable home runs of Hank Aaron's remarkable, record-setting career.  But it was nonetheless historic, and the Brewers are going to great lengths this summer to commemorate it.