Happy Mother's Day, guys

In honor of Mother's Day, here are some players whose names conjure memories of a loved mom:

Chad Billingsley, Dodgers righthander. Many years ago, Barbara Billingsley played the impeccably dressed June Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver. According to a Harris Poll survey that was done last month, she is still America's most favorite TV mom. Solid and dependable are words that described her. Sort of like the Dodgers' blossoming starting pitcher. No word on whether he does house chores in a dress and pearls.

Dave Bush, Brewers. We wonder if first lady Laura Bush has a better fastball than the Milwaukee righthander, who is 0-4 with a 6.98 ERA. His 2008 salary: $2.55 million.

Neal Heaton. He pitched for seven clubs in a mediocre 12-year career that ended in 1993, and he had a fastball that was like the personality of Everyone Loves Raymond's Patricia Heaton - biting.

Kyle Graham, a long-ago pitcher with the Braves and Tigers. Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), High&Inside's favorite TV mom, oozed personality. So did Kyle Graham. In The Ballplayers: Baseball's Ultimate Biographical Reference, it was reported that Graham had just purchased a hot dog when he was called in as a reliever for the Tigers in a 1929 game against the Philadelphia A's. Told that Mickey Cochrane, Al Simmons and Jimmie Foxx were coming to bat, Graham quipped: "Leave this hot dog alone. I'll be right back."

Spending spree?

The NL East-leading Florida Marlins, who have a history of dealing away star players before they get too expensive, are trying to eliminate their cheapskate image.

The Marlins and shortstop Hanley Ramirez have agreed to a six-year, $70 million contract extension, sources said.

The deal would be the biggest in Marlins' history - and would be much higher than one signed by the Phillies' Jimmy Rollins in 2005; the Fish have a $21 million payroll this year.

In 2005, Rollins signed a five-year, $40 million extension; if the Phils pick up the club option for 2011, Rollins would have a six-year, $48.5 million contract.

Florida plans to build a new stadium in Miami's Little Havana district, and locking up Ramirez - who would have been eligible for arbitration after this season - would give them a superstar to build around in 2011, when the ballpark is scheduled to open.

He's no Steve Swisher

Cubs outfielder Kosuke Fukudome received most of the preseason hype, but it's his teammate, catcher Geovany Soto, who is the league's early rookie-of-the-year frontrunner.

Soto, 25, entered yesterday leading rookies in batting average (.333), RBIs (24) and on-base percentage (.434), and he was second among NL rookies with six homers.

Notable

St. Louis' Jason Isringhausen blew his major-league-high fifth save Friday, causing manager Tony La Russa to demote the closer. Former Phillies Ryan Franklin and Russ Springer will split the closer's role.

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Contact staff writer Sam Carchidi at 215-854-5181

or scarchidi@phillynews.com.