PHILADELPHIA — Joe Torre said that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel asked him to be part of the National League coaching staff for the All-Star game in St. Louis on July 14.

Torre is 5-0-1 as a manager in the Midsummer Classic. He led the AL team to a victory in 2004 in his last appearance as manager..

BALTIMORE — Rachel Alexandra was made the early 8-5 favorite for the Preakness Stakes, the first filly accorded that status since 1988. She brings a five-race winning streak into Saturday's 1 3-16-mile race at Pimlico.

MIAMI — Jason Taylor's newest step has him back where he started. The dancing linebacker signed a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins.

GROVE CITY — Butler graduate Charlie Roth, a senior on the Grove City College track amd field team, is one of 12 GCC athletes to qualify for the ECAC Division III Track and Field Championships today and Friday at Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.Roth will run a leg of Grove City's 400-meter relay.

St. Jude Golf Club member Sean Knapp carded a 3-under-par 69 to finish first in the USGA Open local qualifier Tuesday at Quicksilver Golf Course.Knapp joined Travis Dickson, David Brown, Gordon Vietmeier and Justin Moose in moving on in the qualifying process.

SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University outfielder Courtney Vincent has received first team All-Atlantic Region softball honors by Daktronics, Inc.Vincent led The Rock with a .448 batting average this season and led the PSAC with 34 stolen bases. She owns a school-record 86 stolen bases in 93 tries during her career.