Top News:
Sabernomics:
Jordan Schafer and Growth Hormone — I'm heading out the door to catch a plane to Memphis, so I don't have much time. But, I want to briefly comment on the 50-game suspension of Braves prospect Jordan Schafer for violating MLB's drug policy in regard to human growth hormone. I'll offer a few thoughts.
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Braves' top prospect Schafer suspended for HGH — Promising center fielder to sit out 50 games — Denver — Braves top prospect Jordan Schafer's career just hit a troubling detour: drug suspension. — The 21-year-old center fielder was suspended 50 games for the use of human growth hormone …
Dan Ventura / Boston Herald:
A hero's welcome — Buckner gets love at Fens … One of the symbols of Red Sox [team stats] Nation's past frustrations was welcomed back with open arms yesterday. — With a packed house at Fenway cheering his every step, Bill Buckner slowly walked in from left field …
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Buckner's appearance marks end of an error — The pause lasted a full 13 seconds. Bill Buckner sat at a table in the Fenway Park interview room, a microphone in front of him, and pondered the question. Had he had second thoughts about throwing out the first pitch at yesterday's home opener …
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Day of Rejoicing for Red Sox; Emotional Return by Buckner — BOSTON — For one glorious afternoon, everything seemed brighter, happier and more hopeful in this passionate baseball city because everything was right with the Red Sox. Remembering the beloved Red Sox' second championship …
Discussion:
iYankees
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Two moves coming? — Alberto Gonzalez was pulled out of tonight's game for Scranton, which could mean he's headed here to replace Derek Jeter on the roster. — Jorge Posada is scheduled for an MRI tomorrow. He said it would be in Kansas City. The Yankees can have their own doctors read the results then decide what to do.
Discussion:
New York Post, Hot Stove New York, NJ.com, Blogging the Bombers, WasWatching.com, Bugs & Cranks, New York Yankees etc. and iYankees
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:Posada may be headed for DL
Discussion:
Bronx Liaison, Pinstripe Alley, Pinstripes, Pa, River Ave. Blues and Scott Proctor's Arm
Associated Press:
Second of Molina's two home runs gives the Giants a 3-2 win over Padres — Bengie Molina could get used to hitting game-winning home runs. — “To see those guys waiting for you at home is just amazing,” Molina said after hitting his second homer of the night with one out in the 11th inning off Cla Meredith …
Discussion:
Only Baseball Matters
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Billingsley off-kilter in first start — Once again, big early hole foils Dodgers against D-backs — PHOENIX — Joe Torre offered up last week's rain-delay fiasco as one explanation for Chad Billingsley's poor first start Tuesday night, but the young right-hander wasn't making excuses after getting beat.
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Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Cheer up Mets fans: You can't collapse in April — Mets fans, look at the bright side: Your team will never disappoint as many of you on Opening Day as it did Tuesday, ever again. Guaranteed. — Never again will 56,350 people leave a Mets home opener with their chins dragging the ground …
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Crasnick: Past slow starters who found their mojo … Barely a week into the season, the baseball version of “Campaign 2008” has a jumbled, upside-down feel to it. Dennis Kucinich is a fundraising machine, Ron Paul leads in pledged delegates and Sam Brownback has vowed to take this thing …
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
Christopher Harris / ESPN:
The Big Rotowski: Players in danger of losing jobs … Homer Simpson has job security. — I mean, no matter what that dude does as an inspector at that nuclear power plant, no matter how many half-brained careers he stops and starts in place of his safety stewardship of Sector 7-G …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Buck 0-fer finally over as he joins hit parade — (04-09) 04:00 PDT Toronto — Travis Buck finally has hitting stats that don't read zero. — In the second inning Tuesday, the A's second-year outfielder put an end to an 0-for-22 streak with an RBI double down the line in right off A.J. Burnett.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Hicks wants Rangers to start at home — Texas owner unhappy with team opening seasons on road — ARLINGTON — Rangers owner Tom Hicks said he has brought it to Commissioner Bud Selig's attention that the Rangers have opened on the road in seven of the last eight seasons and that needs to change.
Discussion:
Dallas Morning News
Lynn Henning / Detroit News:
Infield defense among the issues Tigers must address — Considering nothing the Tigers have done the past week is rational, an armchair manager is going to try his hand at shaking up a team that somehow is 0-7. — Here are 11 ideas from “Manager for a Day,” who isn't afraid to employ …
Discussion:
ShysterBall
ESPN:
Chat with Phillies 2B Chase Utley — Welcome to The Show! On Wednesday, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley will stop by to chat about the new MLB season. — Utley is off to a fast start to 2008. Through eight games, he is hitting .357 with three home runs and a .486 OBP.
Nathan Rode / Baseball America Prospects Blog:
Hi A Dish: Lara's Circus Day — As we did last year, we'll look around the minors every weekday with the Daily Dish, a supplement to the Baseball America Prospect Report, which is available by email every weekday. — Christian Lara found himself on both the winning and losing team of Lancaster's 6-3 win …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins, Spitzer enjoy D.C.'s infamous Mayflower — WASHINGTON — Hanley Ramirez, the Marlins' star shortstop, stepped outside the team hotel on his way to lunch when a tour bus screeched to a sudden stop on Connecticut Avenue. — Pressed against the windows, dozens of passengers aimed their cameras and snapped away.
