Top News:
Mark Kreidler / ESPN:
No raves for Ozzie's rants … Can we all agree that certain words are so potentially hurtful they should be used either rarely or never? — Good. Then let's not call it a suspension. Let's call it an intervention. — C'mon, White Sox, rescue your guy before he goes Archie Bunker on the rest of the world.
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Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
Mariotti takes Sox, Sun-Times to task — Columnist also says Guillen should be suspended for slur — A day after Ozzie Guillen slammed him in an obscenity-laced tirade, Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti fired back at the White Sox. — That response was expected.
ESPN:
Guillen calls columnist Mariotti homosexual slur — On Tuesday to reporters, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen referred to Chicago Sun-Times columnist and Around the Horn contributor Jay Mariotti as a derogatory name for a homosexual. — Angry with a recent column by Mariotti critical …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Guillen offers apology — White Sox manager acknowledges poor choice of words — CHICAGO — A.J. Pierzynski pleaded ignorance to the situation. — Paul Konerko claimed the White Sox are used to Ozzie Guillen's outspoken nature, but the players "wouldn't trade him for anybody else."
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Greg Couch / Chicago Sun Times:
Guillen crosses line with latest slur — Ozzie Guillen was wearing a White Sox uniform. He was talking to a bunch of reporters, maybe 20 of them taking notes or holding tape recorders. He was sitting in the White Sox' dugout. — And these are the words that came from the face …
Paxton Crawford / ESPN:
'It's like playing with fire' … Paxton Crawford was a top pitching prospect who went 5-1 in 15 games for the Red Sox in 2000 and 2001. Then back problems — which he blames on steroid use — derailed the right-hander's career, which ended in the minors in 2005.
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Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Lester looks for repeat performance — Boston (41-28) vs, Washington (32-41), 7:05 p.m. ET — When the Red Sox attempt to sweep their first series of a nine-game Interleague homestand on Wednesday night against the Nationals, the teams will be sending out two pitchers who are short …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Little Asks Izturis to Switch to Third Base — The Dodgers, unsure whether Bill Mueller will play again this season and unconvinced that Willy Aybar can play third base every day, told Cesar Izturis on Tuesday that he is their new third baseman. — "That's the only spot we've got," Izturis said.
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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Angels salvage series finale — Izturis' bases-clearing double in the eighth propels club — SAN FRANCISCO — It was Jeff Weaver's turn on Wednesday to provide some quality innings, yet be denied a victory. — But in a positive twist to the story, the offense responded with a late-inning rally …
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Kristen Zimmerman / minorleaguebaseball.com:
Youth is served in Futures Game rosters — Maybin, Liz and Hughes to take field on All-Star Sunday — They come from all over the world and are at different stages of their professional careers but have one thing in common — Major League potential. — The 50 Minor Leaguers that adorn …
Damian Cristodero / St. Petersburg Times:
Gathright gets a fresh start; Rays get an arm — ST. PETERSBURG - Just like that, Joey Gathright went from minor-league afterthought to starting centerfielder. All it took was a trade to the Royals. — The Devil Rays on Tuesday dealt Gathright and minor-league infielder Fernando Cortez …
Discussion:
DRays Bay
Wayne Coffey / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Finding out what it's like to be the Melk Man — NEW YORK - Melky Cabrera began playing baseball at age 3, with a stick and a rock and a plea to anyone who visited the family's humble roadside home on Carretera Sanchez, in the village of Haina, not far from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.
Bill Simmons / ESPN:
Papelbon is a perfect fit in 'pen — Editor's note: This article appears in the July 3 issue of ESPN The Magazine. — Trick question: Who was the best sixth man in NBA history? — Answer: Larry Bird. The Basketball Jesus missed five games in March 1982 after absorbing an errant elbow.
Discussion:
Off the Facade
Steve Herrick / MLB.com:
Zambrano takes on the Tribe — Chicago Cubs (27-43) at Cleveland (32-38), 6:05 p.m. CT — CLEVELAND — Manager Dusty Baker hopes to see the economical Carlos Zambrano against the Indians on Wednesday night. — Zambrano got a no-decision in his last start, on June 15 against Houston.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
ESPN:
MLB Transactions — Acquired pitcher Jason Johnson from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named or cash considerations; optioned pitcher Kyle Snyder to Pawtucket of the International League (AAA); announced outfielder Dustan Mohr has elected free agency instead of accepting an outright assignment to Pawtucket.
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds