Papelbon a changed man: Save No. 30 one for books  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The last time Jonathan Papelbon [stats] reached the 30-save plateau, he was a different pitcher, a different person.  —  It was Aug. 4 last season when he blew away two of three Tampa Bay hitters on the way to save No. 30.

Schilling's comments devilish  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Curt Schilling raised a few eyebrows when he said on his weekly radio appearance yesterday that the idea of playing for the Devil Rays next season had some appeal to him.  —  Schilling did not come to terms with the Sox this spring …

All-time Gold Glove team named  —  Willie Mays making that over-the-shoulder catch.  Brooks Robinson barehanding a bunt.  Roberto Clemente unleashing a rifle throw.  —  Think of the most spectacular fielding plays in baseball history and those spring to mind.

Orioles will bring back Trembley to manage in '08  —  BALTIMORE — Dave Trembley will return next season as manager of the Baltimore Orioles after leading the team to a winning record over the last two months.  —  Trembley replaced Sam Perlozzo on June 18, then was given the job through the rest of the season on July 31.

Pirates Notebook: Duffy, hurt again, could be out of team's plans  —  DENVER — The question with Chris Duffy no longer seems to be as simple as whether or not he will return this season.  —  It could be whether he returns to the Pirates at all.  —  Duffy, the team's opening day center fielder …

Only Beltran can stop Beltran  —  Since returning from DL, Mets center fielder is tearing it up  —  NEW YORK — Carlos Beltran has found it.  —  He's locked in, he's in the zone and he's stumbled into his own little slice of baseball nirvana.  Call it what you will, but results are telling …

CASTILLO SECOND TO NONE  —  Marlon Anderson had barely crossed home plate when Jose Reyes crossed the diamond, making a beeline straight for first base.  Straight for Luis Castillo.  —  Reyes and the rest of the Mets mobbed Castillo on the field, jumping up and down and celebrating his game-winning walk-off RBI single.

Positional Rankings - Corner Outfield  —  I'm separating corner outfielder from center fielders, not because of where they project to end up (which might be subjective), but rather where they've played the majority of the season.  As discussed previously, corners are expected to mash …

Do Reds lose out by winning now?  —  Here's the awkward, Twilight Zone spot Pete Mackanin finds himself in, as the Reds season sinks to Page 12 of the morning Sports section:  —  Mackanin needs wins.  The Reds need answers.  —  If the interim manager entertains any thought of keeping the job, a strong finish is mandatory.

Padres' Young, MLB ERA leader, out indefinitely  —  NEW YORK — Major league ERA leader Chris Young returned to San Diego on Wednesday to get his ailing back examined, and the playoff-contending Padres weren't sure when he would pitch again.  —  The All-Star righty was forced …

Hamels to miss Wednesday start  —  All-Star has mild left elbow strain, expects to go on DL  —  PHILADELPHIA — Add Cole Hamels to the long list of injured Phillies, with the team announcing Tuesday that their ace will miss Wednesday's scheduled start with a mild left medial elbow strain.

EXCLUSIVE: Stephen A. Smith Stripped Of Column  —  UPDATE: The Philadelphia Inquirer confirms our story.  —  Inquirer sports columnist Stephen A. Smith has been stripped of his column and has been offered a job as a general assignment reporter in the Inquirer's sports department …

Texas Tees Off  —  Marlon Byrd just hit the third home run of the game for the Texas Rangers, a grand slam in the sixth to extend the Rangers lead to 10-3 over the Orioles.  Vazquez and Saltalamacchia also went deep with a three-run and solo shot respectively.  They just need a two-run homer for the homer cycle.

Giants surrender 5 to Chicago after leading since 1st  —  Never did a 1-0 lead seem so comfortable.  For eight innings, anyway.  —  For the first time in four weeks, the Giants hosted a team with postseason hopes.  While the Giants are playing for next season, the Cubs are playing for October.

Mariners Notebook: Betancourt not looking for break with sizzling bat  —  Betancourt not looking for break with sizzling bat  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Since Aug. 15, Yuniesky Betancourt has started every game but one at shortstop.  —  He could get a day off this weekend in the heat of Texas …