Top News:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Hampton ready; I'm banged up — It's only appropriate that on the night of Mike Hampton's first real-game appearance in more than 31 months, your Crusading Everyman will barely be able to get in and out of his car and up the steps through the security gate at Turner Field.
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Associated Press:
Braves' Hampton on DL — ATLANTA — Mike Hampton is headed back to the disabled list after hurting himself in pregame warm-ups Thursday night, preventing him from making his first start in almost three years. — Hampton, scheduled to make his first start since Aug. 19, 2005 …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Hampton placed on disabled list — Strained left pectoral muscle to sideline southpaw for 15 days — ATLANTA — While there have been times when it seemed Mike Hampton's injury woes couldn't get any worse or more unbelievable, history continues to prove nothing is impossible when it comes to Hampton and his health.
Discussion:
The Transaction Guy
Andrew Ryan / Boston Globe:
An omen? Hawk attacks girl with a familiar-sounding name at Fenway — A certain New York Yankee slugger should beware: A 13-year-old taking a tour of Fenway Park today was attacked by a red-tailed hawk that swooped off its nest, drawing blood from the girl's scalp. — Her name: Alexa Rodriguez.
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Associated Press:
Hawk attacks schoolgirl on tour of Fenway — Hawk Attacks Schoolgirl Taking Tour of Fenway Park — BOSTON — A 13-year-old girl touring Fenway Park on a school trip was attacked by a resident red-tailed hawk that drew blood from her scalp Thursday. — She wasn't seriously hurt …
Brian Costello / New York Post:
JOBA GOES BLAND OVER FIST, FOR ONE NIGHT — As Alex Rios' fly ball settled in Bobby Abreu's glove to end the eighth inning last night, there were no fist pumps, no twirls, no screams. Yankees star Joba Chamberlain simply took his glove off and walked off the field with his head down.
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Chamberlain defends his celebration — Young hurler insists no disrespect intended with fist pump — NEW YORK — The walls of Joba Chamberlain's boyhood bedroom in Lincoln, Neb., had inches of poster space dedicated to Frank Thomas, then doing his Big Hurting for the White Sox …
Newsday:
Blogging a way of expression for Yankees fans — Back in the day, passionate fans went to sports bars to commiserate about what ailed their team. That still works, but fans no longer have to leave their office or living room to debate the merits of new manager Joe Girardi or Joba Chamberlain's remaining in the bullpen.
Discussion:
iYankees
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Kennedy Will Attempt to Keep Being Noticed — Ian Kennedy was ordering lunch at a cafe in New Jersey this week when a worker startled him. It was nothing unusual for a major leaguer, but for Kennedy it was a first: he was recognized away from the ballpark.
Steve Crowe / Boston Globe:
Colon comes up aces in Pawtucket opener — PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Bartolo Colon made it clear he doesn't want to stay in Pawtucket long. And if he continues to pitch the way he did last night, he won't have to. — Colon pitched five scoreless innings, striking out five and allowing one hit and one walk …
David Lennon / Newsday:
Minaya in no hurry to go outside for rotation help — For now, Mets general manager Omar Minaya, left, seems to content to rely on his current starting rotation, which includes newly acquired ace Johan Santana, right. (Newsday / David L. Pokress) — ATLANTA - General manager Omar Minaya …
Rick Morrissey / Chicago Tribune:
It's time for sincere apologies to Bartman — I wonder if anyone might be able to clear up something for me: — How does Steve Bartman go about retrieving the last 41/2 years of his life? How does he rewind the tape and then start erasing the scenes in which news helicopters are flying …
Discussion:
A League of Her Own
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Rolling Rollins lifts Phillies in 10th — This is the type of play that makes Jimmy Rollins so special and so much fun to watch. — It makes him MVP. — The Phillies overcame a terribly sloppy start yesterday to beat the Washington Nationals, 8-7, in 10 innings at Citizens Bank Park.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
It's his turn to cash in — Wakefield aiming at a new target — The last time the Red Sox tried someone other than Doug Mirabelli behind the plate with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, general manager Theo Epstein was panicked into what he now rues as his worst trade.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jon Paul Morosi / Detroit Free Press:
Tigers DH Sheffield says he tore tendon in finger; status unclear — Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield said he tore a tendon in his left ring finger this afternoon, leaving his status for Friday's game - and perhaps the immediate future - very much in doubt.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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