Top News:
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Roberts admits he used steroids — Orioles second baseman says he took drugs only once, in 2003 — Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts (Sun photo by Kenneth K. Lam / May 11, 2005) — Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts admitted last night that he used steroids "once," in 2003 …
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Adam Nichols / NY Daily News:
Roger's pitch: Go away, y'all! — HOUSTON - A defiant Roger Clemens broke his silence Monday about making the Mitchell Report's steroid user hall of shame, and his answer was like his fastball - high and hard. — "I'm not talking to y'all about it," the husky right-hander told reporters outside …
Discussion:
Fox Sports, New York Times, New York Post, Boston Sports Media Watch and Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Associated Press:
Orioles' Roberts admits one-time use of steroids — BALTIMORE — Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has acknowledged using steroids, but insists he only tried it once before realizing he had made a "terrible decision." — Roberts was named in former Sen. George Mitchell's report on steroid use in Major League Baseball.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Mo calls for mo' players to spill juice — Mariano Rivera hasn't read the Mitchell Report, but he has some friendly advice for any of his teammates who have used performance-enhancing drugs: Come clean. — Andy Pettitte admitted to his use of human growth hormone in 2002 on Saturday …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Phil Gallo / Variety:
A-Rod bats for Oseary's team — Yankees' Rodriguez signs management deal — Guy Oseary, the former record company executive whose personal management stable includes Madonna, has signed his first athlete, Alex Rodriguez. — The New York Yankees third baseman, considered …
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NY Daily News:
As usual, A-Rod is only about A-Wad — At one point during her "60 Minutes" interview with Alex Rodriguez, Katie Couric asked the Yankees' third baseman if "he's worth" the huge salary Hankenstein & Co. are paying him. — A-Rod should have answered thusly: "Katie, considering the lousy ratings …
ESPN.com:
Reports: Woman seeks protective order vs. Dukes — Elijah Dukes, whom the Washington Nationals obtained this month in the hopes that he could overcome his legal and behavioral problems, is reportedly facing more trouble in Florida. — A Tampa-area woman has been granted a temporary injunction …
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Rays of Light
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Breaking News:
Another injunction sought against ex-Rays' Dukes — TAMPA — Another woman has asked a judge to protect her from ex-Rays player Elijah Dukes, saying he sent her threatening text messages. — Amanda E. Reese, 23, was granted a temporary injunction for protection against domestic violence on Dec. 10.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Time seems on Sox' side with Santana — These things, you surely understand, can take time. And it may be no different with Johan Santana. — The Red Sox contested the Yankees for Jose Contreras right up until Christmas Eve, 2002, before Theo Epstein, then the Sox' assistant general manager …
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Rays Top 11 Prospects — Four-Star Prospects — Three-Star Prospects — Just Missing: Nick Barnese, RHP; John Jaso, C; Chris Mason, RHP; Mitch Talbot, RHP — 1. Evan Longoria, 3B — Drafted: 1st round, 2006, Long Beach State — 2007 Stats: .307/.403/.528 at Double-A (105 G); .269/.398/.490 at Triple-A (31 G)
Discussion:
DRaysBay
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates hope to catch Estrada — Olivo, Miller also on team's list of free-agent inquiries — The Pirates' search for a catcher to push or supplant Ronny Paulino has added another prominent name: Johnny Estrada. — They are one of three teams seriously bidding for his services through free agency …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Will Mitchell Report hurt? — MLB.com's Ladson answers fans' Nationals questions … I read the Mitchell Report and saw the sections on Paul Lo Duca. Are the Nationals going to do anything to address that issue with him? — Entering Monday, we have not heard from the Nationals …
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Federal Baseball
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Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
O's confirm ticket price increase — An Orioles spokesman confirmed yesterday that the club has raised season ticket prices for select seats at Camden Yards for 2008, the first such increase in several years. — "Camden Yards remains affordable to everyone as a season-plan holder or on an individual basis …
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Seattle Mariners raising ticket prices — If you're thinking of filling those Christmas stockings with Seattle Mariners tickets for the baseball nut in your life, be prepared to take a hit in the wallet. — The Mariners have tried to spend big this offseason, without success.
ESPN:
Report: Astros make offer to injury-plagued Prior — It looks like Mark Prior won't be on the market for very long. — Cut loose by the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, Prior received an offer from the Houston Astros on Monday, according to the Houston Chronicle.
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MetsBlog.com
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Todd Zolecki / philly.com:
Phils get a look at righthander Kris Benson — Free-agent righthander Kris Benson has intrigued the Phillies for a while, so yesterday they watched him throw in Phoenix. — They wouldn't say much about their impressions, other than they plan to talk more with the scouts who watched him and collect more information.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Javy Lopez rejoins Braves — Former fan favorite signed to minor league contract — Javy Lopez is back with the Braves. — The Braves signed their popular former catcher to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, where the 37-year-old will try to win a job backing up catcher Brian McCann.
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