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.

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.

Pedro outduels Giants' young ace  —  Martinez strikes out nine over seven innings  —  PHILADELPHIA — There had been a lot of talk this week about how nobody wants to face the Giants in the playoffs.  —  Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain in a best-of-five National League Division Series?  —  No, thanks.

No changes to Citi Field layout in 2010  —  The Mets like Citi Field just the way it is.  Or at least they've learned to appreciate the spacious dimensions and high outfield walls.  Which is why the front office, as well as ownership, has no immediate plans to change the layout of the new $800-million ballpark.

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.

Rank 'Em: All-Time Yankees  —  Derek Jeter has accomplished an awful lot during his tenure with the Yankees, but he's now closing in on one of New York's legends.  —  Jeter is a mere eight hits away from Lou Gehrig's all-time Yankee hits record.  The Iron Horse put up 2,723 hits in his Hall …

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 …

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 …

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.

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

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 …

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 …

Garland … LOS ANGELES(AP) Growing up in Southern California, Jon Garland always dreamed of pitching at Dodgers Stadium.  —  Even in his wildest imagination, he probably didn't think it would happen against a bunch of guys who were his teammates a couple days earlier.