All-Star game was week’s top ratings hit, helping Fox network win in prime time overall

NEW YORK — Baseball’s All-Star game was a hit with viewers last week to top the ratings. But claiming the No. 2 and 3 slots for the week was a quirkier sort of competition: “America’s Got Talent” on NBC.

Major League Baseball pays tribute to Lou Gehrig on 70th anniversary of luckiest man speech

NEW YORK — Derek Jeter helped Major League Baseball commemorate the 70th anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s luckiest man speech Saturday, reading the famous line from the icon’s stirring words during a video tribute before the New York Yankees’ game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Aaron urges MLB to do more to increase black participation in game at Civil Rights Game forum

CINCINNATI — Hall of Fame slugger Hank Aaron called on Major League Baseball on Friday to do more to increase participation by blacks in the game.

MLB’s Civil Rights weekend activities in Cincinnati at a glance

Some highlights of Major League Baseball’s Civil Rights Game weekend events in Cincinnati:

Report: Former Cubs star Sammy Sosa tested positive for performance-enhancing drug in 2003

NEW YORK — Sammy Sosa became the latest in a string of baseball stars implicated in the sport’s steroids scandal of the past decade when The New York Times reported that he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003.

Ex-Cubs slugger Sammy Sosa reportedly tested positive for performance-enhancing drug in 2003

NEW YORK — Sammy Sosa tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, The New York Times reported Tuesday on its Web site, the latest in a string of baseball stars implicated in the sport’s steroids scandal of the past decade. The Times said Sosa is one of 104 players who tested positive in baseball’s anonymous 2003 survey, which has been the subject of a protracted court fight. The paper did not identify the drug.

Report: Former star Sammy Sosa tested positive for performance-enhancing drug in 2003

NEW YORK — Sammy Sosa tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug in 2003, The New York Times reported Tuesday on its Web site, the latest in a string of baseball stars implicated in the sport’s steroids scandal of the past decade.

Report: Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez had testosterone-epitestosterone ratio between 4:1 and 10:1

BRISTOL, Conn. — Manny Ramirez’s positive urine test showed an elevated testosterone level, and a lab used a test to determine whether the hormone was naturally produced to build evidence against him, ESPN.com reported Monday.

WADA head says Ramirez suspension shows MLB’s acceptance of performance-enhancing drug issue

MONTREAL — As the World Anti-Doping Agency prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary, its leader acknowledged that Major League Baseball has made progress, however slow, in accepting and addressing its performance-enhancing drug issues.

Brewers’ Macha says Dempster pitch at Braun worth review by MLB discipline czar

MILWAUKEE — Brewers manager Ken Macha suggested a pitch by Chicago Cubs starter Ryan Dempster that glanced off the helmet of Brewers slugger Ryan Braun on Saturday deserves to be reviewed by Major League Baseball.

White House calls suspension of Dodgers’ Ramirez an embarrassment for baseball

WASHINGTON — The White House is calling the suspension of Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Ramirez for 50 games — the latest star caught up in a drug scandal — a great embarrassment for Major League Baseball.

Jose Canseco not surprised by Manny Ramirez suspension, calls for investigation into MLB

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Jose Canseco has spoken, but is anyone listening anymore?

Jose Canseco not surprised by Ramirez suspension; former Bash Brother very familiar with HCG

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Jose Canseco says baseball players have endured enough embarrassment over the steroid scandal and now it’s time to investigate what role Major League Baseball and the players’ association played in it.

Report: Major League Baseball examining Alex Rodriguez’s steroids statements

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is investigating Alex Rodriguez’s statements about his use of performance-enhancing drugs, increasing the pressure on the New York Yankees star ahead of an unflattering biography due out Monday.

A-Rod took steroids as teen, and while with Yankees, claims new book

NEW YORK - An upcoming book about Alex Rodriguez claims that he might have bulked up with steroids as early as high school - and was suspected of juicing while playing for the Yankees.

Former MLB player Lohrke dies at 85; nicknamed “Lucky” after escaping early brushes with death

Jack Lohrke, a major league infielder in the 1940s and 1950s who drew the nickname “Lucky” after several early brushes with death, died Wednesday. He was 85.

Rag trade: Buy Major League Baseball replica jersey, get 2 tickets

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has a new rag trade promotion: Buy a replica jersey this season and receive two tickets.

Selig: Yankees and Mets to discuss ticket situations at new ballparks

NEW YORK — Bud Selig has noticed those empty seats at the new ballparks in New York, too. Should the Yankees and Mets lower their tickets prices? The commissioner said that’s up to them.

Selig: Yankees and Mets to discuss ticket prices of premium seats at new ballparks

NEW YORK — Bud Selig has noticed those empty seats at the new ballparks in New York, too. Should the Yankees and Mets lower their tickets prices? The commissioner said that’s up to them.

Forbes: 10 Major League Baseball teams decline in value, Yankees increase to $1.5 billion

NEW YORK — One-third of Major League Baseball teams declined in value over the past year while the New York Yankees’ worth increased 15 percent to $1.5 billion, according to the annual estimates by Forbes magazine.

MLB announces plans for All-Star festivities, events in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS — Moving from a major market to a smaller one and from an economic boom to a bust, tickets for baseball’s All-Star game will be cheaper this year.