Yankees have tentative deal with first baseman Sexson … The New York Yankees have reached a tentative agreement with Richie Sexson, who was released by the Seattle Mariners a week ago.  —  Sexson fits in New York because the Yankees needed a right-handed slugger to match up against left-handed pitching …

Phils acquire Blanton, send 3 minor leaguers to A's … The Phillies have reached an agreement with the Oakland Athletics to acquire right-handed pitcher Joe Blanton.  Blanton is 5-12 this season after going 14-10 with a 3.95 ERA last season.  —  The Athletics get second baseman Adrian Cardenas …

Diamondbacks, in need of bat, trade for Clark  —  First baseman Tony Clark has been traded from the San Diego Padres to the Arizona Diamondbacks, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported.  —  Under his contract with the Padres, Clark would have received $500,000 from the Padres if traded …

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 …

Jersey of the Week - All Star Yankee Hair  —  Okay, I really shouldn't have even titled this a Jersey of the Week post.  I was looking for a good All-Star related jersey and simply couldn't find one.  —  But it needed to be shared.  And since JotW is Home Run Derby's showcase …

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 …

Autographs and Mays  —  When I was still a kid in this crazy sportswriting racket, I drove several hours with a friend to see Mickey Mantle sign autographs at a baseball card show.  My friend actually wanted to buy Mantle's autograph — he was a photographer and as I recall he really wanted some photo he took signed.

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).

White Sox to Unveil Sculpture of Harold Baines on Sunday  —  The Chicago White Sox announced today that a life-sized sculpture of franchise legend Harold Baines will be unveiled by the club prior to the game vs. Kansas City this Sunday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field.

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 …