Top News:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Mets part ways with Franco — The Mets are expected to remove Julio Franco from their roster today to make room for Lastings Milledge, Newsday has learned. An announcement will be made before today's game. — It's not clear whether Franco, who turns 48 next month, will retire …
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New York Post, MetsBlog.com, Mike's Mets, Mostly Mets, metsgrrl.com, Amazin' Avenue, Dodger Thoughts, Can't Stop The Bleeding, NJ.com and Mets Heads
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Sports Illustrated:
Mets designate Julio Franco for assignment, call up Milledge — NEW YORK (AP) -Julio Franco may have finally run out of at-bats. — The New York Mets cut the 48-year-old utilityman Thursday, opting to give 22-year-old outfielder Lastings Milledge another chance in the majors.
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New York Post, Blogging Baseball, Baseball Musings, Babes Love Baseball, MetsBlog.com and Hot Foot
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets designate Franco for assignment — Says he will seek new chance in striving to play at 50 — NEW YORK — For weeks, Julio Franco had spoken privately of the need to find work elsewhere and the need to get enough at-bats to allow him to continue his career and reach his objective of playing at age 50.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Notes: HoJo serving as hitting coach — Decision yet to be made on who will assume full-time post — NEW YORK — Howard Johnson is the Mets' hitting coach — for now. — Johnson took over as the team's hitting instructor on Thursday, a day after the team relieved Rick Down of those duties.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets' New Image: No More Mr. Nice Guys — Howard Johnson, watching batting practice, was the Mets' interim hitting instructor Thursday. Johnson has been the team's first-base coach. — Omar Minaya and Willie Randolph grew up in New York, cheering for the Mets as youngsters.
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:Milledge's mad dash the key for Mets
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Ricciardi not planning any trades — General manager expects to keep core of players together — BOSTON — There are 19 days left until the non-waiver trading deadline, but Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi isn't counting. In fact, Ricciardi isn't even sure he's making the trip to Florida …
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
The Nats' Puzzle: Assembly Required — Management Is Trying to Find the Pieces That Fit — It is midseason, and the Washington Nationals have welcomed 39 players into their clubhouse — a roster-and-a-half's worth. Some have excelled, none more so than all-star Dmitri Young.
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William World News
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Escobar on way back to bigs — Nationals outfielder to play left field once he returns — MIAMI — Outfielder Alex Escobar is expected to play a few games for Triple-A Columbus before being called up to the big leagues. Manager Manny Acta said there is nothing wrong with Escobar's health.
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District of Baseball
Dawn Klemish / MLB.com:
A-Rod leads Yankees back to .500 — Third baseman's 31st home run one of three in fourth inning — ST. PETERSBURG — At one game under .500 and 10 games out of first place, the Yankees faced much pressure to start off the second half on a good note. And with principal owner George Steinbrenner …
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My Summer Family
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:HItters in Charge — There's lots of scoring to start …
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Boston Globe
Christopher L. Gasper / Boston Globe: Four score — Toronto ace Roy "Doc" Halladay seems be the cure …
David Andriesen / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Putz converts 27th save in row after Mariners score run on blown calls — Fans left Safeco Field on Thursday night buzzing about two things — one they see all the time, and one they'd never seen before. — J.J. Putz matched the Mariners record for consecutive saves …
MLB.com:
Mets and CW11 partner with Jeep to salute the troops with "Operation Gratitude" on Military Appreciation Day Sunday, July 15 at Shea — Multifaceted partnership includes donation of items, letters of support to troops in conjunction with delivery of Operation Gratitude's 250,000th care package …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Hal Bock / Associated Press:
Reyes, Gotay power Mets past Reds 3-2 — NEW YORK (AP) — Jose Reyes and Ruben Gotay opened with consecutive home runs, the first time that's happened in the 46-season history of the Mets, and New York beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 Thursday. — Reyes, fresh off his three-hit performance …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Big Papi dealing with torn meniscus — Slugger may undergo offseason surgery on right knee — BOSTON — A revived David Ortiz had already delivered three hits and two RBIs Thursday night before fouling a ball soundly off his right knee. You could call it a case of bad aim or painful irony.
MLB.com:
MTA New York City Transit introduces 7 express service after Mets home games — Mets fans looking for a quicker trip to midtown after each and every home game will now be able to take advantage of express service on the 7 line from the Willets Point/Shea Stadium Station.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
The historian of home runs — ith the crack of a bat, home runs disappear over the wall. — With the tap-tap-tap of his computer keys, David Vincent brings them back. — All 243,329 of them. — That's how many homers are in the computer database Vincent maintains for the Society …
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Wrigley Field roughed up by The Police — CHICAGO (AP) — Sting was at Wrigley Field while the Cubs were on the road last week and now center field at the neighborhood ballpark is looking a bit rough. — As the Cubs held a workout Thursday before resuming play Friday after the All-Star break …
