Top News:
Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
SPRING TRAINING: Moose to Carl: Show us — TAMPA, Fla. - Carl Pavano brushed aside questions about any work he needs to do in the clubhouse, saying his bad reputation among teammates is overhyped by the media. — "I think it's just something you guys have had fun with," Pavano said yesterday …
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Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Moose slams Pavano again — TAMPA, Fla. — Carl Pavano insisted today that his reputation and standing in the Yankees clubhouse is fine, and that any mention to the contrary is a creation by the media. — A few lockers away, Mike Mussina disputed that notion with shocking honesty, questioning Pavano's will to pitch for the Yankees.
Associated Press:
Mussina says Pavano has much to prove to Yankees — TAMPA, Fla. — Carl Pavano and Mike Mussina pitched off adjacent mounds in the bullpen as the New York Yankees started spring training workouts Thursday. — A short while later, Mussina said the oft-injured Pavano isn't in sync with his teammates just yet.
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Oriole Post
NY Daily News:
Billy wants '06 season closed out — PORT ST. LUCIE - Billy Wagner had 40 saves in his first season in Flushing, but the closer wasn't impressed. "My numbers say I was good, but mentally I know I wasn't," Wagner said. "... What I'm looking for is the old Billy." — By that, Wagner means 1-2-3 innings.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Wagner gets a pen pal — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Tobacco Road takes a detour through the corner of the Mets' clubhouse at Tradition Field, where Billy Wagner and his new best friend, Scott Schoeneweis, pull up stools and talk Duke basketball. — Wagner never had met Schoeneweis before walking through the door yesterday.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:Reporting Day III — Billy Wagner rolled in about two hours ago …
Discussion:
Them Mets
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Bonds, Giants agree; MLB approves — Slugger expected to report to training camp by Monday — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Barry Bonds contract odyssey has come to an end. The Giants announced on Thursday that the club and the left-handed-hitting slugger have signed off on his one-year …
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Associated Press:
Zito unveils pitching changes on first day with Giants — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Barry Zito unveiled a different delivery on his first day with the San Francisco Giants, making at least one of his new coaches a little nervous. — Pitching coach Dave Righetti went as far as to say the tweaks Zito …
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
New year, new hope for Penn … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // First, it was Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo who sought out pitcher Hayden Penn in the clubhouse this morning and gave the pitcher a brief pep talk, telling him to relax and be himself. — Moments later, hitting coach Terry Crowley visited Penn …
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Associated Press:
Lo Duca seeking contract extension with Mets — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — New York Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca is completely healthy following offseason thumb surgery — and he would love a contract extension. — "I've been vocal that I want to stay here," the four-time All-Star said Thursday after reporting to spring training.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank
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wtam.com:
PLAY BALL! — Indians pitchers and catcher report to Winter Haven — They're here! All of the pitchers and catchers had to be in "The Haven" by today. They'll have physicals tomorrow and be on the field Saturday for the first scheduled team workouts. Some guys did things today but they were limited drills.
Richard Barbieri / Hardball Times:
This Annotated Week in Baseball History: Feb. 11-17, 2006 — On Feb. 14 across the world, Valentine's Day is celebrated. So what better day to look back at some of the best and worst of baseball Valentines? — As with most history, there is much debate as to the history of Valentine's Day.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Ranking Organizations — If you want to rely on statistical measures, how do you rank a farm system? It's tough enough to compare two disparate prospects, let alone measure two entire organizations against each other. For John Burnson's Graphical Player 2007, I tried to overcome …
Discussion:
A CITIZEN'S BLOG
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Robinson Declines Celebration in His Honor — Former Washington Nationals manager Frank Robinson has declined an offer to be honored by the club during a game this May, according to team president Stan Kasten, who said officials hold out hope that Robinson will reconsider.
Rbrianc / Halos Heaven:
They're back! Angels in Tempe Today — Moved From the Diaries Thanks to rbrianc — There's not much comparable in the baseball season than the first day of spring practice. I was there with a contingent of Angel Nation when they hit the field this morning (since there were only 5 or 6 of us there …
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Japanese star shows humor, directness, diplomacy — FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Daisuke Matsuzaka revealed Thursday that his first pitch to a spring training opponent will be a fastball. — He also revealed a side of his personality that could endear him to Red Sox fans even before he throws that pitch.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Associated Press:
Cubs' Wood takes a spill, but shouldn't miss much time — MESA, Ariz. — Oft-injured Kerry Wood is out again — this time because of a flub in a hot tub. — The Chicago Cubs pitcher is not expected to throw off the mound for a few days after he slipped this week getting out of a hot tub at home.
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