Piazza hangs up catching gear after 16 seasons  —  BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Mike Piazza is retiring from baseball following a 16-season career in which he became one of the top-hitting catchers in history.  —  “After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent …

Amid big expectations, just paper Tigers so far  —  The ashtray is filled with cigarette butts and the pack of Marlboros is sitting next to an empty bag of chips inside the visiting manager's office at Arizona's Chase Field, but Jim Leyland is just getting started.

Fenway and No Hitters  —  One of the best parts about being a sports fan is that moment before the moment when you know something remarkable is about to happen.  This feeling comes over you.  It's not something that you can easily explain, but you sense that someone is about to hit a home run …

Heavy heart for Mets' Pedro  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Pedro Martinez may be on the fast track back into the Mets' starting rotation, but he is traveling that road with a heavy heart.  —  After facing minor leaguers in game competition Monday at Tradition Field, Martinez was equal parts enthusiasm and concern in an extended interview.

McCutchen called to Triple-A … Still haven't heard who's being sent down from New York to make room for Alex Rodriguez, but I'm starting to lean toward Chris Britton over Shelley Duncan.  Still a guess, though.  —  Miley said he still wasn't sure whether Juan Miranda would be placed on the disabled list …

Yanks, Mets likely bidders for Teixeira  —  They have, for reasons fair and unfair, become the symbols of what's wrong with New York's baseball teams.  Highly paid, once-great sluggers in the final years of huge contracts.  Jason Giambi and Carlos Delgado have started this year slowly …

Halls of Fame  —  Throughout this final season of memories at both Shea and Yankees Stadium, we will look back at all the great times we have shared with our teams and fellow fans.  —  Yankees  —  Klapisch: Some troubling times for Girardi  —  It's not often the Yankees are thankful for a Mets' crisis …

Yost furious over false report  —  Blog entry alleges that skipper to be dismissed  —  PITTSBURGH — A furious Ned Yost admonished media outlets for feeding what he called “a frenzy” on Monday over an erroneous blog report that he was to be dismissed.  —  “That's bull,” the Brewers' manager …

Did Yankees construction worker bury more Red Sox gear?  —  Just when the Yankees thought it was safe to move into their new stadium next spring ...  Evidently the rogue construction worker who buried a David Ortiz jersey in the fresh cement of the new building — since removed to much fanfare …

Travel  —  Like many baseball people, I've been traveling for the past few days doing some last-minute coverage for the amateur draft.  This morning I'm off to the SEC Tournament in Hoover, AL.  —  Typically, I wouldn't broadcast my whereabouts, as part of the game in the draft is trying to figure out what players other teams like.

Jeter leaves game after taking pitch to left hand  —  NEW YORK — Derek Jeter was hit on his left hand by a pitch Tuesday night, forcing him out of the Yankees' 12-2 loss against Baltimore, and the teams nearly came to blows when New York tried to retaliate three innings later.

Dobbs' pinch-hit pushes Phillies past Nationals  —  WASHINGTON - Greg Dobbs' RBI pinch-hit single in the ninth inning gave the Philadelphia Phillies a 1-0 win against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday night.  —  Dobbs picked up the game-winning RBI as a pinch hitter for reliever Tom Gordon.

Prospects or Suspects?  (Part Two)  —  In Part One of Prospects or Suspects? we profiled four players - Daniel Bard, Jay Bruce, Jamie D'Antona, and Mike Hessman - who are enjoying outstanding starts to their 2008 campaigns.  Today, we are going to take a look at another foursome.

Five MLB teams on the brink?  —  The Tigers, Rockies, Padres, Mariners and Yankees are all off to slow starts this season, raising questions about their viability as contenders.  Are these five teams' hopes for this season dead or alive?  With apologies to Rob's good friend and frequent collaborator …