Top News:
Jim Street / MLB.com:
For 12th time, Pudge honored for his 'D' — American League Gold Glove winners include seven repeats — A battery that helped power the Detroit Tigers into the American League playoffs for the first time in 19 years came equipped with a golden touch. — Left-handed starter Kenny Rogers …
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ESPN:
Dirty dozen for Pudge; sixth for Chavez, Hunter, Ichiro — Detroit Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez captured his record 12th Rawlings Gold Glove Award, highlighting the list of American League winners announced Thursday. — Rodriguez, who won for the first time since 2004 …
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Jeter wins third straight Gold Glove — Yankees shortstop receives 57th such honor in club history — NEW YORK — Derek Jeter added another piece of hardware to his trophy case on Thursday, capturing his third consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Award. — "The Gold Glove Award means a great deal to me," Jeter said in a statement.
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Grudzielanek snags Gold Glove — Second baseman wins defensive honor for first time — KANSAS CITY — For the last few years, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek wondered why a Rawlings Gold Glove Award never had come his way. — Now, for the first time, it has, and he finds the award has some extra meaning.
Discussion:
Royals Review
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Gold Gloves for Rogers-Pudge battery — Lefty wins fifth; Rodriguez extends catchers' record with No. 12 — The team that made pitchers' fielding practice a household term in the World Series last week ended up with a Gold Glove Award-winning battery. — The team that once led …
Discussion:
Tiger Tales
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Let the bidding for Matsuzaka begin — Japanese pitcher's negotiating rights formally posted by Lions — The clock has begun ticking on Daisuke Matsuzaka, the pitching sensation who was formally "posted" by his Japan League club on Thursday afternoon. — The Seibu Lions' move officially …
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Let the bidding begin — Seattle backs off Matsuzaka battle; Yanks, Mets in race — TOKYO — Shortly after the Seibu Lions announced here on Wednesday their intention to post Daisuke Matsuzaka, the competitive landscape for the bidding war was beginning to take shape half a world away.
James Rainey / Los Angeles Times:
Tribune draws unexciting bids for firm, seeks offers for units — After receiving a handful of unimpressive bids for the company, Tribune Co. is soliciting offers for individual properties in its portfolio, which include the Los Angeles Times, KTLA-TV Channel 5 and the Chicago Cubs.
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Flannery seeks adventure — Why would Tim Flannery leave the security of the Padres broadcasting booth for the uncertainty of a third-base coaching job with the Giants? — "For adventure and excitement," Flannery said yesterday after confirming that he has agreed to join Bruce Bochy's Giants staff.
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Selig Sees a Billion Reasons to Open a Season in China — As Commissioner Bud Selig stood on the field at Japan's Tokyo Dome in 2004, he spoke excitedly about the importance of continuing to expand Major League Baseball internationally. Selig was not specific, but geographically speaking, he was peeking even farther west.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Meet the Mets — TOKYO — It used to be the Mets couldn't get an audience with the mayor of their own city. But here in Tokyo on Thursday, a contingent of David Wright, Jose Reyes and John Maine visited with Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, in his downtown office.
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers extend Dombrowski's contract — Four-year deal keeps executive in Detroit through 2011 season — DETROIT — The Tigers' comeback from 119 losses to the World Series in three years will mean a long stay for Dave Dombrowski, who agreed on Thursday to a four-year contract extension to remain with the Tigers through 2011.
Mike Carminati / Baseball Prospectus:
Is the Best of Five the Worst of Series? — I can't write five words but that I change seven. —Dorothy "Don't Call Me Dave" Parker — Even though they comprise just a quarter of the playoff teams each year, we have not had a World Series without a wild card since 2001.
MLB.com:
Braves announce minor league coaching staffs for 2007 — ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves announced their 2007 minor league coaching staffs today, including four new hires. — Dave Brundage, who spent the last 19 years as a player, coach and manager in the Seattle Mariners organization, takes over as the Richmond (AAA) manager.
Discussion:
Cincinnati Reds
