Top News:
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 …
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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 …
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 …
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.
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.
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
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:Small problem for Big Papi: Ortiz says he has meniscus tear in knee
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
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 …
Discussion:
New York Post, MetsBlog.com, Mike's Mets, Mostly Mets, Amazin' Avenue, metsgrrl.com, Can't Stop The Bleeding, MLB.com, Dodger Thoughts, Mets Heads and NJ.com
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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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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 …
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?
Daniel Malloy / Boston Globe:
Halladay outing cut short by Sox outburst — Neither Dustin Pedroia nor Roy Halladay cared to watch this fourth-inning encounter. Halladay was roughed up by Boston's bats, surrendering five earned runs in five innings. (JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF) — At times, Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay's 12 …
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 …
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, Associated Press, Mack Avenue Tigers, Bless You Boys and Lookout Landing
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Rangers won't have fire sale — Owner say any trades would need to benefit team long-term — ANAHEIM — Rangers owner Tom Hicks made it clear Thursday. — The Rangers are not getting ready to have a fire sale as they approach the July 31 trade deadline.
