Top News:
Sabernomics:
Do It! Why the Braves Should Sign Barry Bonds — When I first heard the news that Barry Bonds is willing to play for the league minimum I laughed: there's no way would the Braves do this. Right? But I the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the Braves need to make this move.
RELATED:
Duk / Yahoo! Sports:
How could I forget Hernandez and Strawberry on photo day? — When I was writing this morning's top 10 MLB teammate fights, I was doing it with the knowledge that I was definitely going to leave some classics out on the table. Blogging is a game of first drafts.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Are Frustrated by a Rainout — PITTSBURGH — The Yankees started Thursday's game with four extra-base hits in a row, and they were leading the Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-1, when a storm blew through PNC Park. The teams waited two and a half hours before the game was postponed until July 10, with all statistics erased.
RELATED:
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Yankees' prospects are better equipped for future — We arrive at Subway Series Part II with both clubs having shown hope that 2008 is not such a lost cause after all. People, we've got to modernize ourselves: As much as you enjoy whining, today's game is all about parity …
RELATED:
Notsellingjeans / Athletics Nation:
“Arena Baseball” - The American League's Superiority — After Thursday's games, the AL is a whopping 124-84 over the National League thus far in Interleague Play, with one final weekend to play. Forty games over .500. — And the run differential suggests it hasn't been a fluke.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Greetings from Gate D-88 — Here we are at the Frenchy Fuqua International Airport in Pittsburgh. — Back when I made these flight plans, it seemed perfect. Arrive at LaGuardia around 11:15 a.m., grab some lunch in Queens and head over to Shea Stadium with plenty of time to spare to cover the game.
Discussion:
The 'Ropolitans
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Benson to make Triple-A rehab start — Right-hander to take the hill vs. Syracuse on Sunday — OAKLAND — Feeling it's time for a challenge, the Phillies have sent rehabbing pitcher Kris Benson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley for his June 29 start. — The right-hander had gone -2 with an 8.10 ERA …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Grilli can handle heat at Comerica — Based on the venom directed at Jason Grilli by Tigers fans and manager Jim Leyland, one would think the reliever was responsible for slow U.S. car sales and Michigan's statewide recession. — Grilli returns to Detroit tonight as the slumping Rockies open a three-game series at Comerica Park.
Discussion:
Purple Row
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins Notebook: Florida hopes to rebounds vs. Arizona — MIAMI GARDENS — The Marlins hope they can snap a four-game losing streak when Arizona arrives tonight for a rare second trip of the season to Florida starting tonight. — The Marlins swept three games from the Diamondbacks at Dolphin Stadium in May.
Alex Eisenberg / Hardball Times:
Breaking down the draft: Picks 18-26 — Today, we continue our draft review series by breaking down picks 18-26. In Part 1, we broke down a number of players in the top half of the first round, and in the THT draft primer, I laid out a few ground rules and also provided scouting reports on some of the draft's top prospects.
Mark Healey / Gotham Baseball:
Hudson Valley Hooey — A year or so ago, I implored many of my colleagues in the print and digital media to spend some time in the classroom, as I did as a adjunct Professor Of Journalism at Five Towns College in 2006-07. At the time I explained that in addition to “giving back” …
Kate M. Jackson / Boston Globe:
Why is this pink hat so hated? — Fans say it's a fashion statement. Naysayers counter that anyone in a Sox cap this color is a poseur. — Anne Houseman was never into baseball, but after moving here in 2002, she became a devoted Red Sox fan. To pledge her allegiance to Red Sox Nation …
Billy Witz / New York Times:
The Kid Keeps Himself in the Picture — LONG BEACH, Calif. — There is a slight paunch and a tilt in his gait, the result of all the knee surgeries that serve as penance for all the years he spent as a major league catcher. But Gary Carter, even at 54, has the same camera-ready smile …