Top News:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
He's back — Martínez, eyeing Fenway return, has had a striking impact on Mets — NEW YORK — His words are absent the bitterness he expressed at his parting from the Red Sox 18 months ago. When he returns next week to Fenway Park for the first time since leaving the Sox …
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Hot Foot
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Lester swept up in fun — Lefthander whiffs 10 to finish off Nationals — It was with a small, understated fist pump, and a wipe of the face with the top of his jersey that Jon Lester found a way to celebrate the 92-mile-per-hour fastball that exploded past Matthew LeCroy …
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Boston Sports Media Watch
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:Arms buildup continues with deal for Johnson
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Johnny: Sox fans should hail Pedro — PHILADELPHIA - When the Mets go to Boston next week for Pedro Martinez's first trip to Fenway since leaving town, Johnny Damon hopes the ex-Red Sox ace hears the cheers Damon didn't when he went back. — "He was an absolute god there," Damon said.
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Pen pitches in for Jaret win — Five Yankees hold Phils to zeroes — PHILADELPHIA - The Yankees are missing two of their top sluggers because Hideki Matsui and Gary Sheffield are injured, losses that might cripple other teams. But, as Derek Jeter put it, "what we have is what we have.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Ten Things I Didn't Know Last Week — David Riske is now the highest-paid member of the White Sox's bullpen. — When the White Sox traded Javy Lopez to the Red Sox for David Riske, the cost of Chicago's bullpen rose about 45%. Riske only makes $1.8 million a year, but the Sox bullpen …
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insidethebook.com
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Jay Mariotti / Chicago Sun Times:
Sensitivity the issue, Guillen the problem — Try as I do, it's hard to view sports as some sort of guiding light for humankind. You want to believe in this stuff after sitting in a Dallas arena and watching Dwyane Wade, a credit to his hometown and as humble as he is spectacular …
Associated Press:
Padres-Rangers Preview — The Texas Rangers ' current stretch of interleague games started off promising, but now the team is hoping to stave off a slump. — The Rangers look to avoid being swept for the second time overall this season when they wrap up their three-game series …
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Ducksnorts
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Troy Phillips / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Four ex-Rangers a fit with Padres — ARLINGTON — Around every corner this week in the San Diego Padres clubhouse is a former Ranger. Here, there, everywhere, it seems. — Four ex-Rangers now don Padres gear for the National League West co-leaders. Says one perennial All-Star now with the team …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Hensley on the hill in series finale — San Diego (38-33) at Texas (38-34), 11:05 a.m. PT — A native Texan, from Pearland outside Houston, Clay Hensley figures to be in his element as temperatures head toward triple digits on Thursday as the Padres engage the Rangers in the finale of the series and road trip.
Associated Press:
Feds want to know who leaked grand jury testimony — SAN FRANCISCO — The Bush administration urged a federal judge Wednesday to force two San Francisco Chronicle reporters to divulge who leaked them secret grand jury testimony of Barry Bonds and other athletes who took part in the government's probe …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Contra Costa Times:
Lowry's lowered velocity raises concern — Giants notebook — SAN FRANCISCO — Noah Lowry's diminished velocity aroused manager Felipe Alou's concern Wednesday. — Alou called Lowry's stuff "very mild," citing the left-hander's fastball, which often ranged in the 84-85 mph neighborhood.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Ump stands by foul call on Teixeira blast — ARLINGTON - The umpires could feel the Rangers pain. — Bill Welke, the first base umpire who called Mark Teixeira's potential game-winning home run foul in the bottom of the ninth Tuesday, said the call was extremely difficult to make.
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Wood realizes he might be done for year — CLEVELAND — Kerry Wood has no concrete answers about what the rest of the season holds for him. Asked if he has doubts about whether he'll pitch again this season, Wood acknowledged that uncertainty is clouding his mind as he continues to work …
