Check out Mini-Ballbug for simple mobiles or Ballbug Mobile for modern smartphones.
5:15 PM ET, April 18, 2008

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays sign Longoria to multiyear contract  —  Nine-year deal is longest in Tampa Bay franchise history  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Evan Longoria has been signed by the Rays to the longest contract in franchise history.  —  Friday afternoon at a news conference at Tropicana Field …
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Rays lock up Longoria for six years, $17.5 million  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rookie third baseman Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed Friday to a $17.5 million, six-year contract, a deal that could be worth up to $44 million over nine seasons.  —  Tampa Bay has a club option …
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Rays, Longoria reach deal - 9 years, $44-million  —  Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, left, and Andrew Friedman, Rays executive vice president for baseball operations, answer reporters' questions at a Tropicana Field news conference today after announcing Longoria's new contract.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Rays To Sign Longoria Long-Term
Discussion: Pending Pinstripes
Sports Illustrated:
Identifying Jose Canseco's ‘Max’ … MIAMI — As the Justice Department pursues its perjury investigation of Roger Clemens, Jose Canseco may put his credibility at risk during a scheduled interview with federal agents next week if the author of Vindicated discloses the identity of “Max.”
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Report: Feds likely to question Canseco on ‘Max’  —  While federal agents are meeting Tuesday with Jose Canseco in connection with their probe of Roger Clemens on possible perjury charges, a person named “Max” might also be part of the conversation.  —  In “Vindicated,” his second book …
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Ramírez unloads on Yankees again  —  NEW YORK - Had enough of the Yankees, having seen them five times in the last seven days?  —  The sentiment is understandable, unless you're Manny Ramírez, who has reason to mourn because he won't see the Bombers again until Fourth of July weekend.
Discussion: Surviving Grady and The Soxaholix
RELATED:
George A. King III / New York Post:
MANNY SOX IT TO BOMBERS, AGAIN
Mark Lelinwalla / NY Daily News:
Nightmare begins in bullpen for Mike Mussina, Yankees
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies outlast Padres in 22 innings  —  SAN DIEGO — This wasn't a game.  It was a relationship.  —  The Rockies and San Diego Padres stayed close for hours Thursday night.  Problem is they don't know to break it off.  Or break away.  —  After 6 hours, 16 minutes, 15 pitchers …
Discussion: Rocky Mountain News and Purple Row
RELATED:
Chimpanzee Rage / Deuce of Davenport:
Marty Brennaman Hates Cubs Fans  —  To say that Marty Brennaman doesn't like Chicago Cubs fans would be a bit of an understatement.  Here's a video with the audio from the Chicago Tribune of Marty Brennaman taking Cubs fans to task for throwing like 20 balls onto the field after a huge Adam Dunn home run at Wrigley Field.
RELATED:
George A. King III / New York Post:
A-ROD LEAVES ABREU HANGING  —  Because every move he makes is under a huge spotlight, Alex Rodriguez was asked last night why he doesn't shake hands, exchange fist knuckles or acknowledge Bobby Abreu when Abreu homers in front of him.  —  As Abreu approaches the plate Rodriguez is off …
Newsday:
Fraternization makes Mets' Randolph hostile  —  This week's visit to Shea by the Nationals, a team managed by former Mets coach Manny Acta, again featured the kind of affection usually reserved for family reunions.  Hugs, handshakes, plenty of laughs.  —  Acta is a great guy, and still well liked in Mets circles.
Susan Slusser / SFGate:
Johnson claimed by Tampa Bay - update  —  From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser  —  I just got off the phone with Dan Johnson's agent, who said that Tampa Bay claimed Johnson this morning.  Johnson confirmed it, as well.  —  “It's been a long 10 days,” Johnson said.
Discussion: MLB Rumors
ESPN.com:
Joba to miss another game, says dad feels better  —  BALTIMORE — Joba Chamberlain's father is breathing on his own and feeling better, no longer needing a ventilator but still in critical condition and awaiting more tests.  —  Chamberlain was to miss his fifth consecutive game Friday night …
Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:
Samson: Forbes way off base  —  MIAMI GARDENS - Forbes released its annual state of baseball report Thursday, drawing little more than a chuckle in Marlins offices.  —  According to the magazine's numbers, the Marlins are the least valuable, but second- most profitable franchise in Major League Baseball.
Discussion: FishStripes
RELATED:
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Braves' power prevails against Marlins
Discussion: Talking Chop
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
A shirt stop is needed  —  Offensive image on hot-selling item doesn't reflect positively on city  —  Kosuke Fukudome didn't have to wait long for the ugly American part of his welcome to Wrigleyville.  —  A Fukudome T-shirt with a racist image is the hottest-selling item at a souvenir stand …
Discussion: SPORTSbyBROOKS and FanHouse
Chicago Sun Times:
Easier said than done  —  Williams plays it smart in swap shop reality, not in trade fantasies of fans, media  —  BALTIMORE — White Sox general manager Ken Williams is smarter than you.  But it's not your fault.  —  After all, you're tainted.  —  Tainted by media that examine every little detail …
Discussion: Baseball Digest Daily
 
 Archived Page Info: 
This is a snapshot of Ballbug at 5:15 PM ET, April 18, 2008.

View the current page or another snapshot:


 
 See Also: 
Ballbug: site main
Ballbug River: reverse chronological Ballbug
Ballbug Mobile: for phones
Ballbug Leaderboard: Ballbug's top sources
 
 Subscribe: 
Ballbug RSS feed
 
 
 More News: 
Jon Friedman / MarketWatch:
How the Mets' announcers form a winning team
Discussion: MetsBlog.com
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' Rafael Furcal enjoys resurgence
Discussion: Dem Bums and Dodger Thoughts
Joshua Robinson / New York Times:
Figueroa's Fan Club Moves With His Pitches
Discussion: Hot Foot
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Intent?  —  You just cannot throw a ball BEHIND someone …
Discussion: SOX & Dawgs
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Detractors having a field day with Lugo
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Fans Will Come, but Won't Be Rooting for the Home Team
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Beltran's injury really is a pain in neck
 Earlier Picks: 
Sean Brennan / NY Daily News:
Hughes hopes to mow down O's
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
M's 8, Athletics 1  —  THE SCENE: It was another nice night in the Bay Area.
Discussion: Lookout Landing
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Rodriguez gets a shaky save in Angels' victory
Discussion: 6-4-2
USA Today:
Sabathia struggling to find out what's wrong
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Felix's delivery won't be tinkered with
Reuters:
Japanese school team hit for 66 runs in two innings
Discussion: The Griddle
The 10 Spot:
Why Shea Stadium beats Yankee Stadium
 

 
From WeSmirch:

TMZ.com:
Original ‘Wheel of Fortune’ & ‘Love Connection’ Host Chuck Woolery Dead at 83

Rebecca Rubin / Variety:
Box Office: ‘Wicked’ Opens to Record-Setting $114 Million, ‘Gladiator II’ Starts Strong With $55.5 Million

TMZ.com:
‘The Slumber Party Massacre’ Star Michael Villella Dead at 84

 
Sister Sites:

Techmeme
 Top news and commentary for technology's leaders, from all around the web
Mediagazer
 Top news and commentary for media professionals from all around the web
memeorandum
 What US political commentators are discussing online right now
WeSmirch
 The top celebrity news from all around the web on a single page