Major League Baseball

It's been quite the birthday week for the Tampa Bay slugger. He announced a return to the Home Run Derby while on a record-setting homer run. He also leads in All-Star fan voting at third base.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the San Francisco players who wrote a Bible verse on rainbow-themed caps received no discipline and assured there was no religious discimination involved.

The NanoNeedle 2.0 is a miniaturized, flexible version of the traditional arthroscope. The device is made in Naples, with training there and in Tampa. The model is accumulating an impressive list of proponents.

The commissioner discussed the proposal at an owners' meeting when the Rays gave an update. Meantime, former manager Joe Maddon says he hopes Tampa can "finish what we started."

The judge ruled that Franco was criminally responsible for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor but was a victim of extortion by the minor's mother, who was sentenced to 10 years for trafficking her daughter.

In an interview with the Tampa Bay Times, CEO Ken Babby says the economics behind the $2.3 project are settled after local approvals of a non-binding MOU, with the focus now on nailing down unresolved issues.

Senate Appropriations Chair Ed Hooper said the money won't be set until local financing agreements are a "done deal," and lawmakers needs something more concrete than this week's approved MOU.

With a tense 4-3 vote, the city approved the non-binding agreement, allowing negotiations to continue on building the ballpark. But council members still have several concerns.

The tentative agreement, finalized last week by the team, county and city, details financing for the $2.3 billion indoor stadium that would anchor a multiuse development in Drew Park.

On "Florida Matters Live & Local," Joshua Wostal explains his skepticism of the plan, how it's being presented, promises that taxpayers won't be exposed and the team's transparency.

About $150 million sought to rebuild Hillsborough College isn't in the first spending offers. Budget committee Chair Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, says the state won't act until stadium financing is complete.

Boggs, who finished his Hall of Fame baseball career with the Devil Rays, threw out a ceremonial first pitch before Friday's Boston-Tampa Bay game at Fenway Park.