Revised Batting Order Changes Dynamic for Mets  —  Carlos Beltrán had seen enough.  So in a quiet moment Tuesday afternoon, he pulled a chair beside José Reyes's locker and offered some unsolicited advice.  Recalling their conversation Wednesday night after the Mets' 5-2 victory …

Tejada acknowledges age discrepancy  —  Shortstop is actually two years older than previously believed  —  PHILADELPHIA — Miguel Tejada just aged two years.  —  Astros general manager Ed Wade was recently informed that Tejada was actually born on May 25, 1974, as opposed to May 25, 1976, as listed in the club's media guide.

The Business Of Baseball  —  The key numbers show that the national pastime is more popular than ever.  In 2007, baseball broke its attendance record for the fourth consecutive season when 79.5 million fans hit the turnstiles.  A big plus: Interleague games, where teams in the American …

RIVERA READY FOR RED SOX TONIGHT  —  GOT NEEDED DAY OF REST  —  The Sandman did not have to enter last night's 15-9 marathon win over the Red Sox, which means Mariano Rivera will be available tonight if needed.  —  And with Joba Chamberlain in Nebraska and can't-quite …

Yankees Bury Bernie Williams Under New Stadium For Good Luck  —  NEW YORK—Citing a need for physical and spiritual cleansing after a Boston Red Sox fan entombed a David Ortiz jersey in the floor of the new facility, the New York Yankees buried former centerfielder Bernie Williams under 4,650 pounds …

Even Santa believes in Mantle's 565-foot blast  —  The longest home run ever hit did not go 565 feet.  Not even close.  —  Actually, the longest home run ever hit isn't even the longest home run ever hit.  —  “The truth hasn't caught up to the original legend,” Bill Jenkinson says.

Contact rate can be more revealing than batting average  —  By Ron Shandler, Special for USA TODAY  —  What do Pat Burrell, Joe Crede and Xavier Nady have in common?  —  All three are major league veterans who have established a performance baseline during their respective careers.

Zambrano solid on mound, plate in win  —  With wind playing a role, Cubs pound Reds again  —  How windy was it Wednesday night during the Cubs' 12-3 victory over Cincinnati at Wrigley Field?  —  So windy the Cubs took down the ceremonial flags for Ernie Banks, Billy Williams and Ron Santo …

Girardi says Chamberlain's dad improving  —  The health of Joba Chamberlain's father, Harlan, is improving, Yankees manager Joe Girardi said Wednesday.  —  It's still not clear how soon Joba might be able to rejoin the Yankees.  The important thing, though, is that his father …

Pedro optimistic about return date  —  Injured Mets pitcher expects to come back ahead of schedule  —  NEW YORK — One day after Mets general manager Omar Minaya suggested Pedro Martinez might not return to active duty until late May or early June, Martinez was quoted as having said his recovery may be shorter instead of longer.