Rays' Bronx jeer new Yankee Stadium  —  The Yankees christened their new ballpark with Babe Ruth's bat on Opening Day, hoping to coax the pinstriped ghosts of past glory into following them across 161st St. and taking up residence at the new Monument Park.  —  They may want to consider witchcraft.

After 100th win, Big Z ponders future  —  Right-hander says he'll call it quits at end of current contract  —  CINCINNATI — On a night when Carlos Zambrano should've been toasting his 100th career win, the Cubs right-hander announced he will retire at the end of his current contract.

Schuerholz issues public apology  —  Braves president regrets how Glavine release was handled  —  ATLANTA — When Tom Glavine exited Wednesday afternoon's meeting with Braves management, he was convinced that he was being released based on a financially based decision that was necessitated …

Bruney easing way back  —  After throwing off a mound yesterday, Brian Bruney is optimistic about his injured right elbow.  But since his brief return from the disabled list resulted in a quick return last month, the reliever is tempering his enthusiasm.  —  Bruney, on the DL …

Halos' Santana wins duel with Verlander  —  Righty pitches into ninth; Figgins' great catch seals it  —  DETROIT — Nursing a nose bleed all night long, Ervin Santana managed to find his All-Star form on Friday night at Comerica Park — and it was a good thing for the Angels.

Draft Class '09 Top 50  —  To be clear, this is not a prediction of how the players will be selected, nor is it any kind of mock draft.  Instead, this is a pure ranking of talent based on a combination of ultimate ceiling and the probability of reaching it after numerous conversations with scouts …

Ethier hits game-winner in ninth as Dodgers snap Phils winning streak  —  LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andre Ethier hit a two-run double with the bases loaded in the ninth inning after third baseman Pedro Feliz made a fielding error with two outs, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 4-3 victory Friday night …

Vin Scully: June 6, 2008  —  Normally on the telecast we talk about “This Day in Baseball.”  I don't mean to sound grumpy or grouchy, but I can't believe what I didn't hear.  I listened to the news on the radio for an hour and 15 minutes today.  Did not hear one word about what this day really means.

Mets must face possibility that Reyes has peaked  —  A Jose Reyes triple exists somewhere on the list of the best things you might see at a baseball game, somewhere alongside an Albert Pujols laser and a Justin Verlander gem and a Denard Span wall-climb.  Reyes hits a ball into the gap …

Toronto Blue Jays' Alex Rios apologizes for profanity-laced YouTube clip  —  TORONTO — Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios apologized Friday after he was caught on video yelling profanities at a fan.  —  The incident, which was posted on YouTube, happened Thursday night as Rios was leaving a gala dinner for the Blue Jays' charity.

Valverde throws pain-free simulated game  —  Closer will throw again Sunday before heading to Minors  —  HOUSTON — Astros closer Jose Valverde moved another step closer to returning from the disabled list Friday by throwing about 25 pain-free pitches during a simulated game.

New York Mets manager Jerry Manuel says he ‘could have strangled’ David Wright,' unhappy with base running  —  WASHINGTON — Mets manager Jerry Manuel said he “could have strangled” third baseman David Wright for trying to steal third base in the 10th inning of Friday's 3-1 win over the Nationals.

Twins top Mariners, snap Ichiro's hitting streak at 27 games  —  SEATTLE (AP) — The Minnesota Twins ended Ichiro Suzuki's hitting streak at 27 games, and took advantage of Seattle left fielder Wladimir Balentien's two 10th-inning misplays to beat the Mariners 2-1 on Friday night.

Ghost of the New York Mets … The ghost exists.  —  Close your eyes, and you'll see him, flying up and down, left and right, through the glistening, freshly painted hallways of Citi Field and onto the crisp green grass.  He laughs a lot — not in wicked tones, per say, so much as a sadistic, Jim Carrey-in-The Cable Guy sort of way.