Top News:
Associated Press:
If it's 'best for team,' Smoltz says he's open to trade talk — ATLANTA — John Smoltz said he's ready to leave Atlanta if a trade can help the last-place Braves. — The 17-year veteran, who's played his entire career in Atlanta, said his once-firm opinion against leaving the Braves changed this year.
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: Smoltz not seeking trade — Veteran right-hander can veto any move — ATLANTA — Wearing his usual smile and showing no signs of being a disgruntled employee, John Smoltz came to Turner Field on Tuesday afternoon and proclaimed there's no reason for anybody to believe he's seeking a trade.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Red Sox seek to extend streak — Boston (40-28) vs. Washington (32-40), 7:05 p.m. ET — Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox seem to be making a weekly habit of proving that a pitcher's record is one of the more deceptive statistics in baseball. — In 2005, Wakefield finished with 16 wins and a 4.15 ERA.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Armas Jr., Johnson hurting — No DL decision has been made as players return to D.C. — BOSTON — Nationals right-hander Tony Armas Jr. and first baseman Nick Johnson returned to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to be checked out by Dr. Ben Schaffer. Armas has elbow and forearm problems …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
No Relief From the Nationals' Starter — Hernandez Lasts Only 12/3 Innings: Red Sox 11, Nationals 3 — BOSTON, June 20 — Here were the two guys to defy any obsession with radar guns, who respond to urges for harder and faster with softer and slower. Tim Wakefield took the mound Tuesday night …
Associated Press:
Padres-Rangers Preview — The Texas Rangers look to extend their winning streak to four when they begin a three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Ameriquest Field on Tuesday. — The Rangers (38-32) swept Arizona in three games over the weekend and are looking to win four straight …
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Eyes of Young are on Texas — Nostalgia's a no-show for return to Arlington — Ask Chris Young about Texas and you'll hear about San Diego. Ask him about his days with the Rangers, and expect to hear about the Padres. — Nostalgia won't be part of Young's experience tomorrow …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Left in the dark — There is a hilarious commercial playing on the radio these days.
Left in the dark — There is a hilarious commercial playing on the radio these days.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Matt Eagan / Hartford Courant:
Sox Dealt An Ace In Arroyo — NEW YORK — Almost two hours before the first pitch Monday, Bronson Arroyo sat inside the visitors clubhouse at Shea Stadium scanning MLB.com and glancing at the College World Series on television. — Dressed in a white, button-down shirt adorned with loopy brown circles …
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
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David Briggs / MLB.com:
Home-field matters — Garner, Guillen will play to win 2006 All-Star Game — PITTSBURGH — Last year's Fall Classic won't be lost on Phil Garner when he manages the National League in next month's Midsummer Classic. — His Astros were swept by Chicago, but Garner knows the complexion …
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Keith Law / ESPN:
Devil Rays deal Gathright to Royals for LHP Howell … The Kansas City Royals have traded left-handed pitcher J.P. Howell to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for center fielder Joey Gathright, ESPN.com has learned. — The Rays also sent minor league second baseman Fernando Cortez to the Royals in that deal.
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Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
Segui: I told O's about need for hGH … Former Orioles first baseman David Segui, who revealed over the weekend that he is one of the players named in Jason Grimsley's affidavit on drug use in baseball, said Tuesday that he informed the club in 2003 that he had obtained a prescription for human growth hormone.
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Damon, Yanks rally to upend Phillies — Center fielder laces go-ahead two-run triple in four-run eighth — PHILADELPHIA — It appeared as though the Yankees had run out of chances on Tuesday after Ryan Howard's seventh RBI of the night gave the Phillies a two-run lead in the seventh inning.
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Baseball Won't Save Samples For Testing — While Commissioner Bud Selig reiterated that Major League Baseball was eventually hoping to find a urine test to detect human growth hormone, he said he did not envision freezing urine samples from baseball players for future testing.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Bill Simmons / ESPN:
State of the NBA Finals — Forget about who's winning the championship. I'm starting to feel like the future of the NBA is at stake. — We just spent the past two months raving about the "New And Improved" NBA — end-to-end action, loads of points, dramatic endings …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Pitching staff down to 12 — Barnwell called up, Simpson designated for assignment — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers made a flurry of roster moves on Tuesday afternoon to allow veteran right-hander Rick Helling to join the starting rotation and to bolster the infield depth behind him.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Steve Lombardi / WasWatching.com:
It's A-Rod Season! — I just noticed the following entry over at NoMaas.org - … Related, Peter Abraham has an A-Rod "clutch" stat in his blog today: … Around three weeks ago, I looked at A-Rod's numbers this season in a different light. — And, I thought that I would re-look at them today.
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