Top News:
Associated Press:
Padres-Angels Preview — Bartolo Colon may be the ace of the Los Angeles Angels pitching staff, but he may have a tough time matching the performance of his replacement when he returns to the mound on Sunday for the first time in two months. — Colon tries to help the Los Angeles Angels …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Pitcher takes a big step — ARLINGTON — A few days ago, there was reason to worry. John Koronka's aura had faded. The man who was the surprise of the season had become predictable and not in a good way. — Koronka was not exactly his early-season self Saturday.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' attendance off more than 11 percent — Team president hopes success helps boost numbers — ARLINGTON - The Rangers are bracing for a dip in season attendance. — By the end of this homestand, the Rangers will have reached the halfway mark in home games for the season.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
NOTES — Young improves defense — ARLINGTON - Michael Young said the area he most wanted to improve in 2006 was defense. Once Young made that his focus, it was a pretty good bet he'd follow through. — So far, he has. Young, in his third year at shortstop after previously playing second base …
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Bombers cut Small, Beam up rook — WASHINGTON - Aaron Small appeared from nowhere last summer to help save the Yankees' season. Yesterday, he quietly faded away. — With Kyle Farnsworth likely sidelined for at least the weekend with back spasms, the Yanks needed to strengthen …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
For Yankees' Small, Rags to Riches to Rags — WASHINGTON, June 17 — In the last dozen years, Aaron Small has belonged to a dozen organizations. When the Yankees gave up on him Saturday, it hurt like nothing before. — Standing outside the visitors' clubhouse at R.F.K. Stadium in the morning …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Overcome A 7-Run Deficit — Ward Helps End Five-Game Skid: Nationals 11, Yankees 9 — The day could have ended hours earlier, shortly after New York Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon launched a grand slam. The pinstriped fans at RFK Stadium howled and danced, celebrating a seven-run lead.
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ESPN:
Ex-MLB'er Segui says he's player in FBI affidavit … David Segui, a 15-year major league baseball player who last was on an MLB roster in 2004, says he's one of the players whose names were redacted in the IRS affidavit that said Jason Grimsley received two kits of human growth hormone on April 19.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Vincent M. Mallozzi / New York Times:
Recalling the Time of the Signs at Shea — From 1964 to 1981, Karl Ehrhardt, a k a the Sign Man, shared his commentary about his beloved Mets. "I just called them the way I saw them," he said. — One recent morning in Queens, Karl Ehrhardt walked over to his bedroom closet and unlocked …
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Prospects won't skip by Omaha — Alex Gordon and Billy Butler will have to prove themselves in Class AAA before making it to KC. — HOUSTON - HOUSTON | Don't look for third baseman Alex Gordon to appear anytime soon in the Royals' lineup. Nor outfielder Billy Butler.
Pat Borzi / New York Times:
Celebration to Surgery For Three College Pitching Stars — Three sophomore pitchers — from left, Jeff Niemann, Wade Townsend and Philip Humber — helped Rice win the 2003 College World Series. They were among the first eight picks in the 2004 major league draft.
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Kris homers & Anna rants — It couldn't have been a better return to Shea for Kris Benson if his wife had scripted it herself. And saucy Anna Benson, part of the reason her husband was shipped out of town last winter, relished it while watching from behind home plate before launching into one of her trademark rants.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
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MLB.com:
Seaver spends Father's Day with fans — Hall of Famer fielded fans' questions online from Shea Stadium … Daniel_Fontanez: Tom, I grew up wearing a "Seaver" jersey and No. 41. Thank you for great memories! After listening to your commentary on SNY concerning Randy Johnson's pitching problems …
Newsday:
Like father, like son — Mets and Yanks who folowed their dads to the majors — After every game, when Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano gets back to his New Jersey apartment or his hotel room, his cell phone rings. — It's his father, Jose, a former pro pitcher who is calling with advice.
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Mauer, Twins' calculated risk, pays off — Maybe it was uncommon insight. Maybe guts. Maybe both. — Whatever the case, it worked, demonstrating once again that the best organizations in baseball are confident enough to chance screwing up. — Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan …
