Top News:
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Manny says he won't block any trade from BoSox … Manny Ramirez is willing to help the Boston Red Sox if the team decides they are better off without him. — “If the Red Sox are a better team without Manny Ramirez, they should trade me; I will not object,” said Ramirez in a telephone interview with ESPNdeportes.com on Sunday.
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Mets won't trade for unhappy Manny … NEW YORK — The Mets are seeking a corner outfielder as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, and Mets GM Omar Minaya has long been an admirer of embattled Red Sox star Manny Ramirez. But even the Mets are saying “no” to Ramirez now.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, 6-4-2, Mets Merized Online, The MLB Source, The 'Ropolitans, Halos Heaven and Hot Foot
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Weather alert — The Red Sox just sent out a Fenway weather alert. It certainly looks like rain here, a bit overcast with that heavy feeling in the air. Plus, our own Gordon Edes is reporting that it's raining on his drive in from the central portion of the Commonwealth.
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
New York Post:
GO 'WAY, JOSE — EXPERTS FEAR TABATA'S MORE FOOL THAN JEWEL — Boston - OF SIXTEEN scouts and executives polled, 12 thought the Yankees won their trade with Pittsburgh anywhere from mildly to a slam dunk, two viewed the deal as having equal value for both sides, and just two favored the Pirates' side of the transaction.
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Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Gossage: Too much ‘loving’ in today's game — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - Goose Gossage never met a hitter he couldn't intimidate. In part, he says, that's because he never got to know them. — On the day before his induction into baseball's Hall of Fame, the 57-year-old Gossage criticized modern players …
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Gossage, Williams represent throwback era at Hall induction — COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — They represented old-school baseball Sunday at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, proud of their heritage, and believing their style is the fabric that made the game great.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
O's end Sunday slide at 15, beat Angels — BALTIMORE (AP)—The Baltimore Orioles ended their run of 15 straight losses in Sunday games, defeating Ervin Santana and the Los Angeles Angels 5-2 behind a sharp pitching performance by Garrett Olson. — Olson (7-5) allowed two runs and seven hits …
Discussion:
Camden Chat
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Orioles get to Santana, Angels early for win — Garrett Olson held the Angels to two runs and seven hits in six-plus innings, breaking a run of eight games in which an Orioles starter failed to get through the sixth — Baltimore takes a 5-2 victory for its first triumph on a Sunday since April 6.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Rodney takes over closing duties — Leyland makes announcement prior to Sunday's game vs. Sox — DETROIT — While the Tigers continue to look for bullpen help, they made a major internal change in the relief corps on Sunday. Fernando Rodney has replaced Todd Jones as Detroit's closer for the time being.
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pujols HR lifts Cards in the 14th — Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols follows through on an RBI single against the Mets in the sixth inning of Saturday night's baseball game at Shea Stadium. Mets catcher Robinson Cancel and home plate umpire Mark Wegner look on. — ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Yankees taking a hard look at Bannister as trade deadline nears — Should the Royals send pitcher Brian Bannister back to New York if offered outfielder Melky Cabrera or another run-production bat in return? — Such an offer might be forthcoming, because the Yankees appear determined …
Neil Best / Newsday:
SNY's Burkhardt goes from showroom to showtime — Four dozen teenagers were paying rapt attention, which itself is an accomplishment. — This obviously was a speaker accustomed to grabbing and holding an audience, to making his points quickly and clearly, and to displaying a casual likability.
Discussion:
Mets Lifers
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Washburn pitching, so no trade immediately at hand — Well, Jarrod Washburn's finished doing his warmups and the game is underway in Toronto. — So at least for the moment, talk about a trade to New York can be put on hold. — Not that talks aren't ongoing, but consider the logistics.
Mark Herrmann / On the Mets beat:
Knight to Olympics, Pedro to pitch Friday? — Any thought about keeping Brandon Knight around as a long reliever went out the window when the Saturday night game lasted into Sunday morning. Beause it went 14 innings and the entire bullpen was used—and Aaron Heilman was maybe a little overused—the Mets had to get an arm, fast.