Top News:
Todd Krise / MLB.com:
Mazeroski kicks off set vs. Yanks — Former Pirates great throws out ceremonial first pitch Tuesday — PITTSBURGH - Who would have imagined that one man's throw could make such a noise? — When Hall of Famer Bill Mazeroski's ceremonial first pitch hit the glove of Pirates manager John Russell …
Discussion:
NY Daily News
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Alan Robinson / Associated Press:
Bucs beat Yanks for first time since '60
Bucs beat Yanks for first time since '60
Discussion:
Where have you gone …, Bucs Dugout, YanksBlog.com, The Griddle, River Ave. Blues and NJ.com
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers to try out pitching experiment — Class A Brevard County looks to switch up starters' mindsets — ATLANTA — Brewers ace Ben Sheets believes the extinction of the Major League complete game can be traced to the Minors, where strict pitch counts protect prospects from injuries …
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Sheets To Test Free Agency — By Tim Dierkes [June 24 at 10:16pm CST] — Brewers ace Ben Sheets is in the midst of a monster contract year, and he's planning on testing the open market after the season. The Brewers might've had a chance to sign him to an extension, but GM Doug Melvin decided to pass.
Tom Haudricourt / Brewers Blog:
Sheets has eye on free agency — Atlanta - I spoke with Brewers ace Ben Sheets before the game tonight to ask about his upcoming free agency and if there was any chance the club might sign him before he tests the market this fall. — Suffice it to say that Sheets is headed for free agency.
Discussion:
Spitting Seeds
Jay Cohen / Associated Press:
Mariners defeat listless Mets 11-0 — NEW YORK (AP)—Jerry Manuel's first week as New York Mets manager mirrored the tenure of predecessor Willie Randolph—up and down, with some encouraging performances and a few letdowns. — And Manuel already seems frustrated by the Mets' erratic play.
Discussion:
Walkoff Walk, The Musings and Prophecies …, Can't Stop The Bleeding, MetsBlog.com and Yahoo! Sports
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
MLB, union meet over maple bats — Next step is gathering information about remedies — The recent explosion — literally — of maple bats has forced representatives from Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association to evaluate the threat of injury …
Discussion:
The Biz of Baseball
Associated Press:
Plate ump Brian O'Nora hit in head by broken bat — KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Plate umpire Brian O'Nora was hit in the head by a shattered piece of Miguel Olivo's broken bat, forcing him out of Tuesday night's game between the Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals.
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Getting Ridiculous — The American League took all three west coast games Tuesday night. The Phillies could not hold a 1-0 lead as Moyer allowed a three-run homer to Emil Brown in the seventh, and Oakland went on to a 5-2 win. They finally scored some runs for Joe Blanton …
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Dunn denies phone call with Ricciardi — Outfielder says he never reached out to talk with Jays' GM — TORONTO — Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said his feud with Reds left fielder Adam Dunn was finally settled via a phone call between the two over the weekend. — Not so, says Dunn.
Rob Iracane / Walkoff Walk:
Joe Morgan Besmirches Ernie Banks, Is Completely Wrong — ESPN baseball ‘analyst’ Joe Morgan is notorious for gallimaufries and assorted verbal miscues when talking about players during games. He'll misquote people, incorrectly recite stats, or worst of all, sully the career of one of baseball's all-time greats:
George A. King III / New York Post:
PITT-IFUL YANKS HEAR IT FROM JOE — GIRARDI TO TEAM: WE STUNK — PITTSBURGH - After watching the Yankees waste multiple scoring chances, the Pirates spank his pitchers and the fielders not make plays, manager Joe Girardi told his players what he thought of last night's debacle.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Tavarez elects free agency — Reliever rejects outright assignment, ends short Milwaukee stint — ATLANTA — Right-hander Julian Tavarez surprised the Brewers on Tuesday when he rejected an outright assignment to the Minor Leagues and prompted the team to release him.
Associated Press:
Rosenblatt May Be Going Away, but the Excitement Isn't — OMAHA (AP) — Fresno State kept its amazing postseason run alive Tuesday night thanks to an offensive performance that was nothing short of amazing. — After spotting Georgia a five-run lead in the third inning …
Discussion:
Baseball America