Top News:
Hank Aaron / Associated Press:
Pinch-hitting specialist Sweeney traded to Dodgers — SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants dealt pinch hitter deluxe Mark Sweeney to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, the first trade between the rivals in more than 20 years. — Sweeney had a pinch-hit single in the sixth inning …
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Associated Press:
Student says he may keep Bonds' 756 ball — NEW YORK (AP) — Matt Murphy could become $500,000 richer if he sells Barry Bonds' record-breaking home run ball. — The college student, however, may just want to hang on to it — even if he's hit with a whopping tax bill. — "Part of me wants to keep it.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Loose change for Sox — They overtake Angels to avert a series sweep — ANAHEIM, Calif. — It was apparent before last night's game in the Red Sox clubhouse that the team was gripped with the same anxiety that had seized many of its followers. — Julio Lugo was at the controls …
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
The road is paved with hot issues — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Too much going on. Hard to keep up, especially sitting here 3,000 miles removed from the panic on the streets of Boston. — First Tom Brady gets named best-dressed man in the world — an unspeakable shot at Bill Belichick, Larry Bird, and yours truly.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Sources: Spiezio to seek drug treatment — The Cardinals have removed infielder-outfielder Scott Spiezio from the active 25-man roster, and Spiezio has left the club to seek treatment for a substance-abuse problem, team and industry sources said. — Spiezio was moved to Major League …
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Viva El Birdos
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R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:Cards' Spiezio to join treatment program
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Associated Press
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Hill's Return Will Require Decisions — With right-hander Shawn Hill due to return to the Washington Nationals' rotation next week — assuming his final rehabilitation start at Class AAA Columbus on Thursday goes well — the club will have decisions to make about how to shape a pitching staff that …
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Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
Harang, Reds pile on to Dodgers' woes — Cincinnati ace throws eight shutout innings, gets support from Griffey, Phillips in 1-0 victory. — CINCINNATI — Aaron Harang is back and so is his back. — After missing his last turn with a sore back and pitching only one inning …
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Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Angry Chipper tells NY media: 'I'm not talking' — Upset over the portrayal of his comments about Alex Rodriguez and steroids, Chipper Jones boycotted the New York media on Thursday. — "I told you I'm not talking," Jones said after he hit a three-run homer in the Braves' 7-6 victory over the Mets at Shea Stadium.
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FanHouse
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners trade for bullpen help, get John Parrish from Baltimore — BALTIMORE — The Mariners bolstered their bullpen for the stretch run Thursday when they acquired left-hander John Parrish from the Baltimore Orioles. — Because the Mariners are playing the Orioles in the finale …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Kent Somers / Arizona Republic:
A different sort of film session — FLAGSTAFF - The Cardinals went to the practice field twice Wednesday but worked hard in just one of them. — That's because coach Ken Whisenhunt called off the morning session and took everyone to the movies instead. Talk about a fun film session.
Kurt Hunzeker / The Biz of Baseball:
Are the Cubs Leading a New Era in Baseball Sponsorships? — Years from now, when sports business practitioners look back at 2007, will they recognize the "tipping point" of a new era in sports marketing? Time will tell, but I believe an ideological shift in marketing philosophy gained acceptance …
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Pete's status and then some trivial stuff — First off the important stuff. Here is the latest update on Peter Despain. — "I wanted to let you know we brought Pete home last night. He was pretty much out of it until today due to the pain medication.
Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Troubling sign for Pena: Waivers clear way for trade — ANAHEIM, Calif. - Wily Mo Pena got the call from his agent, Josh Zeide, yesterday morning. The news wasn't what the 25-year-old outfielder had hoped to hear. — The Red Sox [team stats] had signed Bobby Kielty …
Leitch / Deadspin:
Forgive Us As We Weep Sweet Tears Of Hope: Ankiel Gets The Call — FORGIVE US AS WE WEEP SWEET TEARS OF HOPE — Ankiel Gets The Call — He is the The Natural, he is Young Musial, he is the alpha, the omega, the beginning, the end. And, as of today, he is a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Tim Kawakami / Mercury News:
Sabean fesses up: `I've let the whole organization down' — In the bright hours before the nighttime milestone, Brian Sabean propped himself on the dugout rail, ignored the cameras that were busily ignoring him, and stared out into the Giants' murky gray future. — He wasn't exactly sure what was out there, he conceded.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
X-ray reveals fractured leg for Hirsh — Pitcher suffered injury in first inning of Tuesday's victory — DENVER — A line drive that hit the right leg of Rockies pitcher Jason Hirsh during the first inning of Tuesday night's 11-4 victory over the Brewers did more damage than originally believed.
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