Yanks achieve new record

According to STATS, Alex Rodriguez's two-run shot off the Red Sox's Jon Lester on Friday was the Yankees' 127th homer at home this season, breaking their previous record which was made at Yankee Stadium in both 2004 and 2005.

Five home games remain for the Yankees this season, two games against the Red Sox and three against the Royals. The Yankees are also in reach of their all-time club record of 242 home runs, which also set in 2004. Rodriguez, who has missed five weeks recovering from right hip surgery earlier this season, ranks second on the Yankees with 28 home runs, 18 of them at home. Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter have combined to hit 29 of their 41 homers at Yankee Stadium.

Blackhawks play will be watched on NHL.com

Hockey fans can see the Chicago Blackhawks against HC Davos in Zurich today at NHL.com, starting at 2:15 p.m. The Blackhawks are playing Davos today in an exhibition game. These exhibitions represent the last appearance before they meet the Florida Panthers Friday in their 2009-10 season opener in Helsinki.

Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville told NHL.com's Shawn Roarke that playing against an unknown opponent on a larger ice surface less than 72 hours after travelling to another continent will not affect his team. "I think this team we're playing tonight is a pretty good hockey team," Quenneville said. "They are fast and they can make plays. We expect some time in our end and we expect some challenges."

Tomko has finished for the season

It was reported on Monday that the right-hander Brett Tomko was declared to have finished for the season. He signed a Minor League deal after being released by the Yankees in August. Although he went 4-1 with a 2.95 ERA in six starts with Oakland, he hasn't pitched since earning his 100th career victory against the Rangers on Aug. 14.

Tomko told media on Tuesday that an MRI had revealed a pinched nerve in his right shoulder, which caused discomfort and numbness throughout his arm. "Tomko will not pitch again this season, that's for sure," A's manager Bob Geren said before the opener series against Texas at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

Two Minor League players are suspended

Major League Baseball announced that two Minor Leaguers from the Rockies' organization -- first baseman Brent Bowman and outfielder Shane Lowe -- were suspended for 50 games each on Tuesday after testing positive for the use of amphetamines.

The suspensions came under the sponsion of Minor League Drug and Treatment Program and will be served from the 2010 season.

The oldest former Yankee passes away

The 99-year-old Lonny Frey, who is thought to have been the oldest living Yankee in the world, passed away on Sunday at his home. His special old Yankees jersey must be a precious jewel for his fans.

Frey played 15 years of professional baseball, including two seasons with the Yankees in 1947-48.
He was a second baseman and shortstop, playing in three World Series. Frey also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants. He was a career hitter in 1,535 Major League games. After Frey's passing, Tommy Henrich, who is 96, is regarded as the oldest living Yankee.

Mark Teahen rejoins Royals

The outfielder Mark Teahen rejoined the Royals after traveling to Kansas City for an evaluation of lower back tightness. He wasn't in the starting lineup against the Tigers last week. "It was just muscle spasms, so it was a positive report for us," manager Trey Hillman said. "He's available, but he's going to stay inside and do some work today. We've got him available for the game if we need him."

He left the club before Sunday at Cleveland. "It just kind of tightened up on me before that Saturday game when I was taking ground balls like normal,"Teahen said. "So I just went and made sure there was nothing crazy wrong with it, which there wasn't. I've had issues with my back in the past and it's something I've just got to continually stay on, I'm available. I'm sure we'll try to be smart with it, but I can do more or less whatever."

Hedican retires from National Hockey League

Bret Hedican, who has won the 2006 Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes and played 17 seasons in the NHL, announced his retirement on Wednesday. He had 6 points in 51 games for the Anaheim Ducks last season, and totally 1,000 NHL games.

In 1,039 games with the Blues, Canucks, Panthers, Hurricanes and Ducks, Hedican had 55 goals and 294 points. Hedican also played for the U.S. at the 1992 Winter Olympics. He was a 10th-round pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 1988 Entry Draft, getting 26 points in 108 Stanley Cup Playoff games. His last playoff show came with the Hurricanes, when he had 2 goals 11 points and a plus-6 rating.

A's Tomko is sent to shelf

After picking up his 100th career victory with a five-hit shutout against the Rangers, A's right-hander Brett Tomko appeared in the visitors' club before batting practice on Tuesday. Some people assumed that perhaps he was using the prop as an excuse for appearing a bit late. In fact Tomko woke up with discomfort in his arm, and then got checked by a local doctor who discovered he has a pinched nerve. "He'll be out for a while," A's manager Bob Geren said.

Tomko is absolutely out of the game for Sunday in Oakland against the Indians. Geren said Dana Eveland is an option to replace Tomko. Tomko joined in the A's in August.

Hunter goes distance in Rangers' win

Rangers manager Ron Washington talked before Sunday's opener of a scheduled doubleheader about the importance of avoiding a mental tailspin with the wet Texas weather seemingly halting the team's momentum. The Rangers followed Washington's lead, swatting three home runs to back rookie right-hander Tommy Hunter's complete-game effort in a 7-2 victory over Seattle at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Hunter collected his first complete game, improving his record to 8-3. Hunter is the second Rangers rookie to throw a complete game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

Glenn Healy resigns from NHL Players Association

Glenn Healy resigned from the National Hockey League Players Association last week, and after three days Executive Director Paul Kelly was fired. Healy said his credibility was destroyed by a report and comments by Interim Executive Director Ian Penny, including criticism of Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

"Based on what occurred in the Executive Board Meeting in Chicago, including the presentations made, all of which were accepted and endorsed by the Executive Board, my reputation and credibility with the players has been irreparably harmed and compromised. I can no longer continue to move forward believing that I have the trust of the players."said in Hearly's resignation letter. Healy played 14 NHL seasons with four different teams, and worked as a broadcaster before joining the Association in 2008.

Bruce may not come back to Reds

Although Jay Bruce had three hits for Triple-A Louisville last week, Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker is not definitely sure that Bruce is going to join the Reds' lineup again. After breaking his right wrist in New York, Bruce missed two months playing. The outfielder will rejoin the team in Colorado during a four-game series.

Before Bruce was injured, he had suffered a difficult season. He had 18 homers and 41 Run Batted Ins in 83 games, but his batting was just 207. The catcher Ryan Hanigan had three hits and scored twice that day and was 5-for-12 with a double in his first three games. Now Hanigan is eligible to come off the disabled list several days ago, so is Burce. Fans are looking forward to seeing him playing on the field again in his Reds jersey.

Ducks term with veteran defenseman Eminger

It is reported that veteran defenseman Steve Eminger has agreed to a two-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks. He was selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He spent five seasons with the Capitals collecting five goals and 26 points in 71 games. "Being only 25 years old, we expect him to continue improving as a player and make a solid contribution this season."said Ducks Executive Vice President and General Manager Bob Murray.

Totally Eminger has 11 goals and 69 points in 283 regular-season games. He also scored a goal for the Capitals during the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. "He's a guy everyone likes and a good player. Any time you have a chance to get a defenseman that's 25 and has played 300 games, you try to get them," said Ducks Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations David McNab.

Nathan McIver will remain in Canucks

The President and General Manager Mike Gillis of Vancouver Canucks announced last month that the team have re-signed defenseman Nathan McIver. McIver splits the 2008-09 season between the Anaheim Ducks and Vancouver Canucks. In 18 NHL games with Anaheim Ducks, McIver collected 1 assist and 36 penalty minutes. In addition, in other 28 games with the American Hockey League affiliate--Manitoba Moose, McIver also had 2 assists and 59 penalty minutes. This defenseman was originally drafted by the Canucks in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.