Chicago White Sox close to obtaining Manny Ramirez from Los Angeles Dodgers  —  The White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers may be closing in on a deal to send Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez to the South Side in exchange for minor league prospects.  —  The deal appeared to be close Wednesday …

He must have his reasons, but what are they?  —  So it's official: He really is an idiot.  —  I say this with no malice and all due respect.  “Idiot,” you must remember, was the title of Johnny Damon's 2005 best-selling autobiography (a work often compared with Tolstoy's “Anna Karenina” and Dostoevsky's “Notes From the Underground").

The Circumstances Which Led To Roy Oswalt Playing Left Field  —  I'm not really sure what I just witnessed tonight, but if you stick around I'll do my best to explain.  —  The Phillies began this evening's game playing in front of the largest crowd at CBP this season (thanks to Chooch bobblehead night) …

Rockies rally from 9-run deficit to beat the Braves 12-10  —  Through three innings, the best pitch thrown by a person in a Rockies' uniform was delivered by Ken Burns.  —  He was in town promoting the “10th Inning,” a follow-up to his landmark baseball film, when he fired a pregame strike to Miguel Olivo.

New York Yankees not targeting Hiroki Kuroda, GM says  —  TORONTO — General manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that even though the pitching-depleted New York Yankees are engaged in a bitter division battle with the Tampa Bay Rays, he does not anticipate going outside the organization for help before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline.

Twins Claim Randy Flores  —  The Twins claimed lefty reliever Randy Flores off waivers from the Rockies, according to a press release.  The 35-year-old posted a 2.96 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 27.1 innings for the Rockies this year, but the Rockies designated him for assignment last week.

Beckett reverses fortunes, helps Boston to 5-3 win  —  BOSTON (AP) — Josh Beckett (FSY) rebounded from a rough stretch and the Boston Red Sox broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the sixth inning to beat the Seattle Mariners 5-3 in the first game of a day-night doubleheader Wednesday.

Few Have Played Shortstop at Jeter's Advanced Age  —  Before this season, it would have in some parts of the city been controversial to suggest that Derek Jeter is but a man, as prone to age and frailty as anyone else.  With three-quarters of the 2010 season in the books and the Captain …

Armando Galarraga might have a chance for another (near) perfect game this afternoon, as the Royals feature the following lineup:  —  1. Gregor Blanco  —  2. Mike Aviles  —  3. Willie Bloomquist  —  4. Billy Butler  —  5. Kila Ka'aihue  —  6. Brayan Pena  —  7. Mitch Maier  —  8. Jai Miller

Rockies' bullpen short; Pads could be fit for Hawpe  —  The road in the bullpen is bumpy today, with the bridge (Rafael Betancourt) and the Street (closer Huston Street) likely both unavailable.  —  Betancourt played catch but won't pitch again in a game until Friday at the earliest …

Marlins' profits came at taxpayer expense  —  The swindlers who run the Florida Marlins got exposed Monday.  They are as bad as anyone on Wall Street, scheming, misleading and ultimately sticking taxpayers with a multibillion-dollar tab.  Corporate fraud is alive and well in Major League Baseball.

Mailbag: Clay Buchholz can improve  —  Editor's note: Curt Schilling answers user questions in an occasional mailbag for ESPNBoston.com.  Click here to ask Curt a question for his next mailbag.  —  Q. Hey Curt, I'm glad you're doing this mailbag and we can always count on your honesty and experience.