Check out Mini-Ballbug for simple mobiles or Ballbug Mobile for modern smartphones.
11:45 PM ET, January 31, 2009

Ballbug

 Top News: 
CNN:
Torre on book: 'It wasn't my intention to shock anybody'  —  (CNN) — Los Angeles Dodgers baseball manager Joe Torre's new book about his old club has been burning up best-seller lists even before it hits stores.  —  In “The Yankee Years,” Torre candidly details his life as the former skipper …
RELATED:
Peter Kerasotis / Cincinnati.com:
Damon weighs in on Torre's book  —  ORLANDO, Fla. - Johnny Damon stopped short of saying he's disappointed with his former manager, Joe Torre.  —  “I'm OK,” he said.  —  But the New York Yankees' outfielder did express - or perhaps reiterate one of baseball's unwritten codes of ethics …
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
The story behind The Yankee Years … SI.com: There has been some initial confusion over the authorship of this book.  Unlike your previous collaboration with Joe Torre, Chasing the Dream, written after the 1996 season, this is not a traditional as-told-to biography.
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Bouton: No clubhouse ‘sanctity’
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Torre Says He Is Proud of ‘The Yankee Years’
Buster Olney / MLB:
Sources: Rays agree to deal with LHP Shouse  —  Brian Shouse, a veteran left-handed reliever, has agreed to a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays, according to baseball sources.  The deal is pending a physical exam, which he will take on Thursday.  —  Shouse, 40, pitched in 69 games …
Discussion: Rays Index, DRaysBay and The Heater
RELATED:
Alex Walsh / MLB Rumors:
Rays, Shouse Agree To Deal  —  By Alex Walsh [January 31 at 3:37pm CST]  —  The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to a two-year deal with Brian Shouse, reports Buster Olney.  —  The deal is pending a physical, which is reportedly scheduled for Thursday.
Discussion: Al's Ramblings
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Still Jobless, Abreu Awaits Right Offer in a Slow Market  —  Ed Wade is the last man to sign Bobby Abreu to a contract.  It was nearly seven years ago, when Wade was the general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies and Abreu was an emerging star.  To keep him out of free agency …
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Approaching spring workouts to find Tampa Bay Rays in transition  —  The Rays have their first official spring workout two weeks from today, and relocation to Port Charlotte isn't the only thing that's going to require some adjustment.  —  CF B.J. Upton, 1B Carlos Pena …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Giants could ultimately be in mix for Manny  —  Only Scott Boras knows for sure what offers Manny Ramirez may or may not have, but it appears that the San Francisco Giants are the only team standing between Ramirez and a capitulation that the slugger might feel is utterly embarrassing.
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Pedro says he's received offers  —  Righty declines to identify bidders, but claims Mets not among them  —  The availability of Pedro Martinez as a free agent has prompted interest among big league clubs, according to the veteran right-hander.  With less than three weeks remaining …
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Prospect Green has wrist surgery  —  Third baseman forced to wear a cast for four weeks  —  MILWAUKEE — Brewers prospect Taylor Green could miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery this week for a fractured left wrist.  —  Green, 22 and a third baseman …
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Cooper ponders Astros' lineup  —  Skipper will use Spring Training to formulate his batting order  —  HOUSTON — Astros manager Cecil Cooper still envisions Michael Bourn as his leadoff hitter, but just not quite yet.  —  Bourn will hit elsewhere in the order when the season starts …
Joel Sherman / Hardball:
BRAVES SIGN KOTCHMAN  —  The Braves signed their first baseman, Casey Kotchman, to a $2.885 million contract, avoiding arbitration, the Post has learned.  —  Kotchman had asked for $3.25 million through arbitration and the Braves had countered at $2.475 million.
MLB:
White Sox not chasing more high-priced talent  —  CHICAGO — Don't expect the Chicago White Sox to sign any free agents still on the market.  —  White Sox general manager Ken Williams said Saturday he doesn't see the need for more high-priced talent, especially with a roster full of young talent and a lousy economy.
Discussion: Associated Press
RELATED:
MLB:   White Sox's Quentin healthy for spring training
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Mariners showing an interest in Cubs' Hill  —  Conventional baseball wisdom says you can never have too many pitchers.  —  Apparently that's a belief that Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik carries with him.  —  The Mariners, who just completed a trade with the Cubs that landed …
Discussion: Bottom9 Baseball
RELATED:
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Paul Bako signs to be Chicago Cubs backup catcher
Discussion: Red Reporter
 
 Archived Page Info: 
This is a snapshot of Ballbug at 11:45 PM ET, January 31, 2009.

View the current page or another snapshot:


 
 See Also: 
Ballbug: site main
Ballbug River: reverse chronological Ballbug
Ballbug Mobile: for phones
Ballbug Leaderboard: Ballbug's top sources
 
 Subscribe: 
Ballbug RSS feed
 
 
 More News: 
Ed Price / Baseball America:
Los Angeles Dodgers Top 10 Prospects
Discussion: Dodger Thoughts
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Pinch hitting: Statistically Speaking
Mark Shanahan / Boston Globe:
Sox owner Henry is engaged
Discussion: Baseball Musings
 Earlier Picks: 
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Yanks sign Bruney to one-year deal
Discussion: Yankees Rumors
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Byrd, Rangers avoid arbitration
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Boston Herald:
Varitek, Red Sox strike a deal
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Bill Donahue / Billboard:
Drake Files Second Action Against UMG, Alleging Defamation Over Kendrick Lamar's ‘False’ Song

Chris Koseluk / The Hollywood Reporter:
Jim Abrahams, ‘Airplane!,’ ‘Naked Gun’ and ‘Hot Shots!’ Master of Mirth, Dies at 80

Jessica Finn / The US Sun:
Wendy Williams is ‘permanently incapacitated’ from her ‘tragic’ dementia battle, her guardian claims in court

 
Sister Sites:

Techmeme
 Top news and commentary for technology's leaders, from all around the web
Mediagazer
 Top news and commentary for media professionals from all around the web
memeorandum
 What US political commentators are discussing online right now
WeSmirch
 The top celebrity news from all around the web on a single page