Top agent Boras calling for 9-game World Series (AP/Y! Sports)

Über agent Scott Boras wants to expand the World Series to a best-of-nine affair, with a twist: the first two games are to be played on a neutral site.

From the Associated Press:

Arguing that the shift would create a marketing bonanza that would rival the Super Bowl, Boras outlined his ideas in a two-page letter he sent to baseball commissioner Bud Selig on April 15.

“I know from an owner’s perspective, this is a gold mine,” Boras said. “To have a World Series Weekend, WSW, I think it will create a stage that the game has not seen.”

News and notes while literally stumbling out of bed (yes, I know it’s lunch, so bear with us…)

Big names content to wait for big money (CP/TSN.ca) Big names like Briere, Smyth, Drury and Gomez lead this year’s NHL free agent class with bidding set to start at noon EDT on Sunday. 

Report: Thomas asked cheerleader to flirt with refs (AP/ESPN) The former Knicks executive who is suing coach Isiah Thomas for sexual harassment alleged in court papers that Thomas urged a cheerleader to flirt with referees.

Sharapova, Mauresmo advance at All-England (AP/ESPN) Maria Sharapova hurried to close out a victory Saturday over Ai Sugiyama, 6-3, 6-3; Amelie Mauresmo took only 57 minutes to beat Mara Santangelo 6-1, 6-2.

Alinghi takes 4-2 lead over Kiwis at America’s Cup (AP/USA Today) Oh man: the Alinghi is one win away…one win!

Vin-sanity opt out of Jersey, chance are he will stay (AP/Y! Sports) Vince Carter opted out of the final year of a contract with the New Jersey Nets that would have paid the All-Star guard $16.3 million this coming season.

Wie withdraws from U.S. Women’s Open during second round (AP/USA Today)

Michele Wie withdrew after waking up with what was described as a painfully sore wrist.

Wie, who shot a first-round 82, was at 6-over through the back nine when she sent her tee shot on No. 1 into the left rough. Immediately after striking her second shot, she approached USGA personnel and walked off the course.

News and notes while Barry makes friends in odd places…

Hot dog champion Kobayashi jaw jacks about injury not being a ploy (AP/SI.com)  Takeru Kobayashi dismissed speculation Friday that his recent jaw ailment could be a ploy against his main rival at the Nathan’s hot dog eating championship next week in New York.

‘This Week in Baseball’ restored Allen’s reputation (USA Today) As TWIB celebrates its 30th anniversary, writer Stephen Borelli reminisces about the show’s original host, Mel Allen. Few people realize that the ‘Voice of Yankees’ was fired after the 1964 season after having served in that position since 1939. Current Yankees owner brought him back to the club as the lead announcer on the team’s cable broadcasts.

Cuban has hip replacement surgery, claims former coach Nelson ‘used condfidential’ info (AP/FOX Sports) That accusation is part of Cuban’s response to an arbitration claim Nelson has filed against Cuban to get $6.5 million of deferred compensation, which Nelson said he is owed for his time with the Mavericks from 1997-2005.

Picking my all-star squads (FOX Sports) FOX Sports baseball insider Ken Rosenthal selects his all-star teams for this year’s contest in the city by the Bay.

Cardinals 4, Redlegs 2 (AP/ESPN recap) Troy Percival made his first major-league appearance in two years and got his first win since April 22, 2005, in the Cardinals’ 4-2 victory over the Reds on “Mr. Redlegs Night.”

Twins 11, Tigers 1 (AP/ESPN recap) Minnesota’s Joe Mauer knocked a grand slam in the fifth inning, giving the Twins a 6-0 lead from which they wouldn’t look back. Justin Morneau chipped in with a 3-for-5, two-RBI night. Minnesota starter Johan Santana allowed a run on five hits and struck out six over six innings.

D’Rays 1, Indians 2 (AP/USA Today) Indians rookie Ben Francisco, who was called up from Triple-A Buffalo earlier in the week, hits his first MLB homer (a walk-off shot) to give Cleveland the win over the Tampa Bay Devils Rays, 2-1.

Brewers 5, Cubs 6 (AP/USA Today)  Aramis Ramirez lifted the Cubs over the Brewers 6-5 with a two-out, two-run homer in the ninth.