Top News:
Alan Robinson / Associated Press:
Bucs rally from 5 down, stop Mets sweep — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Even during a 162-game season that lasts six months, there are losses that hurt far more than others. Losses that a few innings before were certain wins. Losses that gnaw at a team's confidence. For the New York Mets, this could be one of those very bad defeats.
Discussion:
New York Post, The Musings and Prophecies …, Where have you gone … and Pittsburgh Lumber Co.
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Willie: 'No excuse' — Mets waste lead with 'horrible game' that leaves Randolph seething — PITTSBURGH - David Wright threw the ball away. Then Mike DiFelice missed the ball. — And a series against the Pirates, which at one point appeared headed for a sweep with the Mets leading …
Maureen Mullen / Boston Herald:
Sox have full count of knuckleballers — PAWTUCKET, R.I. - With three knuckleball pitchers in the organization, it would appear the Red Sox [team stats] have become a breeding ground for the flutterball hurlers. — "We get a lot of phone calls from guys that are like, 'Well …
RELATED:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Feats of Clay — Buchholz gets the call as Red Sox Nation greets a new phenom — It was a 2006 Ford Expedition, with an in-dash navigation system, that caused Bubba Bell to acquire an impish sparkle in his eyes. He had a rooting interest in the success of his Pawtucket Red Sox teammate, Clay Buchholz, in more ways than one.
The Smoking Gun:
Bonds Sold Steroids To Nuns — Allegations from left field in jailed litigant's craziest suit ever — Meet Jonathan Lee Riches. The federal prisoner/habitual litigant recently scored headlines with his insane $63 billion lawsuit against Michael Vick (who allegedly stole Riches's dogs …
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Ownership stance unchanged for GM, manager — The Pirates continue to sink deeper in the standings, but ownership has not changed its stance that it will wait until the 2007 schedule is complete to decide on the futures of general manager Dave Littlefield and manager Jim Tracy.
Associated Press:
Giambi escapes suspension for steroid talk — Yankees slugger cooperated with Mitchell probe — TORONTO (AP) — Jason Giambi won't be disciplined by commissioner Bud Selig after the New York Yankees slugger had a "frank and candid" meeting with baseball's steroids investigator.
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Don't forget about these remarkable performances … It has already been a great year to be a historian. Or at least it's been a better year to be a historian than to be, say, Neifi Perez. — Well, historic homer No. 756 may have come and gone. But that doesn't mean there isn't lots …
Discussion:
The Daily Fungo
Mike Puma / New York Post:
A-ROD'S ERRORS PILE UP — Alex Rodriguez's Gold Glove chances would be strong if the season ended today, though lately the Yankees' third baseman has more resembled E-Rod, that character who butchered the position last season, than Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Associated Press:
After 69 years, Puerto Rican Winter League folds — SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The Puerto Rican winter baseball league, where the likes of Roberto Clemente, Ivan Rodriguez and Juan Gonzalez once starred, canceled its upcoming season Thursday because of financial problems.
Discussion:
Chad Gramling's Baseball Blog
Joseph White / Associated Press:
Phils' Hamels ties NL lead with 14th win — WASHINGTON (AP) — With their ace on the mound against a last-place team, the Philadelphia Phillies got the kind of victory they need to stay in a pennant race. — Cole Hamels pitched 6 2-3 shutout innings for his 14th win, tying for the NL lead …
Associated Press:
DeRosa helps Cubs crush Reds — LIKE THIS STORY? — CHICAGO (AP) - Mark DeRosa went 5-for-5 with four RBIs and the Chicago Cubs scored seven times in the seventh Thursday to beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-4 for just their fifth win in the last 15 games. — Jacque Jones added four hits for the Cubs …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Wells drawing interest from Rockies, Dodgers … Within hours after David Wells cleared waivers and became a free agent Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Colorado Rockies were the first teams to express interest in possibly signing the veteran left-hander.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Big Daddy Drew / Kissing Suzy Kolber:
KSK Mini-Gamebook: KSK Keeper League Fantasy Draft — Some highlights from last night's KSK keeper league draft. You can take a look at the results here if you are so inclined. —Last night's draft (pictured above!) was done entirely via conference call, with 6 of us in DC calling …
