Top News:
Jim Reeves / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Sammy dodges the steroids issue with a Texas two-step — It must have been difficult for Sammy Sosa to decide between giving baseball another try or following Emmitt Smith to fame in Dancing with the Stars. — My suggestion: He's better off sticking with baseball.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Graffanino turns the page — After offseason of discontent, infielder focuses on baseball — PHOENIX — Tony Graffanino's long, strange offseason came to a happy end on Friday, when he became the final Brewers regular to report for Spring Training.
RELATED:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Finally, peace ... La Russa, Rolen end their spat — JUPITER, FLA. — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and third baseman Scott Rolen have declared a cease fire. — The two shared a firm handshake and a brief but congenial exchange outside La Russa's office Thursday.
Ray Frager / Baltimore Sun:
O's radio policy rebuffs former flagship WBAL … It's a staple of sports talk radio — a club official comes on the air, and fans get to call in and ask questions. — But, as WBAL (1090 AM) host Steve Davis has learned this week, it's not working that way with the Orioles since spring training has begun.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Andrew Baggarly / Contra Costa Times:
Sabean is on the hot seat — Giants boss Magowan says status of the GM's expiring contract will not be addressed until later in the season — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - If there is such a thing as an empty vote of confidence, Giants general manager Brian Sabean has it.
Nate Silver / Baseball Prospectus:
Lies, Damned Lies — Charting the Spectrum — So tonight I was supposed to write a column on shortstop prospects. The first words of my column were to be as follows: "We're going to try and get out of here in less than 2500 words." Unfortunately for that mission …
Discussion:
Baseball Analysts
David Porter / Associated Press:
Larsen, Berra watch '56 World Series perfect game broadcast — LITTLE FALLS, N.J. (AP) — More than 50 years after etching his name in baseball's record books, Don Larsen finally got to see himself do it. — Along with a crowd of about 100 people Friday night that included former teammate Yogi Berra …
NY Daily News:
Duaner counting on coming up North — PORT ST. LUCIE - Duaner Sanchez has yet to gain clearance to step on a mound, but the reliever, who had surgery last Aug.1 to repair a separated shoulder, still expects to break camp with the Mets. — Sanchez continued to make progress yesterday, tossing a baseball on flat ground at 130feet.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
On farm, O's batting crop lean … FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. // There are plenty of former position prospects here, guys like Jason Dubois and J.R. House, who are desperately trying to keep their major league dreams alive as players invited to spring training. — Orioles outfielders Val Majewski …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Clement aiming to pitch this season — Right-hander was 5-5 with a 6.61 ERA and 43 strikeouts in '06 — FORT MYERS, Fla. — When Red Sox right-hander Matt Clement lost his durability last summer, he almost felt as if his identity went with it. — "I think over time the one thing I took …
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Finally, Rockies' shelves appear filled to the brim — TUCSON - Two years ago, the Rockies were willing to slot in the inexperienced players from their farm system, willing to live with the mistakes as part of a long-range building plan. — This year, things are different.
Discussion:
Purple Row
MLB.com:
Opening Day ticket availability limited as Brewers prepare for individual game sales tomorrow — Approximately 2,000 tickets for home opener available for single-game purchases — MILWAUKEE — With fans beginning to camp out at Miller Park yesterday - two full days prior to the opening of the Box Office …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Sports Illustrated:
Rotation — Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla each made more than 30 starts, won at least 15 games, pitched at least 200 innings and struck out at least 150 batters. They are the only two Rangers to accomplish that feat in the past 10 years. The rest of the rotation is unproven, but the Rangers believe it is ready to blossom.
Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:
Here's a bombshell: Jeet-Rod drama not a Bronx issue — Miller: Five things to know — TAMPA, Fla. — Let me ask you something. — When Barry Bonds wrapped his hands around Jeff Kent's throat in the middle of that game in 2002 and was pulled away before he made like a crumpled Pepsi can with Kent …