The food-stamp economy
On the last day of every month, shoppers at Walmart load their carts with food and household items and wait for the midnight hour. Is this the new normal in America? Full Article
Youkilis and Ramirez win Hank Aaron Award
PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis and Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez were honored on Sunday as winners of the Hank Aaron Award as the most outstanding offensive performers in each league.
Ramirez batted .289 with 97 runs scored, a career-high 44 doubles, 27 home runs, 111 runs batted in and a .380 on-base percentage in helping the Cubs to the National League's best record (97-64) this season.
In close-and-late situations, the 30-year-old batted .423 (30-for-71) with nine home runs and 29 RBIs, while 11 of his 27 home runs gave the Cubs the lead in games.
Youkilis set career-bests with a .312 batting average, 43 doubles, 29 home runs and 115 RBIs, and batted .374 with runners in scoring position.
Youkilis, who shifted to third base late in the season after Mike Lowell was sidelined by injury, collected 16 home runs and 62 RBI in his last 61 games of the season to help the Red Sox claim the AL wildcard.
More than 230,000 votes cast on Major League Baseball's website (www.mlb.com) determined the winners.
The pair were presented with their awards by commissioner Bud Selig before Game Four of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays.
Aaron was also at the presentation.
(Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
