New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada has been one of the game's most durable and productive receivers since taking over behind the plate in 1998. He had played at least 131 games behind the dish each year from 2000-07, but this season is suffering from shoulder problems serious enough that he won't get behind the plate for the rest of the season.

Posada, currently on the DL, will require surgery if he hopes to play there again, but might come back to platoon at first base or as a designated hitter. Of course, the shoulder isn't just impacting his ability to throw; it's reduced his power at the plate as well (.268/.364/.411 this season entering Thursday's game), making him a questionable asset at first base and/or DH.

Therefore, the Yankees have big decisions to make in the next few days. Do they go out and try to find a veteran left-handed hitter who can help compensate for the loss of Posada's power bat and for the season-ending injury to Hideki Matsui? Do they look for a catcher to help spell Jose Molina, a good backup who has never been tested as a regular?

Or do they hope for the best from new signee Richie Sexson and cross their fingers that Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Melky Cabrera begin to contribute some offense down the stretch?

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This wiry lefthander was the second-winningest pitcher on the Cardinals' 1926 World Championship club.

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Carlos Delgaldo's 2-run double broke open 1-1 ballgame in the 8th behind a stellar 12-strikeout performance by Oliver Perez left the New York atop the NL East as the Mets downed the Phillies 3-1 in an afternoon affair at Shea Stadium. Meanwhile, the Marlins dropped to 2 games behind as they were no match for Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs at the Friendly Confines, falling 6-2. The red-hot Brew Crew remain a game back in the NL Central as they concluded a sweep of the Cardinals on Ryan Braun's dramatic 2-run HR in the 9th gave Milwaukee a 4-3 win, concluding a perfect seven game road trip.

Tampa Bay dropped their series opener in Kansas City 4-2, placing the Rays in a tie with the Red Sox in the AL East.

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                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Blue Jays       0  0  2   1  1  3   0  0  0    7 13  0
Orioles         0  0  0   0  0  1   0  0  0    1  7  0

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Rays            0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  1    2  8  0
Royals          1  0  0   3  0  0   0  0  X    4 10  0

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Marlins         0  0  2   0  0  0   0  1  0    3  8  0
Cubs            0  0  1   0  4  1   0  0  X    6  8  1

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Phillies        0  0  0   0  0  0   1  0  0    1  7  0
Mets            0  0  1   0  0  0   0  2  X    3  4  0

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Padres          0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  0    1  8  0
Pirates         2  0  0   2  0  2   0  3  X    9 11  0

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Nationals       0  0  0   0  0  0   0  0  0    0  4  0
Giants          0  0  0   0  0  0   0  1  X    1  7  0

                1  2  3   4  5  6   7  8  9    R  H  E
                -  -  -   -  -  -   -  -  -    -  -  -
Brewers         0  0  0   1  1  0   0  0  2    4 10  1
Cardinals       1  0  1   1  0  0   0  0  0    3  5  0

An early relief ace as well as a valued starter, he topped the NL in saves three times during the 1920s.

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The Devil Rays entered Thursday's action a half-game up on the Red Sox in the American League East. Amazingly, the Rays have done this while compiling a 19-25 road record. Only two AL teams--Cleveland and Seattle, both of whom aren't going anywhere in the standings--have fewer wins in away games.

One reason, of course, for Tampa's low amount of road wins is that they have played the fewest road games in the league. But the franchise has been miserable on the road in recent years, not having won even 30 games a year away from the Trop since 2000.

In 2006, the then-Devilesque Rays were an appalling 20-61 in away contests, and last year only 29-52. Just eleven more wins in their remaining 37 road games will give them their best road mark in several years. Combine that with their astounding 40-16 home mark, and you see just how far this team has come.

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Since he stood 5'10", his nickname obviously referred to his 160-pound frame.
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For Chicago baseball fans who take pride not only in their team but also in the elevated train route that you take to the ballpark, visit www.thatsmystop.com, where you can get t-shirts printed with the logo and information of any station on the entire Chicago Transit Authority train system, including "Addison" and "Sox-35th" on the Red Line.

The shirts come in all sorts of colors that match the hues given to each train line (Blue Line, Purple Line, etc.), and are available in several sizes and both men's and women's cuts. For $15 bucks plus $5 shipping? Such a deal!!!!

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Baseball lifer Carroll "Whitey" Lockman was born this day in 1926. Lockman, from Lowell, North Carolina, made his first major league appearance as an 18-year-old in July 1945, beginning a career spanning more than 50 years.

He played for two NL championship clubs in New York (1951 and 1954), helping the Giants with his excellent defense at first base and the outfield and a line-drive lefty stroke at the plate. He was never a top offensive player, but hit .279 in his career.

Following his retirement in 1960, he coached for the Reds, Giants, and Cubs, who he also served as a scout--and a manager from midseason 1972 through midseason 1974. Following his time in the dugout, Lockman went back to player development, where he served, mostly for the Expos and Marlins, for another 30-plus seasons before retiring.

On July 25, 1939, Yankees righty Atley "Swampy" Donald won his 12th straight game to set a new rookie record. Despite his excellent freshman season (13-3, 3.71 ERA), Donald was not destined to become one of the all-time greats. He threw very hard, but control was always a problem, and as a result spent the remainder of his career bouncing between the rotation and the bullpen.

Dodgers righty Carl Erskine debuted this date in 1948 at age 21. "Oisk" spent his whole 12-year career with the Bums. From 1951-56, he was a key member of the team's rotation, averaging 15 wins a season. A hard thrower with a superb overhand curve, he experienced some control trouble and never broke into the top echelon of NL pitchers, despite wining 20 games in 1953.

Cuban-born shortstop Leo Cardenas debuted this day in 1960, beginning a 16-year career. One of the only power-hitting shortstops of his time, Cardenas reached double figures in homers six times while playing for the Reds, Twins, Angels, Indians, and Rangers, and made five All-Star teams. He led his league in fielding percentage three times, although his range was below average.
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Bill "Wee Willie" Sherdel captured 165 wins during a 15-year career, almost all of which was spent with the Cardinals. Sherdel kept the ball down, was stingy with walks, and was versatile enough that St. Louis used him both as a reliever and starter from the moment he was called up to the majors. His top season was 1928, in which he was 21-10 (ranking fourth in the NL in wins) with a league-leading five saves and an excellent 2.86 ERA.

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The Baseball Early Bird is a new, free daily newsletter published jointly by the two leaders in the field of baseball reference: Sports Reference Inc.--which produces Baseball-Reference.com--and 24-7 Baseball, L.L.C.--which produces The ESPN Baseball Encyclopedia.

Gary Gillette, son of lifelong Tigers' fan Charles Gillette, is The Early Bird's Executive Editor and Co-Publisher.

Sean Forman, son of Yankees' fan Floyd Forman, is The Early Bird's technical guru and Co-Publisher.

Stuart Shea, whose competitive baseball career ended at age 14, was lead writer on the Early Bird today.

Rod Nelson, who still aspires to roam center field at Tiger Stadium, also contributed to today's issue.

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