[Times photo: James Borchuck] Rickey Dudley's "physical talents are far above any tight end in the league," former teammate Tim Brown said.

Rays
Yanks, Rays resume positions
YANKEES 7, RAYS 1: Tampa Bay comes out flat as New York cruises to cut its magic number to win the AL East to two.

No promotion, no problem for Baldelli
ST. PETERSBURG -- Rocco Baldelli finally made his Tropicana Field appearance. The fact that he was dressed in a button-down shirt and jacket rather than a jersey and cleats didn't matter to him one bit.

McRae ready for whatever comes
Manager unfazed by talk that substantial offseason changes could include his job.

Lightning
Hodson's saving grace? 23 stops
BRANDON -- What a difference 23 shots make, especially when you stop them all.

College football
Gators can't let Vols run over them, again
GAINESVILLE -- It's one of the biggest questions facing the Florida defense as it heads into Saturday's SEC showdown against Tennessee.

Mitchell relishes future
GAINESVILLE -- Clint Mitchell isn't fond of looking back.

State practice reports
Backup QBs may see time

Coker: rain good for Miami's preparation
CORAL GABLES -- Miami was forced to endure a brief storm Wednesday that washed across the practice field as it prepared for Saturday's Big East opener against Boston College at the Orange Bowl.

Golf
Classic lacks the names, not talent
The Tampa Bay Classic begins today with a level playing field, meaning each golfer has a shot to win.

Tryon returns after two illnesses
PALM HARBOR -- Ty Tryon understands if you forgot about him.

John Romano
Rough going
Rookie Boo Weekeley, a hard-awinging country boy, struggles with new courses and cold attitudes

Shorts
In brief
Tiger sets sights on majors, not gold medal

Baseball
Congress celebrates Negro leaguers
WASHINGTON -- The Birmingham Black Barons outfielder made it to the major leagues, but most of his teammates were left behind.

Vincent in book: Selig
MILWAUKEE -- A new book by former commissioner Fay Vincent claims Bud Selig once told President Bush, then owner of the Rangers, that Bush would make a fine commissioner even though Vincent strongly believed Selig was maneuvering to get the job.

NL: Rookie's arm, bat lift Astros
MILWAUKEE -- Brad Lidge had run-scoring hits in his first two major-league at-bats and pitched three scoreless innings before an injury as the Houston Astros beat the Brewers 3-1 Wednesday night.

AL: A's draw even in West again
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Barry Zito got his league-leading 22nd victory and Ray Durham hit a tiebreaking, three-run homer as the Athletics moved into a tie for the West lead with Anaheim, defeating the Angels 7-4 on Wednesday night.

NFL
Raiders CB out with fracture
ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Raiders cornerback Charles Woodson will miss up to six weeks with a fractured right shoulder.

Bowling
Smith wins fourth title, $50,000 at Japan Cup
Robert Smith made $50,000 on his first trip to Tokyo by winning the 18th annual Japan Cup last week, his fourth PBA Tour victory.

Motorsports
LMS adds truck race to all-star weekend
CONCORD, N.C. -- Under pressure to make The Winston a spectacular event, Lowe's Motor Speedway said Wednesday it will hold a NASCAR Truck series race during the all-star weekend.

Preps
It's time to thank Fred Vining
BRANDON -- The sun beats down on Brandon High's parking lot where cars with DRIVER'S EDUCATION stickers mosey around, bumping into an orange cone here and there.

Knights show Mitchell it's still a team game
NEW PORT RICHEY -- A few things learned from one of Pasco County's emerging rivalries Wednesday night: Mitchell's Katelen Dixon might be the best player in the county, but River Ridge still has the better team.

Plant senior seeks balance, picks Virginia
Finding a middle ground between academics and athletics, Plant senior setter Emily Kirkwood has orally committed to play volleyball for the University of Virginia.

Northeast quickly dumps Bogie
GULFPORT -- Boca Ciega coach Lissa Bartle expected a slightly different ending. Well, more like a completely different ending. Not necessarily a win, but a close three-game match would have sufficed.

Seminole wins 8th in a row
The Warhawks make quick work of unbeaten, state-ranked Clearwater.

Crystal River newcomer sets pace
CRYSTAL RIVER -- The only reason Holly Van Sicklen ran cross country this season was to get in shape for soccer. But if she keeps it up, soccer might become an afterthought.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
The past few days, there has been a major influx of fish on the flats in the upper bay regions. Feisty redfish, slot-sized snook, large trout and beefy cobia are giving us a fall fishing preview.