First baseman Sean Doolittle devoted his offseason to intensive weight training and came to camp far stronger than during his days at Virginia. The result was that in his first 79 games, he pounded 17 homers in batting .312/.392/.565 for high Class A Stockton.

Accompanied by FanFests, slam dunk contests, skills competitions and concerts, All-Star games no longer stand alone.

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Dan Murphy arrived from Jacksonville with the reputation as a pure hitter. The third baseman has done nothing to change that perception by batting .317/.371/.482 with eight homers and 48 RBIs through 66 games with Double-A Binghamton.

Fernando Tatis?s two-run home run snapped a seventh-inning tie Thursday and ignited a four-run rally that helped the Mets record their sixth straight victory.

PHILADELPHIA - Ryan Howard homered twice and drove in three runs to help the Philadelphia Phillies beat the St.Louis Cardinals, 4-1, Thursday, and maintain a 1-1/2-game lead on the Mets in the NL East. Howard lined a two-run shot to left-center off

Any lingering doubts about outfielder Denard Span have evaporated this season, as he's done everything except secure a permanent spot in the major leagues—but after his recall in late June, that might no longer be the case.

For once, Wrigley Field was nicer to a visiting team.

Rooms at a midtown brand-name hotel: $450-plus a night. Tickets for Tuesday's All-Star Game: As much as $725 at face value. NEW BOSS: Hank Steinbrenner a chip off the old Boss YOGI, WHITEY, REGGIE... Who's the 'greatest living Yankee'? Everlasting

Though the jury is still out on third baseman Mat Gamel's defense, no one questions his work at the plate. He has been one of the most dynamic offensive players in the minors, batting .384/.446/.643 in 336 at-bats.