Not even cancer diagnosis can shake Harwell's spirit  —  Legendary Tigers broadcaster reflects on career, looks to future with resolve  —  His voice was clear, his spirit strong, his words tinged with humor.  —  But legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell had bracing news to deliver Thursday: He has a tumor in the area of the bile duct.

HELMET NOT THE WRIGHT FIT  —  DENVER — It was the poor fit — and not the relentless national ridicule — that made him do it.  —  HUBBUCH ON TWITTER  —  That was David Wright's explanation yesterday for abandoning the comically oversized “Great Gazoo” batting helmet he donned to relentless teasing Tuesday.

Jonathan Papelbon of Boston Red Sox fined $5,000 for taking too long to pitch  —  Baseball's attempts to speed up the pace of the game have taken some getting used to for Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon — to the tune of thousands of dollars.  —  Papelbon was fined $5,000 …

Woe, Canada  —  Nick Swisher and Jerry Hairston Jr. were talking after the game last night about the unfathomable abuse the Yankees were subjected to at the Rogers Centre.  —  Fans were cursing the players, throwing things at them and generally behaving like idiots.

For a night, Penny is prime currency  —  Mike Krukow, half of the Giants' broadcast team, said it best about Brad Penny in the seventh or eighth inning of the pitcher's debut with San Francisco on Wednesday night: He was able to do anything he wanted to do with the baseball.  —  Penny had a great breaking ball.

Superstitious Fans Wonder: Is Ballpark Concessionaire Aramark bad for Baseball teams?  —  Baseball teams in stadiums that use concessionaire Aramark fall short of expected performance, get caught stealing more, and have fewer home runs than teams that don't use Aramark

National League benefits greatly from mining AL rejects; more notes … John Smoltz, who posted an 8.32 ERA for the Red Sox, has turned his game around since getting to St. Louis and has a 2.65 ERA for the Cardinals.  Rafael Betancourt, who was an average reliever for the Indians …

Posada makes history; Yanks keep rolling  —  Catcher becomes seventh Yankee to hit 20 homers in ‘09  —  TORONTO — Though the final returns on the Yankees’ season won't be known for approximately two months, it can now be officially said: This lineup pounds the baseball like none other before it.

Moore confirms Hillman to return as manager, says players accountable for poor season  —  If there was any doubt before, there is none now.  Trey Hillman will return next year for a third season as the Royals' manager.  —  For weeks, as the club foundered, general manager Dayton Moore voiced strong support …

Groin trouble means Bombers won't go to Mo  —  TORONTO - Mariano Rivera is optimistic about his groin injury, but the closer realizes that the Yankees aren't about to take any chances with him as they enter the stretch run.  —  Rivera threw on flat ground and long-tossed Thursday, reporting no problems with his sore left groin.

Break versus Movement  —  As we all know by know the pitchf/x data is an incredible resource for baseball analysts.  For each pitch thrown in a major league game we get scads of data, so much so that it is hard to even know where to begin.  And once we have begun it is easy to just go with the flow …

Answer Man: Pedro Martinez talks God, Boston and flowers  —  recently began what might be the final leg of an amazing major league career.  He's on a unique journey, growing up deeply spiritual in the Dominican Republic, coming up through the Dodgers chain after his taller brother Ramon …

Prospect Hot Sheet: Sept. 4  —  As the minor league season winds down, we pause to honor Rays Triple-A center fielder Desmond Jennings and his record-setting 7-for-7 night.  We'll be back next week with a comprehensive look at the season's top performers.  —  Remember as always, this is not a re-ranking of our Top 100 Prospects list.