Some Players Hold Their Noses to Say Goodbye to Stadium  —  As players were beseeched by countless members of the news media to eulogize Yankee Stadium as it hosts its last All-Star Game, those sufficiently provoked Monday were willing to discuss what they would not miss about the old — very old — ballpark in the Bronx.

Hamilton's power display defies explanation … NEW YORK — Even before Monday night, the Legend of Josh Hamilton was already an onrushing storybook train, building speed on its way to a Cineplex near you.  —  But that was before he brought his little magic show to Yankee Stadium, a place where legends are born.

All-Star Game needs an update, not a total overhaul  —  Let's be clear: Major League Baseball's remains the best of the All-Star Games.  Tuesday night's exhibition adds another link to the longest continuous All-Star Game tradition, and the nature of baseball allows players to run …

AMAZIN' PLANS  —  MINAYA MAY SKIP DEALS, PROMOTE FROM MINORS  —  THE METS are more seriously considering promoting from within (Fernando Martinez for the outfield, Jon Niese for the rotation, Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz if a bullpen arm is needed) then making a trade between now and the July 31 deadline …

YANKEES AND METS EYE GARCIA  —  The Yankees and Mets are among at least nine teams monitoring the progress of Freddy Garcia as he intensifies his workouts to come back from shoulder surgery.  —  Garcia will begin throwing breaking balls off the mound this week in Miami, according to one of his agents …

Morning Report: Time to take a chance on Bonds?  —  Agent Jeff Borris is still trying to find a team for Barry Bonds in 2008.  —  “Barry is in shape right now,” Borris told the Associated Press.  “He's not in game shape, so he'd have to have the chance to hit off live pitching.

Can Rich Harden Stay Healthy: Scouting the A's/Cubs Trade  —  In response to the C.C. Sabathia trade to the Brewers, the Cubs made a deal of their own last week in trading for Rich Harden, the talented but oft-injured starter for the Oakland Athletics.  This article will break down the key figure in that deal: Rich Harden.

A day of denials ...  NEW YORK — Theo Epstein just responded to an e-mail I sent him in regard to the Mark Teixeira trade rumors that have been floating around the past two days.  The ESPN report was that Sox and Braves were discussing Teixeira for Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen.

Steinbrenner deserves an ovation  —  NEW YORK - There will be lots of cheers at Yankee Stadium tonight, starting with the ones for the Hall of Famers who will be honored in a pregame ceremony and, of course, for the players who will be part of the All-Star Game.

MLB rolls out Red Carpet Parade  —  Icing on All-Star Week cake set for 1-3 p.m. ET on Tuesday  —  NEW YORK — From the free Bon Jovi All-Star Concert in Central Park on Saturday night to Josh Hamilton's historic 28-homer first round of the State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday at Yankee Stadium …