Top News:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards notebook: Ponson will start — Ponson will start — Sidney Ponson learned shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday that he will return to the starting rotation Sunday. His rapid response was a bullpen session that left him soaked in perspiration but anticipating his approaching second chance.
Discussion:
Cardinals Diaspora
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Reyes throws one-hitter, Sox still win — CHICAGO — Thursday's first jolt occurred when manager Tony La Russa penned Albert Pujols' name into the No. 3 spot in the batting order after 18 days on the disabled list and at least one day earlier than expected.
Winter Olympics / Chicago Sun Times:
Baker's days appear numbered — MINNEAPOLIS — The clock is close to officially ticking down what a growing number of close observers now suspect will be the final weeks of Dusty Baker's tenure as Cubs manager. — It might be perceived more correctly as a time bomb.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Futile lords? '06 Cubs in bad company — When the Cubs began to become respectable in the late 1960s after 20 years of second-division finishes, columnist Mike Royko decried the rise of bandwagon-jumping fans. "Are they really Cubs fans?" Royko wrote in a 1968 Chicago Daily News column.
Discussion:
1060west
Jamey Eisenberg / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins rally to stun Orioles — BALTIMORE — The Marlins' biggest comeback of the season might have been their most miraculous. — Back-to-back pinch-hit home runs by Joe Borchard and Wes Helms in the bottom of the ninth and a single by Miguel Cabrera while he was being intentionally walked …
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Andrew Ryan / Associated Press:
Phillies ace arrested in Boston on domestic violence charge — BOSTON —Philadelphia Phillies ace pitcher Brett Myers was arrested Friday and charged with assaulting his wife on a downtown Boston street. — Myers, 25, who was scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Red Sox …
Discussion:
Deadspin
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Associated Press:
Phillies' Myers charged with assaulting wife in Boston — BOSTON — Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers was arrested Friday and charged with hitting his wife in the face on a street not far from Fenway Park. — Myers, who was scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Red Sox …
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Darren Everson / NY Daily News:
Delgado first, then Pedro — Before Pedro Martinez visits Fenway for the first time since leaving the Red Sox, the Mets' reunion tour has another stop to make. — The Mets are at Toronto tonight through Sunday, meaning Carlos Delgado will face his former team for the first time.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
DELGADO IS HOPING FOR TORONTO CHEERS
DELGADO IS HOPING FOR TORONTO CHEERS
Discussion:
the metropolitans
Ross Newhan / Los Angeles Times:
No Quick Fixes for Angels — Stoneman does things his way, even as fans grow more impatient — The Angels' general manager has been on the job for seven seasons, indisputably the most successful period in club history, a renaissance on the field and at the gate.
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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Elliott Almond / Contra Costa Times:
Conte may have leaked transcripts — The BALCO saga took a bizarre turn Thursday when Barry Bonds' personal trainer appeared in federal court and the government accidentally revealed confidential information that put Victor Conte Jr. back in the spotlight. — The San Jose Mercury News learned …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Emily Fredrix / Associated Press:
Woman charged with stalking Uecker arrested, awaiting extradition — Woman charged with stalking Uecker arrested, awaiting extradition — MILWAUKEE (AP) — A woman charged with stalking Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker was arrested in Illinois and turned over to U.S. Marshals to await extradition to Wisconsin, police said.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Rick Morrissey / Chicago Tribune:
The right way: You write it, you show up — Sometimes I get the feeling that what I do for a living is a complete mystery to people. — Mostly I get this feeling when readers tell me to stick to the facts and stop introducing opinion into my columns. — This is like telling Mike Ditka to stop with the red meat already.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
A Legend's Uncertain Future — The past is the past, and no one's taking it away from Frank Robinson, least of all those in Baltimore, where he will arrive today to manage the 2,155th game of his major league career. "I am attached to Baltimore," he said this week, "and I always will be."
Discussion:
MLB.com, The Curly W, District of Baseball, William F. Yurasko's …, Capitol Punishment and Ben Maller
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — The Fight for Youth — I hope everyone will read UTK for the info you expect, then keep reading after Quick Cuts. The extended piece is too long to put up top, but needs to be read by everyone, especially if you're involved in youth baseball.
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Bank on Hank: Blalock keys Rangers' 5-3 win — ARLINGTON - Cleanup hitter Hank Blalock showed again in Thursday's 5-3 win over San Diego why his bat is critical in clutch situations. But where exactly does his bat belong in the lineup? — Blalock went 2-for-4 and had the winning two-run double in the fifth inning.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Notes: Phillips ready for Cleveland — Second baseman returns to face team that traded him away — NEW YORK — Brandon Phillips doesn't just get to return to Cleveland on Friday. — The second baseman gets to return to Jacobs Field with a successful and thriving career outlook …