Rays will choose Beckham at No. 1  —  Tampa Bay opts for talented Georgia high school shortstop  —  BOSTON — Tim Beckham will be No. 1.  —  The Rays, holding the first overall selection in today's First-Year Player Draft, will select the talented high school shortstop from Griffin, Ga. …

Cashman, brass to talk contract  —  NOTEBOOK  —  NEW YORK — Brian Cashman's contract as Yankees general manager is up after the season, and Hank Steinbrenner intends to discuss an extension while Cashman is in Tampa, Fla., this week.  —  “We're going to be talking about it,” said Steinbrenner, the team's co-chairperson.

McLaren's words came too late for Mariners  —  The contrived tirade began with a warning.  —  “We're gonna do this a little different,” John McLaren said.  —  He sounded a little like Tina Turner at the beginning of “Proud Mary.”  Then the downtrodden Mariners manager unleashed …

Coco Shows Some Fire  —  During last night's game between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, Coco Crisp tried to steal second base in the 6th inning.  When he tried to slide into second, Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett put his knee down in front of the bag, which is a no-no since someone can get seriously hurt.

Harper: Joba moving, doubt rising  —  You can feel the concern creeping into the Yankee clubhouse.  By now the Yankees are practically the home office for slow starts, but the players are all too aware that improved pitching throughout the American League East means it won't be so easy to bludgeon their way to the top this year.

Jeter now third on Yanks' all-time hits list  —  No. 2,416 scores a run and carries shortstop past Mantle  —  NEW YORK — Derek Jeter stood at first base, reluctant to doff his batting helmet and acknowledge the roaring Yankee Stadium crowd.  —  He was even more hesitant …

Draft 2008: Pirates set to pick Alvarez  —  Next step: Sign Vanderbilt star to contract by Aug. 15  —  When the Pirates' turn comes in Major League Baseball's draft this afternoon, according to multiple sources, they plan to use their No. 2 overall choice to take Vanderbilt University third baseman Pedro Alvarez.

Late-Morning Buzz  —  Jim Callis is en route to an undisclosed location in Chicago to join ESPN's broadcast of the draft, and Matt Blood is live in Orlando, I'm just here blogging late-morning rumors in preparation for today's feast of Q Shack and draft goodness.  Here's some of what we're hearing:

SHEPPARD IMPROVING  —  Public-address announcer Bob Sheppard's health is improving, and the 97-year-old Yankee Stadium icon could be in his familiar seat in time for the All-Star Game on July 15, Yankees COO Lonn Trost told The Post yesterday.  —  “We've spoken to Bob, and with a little luck he'll be there …

Skipworth may be draft catch for Florida  —  ATLANTA - Not since taking Charles Johnson at their inaugural draft in 1992 have the Marlins selected an amateur catcher with their first pick.  —  Kyle Skipworth could end that drought this afternoon when baseball convenes its June talent bazaar for the 44th time.

What's gone wrong with Yankees' Robinson Cano?  —  Two years ago, Robinson Cano's bid to win the American League batting title went down to the final weekend of the season.  Reminded of that yesterday afternoon, the Yankees' 25-year-old second baseman leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

White Sox sign RHP Loaiza  —  CHICAGO (TICKER) —Esteban Loaiza is back with the Chicago White Sox.  —  The 36-year-old righthander on Wednesday signed a one-year contract with the White Sox through the 2008 season.  —  Loaiza's best season came with the White Sox in 2003 …