Top News:
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Henderson, Rice given Hall passes — Rickey Henderson, widely considered the greatest leadoff hitter in the history of baseball, was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Monday on his first ballot with 94.8 percent of the votes cast by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Discussion:
Hardball Times, Baseball Analysts, Halos Heaven, seattlepi.com Mariners blog, Boston Globe, AZ Snakepit, Walkoff Walk, Redleg Nation, MLB Rumors, Out Of Left Field, Angels blog, Batter's Box Interactive …, MY BASEBALL BIAS, Athletics Nation, sox1fan.com, The Griddle, Home Run Derby, Baseball & The Boogie Down, Twinkie Town, Center Field, The Mighty Quinn Media Machine, 6-4-2 and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Associated Press:
Henderson, Rice in Hall of Fame … NEW YORK — Rickey Henderson sped his way into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot Monday, and Jim Rice made it in on his 15th and final try. — Henderson, baseball's career leader in runs scored and stolen bases, received 94.8 percent of the vote …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Rice triumphant in final pursuit of Hall — Red Sox star elected into Cooperstown in 15th year on ballot — BOSTON — For Jim Rice, the sting from 14 years of rejection suddenly became as far gone as many of the 382 home runs he belted during his career with the Boston Red Sox.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum:
Henderson, Rice elected to Hall of Fame — All-time steals leader, former Red Sox slugger to enter Cooperstown — Baseball Writers' Association of America — • 2009 Hall of Fame election announcement: Watch — • Rickey Henderson conference call: Listen
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Rice elected to Hall of Fame — Jim Rice was watching his soap operas on television this afternoon, like he always does. At 1:10 p.m., he decided he would call Red Sox media relations director Pam Ganley. He wanted to ask her if she knew whether or not he was in the Hall of Fame.
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
Jay Jaffe / Sports Illustrated:
Unconventional Wisdom: Who deserves to be in the Hall of Fame? … The Hall of Fame voting results will be announced later today. As always, there's been no end of the debate regarding who should be voted in by the Baseball Writers Association of America, with supporters and detractors …
Discussion:
Cursed To First
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Texas Rangers' Michael Young asks for trade, says hand forced — Spring training is five weeks away, and the Texas Rangers don't know with certainty whether the face of their ballclub will be with them. — Michael Young has told general manager Jon Daniels to explore a trade after balking …
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Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Tampa Bay Rays sign OF Gabe Kapler — UPDATE, 4:24: If you are wondering why the Rays could sign Kapler for $1-million after saying they couldn't afford to re-sign Rocco Baldelli, who got a $500,000 guaranteed salary from the Red Sox, the answer is the millions of dollars Baldelli can earn in incentives if he plays regularly.
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Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Sox will wait on Bay — for now — If you're wondering if and when the Red Sox intend to discuss a contract extension with Jason Bay, here's your answer: after the remaining free agent hitters — particularly the outfielders — come to terms this free-agent season.
Mike Fish / ESPN.com:
Source: Grand jury convenes in Clemens probe — A federal grand jury has convened in Washington, D.C., to determine whether to indict seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens for lying under oath to Congress when he denied taking performance-enhancing drugs, ESPN.com has learned.
Discussion:
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees break out a new patch — The Yankees are breaking out a patch commemorating the first season at the new Stadium. It'll be on the home and away uniforms and available on all manner of merchandise. — Yankees.com has a few shirts with the logo available already.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Wren Considering Trade For Pitcher — By Tim Dierkes [January 12 at 12:10pm CST] — Braves GM Frank Wren was on 790 The Zone yesterday. Wren explained that the Braves have other options besides Derek Lowe, and had several things in play prior to John Smoltz leaving:
