Judgment days ahead for Girardi  —  As the Yankees slip just out of the Red Sox' radar range, Joe Girardi enters a critical phase of his managerial career.  He must prove he's secure enough to survive the Bombers' recent turbulence without burnout - to himself and his key players.

New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes, trainer Ray Ramirez involved in car accident with firetruck … Site Search  —  Search Local Business Listings  —  Home  —  News  —  Weather  —  Sports  —  Entertainment  —  Living  —  Interact  —  Jobs  —  Autos  —  Real Estate  —  Classifieds

‘Regular genius’ to be next union chief  —  Likable, respected Weiner in line to succeed Fehr as head of MLB Players Association … Michael Weiner, the man in line to succeed Donald Fehr as executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, has a fondness for Bruce Springsteen.

Giving Don Fehr His Due  —  There are jobs that demand of the person filling them that they be able to forgo popularity to do them well.  No one likes public defenders.  No one likes tax auditors.  And no one likes the men who have chosen to represent baseball players as if they were a group …

Mets add RHP Elmer Dessens and LHP Pat Misch  —  Option LHP Ken Takahashi to Buffalo, designate INF Wilson Valdez for assignment  —  FLUSHING, N.Y., — The New York Mets today announced that they recalled lefthanded pitcher Pat Misch from Buffalo (AAA) of the International League and selected …

Rockies expose Angels  —  Rout raises questions of whether the team has enough pitching, hitting to vie for title.  —  From seven straight wins to three straight losses, the Angels have gone from a team that seemed to be hitting its stride to one that has hit the skids.

It just doesn't add up  —  May we agree on one thing?  —  Daisuke Matsuzaka was not worth $102 million.  —  There's a lot of financial craziness out there in modern professional sport, but we have not yet reached the point where a third or fourth (and in this case, fifth) …

CC SAYS HE'LL START FRIDAY  —  YANKEES' ACE PLANS TO TAKE MOUND VS. METS  —  ATLANTA — CC Sabathia lowered the anxiety level in the Yankees' universe when he told The Post he will take the ball this weekend when the Subway Series shifts to Citi Field.  —  “I am pitching Friday,” Sabathia predicted about facing the Mets.

Giants G.M. Sabean talks about potential trades: ‘We know what we need’  —  The cavalry might come galloping to assist the Giants' offense, but don't expect to hear reveille any time soon.  —  Before watching his lineup struggle in road grays yet again Monday night in a 5-1 loss to the A's …

Yankees' catcher Jorge Posada say he's pumped up by critics' chatter … ATLANTA - Jorge Posada has heard the whispers.  He knows that sports talk radio lines and Internet message boards are teeming with people insisting his days as a catcher are dwindling - or that they should be, anyway.

Byrnes reluctantly mulls player moves  —  As Trade Deadline looms, reality sets in for D-backs GM  —  PHOENIX — A few weeks ago, D-backs general manager Josh Byrnes was hesitant to talk about being a seller at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline.  —  “We've dug ourselves a little bit of a hole to start,” Byrnes said at the time.

And That Happened  —  Braves 2, Cubs 0: Javier Vazquez somehow managed to allow no runs despite giving up nine hits and two walks in six and two-thirds.  Behold!  In these Cubs we have found a team more feeble when it matters most than the Braves!  —  Rockies 11, Angels 1 …

Biggest losers?  —  Futility weighing down Nationals  —  WASHINGTON - The comparisons, charts, and breathless what-pace-are-they-on updates crop up with greater and greater frequency.  The Washington Nationals say they pay no attention when people contrast their current season …

Cleveland Indians team president Paul Dolan: There will be no ‘rash decisions’ on personnel  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio — Paul Dolan is not happy with the Indians' record, performance or standing in the American League.  As team president, how could he be?  —  “We had much higher expectations for this team,” said Dolan.

Chipper, McCann need help in ASG race  —  Catcher holds at second; Third baseman remains in third  —  With fans having a little more than a week to cast their final All-Star ballots, both Chipper Jones and Brian McCann have reason to remain hopeful about the possibility of being voted into the National League's starting lineup.

Vazquez, Braves earn shutout, snap Cubs' winning streak  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Javier Vazquez and three Atlanta relievers combined to shut out the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Monday night.  —  In a makeup game caused by a June 4 rainout, the Braves won a series for the first time since completing a three-game sweep of Toronto on May 24.