Top News:
Richard Justice / Sporting News:
Pettitte, Cashman eras could be winding down for Yankees — We appear to be seeing the beginning of the end of Andy Pettitte's marvelous career, and if you care about the New York Yankees, this may be more bad news than you can digest in one sitting. — In a related move, Brian Cashman likely will end up leaving, too.
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Mike Pagliarulo / Dugout Central:
Pags: Hughes Loses Velocity Because of Mechanics — Great question from Steve L. over at www.waswatching.com: … A big difference between good organizations and bad organizations is their ability to develop their own prospects. Scouting and the ability to make sound player acquisition decisions …
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues, WasWatching.com, The Bronx Block, Bronx Liaison, New Jersey Online, The Sommer Frieze, NJ.com and Sliding Into Home
On the Yankees beat:
Joba, Giambi available — Joe Girardi said both Joba Chamberlain and Jason Giambi could play tonight if needed. Giambi (groin), Girardi said, was being held out because of the chilly temperature, which by mid-game could dip into the high 30's. He said he expected Giambi to be ready for tomorrow afternoon's game in Kansas City.
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David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Orioles sweep Mariners, improve to 5-1 — BALTIMORE (AP)—Aubrey Huff homered to break an eighth-inning tie, and the surprising Baltimore Orioles completed their first four-game sweep of the Seattle Mariners since 1999 with a 5-4 victory Monday. — Melvin Mora also homered …
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs lock up Young for six years — Club, outfielder agree to multiyear contract through 2013 — PHOENIX — The D-backs have reached an agreement with outfielder Chris Young on a six-year deal that is expected to be announced Tuesday. — Negotiations on the deal began during Spring Training …
ESPN.com:
Braves' Spiezio sentenced to 3 years probation — NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Scott Spiezio pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor drunken driving and hit-and-run charges stemming from a December car crash in Orange County. — Spiezio's lawyer entered the plea as part of a plea agreement …
Discussion:
Fox Sports
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Email about Ozzie favoring Latin players misguided — DETROIT — After a quick scan through his e-mails, Ozzie Guillen has read how he “hates Brian Anderson” as well as being a “Venezuelan piece of [bleep] that is racist and only starts the Latino players.” — And those were sent in just the last few days.
Discussion:
The Postmen
Phillips / Rumors and Rants:
The Blogosphere's Favorite Baseball Teams — Baseball is a funny game. Oftentimes fans ourselves inexorably tied to a team's fate for seven months at a time, only to have that bond broken with sadness, despair and loss. But somehow, when our memories of those times come rushing back to us …
Sports Illustrated:
A look back at the week that was, and a look ahead — It's too early, way too early, really, to even be talking about how early it is. It's so early in this barely emergent baseball season that Bobby Cox hasn't even been thrown out of a game yet, Manny Ramirez hasn't asked for a trade …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Finale not grand for Sox — ‘Big Hurt’ put on end of long trip … TORONTO - No amount of Red Bull, Starbucks' Sumatra, Dunkin' Donuts' Original Blend or any other Major League Baseball-sanctioned stimulant is enough right now for the Red Sox [team stats].
Cyril Morong / Cybermetrics:
Is David Ortiz A Clutch Hitter? — Many fans are aware of clutch hitting stats like hitting with runners in scoring position and hitting when it is close and late (CL = Situations when the game is in the 7th inning or later and the batting team is leading by one run, tied, or has the potential tying run on base, at bat or on deck).
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
David Lennon / Newsday:
Mets' Church thought he would haul in home run — ATLANTA - Ryan Church thought he had it. Not in a leap-and-a-prayer kind of way, but as maybe something bordering on routine. When the Braves' Mark Teixeira launched a high fly ball to rightfield off Aaron Heilman in the eighth inning …