Top News:
Sports Illustrated:
Baseball Prospectus: Clemens' impact on AL East race — With a dramatic seventh-inning announcement, Roger Clemens made himself a returning hero, a difference-maker, and a whole big pile of cash. — Clemens, who was on his way into retirement the last time he was being cheered wildly …
RELATED:
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.
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 …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Buster Olney / ESPN:How Clemens landed in the Bronx
Discussion:
Boston Globe, The Futility Infielder, Pinstripe Alley, Fenway Blogger, Associated Press, Bradford Files and The Hot Corner
ESPN:
MLB draft to be televised for first time on ESPN2 — The NFL and NBA drafts have been televised for years. Now, Major League Baseball is joining the trend. — For the first time in its history, the baseball entry draft will be aired live on ESPN2. Coverage will begin on Thursday …
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Baseball America:
Draft Will Be Televised — The baseball draft is finally joining the television age. — For the first time ever, Major League Baseball's draft will be on television, with ESPN2 televising the proceedings on June 7 from 2-6 p.m. — That means the draft will also get a physical location …
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Monday Morning Ten Pack — Over the weekend, in need of an extra outfielder, the Cardinals called up minor league veteran Ryan Ludwick, who started in right field for them on Sunday. So Ankiel waits a little longer for what's looking more and more like a remarkable return to the big leagues.
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
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Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — The Rocket's Fuel — Roger Clemens is a Yankee again, the highest paid player in baseball history on paper by my math. People are breaking this signing down in many ways, but for me, the question is only whether Clemens, one of the all-time greats, can stay healthy.
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
B.J. Upton: Enjoy It While You Can — B.J. Upton is off to a hot start, leading the American League in batting average (.371) while ranking third in SLG (.660) and OPS (1.084). Upton is also among the top ten in the league in OBP (.425), HR (6), RBI (22), and SB (5).
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 …
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 …
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
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.
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.
