Top News:
Enrique Rojas / ESPN.com:
Source: Youkilis' at-bat reaction led to dugout fight … BOSTON — The emotions from an on-field brawl in Thursday's Red Sox-Rays game may have brought a chemistry issue to light for the defending World Series champs. — Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez and first baseman Kevin Youkilis …
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
No dirt on Ramírez-Youkilis dust-up — Although the most explosive portion of fight night at Fenway Park occurred during the bottom of the second inning, after James Shields hit Coco Crisp with a pitch, the undercard was no less intriguing. — Before the start of the fifth inning, there was an issue in the Red Sox dugout.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Manny, Youkilis engage in dugout debate — Players have to be separated at end of fourth inning in Sox win — BOSTON — A couple of innings after being involved in a fracas with the Tampa Bay Rays, the Red Sox were suddenly fighting each other. Well, at least two of them were.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, FanHouse, SOX & Dawgs, Walkoff Walk, Associated Press, ShysterBall and iYankees
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Another Can't-Miss Prospect May Help Yankees Bullpen — NORWICH, Conn. — The ballpark here sits at the end of a winding industrial road, surrounded by trees, with no sense of place. It rained all day Wednesday, and most of the 1,353 paying fans stayed home. Kids were disappointed if they left with only one foul ball.
Discussion:
Bats, Bronx Liaison, The Bronx Block, Pinstripe Alley, Respect Jeter's Gangster, iYankees, The Sommer Frieze and River Ave. Blues
Anthony Rieber / Newsday:
Red hot Damon attributes mustache to his success — Johnny Damon gets congratulations from first base coach Tony Pena after his 3rd inning single as the NY Yankees played the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, June 5, 2008. (Newsday/ Paul J. Bereswill) — It must be the mustaches.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Iguchi heading to disabled list — Infielder separates right shoulder in spill on basepaths — SAN DIEGO — Second baseman Tadahito Iguchi suffered a separated right shoulder in the seventh inning of the Padres' 2-1 victory over the Mets at PETCO Park on Thursday night.
Associated Press:
Bonds pleads not guilty to refiled federal charges — SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds has pleaded not guilty to 15 federal charges of lying to a grand jury about his performance-enhancing drug use. — Bonds pleaded not guilty to similar accusations in December, but a judge ordered prosecutors …
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
Keith Law / ESPN:
Corner infielders dominate atypical first round … Overview — This year's first round was unusual in a number of ways. We had five college relievers taken, beating the previous record of three (set in 2003). We also saw eight corner infielders taken and four catchers …
Newsday:
Mets regulars like Wright have little time to rest — When manager Willie Randolph spoke to his team before Tuesday's game against the Giants at AT&T Park, the message wasn't about anything the Mets needed to do on the field. After winning five of seven to that point, they appeared to be fine between the lines.
Chicago Sun Times:
Which team has the hotter fans: Cubs or Sox? — FROM SUN-TIMES STAFF REPORTS — Forget about who has the better team, that will be settled on the field — hopefully in late October. We want to know who has the hotter fans — Cubs or Sox. — Send your nominations — male and female …
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper plans to play a lot longer — Chipper Jones, who hit his 400th homer Thursday night and is batting .418 in early June, is enjoying a career resurgence — at age 36. — The Braves third baseman looks as if he might be able to play a while longer, and Jones said that's his intention.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Message delivered to Rollins, team — Charlie Manuel has two commandments he asks his players to follow from the beginning of spring training in Clearwater, Fla., through the final game of the season, which he hopes comes in late October: — 1. Be on time. — 2. Hustle.
Matt Meyers / ESPNtheMag.com:
REPORTING FROM ... THE MLB DRAFT — Count me in the (severe) minority, but the MLB draft is my favorite of all the major sports drafts. It wasn't always this way, but I had the privilege of working in the offices of Baseball America for the 2005 and 2006 drafts, and that experience completely changed my perspective.
Discussion:
Baseball America
