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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Seven first-timers dot All-Star lineups — Red Sox place four AL starters; three Cubs to start for NL — The fans have voted. And this year's All-Star starters, now set to represent the National and American Leagues in the annual Midsummer Classic at Yankee Stadium on July 15 …
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River Ave. Blues
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ESPN.com:
Fans show Red Sox, Cubs love in All-Star voting — NEW YORK — Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez and Cubs leadoff man Alfonso Soriano will see lots of familiar faces at the All-Star Game. — A record seven Chicago Cubs were joined by seven Boston stars when rosters were announced Sunday for the July 15 event at Yankee Stadium.
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Once again, fans to have the Final say — Vote for the last player on each roster at MLB.com — The Monster 2008 All-Star Game Final Vote is under way now until 5 p.m. ET on Thursday exclusively at MLB.com, offering a decidedly different theme than last year and with the 100 millionth all-time Final Vote about to be cast.
Associated Press:
Report: Lee, Webb to start Midsummer Classic … NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez will highlight an American League All-Star team loaded with Yankees and Red Sox, according to a report on the New York Post's Web site. — Balloting for the All-Star game ended Wednesday …
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Boston Globe, The MLB Source, Bless You Boys, Los Angeles Times, SOX1FAN, Baseball Digest Daily, CubsHub, FanHouse, Sliding Into Home and Hot Foot
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phillies, Lidge agree to extension — Three-year deal comes after brilliant start to 2008 season — PHILADELPHIA — Brad Lidge will be saving games in Philadelphia through at least the 2011 season, after the pitcher agreed to a three-year, $37.5 million contract extension.
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MLB Rumors, The Good Phight, The700Level.com, crashburnalley.com, Phillies Nation, Balls, Sticks, & Stuff and Hot Foot
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Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Phillies give closer Lidge three-year, $37.5 million extension — Closer, 31, signs deal worth $37.5 million; he has converted all 19 save chances this season — PHILADELPHIA - Brad Lidge's perfect first half earned him a fat, new contract. — Lidge signed a $37.5 million …
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Baseball Musings
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Tampa Bay ready to make run at Fuentes — Brian Fuentes sat at his locker in the Rockies' clubhouse Saturday when his mugshot popped up during Fox's telecast of the Yankees-Red Sox game. — Both teams have a need and interest in acquiring the reliever. But Tampa Bay is preparing …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Marlins call up top prospect Volstad — Righty to initially pitch out of 'pen, could join rotation soon — DENVER — The Marlins top prospect is now ready to join the big leagues. — Chris Volstad, the 16th overall pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, had his contract selected …
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Associated Press
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
For the Up-and-Down Mets, a Win Includes a Little of Both — PHILADELPHIA — The Mets have alternated losing and winning over their last eight games, giving up ground in the standings as quickly as they gained it back. So in keeping with the dominant theme of the season, it was fitting that …
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David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Change that Works — The Mariners defeated the Tigers Saturday night 3-2. That win gives Seattle a 10-5 record under Jim Riggleman. The offense was sputtering under John McLaren, but they appear to have come to life under the new manager. — Mariners Offense 2008McLarenRiggleman — Runs/Game
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Bless You Boys
Denver Post:
Koshansky rides the July 4th home-run wave for 465 feet — The sound off the bat was frightening, like the ball had been shot out of a cannon. Joe Koshansky's first home run traveled 465 feet, a missile that one-hopped the back wall below the Rockpile. His teammates gave …
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Purple Row
Marc Lancaster / TBO.com:
Rays Plotting Move, But It Might Not Be A Big One — ST. PETERSBURG - ST. PETERSBURG - In attempting to get a read on what the Rays might do in the days leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the first statement that can be made is that the parameters have changed at Tropicana Field.
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Baseball Musings
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Wood can't close out Cardinals — Closer touched up for three runs in the ninth inning — ST. LOUIS — Kerry Wood knew there would be days like this when he became the Cubs closer. That doesn't make them any easier to deal with. — Rick Ankiel smacked a walk-off two-run single …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Brewers restructuring offer for Indians' Sabathia … With the Cleveland Indians in the process of considering offers for Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, the Milwaukee Brewers — who seemingly match up better with Cleveland than any other team in the Indians' need for young position players …
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