Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Bullpen Coach Wetteland Is Given the Boot — The Washington Nationals fired bullpen coach John Wetteland yesterday, a move made at the behest of Manager Frank Robinson, who said he could no longer put up with what he considered to be a long line of transgressions and insubordination that was affecting the chemistry of his relief corps.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Rockies Complete Sweep Of Nats — When the latest humiliation ended and an 8-1 thrashing at the hands of the Colorado Rockies became official, Frank Robinson remained on the top step of the home dugout at RFK Stadium. He turned to face his team as they scooped up their belongings and headed to the clubhouse.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Wetteland let go as bullpen coach — Former closer had disagreements with manager Robinson — WASHINGTON — After Thursday's loss to the Rockies, the Nationals dismissed bullpen coach John Wetteland because of philosophical differences with manager Frank Robinson.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Ross homers a day after being hit in jaw with pitch — MIAMI GARDENS — Outfielder Cody Ross was back in the starting lineup Thursday — and homered in his first at-bat — one day after getting hit in the jaw with a fastball. — Ross' jaw still was sore and his lower lip was swollen …
Discussion:
Ben Maller
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Top pick agrees to deal; signing bonus $1.525M — · The Marlins on Thursday agreed to terms with first-round draft pick Brett Sinkbeil, a right-hander out of Missouri State. — Sinkbeil, who will receive a $1.525 million signing bonus, is expected in South Florida today for a news conference.
NY Daily News:
Milledge's clock is alarming — PHILADELPHIA - Lastings Milledge arrived in the clubhouse at 11:55 a.m., only 70 minutes before yesterday's first pitch, prompting a second straight day of tutorials on how to conduct oneself in the majors. A day after Willie Randolph thought Milledge …
Discussion:
the metropolitans
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets running away — End 9-1 trip ahead by 9 1/2 — PHILADELPHIA - Omar Minaya drove down the New Jersey Turnpike for yesterday's crowning achievement on a historic road trip. And after a 5-4 win that completed a sweep of the second-place Phillies, the Mets GM openly acknowledged …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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J. Weitzel / Beerleaguer:
Feeling hangover, Phils hope to avoid series burn — Is there really another game starting in an hour? It wasn't even enough time to pop an Advil. — This morning, I feel like David Bell looks. Scratchy. A little greasy. Pasty, like uncooked chicken. A little wobbled, like I spent the night on a college couch.
Bernie Wilson / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres fire Magadan as hitting coach, hire Rettenmund — SAN DIEGO - With the worst team batting average in the NL and the third-fewest homers in the majors, the San Diego Padres fired Dave Magadan as hitting coach on Thursday and replaced him with the popular Merv Rettenmund.
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Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Padres lose, choose new/old hitting guru — Dave Magadan walked into Bruce Bochy's office at Petco Park yesterday afternoon thinking the Padres were making a player move. — "But as soon as I sat down, I knew that wasn't the case," said Magadan. "It was me."
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox fire back with Buehrle, not beanballs — ARLINGTON, Texas — Mark Buehrle was the most effective form of retaliation Thursday night against Texas. — Buehrle limited the Rangers to six hits in eight innings of an 8-2 victory that helped the White Sox restore peace after Wednesday night's debacle.
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
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MLB.com:
Floyd: Nothing like winning in New York — There's still a lot of baseball left, but there is no feeling like winning in New York. Our fans here have been unbelievable and I look forward to giving them something to cheer about this season. — It's been hard for Mets fans in recent years, certainly since I joined the team in 2003.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Los Angeles Times:
Not a 'Character Guy,' Bradley Still a Character — OAKLAND — Milton Bradley playing on the same field here as the Raiders, now tell me that isn't apropos, and the easy cheap shot. — But then I've always liked Bradley, find him engaging and competitive and still maintain he could have become …
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
RANGERS NOTES — Guillen likes Young as All-Star — ARLINGTON - Derek Jeter is a virtual lock to start at shortstop in the All-Star Game for the American League as the league's top vote-getter at any position. Should Miguel Tejada finish ahead of Michael Young in the player vote …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
David Lennon / Newsday:
From dark days, a whole new ballgame — PHILADELPHIA — Cliff Floyd remembers when there was no light at the end of the tunnel. So do Tom Glavine and Steve Trachsel. Which makes what is happening with the Mets this season that much sweeter for the longest-tenured members on the club.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Phil Sheridan / Philly.com:
Phillies can't simply 'settle' for wild card — The nicest thing you can say about the Phillies' performance yesterday is also the most damning thing you can say about them as a team: — It is notable that they turned in a competitive, professional performance against the New York Mets.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Michael Lazarus / Fox Sports:
Mets' Glavine could be headed for a fall — Tom Glavine may still be tied for the Major League lead in victories, but he may be pitching on borrowed time. — One of the bigger surprises of the first month of 2006 was not just Glavine's resurgence after three so-so seasons in New York, but the way he was doing it.
