Top News:
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Some Players Hold Their Noses to Say Goodbye to Stadium — As players were beseeched by countless members of the news media to eulogize Yankee Stadium as it hosts its last All-Star Game, those sufficiently provoked Monday were willing to discuss what they would not miss about the old — very old — ballpark in the Bronx.
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NY Daily News:
Jonathan Papelbon says he should close All-Star Game instead of Mo — While the rest of baseball heaped praise on Mariano Rivera for his Hall of Fame career during Monday's All-Star media day, Jonathan Papelbon declared that he deserves to be the AL's ninth-inning man at Yankee Stadium Tuesday.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Hard for Chipper to Shea goodbye — Chipper Jones learned to switch-hit as a kid because his father Larry revered Mickey Mantle, so the NL's starting third baseman appreciates the opportunity to play at Yankee Stadium a final time. — Jones' favorite New York stadium slated for demolition sits in Queens, however.
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:Hamilton Delights, but Morneau Prevails in the Derby
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Hamilton's power display defies explanation … NEW YORK — Even before Monday night, the Legend of Josh Hamilton was already an onrushing storybook train, building speed on its way to a Cineplex near you. — But that was before he brought his little magic show to Yankee Stadium, a place where legends are born.
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Junior / FIRE JOE MORGAN:
Weird Things To Say During The Home Run Derby, Vol. I — Rick Reilly, after Josh Hamilton's 28-homer first round and all of the talk of Hamilton's apparently prophetic dream that he would someday compete in the Derby at Yankee Stadium: — It's a lousy night to be an atheist!
Joe Sheehan / Sports Illustrated:
Hamilton's HR Derby magic won't soon be forgotten … NEW YORK — From my “Sent Items” folder: … Yeah, about that. — I sent that just as Justin Morneau was wrapping up his turn in the first round, one that had seen very few memorable moments. In fact, the biggest cheer of the first hour …
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Utley's curse word overheard — NEW YORK - Chase Utley is not much of a fan of the limelight. — If there were TV cameras at one end of a tunnel and a fire, killer bees and Kimbo Slice at the other end, Utley might try to run through the fire and killer bees and fight Slice to escape.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:Hamilton hits record 28 HRs in 1st round
Discussion:
Center Field
David J. Neal / MiamiHerald.com:
All-Star Game needs an update, not a total overhaul — Let's be clear: Major League Baseball's remains the best of the All-Star Games. Tuesday night's exhibition adds another link to the longest continuous All-Star Game tradition, and the nature of baseball allows players to run …
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Biggest star at All-Star Game is Stadium — Midsummer Classic will celebrate Cathedral in its final year — NEW YORK — Cliff Lee and Ben Sheets have been named the starting pitchers, and both Terry Francona and Clint Hurdle had a pair of stacked lineups to fill out, loaded with the best talent in the big leagues.
Mark Newman / MLB.com:
MLB rolls out Red Carpet Parade — Icing on All-Star Week cake set for 1-3 p.m. ET on Tuesday — NEW YORK — From the free Bon Jovi All-Star Concert in Central Park on Saturday night to Josh Hamilton's historic 28-homer first round of the State Farm Home Run Derby on Monday at Yankee Stadium …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
New York Post:
AMAZIN' PLANS — MINAYA MAY SKIP DEALS, PROMOTE FROM MINORS — THE METS are more seriously considering promoting from within (Fernando Martinez for the outfield, Jon Niese for the rotation, Bobby Parnell or Eddie Kunz if a bullpen arm is needed) then making a trade between now and the July 31 deadline …
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
YANKEES AND METS EYE GARCIA — The Yankees and Mets are among at least nine teams monitoring the progress of Freddy Garcia as he intensifies his workouts to come back from shoulder surgery. — Garcia will begin throwing breaking balls off the mound this week in Miami, according to one of his agents …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
A day of denials ... NEW YORK — Theo Epstein just responded to an e-mail I sent him in regard to the Mark Teixeira trade rumors that have been floating around the past two days. The ESPN report was that Sox and Braves were discussing Teixeira for Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen.
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Don McKee / Philly.com:
Morning Report: Time to take a chance on Bonds? — Agent Jeff Borris is still trying to find a team for Barry Bonds in 2008. — “Barry is in shape right now,” Borris told the Associated Press. “He's not in game shape, so he'd have to have the chance to hit off live pitching.
Alex Eisenberg / Baseball-Intellect:
Can Rich Harden Stay Healthy: Scouting the A's/Cubs Trade — In response to the C.C. Sabathia trade to the Brewers, the Cubs made a deal of their own last week in trading for Rich Harden, the talented but oft-injured starter for the Oakland Athletics. This article will break down the key figure in that deal: Rich Harden.
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Phillies closer Lidge received a big tip for career revival — NEW YORK - The opposing hitter who may have laid the last brick in the reconstruction of Brad Lidge will forever remain anonymous, but the Phillies closer remembers with distinction the day the conversation occurred.
