Gehrig, veterans honored this weekend  —  MLB to promote ALS awareness and wear Stars & Stripes  —  When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth …

Manny did the time, but what about the crime?  —  In first game back from drug suspension, Ramirez is the celebrated straw that stirs the drink, with fans and teammates welcoming him with open arms, no questions asked.  —  From San Diego — Manny Ramirez was released from the substance slammer Friday …

Brewers pound Cubs, Harden 11-2  —  CHICAGO (AP) — Rookie Casey McGehee had a career high four hits and five RBIs to help the Milwaukee Brewers pound Rich Harden and the Chicago Cubs 11-2 on Saturday to snap a three-game losing streak.  —  Mike Cameron and J.J. Hardy also went deep to back a solid effort by Braden Looper (7-4).

Olney's Latest: Atlanta's Potential Trade Partners  —  ESPN.com's Buster Olney chimes in with some players and teams that could matchup in a trade with the Braves, who could dangle Javier Vazquez and/or Yunel Escobar as bait.  Most of the rumors are just Olney's own speculation, but let's round 'em up anyway.

Mariners get second straight late win beat Red Sox  —  Chris Woodward's bases-loaded pop up in the ninth inning dropped behind a partially draw-in infield to score the go-ahead run and lift the Seattle Mariners to a 3-2 win over the Boston Red Sox [team stats] on Saturday.

Reynolds speaks up after D-backs loss  —  Infielder vents after Arizona commits three errors  —  DENVER — A sellout crowd turned out at Coors Field looking forward to a postgame fireworks show.  —  As it turned out, Mark Reynolds provided one of his own following the D-backs' 5-0 error-filled loss to the Rockies.

Marlins wives to hold annual tackle box auction July 4  —  The Florida Marlins Wives are teaming together to host the Annual Marlins Wives Tackle Box Auction on Saturday, July 4, during the Marlins-Pirates game at Land Shark Stadium, which starts at 6:05 p.m. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Rafael Palmeiro continues to deny knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs  —  Rafael Palmeiro spent some time reflecting before he was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame on Friday in Lubbock, Texas, on Friday.  —  Palmeiro's legacy shifted in the summer of 2005.

Tight races could stifle trade market  —  George Streinbrenner's birthday seems to be a good time for a reminder that Bud Selig's revenue sharing has flattened the baseball earth.  Salary cap or no salary cap.  In this century, eight different teams have won nine World Series …

Lawyer Says 2003 Clemens Drug Test Was Negative  —  In recent months, Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa have been linked to the list of 100 or so players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003, the first season such tests were conducted by Major League Baseball.

Conrad makes presence felt with Braves  —  Called up from Minors, delivers game-winning homer  —  WASHINGTON — Brooks Conrad was ready to take his first at-bat in the top of the second inning of the Gwinett Braves' game Thursday, when manager Dave Brundage asked the infielder if he still wanted to hit.

Phillies torch Livan Hernandez and beat Mets 7-2  —  PHILADELPHIA — Rodrigo Lopez took a three-hitter into the seventh inning in his first outing in two years, helping the Philadelphia Phillies snap a six-game home losing streak with a 7-2 victory over the Mets on Friday night.

BoSox in talks with coveted Cuban SS … The Red Sox are in serious discussions with Cuban shortstop whiz Jose Iglesias, according to a league source.  —  If finalized, the contract is expected to be for about $8 million, perhaps a little bit more than that, according to people familiar with the talks.