How the Wild Card race got interesting  —  After a long regular season with the best teams separating themselves from the rest of their respective leagues, the September Wild Card races have gotten too interesting for fans of the Red Sox Nation.  Tampa Bay swept the Red Sox with relative ease …

Mets passed on 9/11 hats in part due to loan: source  —  Mets on Twitter  —  A red-faced Bud Selig called the Mets on Sunday night, the commissioner of baseball irate that the organization had thrown his office “under the bus” in divulging MLB was responsible for the decision that banned players …

Manny Ramirez out of jail after battery charge  —  Former baseball star Manny Ramirez has been released from jail after deputies say he struck his wife during an argument.  —  The 2004 World Series MVP walked out of a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., jail Tuesday after spending the night.

La Russa hates losing, loves overmanaging  —  For some reason, the Tony La Russa moment I always remember is his postgame television interview after his Oakland A's got swept by the underdog Cincinnati Reds in the 1990 World Series.  I don't remember the reporter, only that La Russa …

Seamheads.com Launches Negro Leagues Database Powered by The Baseball Gauge  —  Welcome to the Seamheads.com Negro Leagues Database, powered by The Baseball Gauge.  We are creating the first comprehensive statistical encyclopedia of the great black baseball teams and leagues that operated behind …

Plenty of debate about baseball saves milestone, what it says about Mariano Rivera, modern relievers  —  No one doubts the greatness of Mariano Rivera.  His resume of shattered bats and unmatched postseason record lays waste to any debate.  —  But what exactly will it mean to become …

Reds' Francisco clears Cincy bleachers with 502-foot home run  —  Cincinnati Reds youngster Juan Francisco(notes) hit a home run over the moon Monday night.  The “moon deck,” that is, at Great American Ball Park.  —  Just because the NFL ended its lockout doesn't mean sports fans need only to look there for raw power.

Grit, speed help Gathright return to BoSox  —  The Red Sox were looking for a player who could steal a base.  They found him in Yuma, Ariz., at the end of his independent league season, on a 115-degree day.  —  With his agent throwing him batting practice, no less.

Aaron at the movies: “Moneyball” review  —  Last night I attended an advance screening of the “Moneyball” movie, which is set for a wide release on September 23.  —  I've read Michael Lewis' book twice and consider it some of the best, most important baseball writing of all time …

Cano, Teixeira power Yankees past Mariners 9-3  —  SEATTLE—Robinson Cano hit a three-run double, Mark Teixeira and Chris Dickerson homered and the New York Yankees rolled past Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners 9-3 Monday night.  —  Phil Hughes pitched six strong innings to help …

Saunders pitches Diamondbacks past Dodgers 7-2  —  LOS ANGELES—Gerardo Parra tied a career high with four RBIs to back seven strong innings by Joe Saunders and the Arizona Diamondbacks rode a five-run sixth inning to a 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night …

Marlins Release Mike Cameron  —  The Marlins released center fielder Mike Cameron after last night's win in Atlanta, tweets Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.  The move drops the team's 40-man roster to 39, though it'd fill back up if Scott Cousins is activated from the 60-day DL.

Jonathan Broxton done for season  —  LOS ANGELES — Although it had become increasingly clear in recent weeks, it became official on Monday that erstwhile Los Angeles Dodgers closer Jonathan Broxton won't return this season, a fact that could mean he has pitched his last game for the team …