Top News:
Steve Silva / Boston Globe:
Schilling to have surgery; done for season — Curt Schilling revealed this morning that he will have season-ending surgery on his right shoulder on Monday, saying there was a “pretty decent chance that I've thrown my last pitch forever.” — The 41-year-old Red Sox righthander …
RELATED:
Curt Schilling / 38 Pitches:
Not a thing in the world to be upset about. — 22 years ago June the Boston Red Sox picked a Freshman Pitcher from Yavapai Junior College (the best JC team in the nation btw!) in the 2nd round of the (Last!) January Draft. — 3 World Series rings, 3k innings plus later, there's a chance it's all over.
ESPN.com:
Schilling says season, and possibly career, is over — BOSTON — Curt Schilling said Friday he's out for the season, and his career might be over, too. — The 41-year-old Boston Red Sox right-hander said Friday on radio station WEEI-AM he will have shoulder surgery next week.
Willie Randolph / NY Daily News:
Willie Randolph opens up after his recent firing as Mets manager — Three and a half years and 555 games after it began, my dream of bringing a championship to the New York Mets officially expired a few minutes after midnight in Suite 1602 of the Westin Hotel in Costa Mesa, Calif.
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David Lennon / Newsday:
Five ways for the Mets to stay alive — So now what? — On what has seemed like a roller-coaster ride to oblivion for these Mets, the only person whose season really is over is Willie Randolph. And after Wednesday's comeback victory over the Angels, this team, now under the tutelage of Jerry Manuel …
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Rubin: With Minaya on hot seat, Bernazard could get job — DENVER - The political climate that swallowed Willie Randolph may ultimately consume Omar Minaya as well, with VP Tony Bernazard in prime position to assume the GM responsibilities if Minaya is ousted, insiders tell the Daily News.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Hot Foot, New York Post, Kranepool Society, Newsday and 24 Hours From Suicide
Chicago Tribune:
Sox, Cubs fans get ready for Wrigley rumble — Judging by the numbers, this weekend's crosstown clash between the Cubs and White Sox should be a monster: Both teams stand atop their divisions, their TV ratings are up substantially and tickets to the series at Wrigley Field are fetching unprecedented prices.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings, Bleed Cubbie Blue, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, The Bard's Room, wrigleyville23 and Foul Balls
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Yahoo! Sports:
White Sox Team Report — Inside Pitch — General manager Ken Williams said his piece in a Sun-Times article on Wednesday when asked if he could ever see himself as the general manager of the cross-town rival Cubs. — His response? — “That would be a betrayal,” the White Sox GM said.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Suzuki's next hit: the road — The rap on Ichiro Suzuki and the Mariners: They're highly paid underachievers. John Froschauer / Associated Press — Seattle fired general manager Bill Bavasi on Monday. Manager John McLaren was let go Thursday. — Who's next?
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Blue Jays GM regrets harsh criticism of Reds' Dunn … J.P. Ricciardi, general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, apologized profusely for critical remarks he made about Cincinnati Reds outfielder Adam Dunn earlier this week, and indicated he is trying to reach out to Dunn …
Discussion:
Associated Press, Posted Sports, Drunk Jays Fans, Fox Sports, FIRE JOE MORGAN and Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
GM's comments rankle Reds' Dunn
GM's comments rankle Reds' Dunn
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Tavarez designated for assignment — Brewers want to hold onto reliever if he clears waivers — MILWAUKEE — Julian Tavarez was the odd man out when the Brewers activated reliever David Riske from the disabled list on Thursday. — Three weeks after he signed to plug a hole …
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Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com:
Indians acquire Fasano from Braves — Veteran offers more experience than Haad, who's designated — DENVER — Kelly Shoppach is the Indians' everyday catcher, now that Victor Martinez is out for a while. But Shoppach, of course, can't be counted on to play every day.
Carroll Rogers / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Chipper Jones' average falls below .400 — Blanco wants bat leadoff — Arlington, Texas — Chipper Jones asked what the date was Thursday afternoon after the Braves' loss to the Rangers, while he was filling out a check to tip the Texas visiting clubhouse attendants. — He might remember it for a while now, actually.
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs' season may hinge on Zambrano's MRI — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Cubs' season could hinge on the outcome of an MRI of Carlos Zambrano's pitching shoulder Friday in Chicago before the team finishes a painful road trip tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays.