Top News:
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.
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 …
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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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Can't Keep Party Going — Mike Bacsik has his special place now, one provided by the fastball he served up to Barry Bonds on Tuesday night, the pitch that became the 756th home run for San Francisco Giants' slugger. A day later, Tim Redding provided his own signature to the Bonds-fest …
Discussion:
William World News
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:Pitcher of Record — Nationals' Bacsik Allows Bonds's 756th …
Discussion:
FanIQ Blog
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.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds CEO: GM Krivsky's job safe — Owner Castellini speaks about disappointing 2007 campaign — CINCINNATI — It's been a question on the minds of fans and media much of the summer as the Reds have endured through another losing season. — Is Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky's job in jeopardy?
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
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.
Robert Dvorchak / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Catching up with their competitors, the Steelers christen a mascot — Say hello to Steely McBeam — The name and the character may take some getting used to. But move over Stevie Steeler and The Terrible Fan: The mascot named yesterday as part of the 75th anniversary season of the Steelers is ... Steely McBeam.
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.
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.
Associated Press:
Philly trades for Branyan — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies acquired utilityman Russell Branyan from Cleveland for cash Thursday. — Branyan joins his sixth team since making his major league debut with the Indians in 1998. The 31-year-old, left-handed hitter began …
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
The Big Picture:
An interview with Frank Deford — We recently finished sportswriter Frank Deford's latest novel, The Entitled. We reviewed the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Since we're in the business of asking questions, we thought this would be an ideal time to score an interview with Deford himself.
Discussion:
With Leather
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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