Belliard signs with Nats!  —  The Nationals have signed infielder Ronnie Belliard to a two-year extension beyond this season.  —  I don't have terms yet, but will get them pronto.  TERMS UPDATE: A major leauge source with knowledge of the deal says it's a two-year, $3.5 million contract.

If present for No. 756, Selig won't celebrate record  —  MILWAUKEE — Bud Selig might be in attendance when Barry Bonds breaks Henry Aaron's all-time home run record, but the baseball commissioner will not move from his seat to participate in any on-field celebration, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.

Ricciardi finds himself shooting down trade rumours  —  TORONTO — With plans to be neither buyers nor sellers as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, the Toronto Blue Jays still found themselves caught up in the rumour mill Monday.  —  General manager J.P. Ricciardi shot …

Astros stunned by Coolbaugh's death  —  Ex-Minor League third baseman had impact on current players  —  HOUSTON — While the stunning death of Tulsa Drillers hitting coach Mike Coolbaugh from a line drive to his head on Sunday left the entire baseball world in shock, the news hit especially hard in the Astros' clubhouse.

McAdam: Cancer-free Lester gets his second chance  —  BOSTON — Jason Varitek was one of the first Red Sox players to spot Jon Lester in the home clubhouse Sunday afternoon, moments after the Red Sox had held off the Chicago White Sox, 8-5.  —  "He had the biggest smile on his face," …

Ex-Brown pitched against Babe Ruth  —  Rolland Mays "Lena" Stiles, the oldest living former major-league baseball player, died Sunday morning in his sleep at the age of 100 at Bethesda Southgate nursing home in St. Louis.  —  Mr. Stiles compiled a 9-14 record while pitching for the St. Louis Browns in 1930 …

Tigers call up power-hitting Hessman  —  Corner infielder, 29, leads International League in homers  —  The Tigers purchased the contract of infielder Mike Hessman on Monday, giving the International League's leading slugger his first Major League stint since 2004.

Harang goes 10, Reds top Brewers in 12  —  CINCINNATI (AP) — Aaron Harang knew his grandfather would have wanted it this way.  —  Harang returned from his grandfather's funeral and pitched 10 innings Monday night, setting up the Cincinnati Reds' 2-1, 12-inning victory over the Milwaukee Brewers …

Meet the Mets (for a week)  —  If you're a baseball fan, there's a good chance that the way you follow the game revolves around your favorite team.  You read the papers, then rant about what an idiot the local columnist is.  You click on highlight shows in search of Web Gems by your team's center fielder.

Aki tells it like it is … They call him Aki.  —  After nine seasons in Japan, Akinori Iwamura joined the Devil Rays in the offseason, signing a three-year deal worth $7.7-million after the team spent $4.55-million for rights to negotiate with him.  In just a half-season, Iwamura, 28, has made quite the impression.

SPENDING HIS A-WAD  —  ALEX'S ESTATE HUNT TIPS YANKEE PLANS  —  Maybe we can call him "Stay-Rod" now.  —  Yankee superstar Alex Rodriguez is eyeing a stunning new $25 million estate in Greenwich, Conn. - strongly suggesting he plans on remaining with the Bronx Bombers beyond this season, The Post has learned.

Prospectus Today  —  Calm Seas  —  We've launched the summer version of "The Mill," which will take us up through the trade deadline.  In addition to Will Carroll's regular reports from the front, we'll have even more inside information from the equally well-connected John Perrotto and Kevin Goldstein.

Lack of Clutch Hitting Plaguing Mets  —  Nothing will drive a baseball fan mad quicker than a team that doesn't hit in the clutch.  There is nothing worse, and no amount of knowledge will make it better.  —  A perfectly rational person, fully aware that performance in the clutch has nothing …

ALOU READY TO RETURN  —  When the Mets return to Shea Stadium tomorrow to play the Pirates, Moises Alou expects to join them.  —  "I don't know if I will be back in the lineup on Tuesday," said Alou, who has been on the disabled list since May 13 with a strained left quadriceps.  "I think I will be, though.