Breaking News: Chris Russo has left WFAN  —  Two weeks shy of its 19th anniversary, the “Mike and the Mad Dog” show is no more.  —  WFAN announced early Thursday evening that Chris Russo is leaving the company, making Mike Francesa the sole host of the popular afternoon drive time show.

First-Round Pick Gerrit Cole Opts for College Over Yankees  —  When the Yankees drafted pitcher Gerrit Cole in the first round of the June draft, they believed that Cole would sign with them and forego a college scholarship.  It turns out that Cole has changed his mind and will go to U.C.L.A. instead.

Huff clears waivers  —  Move enables possible deal; Sherrill to stay  —  CLEVELAND - Orioles designated hitter Aubrey Huff could still be traded to a contender this month, but All-Star closer George Sherrill can't be.  —  According to two baseball sources, Huff, who is having a resurgent season …

Ibanez, Washburn to remain with M's … Time expired on Thursday afternoon on waiver claims made on Raul Ibanez and Jarrod Washburn, and both players will be remaining with the Mariners.  SI.com has learned that the Tigers won the claim on Ibanez and the Twins won the claim on Washburn.

Draft update: Sixth-rounder Grossman signs for $1 million  —  The Pirates will sign another prominent draft pick later this afternoon, but the only word on the identity of that pick right now is that it is someone other than Pedro Alvarez.  —  More as I get it.

Yanks set to place Giese on DL  —  Righty first injured in sixth inning vs. Twins on Wednesday  —  NEW YORK — Yankees right-hander Dan Giese has been diagnosed with rotator cuff tendinitis and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, the club announced on Thursday.

White Sox belt four straight homers, ruffle Royals in sweep  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Jim Thome, Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez and Juan Uribe hit consecutive homers in the sixth inning Thursday to tie a major league record and the Chicago White Sox beat the Kansas City Royals 9-2 Thursday to complete a three-game sweep.

Here they go again  —  The Red Sox' inexorable scoring spree against the pitch-poor Rangers is under way.  With two outs, David Ortiz punctuates a 9-0 second inning (so far), punching out a three-run homer, his 17th HR of the season.  Kevin Youkilis follows with a double to center field, and comes home on Jason Bay's single to left.

2009 Yankees May Look A Lot Like 2008 Yankees  —  According to legend, at least, after being poisoned, shot, and savagely beaten, Grigori Rasputin refused to die.  His killers had to bind him and throw him in a river.  You can imagine the terror they felt as they watched him drown, wondering what they'd do if this didn't work.

Paying Manny $100M would set a dangerous precedent … Life sure is beautiful these days on Planet Manny.  Uhhh, a little too beautiful.  —  Hey, we couldn't be happier for those Los Angeles Dodgers, who are selling about 30,000 tickets a day now that they've moved their home games to Planet Manny.

Kent thriving batting ahead of Manny  —  Second baseman, left fielder form run-producing tandem  —  LOS ANGELES — Jeff Kent believes seven games is too small a sample to draw any conclusions.  —  But since he's moved into the third spot of the Dodgers' batting order …

Selig says ballparks getting prepped for replay  —  WASHINGTON — Major league ballparks are being wired for instant replay, and commissioner Bud Selig said Thursday his “confidence is growing” that the technology to assist umpires will be ready soon.  —  “I want to make sure that if and when we do it …

Bank on Minaya staying with Mets for a long time  —  WASHINGTON - Still upset about the bungled firing of Willie Randolph?  Frustrated by the Mets' inactivity before last month's trade deadline?  Have Luis Castillo's baseball card mounted on your dartboard?  —  Get over it.

An Interview with SI's Jon Heyman  —  Here's a treat for baseball fans and aspiring journalists: an interview with Sports Illustrated baseball writer Jon Heyman.  He talks about landing last month's Manny Ramirez-to-the-Dodgers scoop, what it's like going against ESPN's team of reporters …

Wellemeyer pitches Cardinals by Marlins  —  MIAMI (AP)—Ryan Ludwick provided the offense, Todd Wellemeyer made sure the defense didn't have to do much, and together they gave the St. Louis Cardinals plenty of momentum to begin the stretch run.  —  Ludwick hit a two-run homer and a run-scoring double …

Cubs sweep Braves  —  ATLANTA — A brief benches-clearing skirmish and only the second cycle in Atlanta history couldn't stop the Chicago Cubs from completing their first season sweep of the Braves.  —  Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano hit home runs and the Cubs beat Atlanta 11-7 on Thursday night …