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.

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.

Papelbon fined again for slow play  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jonathan Papelbon's slow play once again drew the ire of Major League Baseball, which fined the Red Sox closer today for taking too long to deliver a pitch for at least the fifth time this season, an infraction incurred Tuesday night.

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.

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

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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 …

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 …