Former New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox manager Ralph Houk dies  —  BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox say former manager Ralph Houk has died.  He was 90.  —  Red Sox spokesman Dick Bresciani says Houk died in Winter Haven, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon.  The team heard from Houk's grandson, who lives in the Boston area.

Sandberg on Cubs job: I'm ready  —  One day after Lou Piniella announced he would retire as Chicago Cubs manager following this season, Ryne Sandberg made sure there was no ambiguity about his desire and confidence to replace Piniella next year.  —  “I am ready,” Sandberg said Wednesday on “The Waddle & Silvy Show” on ESPN 1000.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, manager Joe Torre disciplined by MLB for actions vs. San Francisco Giants Tuesday  —  Major League Baseball suspended Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw for five games and manager Joe Torre for one game Wednesday for intentionally throwing …

Sources: Oswalt wants guarantee  —  Roy Oswalt is asking for the Phillies, or any team that acquires him, to guarantee his $16 million option in 2012 before he would approve a trade, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.  —  And the Phillies, for now at least, are balking at that request.

The Cardinals are the front runners for Roy Oswalt  —  A major league source tells me that, contrary to what we've all been hearing for the past several days, the Phillies are not the front runners for Roy Oswalt.  The St. Louis Cardinals are.  —  In fact, the Astros have been talking …

Source: Mets close to Cordero deal  —  The Mets are close to signing reliever Chad Cordero to a minor league deal, a team source confirmed.  The deal is not yet official.  —  Cordero declared himself a free agent when the Seattle Mariners wanted to send him to Triple-A Tacoma.

Longoria, Rays edge O's to take series  —  The Sports Network  —  Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Evan Longoria homered, doubled and drove in the game-winning run with a walk, as the Tampa Bay Rays held on for 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game set at Camden Yards.

Pedro says no to return this season but '11 still a possibility  —  Pedro Martinez has decided he will not pitch this season but he has not closed the door to pitching again in 2011, said a source close to Martinez today.  —  Several teams expressed interest in making Martinez a second-half addition …

Fortunate 50: SI.com's annual list of top earning athletes  —  You can't stop them — you can only hope to re-sign them.  Extracurricular scandals, contract holdouts and ugly labor negotiations seem to have rocked professional sports more than any other point in recent memory.

Florida Marlins designate Nate Robertson for assignment; call up catcher Brad Davis  —  The Marlins didn't waste much time with their decision on what to do with struggling lefty Nate Robertson: He was designated for assignment today.  —  The Marlins have 15 days to trade him, release him or send him to the minors.

Speculation around White Sox ‘typical’  —  White Sox GM reiterates trade market stance  —  SEATTLE — During a pregame meeting with manager Ozzie Guillen and his coaching staff on Tuesday, White Sox general manager Ken Williams talked about what his crew specifically needed talent-wise …

INTEGRITY STRIKES OUT  —  Commissioner Bud Selig was so adamant in his defense of his clubs that I was unable to get the word integrity into the conversation.  Had I brought it up, he would have scoffed at the idea.  But then, the commissioner has never acknowledged that the owners …

Clint Hartung, Modest Giant, Dies at 87  —  Any ballplayer who makes it to the big leagues has achieved much and can be said to have succeeded beyond the expectations he generated in youth.  But Clint Hartung is largely, and perhaps unfairly, remembered as the exception to the rule.

Red Sox ejected, dejected  —  Farrell gets tossed, A's stand tall in 10  —  Darnell McDonald's RBI double in the second inning gave the Red Sox a (short-lived) 4-0 lead off A's starter Dallas Braden.  (Ben Margot/Associated Press)  —  OAKLAND, Calif. — None of the screaming made a difference in the end.