Papelbon: I want to close tomorrow night  —  Terry Francona has literally said all the right things when it comes to the Yankees, even to the point of saying he's hitting Derek Jeter second “because that's where he deserves to be.”  —  Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz, J.D. Drew, Dustin Pedroia ... the same.

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.

Teixeira in play....at least until Papi shows he's healthy  —  NEW YORK — The Red Sox have talked to the Braves about free-agent-to-be first baseman Mark Teixeira, and more conversations are likely to take place before the July 31 trading deadline, according to well-placed major league sources.

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.

Agent: Little chance Bonds will play this season  —  NEW YORK — Barry Bonds' agent, frustrated by the baseball-wide lack of interest in his client, said Monday that he has all but given up hope of finding a job for the home run king in 2008.  —  Agent Jeff Borris said he recently offered Bonds' services to …

Sherman's Latest: Adenhart, Burnett, Niese, Ibanez  —  Joel Sherman of the New York Post has been digging up rumors left and right - here, here, and here in recent days.  Let's discuss.  — The Angels have “hinted at a willingness to build a deal around pitching prospect Nick Adenhart.”

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 …

Listening in on Wagner, Wright  —  Here are some sights and sounds from the Billy Wagner and David Wright news conferences during today's All-Star Game media session at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan.  Wagner and Wright are the Mets' two All-Star representatives.

Who's in your five: Best opponent feats at Yankee Stadium  —  Each day we will have a “Who's in Your Five” list.  You can agree or disagree, add to or subtract from this and future lists of games and moments from sports present and past.  —  Let us know your five.  Click here for past lists.

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.

O'Connor: No easy ending for Yanks, Jeter  —  Brian Cashman hurt when he had to let Bernie Williams go.  He hurt because he grew up with Williams, climbed the organizational ladder with him, basked in a steady ticker-tape rain with him.  —  When it comes time for Derek Jeter to move on, the Favre situation comes to mind.