The Case for Derek Jeter, MVP  —  In the movie industry, many recipients get an Oscar years after they really ­deserve one, and often as a kind of lifetime achievement award.  Paul Newman, for ­instance, took one home in 1987 for his performance in “The Color of Money,” …

Meet Baseball's Chattiest TV Announcers  —  If it seems like your baseball team's play-by-play man jabbers endlessly at 1,000 words a minute, well, he doesn't.  But the St. Louis Cardinals' Dan McLaughlin comes closer than most of his peers, talking at an estimated 109.9 words every 60 seconds.

Misch … DENVER(AP) David Wright drove in three runs in his second start since coming off the disabled list and the New York Mets beat the Colorado Rockies 8-3 on Thursday.  —  Pat Misch pitched seven solid innings to earn his first major league win, slicing the Rockies' NL wild-card lead to a half-game over San Francisco.

Rays avoid collapse, beat Red Sox 8-5  —  Buzz up!  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—The Tampa Bay Rays keep finding ways to hang in the AL playoff race.  —  “You're not always going to win.  It's not always going to be an oil painting,” manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday night …

Cameron ‘willing to make a sacrifice’ to stay in Milwaukee  —  Impending free agent Mike Cameron said yesterday that he'd like to remain in Milwaukee beyond this season and “would be willing to make a sacrifice to make that happen.”  —  Cameron is earning $10 million this season and would fetch …

New York Mets' future looks downright gloomy  —  Trading Jose Reyes could be a huge step toward jump-starting moribund franchise  —  Their season hasn't just been a disappointment.  It's been a Freddy Krueger movie.  —  But at least there's one good thing those fast-sinking New York Mets can say about their 2009 horror show:

CC named AL's best August pitcher  —  Yankees lefty unbeaten during historically strong month  —  Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia has been named the American League Pitcher of the Month for August.  —  In six starts last month, Sabathia posted a perfect 5- record with a 2.64 ERA while leading …

Florida Marlins Team Report  —  INSIDE PITCH  —  Tensions are flaring in the Florida clubhouse as the team fades from the playoff race.  —  The Marlins held a closed-door meeting Wednesday after All-Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez got into a shouting match with second baseman Dan Uggla …

Harper: Cy of relief for Mariano  —  BALTIMORE - If this were the Oscars, where a long career of unrewarded greatness has been known to help put a deserving nominee over the top, Mariano Rivera would be a shoo-in this season to win his first Cy Young Award.  —  In baseball, however …

Pedro outduels Lincecum as Phillies edge Giants 2-1  —  PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pedro Martinez (FSY) tossed seven impressive innings to outpitch Tim Lincecum (FSY), Ryan Howard (FSY) doubled in the tiebreaking run and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Francisco Giants 2-1 on Thursday night.

Former pitcher Koosman given 6 months in prison  —  MADISON, Wisconsin (Reuters) - Retired baseball pitcher Jerry Koosman, a member of the 1969 World Series champion “Miracle Mets,” was sentenced on Wednesday to six months in prison for nonpayment of taxes.  —  Before being sentenced …

MLBTR Looking For Writers  —  Would you like to join the MLB Trade Rumors team?  We are looking to add a couple of writers.  The position pays on an hourly basis.  The criteria:  — Strong evening availability - typically 5-10pm CST shifts.  Weekday daytime availability is a plus.

Frustrated Pelfrey blows off steam; Mets' lose  —  DENVER - There is frustration,  —  and then there is the scorched-earth kind of rage that Mike Pelfrey was feeling when he was lifted from Tuesday's game after four terrible innings against the Rockies at Coors Field.

Phillies make moves, Condrey update  —  Lefthander Antonio Bastardo, 23, was activated from the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Double A Reading.  —  To make room on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated righthander Steven Register for assignment.

Astros Team Report  —  Aaron Boone, who returned to action Wednesday, is believed to be the first player in major league history to play a game after undergoing open-heart surgery.  —  “It's great to get back out there and be a part of a real game,” he said.

Mets' Wright won't get big head over helmet  —  DENVER - The Hall of  —  Fame contacted the Mets Wednesdayabout David Wright's new headgear.  And no, it wasn't to say he looked like the Great Gazoo, Beetle Bailey or Dark Helmet from “Spaceballs.”  —  >> See David Wright in his new helmet against the Rockies