CURTAIN CALL FOR DELGADO  —  JUST call him Mr. Cur tain Call.  Or Mr. MVP.  —  Carlos Delgado continued his amazing turnaround season last night, blasting two long solo home runs off Cole Hamels in the Mets' 6-3 victory over the Phillies in the second game of a doubleheader at Shea …

Rays edged by Blue Jays in finale  —  Tampa Bay remains positive despite having lead trimmed  —  TORONTO — Before the Rays embarked on their current nine-game road trip to Toronto, Boston and New York, they identified it as one of the club's most important treks of the season.

Mets' Wagner (elbow) likely out for season  —  It appears that Billy Wagner's comeback attempt is likely over.  —  In what was supposed to be his final hurdle, Wagner was forced to cut yesterday's mound session short after feeling “discomfort” in his left elbow and the injured closer is expected to see a team doctor today.

Pirates Tie Major Sport Record for Most Consecutive Losing Seasons  —  As with many historic events, this one resulted from a remarkable convergence of factors—spectacularly incompetent management; tight-fisted, complacent ownership; a generally pretty ambivalent fanbase …

Ortiz: ‘My hand is not OK’  —  DAVID ORTIZFirst homer in 20 games (Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press)  —  ARLINGTON, Texas - When David Ortiz smashed a pitch from Brandon McCarthy off the facing of the second deck at Rangers Ballpark at Arlington in yesterday's game against Texas, it marked his first home run in 20 games.

Mets' Maine to return as a relief pitcher?  —  While Billy Wagner's comeback attempt may have ended yesterday, it seems that John Maine still has an outside chance of returning this season, perhaps in a bullpen role.  —  Maine had hoped to begin throwing tomorrow, but those plans were pushed …

30 teams, 30 theme songs  —  Well, the season is winding down once again.  By this time, we have a good idea of what each team is capable, and what their hopes (if any) are for the rest of the regular season and beyond.  We know which teams have floundered, surprised, or merely trudged along.

Après George le Déluge  —  As the tyrant fades away and his team fades with him, it has now become all too apparent that the Boss was really the straw that stirred the drink.  —  For the Yankees, it might have been a celebration, or it might have been a wake.

1st choice: Millar eyes O's return  —  First baseman wants to stick around, but club may take awhile to decide his fate  —  His contributions to Boston's first World Series title team in 86 years will forever link him to Red Sox Nation.  He has spent more time with the Florida Marlins than with any other club.

Bernie Williams Goes to Washington  —  The Yankees know what it is like to wait for Bernie Williams.  So does President Bush.  —  On Sunday, Williams traveled to Washington to be a base coach for children playing T-ball on the White House lawn.  President Bush, the former owner of the Texas Rangers …

Young still has maturity issues  — What's this?  —  Went to a football game on Sunday and a soap opera broke out.  —  Welcome to Titans '08.  If the game is dull, just focus on the sideline.  That's where the real drama unfolds.  —  It took only one game — a victory over Jacksonville …

Who Is the Least Valuable Player?  —  Since the worst player in the majors plays baseball with more skill and grace than 99 of 100 people do anything at all, it feels rude and boorish to point out that someone has to be that worst player.  Still, it's so.  Over the rest of the season …

IIATMS Exclusive: Paul DePodesta  —  I've been lucky enough to be able to get a few minutes of San Diego Padres Assistant General Manager Paul DePodesta's time.  I had emailed Paul before I visited San Diego and while he was busy at the time (with things like trading Greg Maddux!), he was generous enough to take some questions from me.