Top News:
Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
METS PUSH BACK PEDRO'S RETURN — The pitching help that the struggling Mets could use most - three-time Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez - won't be arriving anytime soon. — GM Omar Minaya told The Post the Mets now expect a strained left hamstring to sideline Martinez until at least the middle of May - and possibly into June.
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Joshua Robinson / New York Times:
Fans Have Not Forgotten, or Forgiven, the Mets — No employee in the Mets organization is safe anymore. Whether it is Johan Santana, their $137.5 million off-season acquisition, or an usher popping a beach ball in the stands, or the left-handed reliever Scott Schoeneweis, the frustrated fans at Shea Stadium are prepared to boo.
Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
PAGAN'S BUBBLE IS ABOUT TO POP — Despite a red-hot start, Angel Pagan can count on returning to a reserve role with the Mets once Moises Alou returns. — That was the word from Willie Randolph, who doesn't sound all that impressed by Pagan though the former Cub is leading the team in average …
George A. King III / New York Post:
JORGE MULLS HIS OPTIONS — Jorge Posada is mulling the pros and cons of getting a cortisone shot in his ailing right shoulder. — “It's 50/50 it would work because of where the problem is,” Posada told The Post during batting practice last night at Tropicana Field.
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Manny's homer in ninth topples Tribe — Ortiz has crucial two-out hit to set up win against Borowski — CLEVELAND — Bloop and a blast isn't usually the combination that comes to mind when you think of the star-studded tandem of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez, the boppers who sit in the middle …
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NY Daily News:
Raissman: McCarver, Buck whiff with silent treatment — The only thing more stunning than Joe Girardi letting Mike Mussina pitch to Manny Ramirez on Saturday was Fox's Tim McCarver having absolutely nothing to say about the move. A move that is still being discussed.
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
One-game playoff won't be forgotten — Rockies, Padres fought for 13 innings for Wild Card berth — The Rockies rejoiced and the Padres went home. — One moment, two teams and a season defined for both that became indelible stamps that fans of each franchise will remember forever.
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Tulo off to rough start — Rockies shortstop struggling to make 2008 look like '07 — SAN DIEGO — The message is both a reminder of what makes him great and an explanation for his slow start. — Underneath the bill of Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki's cap, it reads, “Play Hard.”
Discussion:
MLB.com
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Jeter talks about Jackie Robinson — Yankees shortstop discusses importance of No. 42 — Derek Jeter was growing up in Kalamazoo, Mich., when he first heard the name “Jackie Robinson” from his father, Dr. Charles Jeter. In the years since becoming a Major League Baseball player …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Chamberlain Leaves Yanks to Join His Ill Father — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Part of the budding legend of Joba Chamberlain is his close bond with his father, Harlan. For several games this season, at home and on the road, Harlan Chamberlain has been around the Yankees …
Discussion:
Bats
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Trade hasn't hurt Marlins in standings — They're watching the standings in both leagues. They see that they're in first place and the Detroit Tigers are in last place. — There's a feeling of pride, for sure, but no one on the Marlins is gloating. — “They've got their hands full …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Kyle / Driveline Mechanics:
Pitching Mechanics: Clay Buchholz — Red Sox phenom Clay Buchholz is one of the most-watched pitchers this year as Boston fans hope to see more of the outstanding stuff that he showcased in 2007, throwing a no-hitter in just his second major league start. Everyone knows that Buchholz …
Mike Fast / Hardball Times:
How will ball tracking analysis change the game? — One of my favorite baseball books is Pure Baseball by Keith Hernandez. It is an in-depth look at two games from the 1993 season, at-bat by at- bat, pitch by pitch, with Hernandez as the narrator and baseball teacher.
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Brewers supposedly have signed Weaver — I received a tip from a reliable source this morning that the Brewers have signed free-agent right-hander Jeff Weaver to an incentive-laden deal. — I'm traveling to St. Louis this morning and won't be able to get it confirmed with club management until later …
