One small step into history: Baseball recalls moon landing  —  Perhaps the most memorable story connecting baseball with the Apollo 11 moon landing begins back in 1962, when a reporter asked Giants manager Alvin Dark about the rookie pitcher taking swings in the batting cage - Gaylord Perry.

Manuel, Minaya assured jobs are safe … NEW YORK — Mets general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel have been reassured by club higher-ups that their jobs are not in jeopardy, league sources told SI.com.  —  Minaya and Manuel have come under public scrutiny and even attack during …

Nieve DL'd, Sullivan promoted  —  WASHINGTON — As expected, the Mets put pitcher Fernando Nieve on the disabled list today and promoted outfielder Cory Sullivan from Triple-A Buffalo to take his spot on the roster.  —  The Sullivan move is temporary, though, as the Mets wanted …

Game 92: Orioles at Yankees (updates with Wang setback, Hal Steinbrenner audio and Girardi audio)  —  YANKEES (54-37)  —  Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (8-5, 4.85).  —  ORIOLES (41-50)  —  Roberts 2B  —  Markakis RF  —  Jones CF  —  Huff 1B  —  Mora 3B  —  Scott DH  —  Reimold LF

Dodgers in on Halladay and Relievers  —  Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White and special assistant Vance Lovelace scouted Toronto starter Roy Halladay's victory over Boston Sunday.  The need for Halladay is clear in a rotation that lacks a clear ace and the club has enough prospects …

Halladay deals as Blue Jays prevail  —  TORONTO — The afternoon began and ended with a standing ovation for Roy Halladay.  —  Prior to taking the mound on Sunday afternoon, the Blue Jays' ace stepped out of the bullpen beyond the wall in left field at Rogers Centre and slowly made his way toward the dugout.

Lou Piniella has a new pupil: Milton Bradley  —  Cubs manager will try to get outfielder out of hitting funk  —  WASHINGTON — Milton Bradley has a new hitting instructor, and his name is Lou Piniella.  —  The Cubs manager said he plans to work with Bradley in the batting cage on Monday …

Who's up first?  —  There's a hex on the Red Sox leadoff spot.  That's one explanation.  Consider these on-base percentages:  —  Jacoby Ellsbury  —  As a leadoff hitter: .320  —  As a non-leadoff hitter: .388  —  J.D. Drew  —  As a leadoff hitter: .299  —  As a non-leadoff hitter: .381

Monday Ten Pack  —  Drew Carpenter, RHP, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley)  —  Carpenter pitched seven innings of three-hit ball on Sunday, and that's really nothing new, as it was his ninth quality start in his last 11.  He's hardly a stud prospect-wise, and is more of a strike-throwing speed-changer …

Mussina Staying Retired  —  NEW YORK - — Mike Mussina is not the un-retiring type.  —  “Baseball was great,” said Mussina, who walked away after winning 20 games for the Yankees last season.  “But there comes a point where you have to say it's time to go home.”

Mets Are a Case Study In Squandered Fortunes  —  The day before the New York Mets were to open the second half of their rapidly deteriorating season, GQ magazine ran a small item that quoted newsman Larry King as saying pal Fred Wilpon — the Mets' (once-)deep-pocketed owner …

He's got to have something better to do  —  Red Sox owner John Henry is a smart guy.  He played hedge funds to make a fortune, picked Theo Epstein to be his GM and put seats on top of the Green Monster.  He just married a woman half his age.  —  So why was he on Twitter (John_W_Henry) posting this tonight?

Yunel Escobar of the Atlanta Braves named the National League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America  —  Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar, who led the National League with eight RBI and 16 total bases, has been named National League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America for the period ending July 19th.

San Diego's Latos Makes Debut  —  San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos made his Major League debut yesterday against the Rockies going four innings allowing two runs on three hits (including one long homerun to Ian Stewart) while walking one and striking out four batters.

Twins Sign Grudzielanek  —  Unhappy with the league-worst production that they've gotten from second base and unwilling as usual to make a significant midseason trade to address the issue, the Twins signed Mark Grudzielanek to a minor-league contract yesterday.