Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
Belliard signs with Nats! — The Nationals have signed infielder Ronnie Belliard to a two-year extension beyond this season. — I don't have terms yet, but will get them pronto. TERMS UPDATE: A major leauge source with knowledge of the deal says it's a two-year, $3.5 million contract.
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MLB.com, Associated Press, Capitol Punishment, Just A Nats Fan, Federal Baseball, Nats320, Nats Triple Play and Hot Foot
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Howard Fendrich / Associated Press:
Nats' Belliard agrees to 2-year deal — WASHINGTON (AP) — Infielder Ronnie Belliard and the Washington Nationals agreed Monday to a $3.5 million, two-year contract extension through the 2009 season, a veteran building block for a club trying to improve. — "They have a good thing going here …
Discussion:
We've Got Heart
Arnie Stapleton / Associated Press:
Mourning coaches and players wonder about safety — They've all been hit, anybody who coaches the bases, and Mike Coolbaugh's death after being struck in the head by a line drive as he stood in the first-base box was a sobering reminder of what a dangerous job it is.
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Ben DuBose / MLB.com:
Astros stunned by Coolbaugh's death — Ex-Minor League third baseman had impact on current players — HOUSTON — While the stunning death of Tulsa Drillers hitting coach Mike Coolbaugh from a line drive to his head on Sunday left the entire baseball world in shock, the news hit especially hard in the Astros' clubhouse.
Discussion:
The Astros Dugout
USA Today:
If present for No. 756, Selig won't celebrate record — MILWAUKEE — Bud Selig might be in attendance when Barry Bonds breaks Henry Aaron's all-time home run record, but the baseball commissioner will not move from his seat to participate in any on-field celebration, according to two people with knowledge of the decision.
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Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
With Homestand Looming, Bonds Takes Day Off — For Barry Bonds, the San Francisco Giants' seven-game road trip to the heart of the Midwest ended Sunday afternoon the same way it began, with Bonds on the bench — a respite from the quest to break Hank Aaron's all-time home run record …
Discussion:
Associated Press
Globe and Mail:
Ricciardi finds himself shooting down trade rumours — TORONTO — With plans to be neither buyers nor sellers as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline approaches, the Toronto Blue Jays still found themselves caught up in the rumour mill Monday. — General manager J.P. Ricciardi shot …
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Blue Jays Not Interested In Jack Wilson — It sounded dubious when it first surfaced, and now J.P. Ricciardi has spoken: the Blue Jays are not interested at all in Jack Wilson. Did the Pittsburgh front office plant that one? — Ricciardi does seem open to trading Josh Towers.
Discussion:
Pittsburgh Lumber Co.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers call up power-hitting Hessman — Corner infielder, 29, leads International League in homers — The Tigers purchased the contract of infielder Mike Hessman on Monday, giving the International League's leading slugger his first Major League stint since 2004.
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Associated Press:
Hessman lifts Tigers over White Sox 9-6 — CHICAGO (AP) — Curtis Granderson doesn't recall Mike Hessman being the type of hitter that blooped singles into the outfield when they played together in the minors two years ago. — Hessman hit a go-ahead two-run single with two outs in the seventh inning …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Sean McAdam / ESPN:
McAdam: Cancer-free Lester gets his second chance — BOSTON — Jason Varitek was one of the first Red Sox players to spot Jon Lester in the home clubhouse Sunday afternoon, moments after the Red Sox had held off the Chicago White Sox, 8-5. — "He had the biggest smile on his face," …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ex-Brown pitched against Babe Ruth — Rolland Mays "Lena" Stiles, the oldest living former major-league baseball player, died Sunday morning in his sleep at the age of 100 at Bethesda Southgate nursing home in St. Louis. — Mr. Stiles compiled a 9-14 record while pitching for the St. Louis Browns in 1930 …
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Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Harang goes 10, Reds top Brewers in 12 — CINCINNATI (AP) — Aaron Harang knew his grandfather would have wanted it this way. — Harang returned from his grandfather's funeral and pitched 10 innings Monday night, setting up the Cincinnati Reds' 2-1, 12-inning victory over the Milwaukee Brewers …
Discussion:
Blue-Collar Baseball
Jonah Keri / ESPN:
Meet the Mets (for a week) — If you're a baseball fan, there's a good chance that the way you follow the game revolves around your favorite team. You read the papers, then rant about what an idiot the local columnist is. You click on highlight shows in search of Web Gems by your team's center fielder.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rolen stirs La Russa's anger — ATLANTA — Cardinals third baseman Scott Rolen returned to the starting lineup Sunday night, four days after undergoing a series of tests and accepting a cortisone injection to his problematic left shoulder. — The matter didn't end there for manager Tony La Russa.
Tom Jones / St. Petersburg Times:
Aki tells it like it is … They call him Aki. — After nine seasons in Japan, Akinori Iwamura joined the Devil Rays in the offseason, signing a three-year deal worth $7.7-million after the team spent $4.55-million for rights to negotiate with him. In just a half-season, Iwamura, 28, has made quite the impression.
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Justin Terranova / New York Post:
ALOU READY TO RETURN — When the Mets return to Shea Stadium tomorrow to play the Pirates, Moises Alou expects to join them. — "I don't know if I will be back in the lineup on Tuesday," said Alou, who has been on the disabled list since May 13 with a strained left quadriceps. "I think I will be, though.
Discussion:
the metropolitans
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