Ex-big leaguer Mark “The Bird” Fidrych dead at 54  —  From staff and wire reports  —  Former All-Star pitcher Mark “the Bird” Fidrych was found dead Monday in an apparent accident at his farm.  He was 54.  —  Worcester County district attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. saids a family friend found Fidrych …

San Diego 6, NY Mets 5  —  NEW YORK (AP) — The place looked gorgeous.  The Mets looked lost.  —  Jody Gerut christened Citi Field with a leadoff homer — the only time that's happened in major league history — and the San Diego Padres spoiled New York's first game in its glittering new ballpark with a 6-5 victory Monday night.

Phils announcer Harry Kalas dies  —  WASHINGTON - Just before noon today, Harry Kalas got off the Phillies team bus and walked into the visiting clubhouse at Nationals Park.  As always, Kalas said something nice to everyone he encountered, then stopped, pulled out a pen and wrote down the lineup which had been posted on the wall.

Man stabbed after Dodger Stadium home opener  —  The Dodgers home opener against the San Francisco Giants was marred by violence Monday afternoon when a man was stabbed multiple times after getting into an argument with several men in a pickup truck, Los Angeles police said.

Jon Lester, Red Sox go quietly  —  Fall flat again in loss to A's  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email  —  OAKLAND, Calif. - The mystery of the Red Sox [team stats]' 2009 identity theft only deepened last night.  —  Another poor effort from the offense and Jon Lester …

Lowrie to be placed on DL  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left wrist sprain, the team has announced.  Infielder Gil Velazquez will take his place on the roster.  —  Lowrie will obviously be out of the lineup tonight against the A's …

MADD about Nick Adenhart  —  When I first conceived of writing this True/Slant blog about “the violent intersection between politics and sports,” I was thinking more along the lines of stadium welfare and senile blowhards like Sen. Jim Bunning (R-1964 Phillies) than, well, violent intersections.

MLB ready to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day  —  All uniformed personnel asked to wear No. 42 Wednesday  —  By request of Commissioner Bud Selig, as Major League Baseball celebrates the 62nd anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking its color barrier on Wednesday, all big league players …

Pena, Rays rough up Wang as Kazmir stymies Yankees  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — On a night they raised the first championship banners in franchise history, the Tampa Bay Rays also exhibited why they feel capable of getting back to the postseason.  —  Carlos Pena hit a grand slam and drove …

Moehler to have MRI on right knee  —  Astros righty exits Monday start early with lingering injury  —  PITTSBURGH — The Astros may have added injury to insult on Monday afternoon.  —  In addition to losing their fifth straight, they may have to deal with not having starter Brian Moehler's services for a while.