By passing on Derby, A-Rod comes up very small … NEW YORK — Paul O'Neill did what Yankees luminaries are supposed to do in Yankee Stadium on Sunday — pound a goose-bumpish home run deep into the Bronx ozone.  —  OK, so there's a minor technicality.  He hit it in the Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.

Sheets named NL starting pitcher  —  Right-hander will be first Brewers hurler to start All-Star Game  —  MILWAUKEE — Ben Sheets has been named the starting pitcher for the National League in Tuesday's All-Star Game.  —  Sheets will be the first Brewers pitcher to start a Midsummer Classic.

Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey named National League Player of the Week  —  Righthander led Mets pitching staff to record-setting homestand  —  FLUSHING, NY — New York Mets starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey has been named the National League Player of the Week.  The 24-year-old went 2- while not allowing …

Angels Francisco Rodriguez: Yes to free agency, no to extension  —  The closer plans to seek offers from other teams but will consider re-signing with the Angels.  —  NEW YORK — Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez said today that he plans to file for free agency after the season.

Sore shoulder won't keep Ramirez out of All-Star Game  —  LOS ANGELES - Hanley Ramirez proclaimed himself fit to play Sunday, but manager Fredi Gonzalez decided to give him the day off anyway.  —  Ramirez left Saturday's game after his second-inning at-bat with right-shoulder soreness.

Pettitte rips Yankees effort as bats flop  —  TORONTO - The Yankees bats made little noise Sunday.  Andy Pettitte, however, certainly pumped up the volume afterward.  —  With the Yankees seemingly already in All-Star break mode during Sunday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays, Pettitte called out his team …

Cards mourn loss of Ricketts  —  PITTSBURGH — With an inexhaustible passion for teaching and the people he taught, Dave Ricketts molded several generations of catchers for the Cardinals, friends and pupils said Sunday after learning the longtime coach had died early that morning.  He had turned 73 on Saturday.

Some impressed, others disappointed in Futures Game … Last year at the All-Star break, the best prospect in the minor leagues was Arizona's Justin Upton.  He was on the U.S. roster for the Futures Game, put on a show in BP, homered in the game and was in the big leagues a month later.

SWING AND A DISS BY REGGIE  —  FLAP OVER JEW CRACK  —  Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson might have gotten himself into hot water with Jews - the Yankee legend was caught on tape uttering an unflattering stereotype while haggling over the price of a painting.

Live Bait  —  Is Fernando Martinez the Mets' Future or a Bargaining Chip?  —  While the streaking Mets actively shop for a corner outfielder to replace the injured Moises Alou and Ryan Church prior to baseball's July 31 trading deadline, 19-year-old Fernando Martinez, who can be either …

Mystery in his mastery: Dice-K's results tough to peg  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  If it's bottom-line results that matter to you with baseball, then Daisuke Matsuzaka [stats] has to be on your short list of American League Cy Young Award candidates.

Bradley not worried about trade deadline  —  Every year around the trade deadline, Milton Bradley knows that his name will come up.  This season is no different, especially with Bradley having a career year.  He's hitting .316 with 19 home runs (tied for his career high) and 57 RBI.

CBS set to replace Packer  —  Longtime college basketball analyst Billy Packer will not return to CBS next year and will be replaced by Clark Kellogg.  —  Facebook  —  AIM  —  bjackson@MiamiHerald.com  —  College basketball commentator Billy Packer, who has announced 34 consecutive Final Fours …