Top News:
Associated Press:
Mets lose Martinez for playoffs due to torn leg tendon — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — ATLANTA — Pedro Martinez is out for the postseason after an exam Thursday showed the New York Mets ace has a torn tendon in his left calf muscle. — The Mets, who won their first NL East title since 1988 …
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Mets may be second-guessing Zito decision — Sorry, the Mets shouldn't be shocked that right-hander Pedro Martinez is out for the postseason. If anything, they should be grateful that the fragile Martinez is their only rotation casualty. — Left-hander Tom Glavine is 40. Right-hander Steve Trachsel is 35.
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:
Robinson 'at ease' after meeting with GM — WASHINGTON —If Frank Robinson's words didn't explicitly reveal that he'll be done as the Washington Nationals' manager at the end of this season, the tears filling his eyes Thursday sure seemed to get the message across.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Robinson won't return to Nationals — Washington not expected to renew manager's contract — WASHINGTON — Nationals president Stan Kasten and general manager Jim Bowden met separately with Frank Robinson on Thursday afternoon to discuss the manager's future.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Mariners to retain Bavasi, Hargrove — General manager and manager will be back for the '07 season — SEATTLE — In an open letter to season-ticket holders Thursday, the Mariners confirmed general manager Bill Bavasi and manager Mike Hargrove will return for the 2007 season.
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DMZ / U.S.S. Mariner:
Mariners to season ticket holders: Bavasi, Hargrove to return — With commentary. Short version: Lincoln/Armstrong says "Bill Bavasi will continue to lead our baseball operations and Mike Hargrove will continue to manage the team." — The full letter, with extra snarky comments, after the break.
Associated Press:
Hodges, Santo head Veterans Committee ballot — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — Gil Hodges, Ron Santo, Tony Oliva and Jim Kaat are among the 27 players on next year's Veterans Committee ballot for the Hall of Fame announced Thursday. — Umpire Doug Harvey, former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley …
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:
Wood can't throw away 'obligation' — Rehabbing pitcher feels he owes Cubs 'what they paid for' — Saying he has ''something to prove,'' Kerry Wood said Wednesday he wants to return to the Cubs next season to fulfill ''an obligation'' as the pitcher he was projected to be.
Discussion:
1060west
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Associated Press:
Brewers won't renew contracts of three coaches — ST. LOUIS — The Milwaukee Brewers began an offseason overhaul Thursday, announcing that batting coach Butch Wynegar and first-base coach Dave Nelson will not be offered contracts for next year. — General manager Doug Melvin said the remainder …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
The Yankees' Game 1 Pitcher? Wang. The Lineup? All Stars. — There were 20 uniformed players on the field at Yankee Stadium for the national anthem last night. Eleven were All-Stars from the Staten Island team that played in the Little League World Series last month.
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Loney has career day in Coors slugfest — Rookie ties single-game franchise record with nine RBIs — DENVER — Rookie James Loney tied Gil Hodges' 56-year-old franchise single-game record with nine RBIs on Thursday as the Dodgers completed a series sweep with a classic 19-11 Coors Field slugfest victory over the Rockies.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Tekulve had hand in Torres' ascent — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Kent Tekulve soon could lose his claim to the Pirates' record for pitching appearances, but he still will be able to take some credit for it. — Three years ago at spring training …
Discussion:
The Parrot
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Garciaparra Gets a Break Today — DENVER — Nomar Garciaparra started Wednesday at first base for the Dodgers, after leaving Tuesday's game because of a strained oblique muscle. He also is playing with a strained quadriceps muscle, and he grimaced noticeably upon reaching first after a single in the first inning.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Padres turn to ace for final series — San Diego (85-73) at Arizona (75-83), 6:40 p.m. PT — The familiar cliche applies. The marathon really is a sprint now. It all comes down to the final series in Arizona, just as Padres manager Bruce Bochy has been forecasting seemingly since the opening week of the season.
Associated Press:
Astros keep rolling, blank Pirates to extend winning streak to nine — CBS SportsLine.com wire reports — PITTSBURGH — They needed nearly five hours to win the night before. This time, they waited for 3½ hours just to play. Time is running out on the Houston Astros, but it's not stopping them from winning.
