Ejected and dejected  —  I started covering the U of L baseball team almost two weeks ago, following them to Columbia, Mo., and throughout their amazing NCAA Tournament run.  —  I just wish I could have written about them today, when they clinched a spot in the College World Series and capped an unbelievable ride.

What are the ESPN Player Ratings? … At the start of 2006, I was challenged to come up with a formula that ranks all major league players.  After bouncing ideas off the Elias Sports Bureau, MIT and others over the last year, I eventually wrote the formulas that produced the ESPN Player Ratings.

Harold Reynolds: Harold Reynolds Is BACK, Baby!  —  Harold Reynolds Is BACK, Baby!  —  Well, it only took almost a freaking year, but you're never gonna believe who finally has a new job, folks.  —  That's right: Your friend and ours, Mr. Harold Reynolds, out of a job since being fired by ESPN for now …

Nats rekindle interest in Rays' Dukes  —  Teams have been talking for more than a week about rookie  —  WASHINGTON — The Nationals have rekindled interest in Devil Rays outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the situation.  The news was first reported by FOXSports.com late Sunday night.

Martin jumps to top of NL All-Star ballot  —  Catcher overtakes Lo Duca; Soriano replaces Bonds in OF  —  The latest National League All-Star team voting update has a distinct shade of Dodger blue.  —  According to the latest results released Monday by Major League Baseball for the 78th All-Star Game …

Pre-Game Notebook: Green is back  —  Shawn Green was activated from the DL and is in the line-up in right and batting second.  A local deli greeted him with two huge corned beef sandwiches waiting in his locker.  Green said he feels good and likes the idea of facing Dodgers lefty Randy Wolf tonight …

Trachsel rewards O's for faith in him … The Orioles are prepared for the phone calls to come as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches in late July.  Teams in contention for a playoff berth and trying to strengthen their rotation will inquire about pitcher Steve Trachsel.

NL West: Not just for emergencies  —  It was the once-a-decade event that haunts managers' psyches.  —  Save your backup catcher until the last possible moment, we're told, because you don't want to see him to get hurt and end up scrambling for an emergency backstop.

M's Notebook |  Batista snaps up victory  —  SAN DIEGO — Felix Hernandez could only laugh in wonderment.  —  "He threw seven innings on Friday and got no decision.  He threw one inning today, he won the game."  —  Hernandez was referring to teammate Miguel Batista …

Go to the Polls for Placido!  All Star Campaign  —  The "evil empire" of the New York Yankees must be stopped.  Despite being one of Major League Baseball's biggest disappointments so far this season, the New York Yankees continue to do well in fan voting for the 2007 Major League Baseball Star Game …

Sunday Starter  —  I mentioned a few days ago that the Dodgers — the team that came up with the five man rotation as a response to having an excess of pitchers — had a chance to be creative.  I invited readers to chime in with their ideas and we had some solid ones.  Subscriber Dan Graulich had the following:

Auction house withdraws 756 HR ball bounty  —  Heritage offered $1 million prize for Bonds' HR ball  —  SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The prospect of a melee in the stands prompted a prominent auction house on Monday to withdraw a $1 million bounty on Barry Bonds' career-record homer baseball.

A proven shyness of big splashes  —  Jim from Highlands Ranch: Will Rox ever again splurge? … Troy - I know it's still a ways away, but give me one realistic free-agent possibility, if there even is one.  Thanks a lot.  — Jim L., Highlands Ranch  —  Jim - The Rockies …