John Henry fires back at slugger's comments  —  Manny Ramirez might get his meeting with John Henry, but the Red Sox [team stats]' principal owner will have a hard time giving his slugger any sympathy.  —  Henry responded via e-mail to Ramirez' statement in The Herald yesterday saying …

Wright would have pitched for NL, if he had to  —  As Tuesday night's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium became Wednesday morning's All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Major League Baseball officials made it clear to the two managers: This game would be played to its completion.  There would be no tie.

D-Backs close to Clark deal  —  The Diamondbacks appear to be closing in on a trade with the San Diego Padres that will bring first baseman Tony Clark back to Arizona.  —  After significant discussions in recent days, a deal could be final as soon as today, according to a major league source …

Trade Ichiro?  It's a bold but sensible proposition  —  During last month's news conference announcing the firing of general manager Bill Bavasi, Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln said he was open to trading anyone on the team.  —  If that's the case, the Mariners should deal Ichiro Suzuki by the July 31 deadline.

Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo retires  —  TOKYO (AFP) — Japanese right-handed pitcher Hideo Nomo, who won National League Rookie of the Year honours in 1995, on Thursday announced his retirement from baseball.  —  The 39-year-old Nomo, who pitched two no-hitters in the US Major Leagues …

Baseball Today  —  San Diego at St. Louis (8:15 p.m. EDT).  Kyle Lohse (11-2, 3.39 ERA) looks to extend his unbeaten streak to 13 starts when the Cardinals return from the All-Star break and face the Padres.  Lohse, 8-0 with 2.52 ERA in his last 12 outings, will be opposed by Jake Peavy (7-5, 2.47).

Hamilton's Derby deed should help Texas Rangers  —  In the history of the Texas Rangers, I believe there have been four seminal moments.  In 1972, Judge Tom VanderGriff gave the franchise life.  In 1973, David Clyde gave the organization a pulse.  In 1989, Nolan Ryan gave the organization legitimacy.

Utley would welcome some pitching help  —  Chase Utley says he's paying attention to trade rumors that could affect the Phillies.  —  “You want to know what the possibilities are out there,” Utley said Tuesday before playing in his third All-Star Game.  “I know our organization wants to win …

Future Shock  —  NL East Notebook  —  Atlanta Braves  —  Meddling With Success: Coming off of a season in which he struck out 63 in 46 innings over three levels, right-hander Kris Medlen entered the year as a sleeper in the Braves system.  He struggled early, cobbling together a 4.70 ERA …

National League second-half preview  —  • A look at the National League, team-by-team.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  •Schedule: Arizona is 21-10 against NL West rivals and plays 41 of its 67 second-half games inside the division, including three beginning Friday against the second-place Los Angeles Dodgers.

Boxer Diaz still in critical condition after surgery  —  Welterweight Oscar Diaz, who collapsed in his corner after the 10th round of a TKO loss to Delvin Rodriguez on Wednesday night, remained in critical condition Thursday after undergoing surgery overnight to relieve swelling on his brain at San Antonio's University Medical Center.