Top News:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Glavine slips into Opening routine; Ambiorix amazes — PORT ST. LUCIE - Still 38 days from the April 1 opener in St. Louis, the Mets have already placed Tom Glavine on a throwing program to ready him for that assignment. — Glavine will make his eighth career Opening Day start, and fourth in five years as a Met.
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Floyd: Willie was confused — The ex-Met says Randolph wanted to bunt in Game 7, but bench coach talked him out of it. — In the annals of Mets disappointments, last Oct. 19 ranks near the top. And within that crushing National League Championship Series Game 7 loss to the Cardinals, the bottom of the ninth hurts fans the most.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
David Lennon / Newsday:
Burgos' impression is fast — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — For those close enough to see Ambiorix Burgos throw batting practice yesterday, you didn't have to open your eyes to know how hard he was throwing. — All anyone had to do was listen to his pitches. The sound was unmistakable.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Mark Hale / New York Post:
BURGOS' HEAT A ROYAL PAIN TO MILLEDGE — While facing Lastings Milledge yesterday in live batting practice, Ambiorix Burgos had a head-shaking, three-pitch sequence. — On the second pitch he threw to Milledge during the first full-squad workout at Tradition Field, Burgos threw a high fastball that Milledge foul-tipped.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Mike Phillips / Miami Herald:
Johnson throws, says arm is `fine' — Right-hander Josh Johnson threw Wednesday as he tries to get ready for the season. Johnson (12-7, 3.10 ERA last season) had irritation in his right biceps/triceps area three weeks ago and was shut down. — He reported to spring training Saturday …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
The Japanese Gyroball Mystery — Most major league pitchers throw a fastball, a curveball, a slider and a changeup. Some mix in a sinker. The experimental ones use a knuckleball. None of them throws a gyroball, at least not on purpose. — For most of the past decade …
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
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Jeff Passan / Yahoo! Sports:
Finally, the gyroball mystery solved — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The man who discovered the gyroball wanted to clear up something. The pitch, contrary to its legend that might as well have been cooked up with water from Loch Ness, does not dart 4 feet or dip 2 feet or do the Macarena before it reaches home plate.
George King / New York Post:
SURLY SHEFF — GARY: TORRE TOOK FIRE OUT OF ME — The blaze in his belly has carried Gary Sheffield from the streets of Tampa to the doorsteps of Cooperstown. Now, as he moved toward the first base line last October to be introduced with the reserves prior to Game 3 of the ALDS vs …
Discussion:
Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, Let's Go Tribe, Pinstripe Alley and Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Sheffield's trademark stroke settles in — Slugger receives warm welcome from new teammates — LAKELAND, Fla. — Gary Sheffield took his hugs. Then he took his hacks. — For someone who says he has never picked up a bat during the offseason, it was hard to tell on Wednesday.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Auction may be in plans — Ramírez will travel to Atlantic City, says ad — FORT MYERS, Fla. — While Manny Ramírez's teammates are scheduled to be working out here Saturday at the team's player development facility, the Red Sox left fielder is scheduled to appear …
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Unfazed Hargrove's focus is on team, not Ichiro news — PEORIA, Ariz. — Ichiro Suzuki's revelation that he might explore free agency after the season could have at least two implications for the Mariners clubhouse this year. — The season could proceed as if nothing happened.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Yost picks spring's first starter — Vargas gets nod in Cactus kickoff, but who'll go Opening Day? — PHOENIX — Brewers manager Ned Yost on Wednesday named a starting pitcher for the team's first game, but it was not the opener most fans are interested in.
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Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Ortiz's Salary Now A Bargain — But He's Happy With His Deal — FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Ortiz's daughter, Alexandra, turns 6 next month. The little girl loves getting presents, according to her Big Papi. — "When she sees a new box coming into the house, she's opening the box," Ortiz said.
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Where is this man headed? — Podsednik's return to 2005 excellence begins in his mind — TUCSON, Ariz. — The rehabilitation from surgery for a sports hernia began in early February. — The rehab on what Scott Podsednik calls his ''upstairs,'' well, that started right after the 2006 regular season ended.
Jim Moore / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Go 2 Guy: Guardado still steamed at Grover — SARASOTA, Fla. — At the time, he seemed to take it well, as if he understood. Eddie Guardado knew he wasn't pitching well and could see why Mike Hargrove removed him from the closer role. — The Mariners manager said it was temporary …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
October in mind, Wagner adds pitch — Split-finger fastball designed to give Mets closer endurance — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — He was involved in the bunt coverage drills and made an impression with his seemingly effortless but powerful throws to bases. Then, Ambiorix Burgos moved …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Samardzija caps 1st camp week — Ex-Notre Damer eyes possible Cactus League appearance as way to offset NFL-bound pals — MESA, Ariz. — After Cubs pitchers were done running Wednesday at Fitch Park, coach Larry Rothschild gave young right-hander Jeff Samardzija some unsolicited advice on how to wear his cap.
Discussion:
GROTA
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Clayton proud of his longevity — Shortstop credits wife for prolonging his baseball career — DUNEDIN, Fla. — Royce Clayton called it self evaluation. Others might refer to it as resisting temptation. — In an era of bulging biceps, Clayton decided that his path to success wasn't via the home run.
