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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Braves call rare meeting to ‘get mojo back’  —  ATLANTA (AP) — Mired in their first four-game losing streak of the season, the Atlanta Braves called a rare team meeting before facing the Florida Marlins.  —  Third baseman Chipper Jones says the meeting Tuesday was “basically a circling of the wagons” …

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.

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 …

Josh Beckett set for Thursday or Friday; Bobby Jenks diagnosed with embolism  —  You want Red Sox news?  We have Red Sox news:  —  • Josh Beckett will start Thursday or Friday.  His right foot feels good and he will talk to the specialist today.  Then, presumably, they'll reach a decision about which day he pitches.

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 …

Rockies' Tulowitzki nominated for Roberto Clemente Award  —  Major League Baseball announced today that Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is the team's nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field.

Tigers roaring toward postseason  —  Flaws fixed through trades, Detroit's suddenly the hottest team in the game  —  Stop us if you've heard this line before:  —  In October, it isn't the best team that wins the World Series.  It's the hottest team.  —  Well, if that's true …

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.

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.

Pirates end relationship in Venezuela  —  PITTSBURGH — The Pirates have notified their Venezuelan academy that the organization will be terminating its lease and no longer participating in the six-team Venezuelan Summer League.  —  Though the Pirates have not commented publicly on the situation …