Why I don't feel sorry for Mike Bacsik, Jr. and other #756 thoughts  —  Barry Bonds etched his name on the most hallowed of baseball records last night when he hit career Home Run number 756 ...  And Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik, Jr. deserved to serve up the career-defining pitch to Bonds.

Way is cleared for Peña trade  —  ANAHEIM, Calif. — Wily Mo Peña has cleared trade waivers, according to a major league source, meaning the Red Sox can negotiate a deal for him with any team.  —  "I want to be traded," Peña said yesterday.  "I want to play.  They know I want to play.

Mets can't recover as Perez hits bump  —  New York sees lead reduced as Atlanta strikes early off lefty  —  NEW YORK — The non-waiver trading deadline is now one week in the past, but its effects are only beginning to surface.  —  For all the talk surrounding Atlanta's revamped lineup …

Padres to cut ties with David Wells  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  The Padres plan to cut ties with veteran left-hander David Wells on Thursday.  —  According to a major-league source, Wells, 44, will be designated for assignment and simultaneously placed on release waivers, giving the Padres three days to trade him.

JOBA SECURITY  —  TORRE MUST AVOID OVERUSE OF PHENOM  —  THE Yankees are going to have rules for how to use Joba Chamberlain, and let's all just pause a second to catch our breath after laughing.  —  Joe Torre has the same chances of following restrictive rules on relievers …

Long Ball: Yankees' New Hitting Coach Has A-Rod and Team Back in Top Form  —  Ted Williams and New York Yankees coach Kevin Long have much in common.  Both are ranked among the great students of the art of hitting a baseball; both are considered great teachers in that art.

Here comes Felix; Pagan to DL  —  HOUSTON— Will the third time be the charm for Felix Pie?  —  The Cubs have decided to recall Pie back from Triple-A Iowa once again, and he'll be available for Wednesday night's game against Houston ace Roy Oswalt.  —  UPDATE: The Cubs placed Angel Pagan …

Evolving the Save Rule  —  Back in 1973, in the days when Sparky Lyle and Tug McGraw toiled in the late innings for the New York teams, Bruce Stark of the New York Daily News drew a series of caricatures of the Yankees and Mets.  (Here's the Tom Seaver drawing from the series.)

Vasgersian's prattle ignites ire in Ozarks  —  Matt Vasgersian was in his hotel room at midday yesterday in St. Louis, preparing for last night's Channel 4 San Diego broadcast in an unusual way.  —  "I'm mail-ordering a bulletproof vest so I can go to the ballpark," Vasgersian said.

Rollins: Small market detrimental to Marlins' Ramirez  —  PHILADELPHIA Scott Olsen provided the Phillies with some bulletin board material earlier this season.  Jimmy Rollins did the same Tuesday, even though he didn't know it.  —  The Marlins had some fun over comments Rollins …

Miller says he's pondering comeback with Celtics  —  Reggie Miller says he is contemplating a return to the NBA, this time with the Boston Celtics.  —  Miller, who turns 42 on Aug. 24, played his entire 18-year career with the Indiana Pacers before retiring in 2005.

Player Profile  —  Kelly Johnson  —  After missing essentially all of 2006 following surgery to repair a torn ligament in his elbow, Kelly Johnson has come back strong at a new position this season, helping the Braves once again fight for a division title with his .297/.393/.491 season line.

Notes: Beltran eyeing return  —  Outfielder works out, could be back with Mets by week's end  —  NEW YORK — The Mets' Carlos Beltran is inching closer to a return to center field.  —  Beltran worked out Tuesday for the first time since straining his left oblique, and he could be ready to come off the disabled list by week's end.