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.
RELATED:
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
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
Chad Finn / Boston Globe:
Rice elected to Hall — In his final at-bat, Jim Rice has hit a home run. — Rice, the fierce and feared slugger who spent his entire 16-year major league career with the Red Sox, was at last elected to to the Baseball Hall of Fame this afternoon on his 15th — and final …
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
The Wonder of Rickey — Today Rickey Henderson will receive a phone call telling him he's been elected to the Hall of Fame. I realize it's presumptuous to declare someone's election before the Hall elects him, but ... c'mon. He's going in and everyone knows it.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
Jack Curry / Bats:The Similarities Between Rickey and Manny
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Church of Baseball, Catfish Stew, bronxbanterblog.com and TEXAS RANGERS
Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers' Michael Young: ‘I told them I wanted to be traded’ — Texas Rangers shortstop Michael Young has asked for a trade after he was told the club wanted him to move to third base this season to make room for 20-year-old shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus. — “I'm not playing third base,” Young said.
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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.
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.
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Rays sign Kapler — The Rays have signed OF Gabe Kapler to a one-year, $1-million deal. — Kapler, 33, hit .301 in a part-time role for the Brewers last season with 8 homers and 38 RBIs. He spent the previous season as a minor-league manager before deciding he wanted to keep playing.
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:
Associated Press:
Indians avoid arbitration again, sign Shoppach … CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians agreed to a one-year contract Monday with catcher Kelly Shoppach, continuing their streak of avoiding salary arbitration. — Shoppach batted .261 with 21 homers and 55 RBIs in 112 games last season.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs deny rumored Takahashi deal — Chicago not close to signing Japanese left-hander, officials say — CHICAGO — Cubs officials denied a report that the team was close to signing Japanese left-hander Ken Takahashi. — Japan-based Sports Hochi reported the possible signing on Sunday night.
