Yankees not very bossy  —  They're in first, but fire is lacking  —  Team Checkbook — and I say that with all due respect — has not had as easy a time maneuvering itself into its current spot in the American League East a half-game ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays as you might imagine.

Martino: Phils fight while Mets flop  —  The Mets sat in first place in the National League East when they made their initial visit to Philadelphia this year back in May.  Reminded of that fact then, one prominent Phillie smirked, rolled his eyes and said, “Yeah, we'll see about that.”

Interview: Pedro Martinez  —  Photo by dbking, used with a Creative Commons license  —  Future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, who enjoyed one of the great peaks of any pitcher in baseball history, recently agreed to take a few questions from me.  He did so as part of the Gillette Fusion ProGlide Summer Job program.

Bad call helps Phils beat Marlins 5-4  —  MIAMI—The sharp grounder in the ninth inning skipped over the third-base bag, an apparent game-winning hit for Gaby Sanchez and the Florida Marlins.  —  Third-base umpire Bob Davidson saw things differently.  He ruled the ball foul …

Mets owner: Minaya will be back as GM  —  The Mets' reign of error is set to continue into 2011.  —  The team's principal owner, Fred Wilpon, on Thursday said he is planning to stick with general manager Omar Minaya beyond this year, despite the threat of a second straight losing season.

Mets' Single-A team Savannah Sand Gnats to have fan light stuntman Ted Batchelor on fire after game  —  There are plenty of people Mets fans would probably jump at the chancee to light them on fire, with the season they've been having, like the Wilpons, Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel.

Maddon: This is why Rays need “a real baseball field”  —  After the Rays lost Thursday's game due in part to a ball hitting a Tropicana Field catwalk, manager Joe Maddon quickly made it a stadium issue, saying it showed why “there's a crying need” for a new stadium, a “real baseball field” to be built:

Cardinals looking at Andy LaRoche as possible trade target  —  » PNC Park general manager Dennis DaPra and other team execs closely inspected the outfield turf Thursday afternoon.  The night before, Andrew McCutchen pulled up a large divot when his knee slammed into the grass as he tried to make a catch.

No movement on Grandal-Reds deal  —  CHICAGO — It does not appear that the Reds and first-round Draft pick Yasmani Grandal are close to signing a contract.  Grandal, a catcher from the Univ. of Miami, was the 12th overall selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.

Petro Martinez feels Mets front office left three-time Cy Young winner hanging following 2009 season  —  Pedro Martinez won't say whether his 77th pitch in Game 6 of last fall's World Series was his last in the majors, or if he has completely ruled out a return this season.

Greinke doubts Royals' rebuilding plan will bear fruit soon  —  Zack Greinke isn't sure he wants to endure the growing pains he knows are coming as the Royals gear up for another youth-based rebuilding plan.  —  It matters little that growing optimism surrounds numerous prospects currently …

What If We Are Wrong Again About Steroids?  —  A research project argues that the home run feats of Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire may not have been the result of steroid use, an opinion that may force many to re-examine the home run era again.  (AP)  —  So I read the main story …

Nyjer Morgan's trip to the disabled list  —  The Nationals placed outfielder Nyjer Morgan on the disabled list late Thursday night at his clear objection.  The Nationals say Morgan has inflammation in his right hip.  Morgan says he feels fine and “it sucks” to have to miss the time.