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 …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Clemens picked the most difficult path to title — Totally cool announcement. Shocking, dramatic, one of those classic Yankee Stadium moments we'll always remember. — The good vibes will flow right up until the moment Roger Clemens makes his first start for the Yankees, and maybe beyond.
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.
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
DOLLARS AND SENSE: SPENDING BIG JUST YANKS BEING YANKS — THIS is who the Yankees are. This is who the Yankees are most comfortable being. — They tried it cheaper and younger. That lasted fewer than 30 games, long enough for a strength and conditioning coach to get canned …
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
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."
Discussion:
The Futility Infielder, Pinstripe Alley, Fenway Blogger, Bradford Files, Associated Press and The Hot Corner
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 …
Jeff Wallner / MLB.com:
Hamilton adds to astonishing start — Rookie outfielder does it all as Reds beat Rockies — CINCINNATI — It seems a new chapter is being written daily in the remarkable and improbable story of Reds outfielder Josh Hamilton. — Fewer than 24 hours after falling a home run shy of hitting for the cycle …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
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.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Pelfrey inconsistent in finale — Rookie hit with fourth loss as club's winning streak halted — PHOENIX — The benefit of the doubt was in ample supply Sunday afternoon as the Mets measured the latest performance of Mike Pelfrey. They viewed his work, not through the prism of his potential …
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 …
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.
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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 …
Norman Chad / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
The Couch Slouch: Foreigners living the American dream — Remember when baseball was as American as sodium-nitrate hot dogs, sugar-laden apple pie and gas-guzzling Chevy Impalas? — Back in Babe Ruth's day, 99 percent of all major leaguers were born in the United States.
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer Sports:
Westbrook on DL; Davis designated for assignment — BALTIMORE — The Indians, as expected, activated Fausto Carmona and placed Jake Westbrook on the disabled list so Carmona could start against the Orioles today. — What was unexpected was reliever Jason Davis being designated for assignment …
