Top News:
TSN.ca:
Blue Jays' Ryan sidelined for the season — The Toronto Blue Jays announced Thursday that closer B.J. Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery in his left elbow and will be out for the remainder of the season. — Ryan, 31, first experienced soreness in March during spring training.
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RotoAuthority / MLB Trade Rumors:
Time For Blue Jays To Think About '08? — With about 20% of the season in the books, the Blue Jays are last in the AL East and seven games under .500. Baseball Prospectus's Postseason Odds report says they have an 11.29% chance of reaching the playoffs. Looking at their runs scored and allowed …
Discussion:
The Baseball Files
Jeff Blair / Globe and Mail:
'Next year' is approaching fast — Toronto — Now that everyone's decided the manager, his coaches, the general manager, the trainers, Paul Godfrey and Alex Rios need to go — so far, there have been no calls for Cito Gaston's head — let's take a minute to consider the question …
MLB.com:
Outfielder Angel Pagan recalled; Outfielder Felix Pie optioned to Triple-A Iowa — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs today recalled switch-hitting outfielder Angel Pagan from Triple-A Iowa. In a corresponding roster move, left-handed hitting outfielder Felix Pie was optioned to Iowa.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
No more Pie for Cubs — Felix Pie's demotion to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday was no surprise with the glut of left-handed hitting outfielders on the roster. — The Cubs finally decided that having Pie come off the bench as a late-inning defensive replacement was hurting his chances to develop …
Discussion:
Ivy Chat
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Patriotism, Defined and Enforced — The most patriotic moments at Yankee Stadium can also be the most confining. — Seconds before "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" are played, police officers, security guards and ushers turn their backs to the American flag in center field …
Mike Miliard / The Phoenix:
HOME OF THE BRAVES? — 50 years after the Boston Braves' departure, it's worth asking: did the wrong team leave town? — Fifty years ago this fall, a Boston team beat the Yankees in the World Series. Fifty-five years ago, a Boston team signed the greatest home-run hitter who ever lived.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Christian Red / NY Daily News:
Roger snaps at photog — LEXINGTON, Ky. - Roger Clemens went from George Steinbrenner's pulpit at the Stadium on Sunday to his own bully pulpit yesterday. — After watching his son Koby play in the Class-A Lexington Legends' 5-3 loss to Lake County yesterday morning …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Green suffering haircut remorse — Minaya joins bald brigade; Reyes considering getting buzzed — SAN FRANCISCO — It was the morning after the night before, and Shawn Green was suffering with hair hangover. The Mets right fielder, aka Shorn Green, was no more comfortable …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
WIL GETS FIRST HIT SINCE '02 — Derek Jeter Jeter and Robinson Cano couldn't help laughing, and with good cause. Wil Nieves finally mustered his first hit in the majors since 2002, and the first thing he did was get thrown out. — The Yankees' backup catcher was caught stretching …
Discussion:
baseballtoaster.com
RELATED:
Stephen A. Smith / philly.com:
MLB whiffs by allowing Clemens' deal — The sports world can shut up now. — It can shut up the second the next athlete reminds us that humility is neither a part of his vernacular nor a part of his lifestyle. It can hush whenever the next athlete illustrates a departure from established tradition …
Dan Fox / Baseball Prospectus:
Schrodinger`s Bat: Phil Hughes, Pitch by Pitch by Dan Fox — "We are approaching a new age of synthesis. Knowledge cannot be merely a degree or a skill... it demands a broader vision, capabilities in critical thinking and logical deduction without which we cannot have constructive progress."
John Hollinger / ESPN:
Fisher delivers in every way — SALT LAKE CITY — It was Derek Fisher's night ... and for that, he can thank his former teammates. — Fisher forced a key turnover in the final seconds of regulation, then hit a key 3-pointer in overtime to clinch the victory as Utah beat Golden State 127-117 …
Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Reds demote 3B Encarnacion to minors — CINCINNATI (AP) — Third baseman Edwin Encarnacion was sent to the minors Thursday by the Cincinnati Reds, who grew weary of his inconsistent hitting and fielding. — Encarnacion was optioned to Triple-A Louisville a day after his two throwing errors set …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Why the defending World Series champs struggle — Maybe the Cardinals turn this around. They are, after all, the Cardinals, defending World Series champions, a post-season club six of the past seven seasons, the team with perhaps the best G.M./manager/pitching coach combination in the game.
