Top News:
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Game 1 4/2/07 @ KC — Not sure where to even start. Two words sum it up best, no command. Can't remember a game where I couldn't make adjustments but today was certainly one of those. Not so much the secondary pitches but no fastball command is not something that happens much, if at all …
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
A startling start after hype and hope — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Worse than Ellen DeGeneres's first night hosting the Oscars. Worse than Arsenio Hall's first shot at late-night television. Worse than Patriots coach Clive Rush's first press conference, when he was nearly electrocuted.
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch, Dan Shaughnessy Watch, Can't Stop The Bleeding and The GYS Network
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:An age of uncertainty: At 40, Curt is starting to show signs of wear
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Lawrence wants to curtail rehab — Brian Lawrence doesn't want a distraction, just a mutual understanding. He plans to start the Sky Sox's Triple-A opener Thursday, but has no intention of completing the maximum 30-day rehab assignment. — "I understand their position and I just hope they understand my position," Lawrence said.
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
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Pat Borzi / New York Times:
Mets' Randolph Takes Early Measure of Rookie's Nerve — The first day of anyone's major league career is usually filled with special moments. By the time he put on his uniform Sunday, the Mets rookie reliever Joe Smith said he already had a great one. — "I rode a golf cart to the ballpark," Smith said.
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David / Newsday:
Great 'D' is catching — Valentin, Beltran make highlight plays that encourage Willie — ST. LOUIS - The importance of Carlos Beltran's precise throw or Jose Valentin's diving grab cannot be overstated in the wake of the Mets' season-opening 6-1 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals' Logan, Guzman day to day — Opening Day injuries could prove costly after healthy spring — WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Nationals were virtually injury free during Spring Training. The only serious one came from right-hander Jason Simontacchi, who strained his right groin …
Discussion:
Ballhype
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
For Openers, a Free Fall — Logan, Guzman Are Injured; Patterson Is Knocked Out in the Fourth Inning — The sun was out, the stands were nearly full, the only clouds in the sky were puffy and white. But even a pristine setting on the final Opening Day yesterday at RFK Stadium couldn't hide the product on the field.
Discussion:
The DCenters
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Iffy cloud hovers over Cubs — Contract talks with ace Zambrano thrown into limbo — CINCINNATI — The Cubs say the announcement Monday morning of the sale of their parent company had no impact on how they played in their season-opening loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Bronx Banter:
Yankee Stadiums new and old from the 4 Train platform. — Inside the new Stadium looking toward home plate from right field. — Looking south along the tracks toward center field. — Exiting the 4 Train at 161 Street behind the center field frieze. — Looking down from the platform as the crowd starts to gather.
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
La Russa bothered by attention paid to opening lineup — A non-combatant in Sunday's 6-1 opening-day loss, Cardinals power project Chris Duncan probably will start in left field and bat second tonight against New York Mets righthander Orlando Hernandez. — His manager, however, may have had enough of the issue.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Tigers know they must now turn the page … DETROIT — It's a day to remember. Except it's supposed to be a day to forget. — It's a day when all that cool stuff you did last year becomes officially irrelevant. Except it's also a day when all that cool stuff you did last year gets replayed …
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Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Johjima, Hernandez on same page — Catcher says first-pitch strikes key to success — Catcher Kenji Johjima had a tough time settling in with many of the Mariners' starting pitchers last year, none more so than Felix Hernandez. — The maturation of their relationship …
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Maryland Orioles' Fan / Oriole Post:
MASN, Thanks for Soiling My Viewing Pleasure - The Broadcast Last Night — Well, as we all know, the Orioles played the Twins last night. — If you saw the game last night on ESPN 2, I'm sure it was a viewing great experience in light of the Orioles' loss.
David A. Fahrenthold / Washington Post:
Opening Day at RFK Brings Smiles, Gripes — As the Washington Nationals began a third season yesterday, the sky was cloudless, but neither the home team nor the ballpark seemed quite ready for Opening Day. — On the field, the Nats fell behind early and eventually lost their first game of 2007 to the Florida Marlins, 9-2.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Chris Constancio / Hardball Times:
The Best Left-handed Pitchers of 2007 — This week, I continue my position-by-position review of the game's best players by examining young left-handed pitchers. The following list differs from traditional prospect lists in two ways. First, only anyone under 25 right now is eligible.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
How the West was one — These Padres, Giants seem to have come from the same family — Katy Feeney swears, with an ironclad alibi, that it wasn't her doing. — As a senior vice president of Major League Baseball, Feeney is in charge of scheduling, but she disavows any special purpose …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Los Angeles Times:
Matthews leaves these questions unanswered — There was a bottle of clear liquid in Mr. HGH's locker before the Angels' opener, but I can only guess what it might've been since Gary Matthews wasn't talking to Page 2. — He had a big hug for Texas' Sammy Sosa, and I would've asked what they had in common …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
