Monday's first pitch

Leading Off
We're honest here at The Southpaw. We admit we love the Phillies and lean toward the Orioles, but we're not lying when we say we hope David Wright makes a full recovery from that scary beaning.
The young third sacker might not have steered his team toward the playoffs the last two seasons, but he is a joy to watch and a legitimate old schooler.
Former teammate Ryan Church has been where Wright is right now. And he has a message for him: Don't rush back.
It's not just that the Mets need him, but all of Major League Baseball needs players like him.
Regional Roundup

• The truth is coming to light in the Brett Myers Black Eye fiasco. It wasn't a fall out of his truck. And his son's blazing fastball didn't get him. Jimmy Watch: 1-for-4 with a run scored.


• Holy Brooks Robinson. The Orioles imploded. This wasn't baseball, this was sinning against nature. Like when Lisa Marie Pressley married Michael Jackson. Or when Val Kilmer put on the Batsuit. Baltimore finally got something in return for the Greg Zaun deal.


• One day left in The Strasburg Negotiations. They're more contentious than the health care debate. People are even questioning Young Stephen's birth certificate.


• The Pirates say Ronny Cedeno was worth the wait. That shows you where the Pirates stand. They're waiting around for guys like Ronny Cedeno.

Best of Rest

• Derek Jeter has set a new mark for shortstops.


• The Texas Rangers are legitimate contenders for the Wild Card, especially now that they've dispatched the Boston Red Sox.


• We've got to admit, we love Randy Wolf.


• What has Joe Torre learned over the years?


• Gregg Zaun had quite a special day Sunday. Thanks to his grand slam, the Rays are still in the playoff hunt.


• Carlos Zambrano needs to do some sit-ups.

Batter's Eye

• CNNSI.com has handicapped the Wild Card Races. Here's the National League. Here's the http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/08/11/al.wildcard/index.html.

Today in history
1920 -- Cleveland shortstop Ray Chapman died from a beaning by Carl Mays of the New York Yankees on Aug. 16. This was the only on-field fatality in major league history.

1933 -- Lou Gehrig played in his 1,308th straight game to break Everett Scott's record of 1,307.

The Closer
You knew this was inevitable. Ryan Howard was going to heat up. It's scary when you consider he has been ahead of most of his career averages going into the all-star break.
The Phillies first baseman always has monster second halves.
A strong run could be starting now that he's hit four homers in his last four games.
As he goes, so go the Fightins, so this could be the time the Phillies pull away.