Top News:
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
It never gets old — Ortiz rescues Sox once again — Many members of the 1986 Red Sox undoubtedly remain haunted by the sudden turn of events in the World Series nearly 20 years ago, when a near-certain victory slipped away in extra innings at Shea Stadium.
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Howard Kussoy / MLB.com:
Sox, Mets meet 20 years after Series — Boston (45-28) vs, New York (47-28), 7:05 p.m. ET — Twenty years ago, millions of baseball fans were mesmerized by the unimaginable drama of the 1986 World Series between the Red Sox and the Mets, but rookie sensation Jon Lester was just a 2-year-old infant …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
'86 Mets: Collage without clarity — Series champs finally taking center stage to take deep bow — Nearly 20 years have passed since Jesse Orosco tossed his glove skyward and into history, nearly 20 years since the Mets ruled the baseball universe and embraced the World Series trophy.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Saluting the spirit of '86 — There was not much buzz about them when they first gathered in Winter Haven, Fla., late in February 1986. Greater Boston was still reeling from the Patriots' maiden voyage to the Super Bowl (which ended in a severe beating by the Chicago Bears) …
John Tomase / Boston Herald:
You can't pitch to Papi — Perhaps it's not our place to offer …
You can't pitch to Papi — Perhaps it's not our place to offer …
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Tony Jackson / L.A. Daily News:
L.A. closing in — on a starter? Dodgers on verge of acquiring Hendrickson — MINNEAPOLIS - The Dodgers' struggling rotation might be on the verge of getting some help. — Following Monday night's game, an 8-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins in front of 22,528 at the Metrodome …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Dodgers, Devil Rays swap catchers, pitchers — The Dodgers have acquired left-hander Mark Hendrickson and catcher Toby Hall from the Devil Rays for right-hander Jae Seo, catcher Dioner Navarro and a player to be named, FOXSports.com has learned. — Hendrickson, 4-8 with a 3.81 ERA …
Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Love Him, or Love Him a Lot — BOSTON, June 26 — Four compact discs lay on the front desk at a small music store in Jamaica Plain, waiting for Pedro Martínez to come in and claim them. "I'm sure he's going to stop by," said Franklin Cabral, owner of Franklin's CDs.
Discussion:
Ben Maller
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David Lennon / Newsday:
The monster mash? — Fenway faithful's reaction to Pedro's return is up in the air
The monster mash? — Fenway faithful's reaction to Pedro's return is up in the air
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Having that selfless approach … Baseball is a game of intangibles. It is a game that requires doing "the little things,'' which can mean something as big as barreling over a catcher or as subtle as a whisper in the ear of a teammate after a good or bad at-bat.
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Marrero Signs On With the Nationals — The Washington Nationals came to terms with their top draft choice, high school outfielder Chris Marrero of Miami, last night, an agreement that means the team's two first-round picks from the draft this month both eschewed college scholarship offers …
David Lennon / Newsday:
Randolph: No hard feelings — BOSTON — Old loyalties die hard, especially when it comes to the Red Sox and Yankees, which is why Pedro Martinez wanted to make sure that playing for Willie Randolph would not be a problem if he ultimately decided to sign with the Mets back in the winter of 2004.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Field maneuvers — Defensive efficiency keeping Padres in contention — General Manager Kevin Towers stood in the Padres dugout before Friday's game and surveyed his players as they fielded fungo shots. — "With our type of club right now, if we don't play good defense, we would be in trouble," he said.
Jay Jaffe / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Hit List — Week of June 25 — Rk — Team — Overall W-L — Week W-L — Hit List Factor — Trend — The first team to win 50, and for those looking for omens, the last two times the Tigers did that—1968 and 1984—culminated in champagne corks popping.
Discussion:
Futility Infielder …
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Mets' Reyes Is Becoming A Superstar — Baseball players get hot all the time, and it's usually best not to make too much of it. Over a week or a month the best hitter in the league can hit .100, and the worst can hit .400. It's part of the nature of the game; more than in any of the other team sports …
Baseball Crank:
Scouting Valentin — One of the decisions the Mets have coming up is what to do about second base: stick with Jose Valentin or go get an upgrade. Statistical analysis of the situation is important, but let's not forget that the numbers can only take you up to a point; sometimes …
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Rehab first step for Pena — Wily Mo Pena will head out on a minor-league rehabilitation as an outfielder, but it is hoped that he will return to the Red Sox as a capable, reserve first baseman. — Pena, who had a fractured hamate bone removed from his left hand at the end of May …
Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers showing patience with Tejeda — DENVER — The Rangers have done a wonderful job of trying to make the David Dellucci-Robinson Tejeda trade look like a good one. Three times this year, they've called Tejeda to the big leagues from Oklahoma, and, well, it's been less than an artistic success.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
MLB: The only farce is Rocker's recent comments … John Rocker claims that sensitivity training is a "farce," and adds that he never paid a dime of the $500 fine levied against him for racist and homophobic remarks six years ago. — According to Major League Baseball, Rocker either has a bad memory or an overly active imagination.