Top News:
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.
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John Harper / NY Daily News:
Minaya's strange move shows us who's The Boss — Depending on who you believe, Omar Minaya fired hitting coach Rick Down either to shake up his underachieving team or to appease a few of his key players. Or both. Whatever the case, the Mets GM offered such a vague explanation …
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Milledge's mad dash the key for Mets — Outfielder scores from first on a single in return to Majors — NEW YORK — When Lastings Milledge came tumbling into home plate with the winning run of Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Reds, Shea Stadium erupted with glee.
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
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.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Back-to-back jacks propel Mets — Reyes, Gotay make history in first; El Duque solid in win — NEW YORK — The great ones, they say, find a way to get it done. And Rickey Henderson unquestionably qualifies as one of them, a man of almost incalculable achievement in the game and, it seems, unnatural influence.
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 …
Sports Illustrated:Mets designate Julio Franco for assignment, call up Milledge
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB.com, Blogging Baseball, Babes Love Baseball, Baseball Musings, Hot Foot and MetsBlog.com
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:Mets part ways with Franco
Discussion:
New York Post, MetsBlog.com, Mike's Mets, Mostly Mets, Amazin' Avenue, metsgrrl.com, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Dodger Thoughts, NJ.com and Mets Heads
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.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:Small problem for Big Papi: Ortiz says he has meniscus tear in knee
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
NY Daily News:
Yankees opt to give A-Rod an ultimatum — ST. PETERSBURG - The Yankees have a message for Alex Rodriguez: sign an extension before opting out of your contract, or don't sign with us at all. — A source told the Daily News that the Bombers have made it clear to A-Rod and his agent …
Discussion:
THE BASEBALL SAVANT
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.
Discussion:
William World News
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Upton expected to return tonight — ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays have been in a hurry to get B.J. Upton back in their lineup. But to be sure he was ready, they had to see him run hard and fast. — After again delaying his expected return, the Rays saw enough Thursday in another rehab appearance …
Rick Morrissey / Chicago Tribune:
Cuban in the mix for Cubs, but does MLB want him? — How one goes about sending in an application to buy a Major League Baseball franchise is a mystery to those of us who aren't in the ballclub-acquisition business. By fax? By standard mail? Or is there an online form?
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 …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, Bless You Boys, Associated Press, Mack Avenue Tigers and Lookout Landing
Don Burke / New Jersey Online:
Down questions handling of release — NEW YORK — Rick Down has been around baseball for a long time. And he has seen a lot. But he wonders what would have happened yesterday had he not been tipped off by a reporter the night before. — Down was officially fired as the Mets hitting …
Clark Spencer / Florida Marlins:
Willis, team want comforts of home — Dontrelle Willis hasn't won since May 29. The Marlins have gone the entire season without winning a home stand. — How significant is the coming stretch for Willis and the Marlins, who begin a 10-game home stand — their longest of the season …
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.
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
