Top News:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Clemens announces return to Yanks — Seven-time Cy Young Award winner agrees to one-year deal — NEW YORK — The Yankees desperately needed another quality starting pitcher. Roger Clemens didn't want to wait any longer to pitch. It all came together on a memorable Sunday afternoon.
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David Picker / New York Times:
Clemens Is Returning to the Yankees — The sun was shining, the Yankees were ahead during the seventh-inning stretch of their game against the Seattle Mariners and it seemed as if the day couldn't get any better. That's when the Yankees' public address announcer, Bob Sheppard …
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Clemens back with Yankees — The Yankees have wanted Roger Clemens back in pinstripes for more than a year, and that desire only increased with the spate of injuries to their starting pitchers early this season. — The Yankees got their wish yesterday, with Clemens agreeing to a $28-million salary …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
ESPN:
Clemens announces to crowd he'll play for Yanks — NEW YORK — The seventh-inning stretch was ending when the low, familiar voice of public-address announcer Bob Sheppard told fans at Yankee Stadium to direct their attention to the owner's box behind home plate.
Discussion:
Baseball Crank, Mondesishouse.com, Gaslamp Ball, Fenway Blogger, Twins Nation Blog, Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn, Twins Territory, > Etc, MLB.com, Sports Law Blog, The LoHud Yankees Blog, River Ave. Blues, American Legends, Around the Majors, Singapore Sox Fan, The Biz of Baseball, Oriole Post and Batter's Box Interactive …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
How Clemens landed in the Bronx … The Yankees' charter touched down in Texas last Monday evening, and general manager Brian Cashman sent a text message to Randy Hendricks, the agent for Roger Clemens. "I just landed in your wonderful state." — Hendricks responded: "I'm out of town."
Mike Vaccaro / New York Post:
SETTLING SCORE — CLEMENS' RETURN TO THE BRONX ABOUT REPAYING OLD DEBT — YOU don't always get the chance to redeem yourself this way, but that's the opportunity Roger Clemens has now. He can make things right in a place where he badly needs to make things right.
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Clemens hears Yankees' S.O.S. — The venerable Bob Sheppard had just implored the 52,553 fans to take time out from the seventh-inning stretch to direct their attention to the owner's box on the loge level - where standing with a microphone was not "Cotton Eye Joe" but, instead, none other than Roger Clemens.
Discussion:
Sports Scope
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Smith a man of ritual — Right-hander has extended process of uniform preparation — PHOENIX — The ritual began while Joe Smith was learning his craft at Wright State and regularly enduring a rather benign wardrobe malfunction. The bottom of the legs of his uniform pants would ride …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Lawrence signs with Mets — Cincinnati - Unable to crack the Rockies' rotation, Brian Lawrence will attempt to restart his career with the New York Mets. — Lawrence signed with the Mets on Sunday, according to his agent. He is expected to make some minor-league starts to rebuild arm strength.
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …, NJ.com, Mets Today, Mets Fever, MetsBlog.com, Mets Merized Online and Flushing University
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Twins place Mauer on 15-day DL — Minnesota calls up catcher Heintz from Triple-A Rochester — MINNEAPOLIS — The Twins will be without starting catcher Joe Mauer for at least two weeks after an MRI revealed a strain in his left quad muscle and the team placed him on the 15-day disabled list.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Peavy stymies Marlins in brilliant outing — Ace fans 10, allows just one run, one hit over seven frames — MIAMI — When the Padres signed Greg Maddux to a one-year, $10 million contract in December, they did so to bolster their starting rotation, not because they were seeking a clubhouse tutor.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Erstad gets Pods' spot at leadoff — ANAHEIM, Calif. — It's not that Ozzie Guillen doesn't trust Scott Podsednik as a leadoff hitter. — He just doesn't trust that Podsednik can remain healthy in that role. — That's why, when Podsednik comes off the 15-day disabled list after recovering …
Roch Kubatko / Baltimore Sun:
O's are willing to wait for their future catcher … The Orioles envision a day when Brandon Snyder, their first pick in the 2005 draft, becomes their regular homegrown catcher. They also know it's going to take time, partly because he came to them out of high school, and since he's being forced to play a different position this year.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Fueled by Pierzynski's bat, Sox rally — Take 2 of 3 games from Angels — ANAHEIM — Whether it's a springboard for greater things ahead or just another two-game winning streak, A.J. Pierzynski provided pause for some appreciation. — Despite his hitting problems …
Discussion:
The Bard's Room
Mark Hale / New York Post:
BELTRAN, ALOU ONSORE SIDE — The Mets were without both Moises Alou and Carlos Beltran in yesterday's starting lineup, with both outfielders ailing. — Alou has been battling a hurt left knee, and yesterday he didn't play for the third straight day. Beltran's left quad is "a little sore …
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Outfield not Piniella's favorite topic, OK? — With Felix Pie getting a reprieve, it seemed like a fair line of questioning to ask about his role in the still crowded Cubs outfield. — But manager Lou Piniella got testy when asked about the rookie's future during his pregame media briefing Sunday, finally ending it abruptly.
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Andrew Seligman / Associated Press:Streaking Cubs rally past Nats 4-3 in 10
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
