Albert Pujols’s 40th home run, a seventh inning grand slam against the Reds, makes him the first Cardinal in the 114-year history of the team to hit that many home runs in three consecutive seasons. The homer, which was also the 200th of his career, makes the first baseman the third-youngest player to reach the milestone, with only Mel Ott and Eddie Mathews accomplishing it sooner.

ByTom

Albert Pujols’s 40th home run, a seventh inning grand slam against the Reds, makes him the first Cardinal in the 114-year history of the team to hit that many home runs in three consecutive seasons. The homer, which was also the 200th of his career, makes the first baseman the third-youngest player to reach the milestone, with only Mel Ott and Eddie Mathews accomplishing it sooner.

The Devil Rays announce the team will buy out the last year of manager Lou Piniella’s $13 million, four-year deal signed in 2002. The agreement, which pays ‘Sweet Lou’ $2.2 million of the $4.4 million he is owed, allows the 62 year-old skipper to seek employment with another team.

ByTom

The Devil Rays announce the team will buy out the last year of manager Lou Piniella’s $13 million, four-year deal signed in 2002. The agreement, which pays ‘Sweet Lou’ $2.2 million of the $4.4 million he is owed, allows the 62 year-old skipper to seek employment with another team.

Delta Air Lines names one of its Boeing 757s ‘Big Papi’ in honor of the Red Sox designated hitter. David Ortiz attends at the dedication ceremony at Logan International Airport, where the company unveils the newly lettered jet, a Song Plane.

ByBaseball

Delta Air Lines names one of its Boeing 757s ‘Big Papi’ in honor of the Red Sox designated hitter. David Ortiz attends at the dedication ceremony at Logan International Airport, where the company unveils the newly lettered jet, a Song Plane.

Mariner outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes the first player in baseball history to collect 200 hits each of his first five seasons in the big leagues. The Japanese native, who was last season’s AL batting champ, joins Willie Keeler (1894-1901), Wade Boggs (1983-89), Chuck Klein (1929-33), Al Simmons (1929-33), and Charlie Gehringer (1933-37) as the sixth major leaguer to have reached this plateau for at least five consecutive seasons.

ByBaseball

Mariner outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes the first player in baseball history to collect 200 hits each of his first five seasons in the big leagues. The Japanese native, who was last season’s AL batting champ, joins Willie Keeler (1894-1901), Wade Boggs (1983-89), Chuck Klein (1929-33), Al Simmons (1929-33), and Charlie Gehringer (1933-37) as the sixth major leaguer to have reached this plateau for at least five consecutive seasons.