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10:00 AM ET, February 18, 2009

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 Top News: 
Jim Baumbach / The Final Score:
We're live blogging the Alex Rodriguez news conference  —  Keep hitting refresh for the latest updates... 2:36 p.m. We're all done.  A-Rod was on the dais for 32 minutes.  2:35 p.m. A-Rod just ended by saying he wants “to make the world a better place.”  “I screwed up big-time.
RELATED:
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Thomas Boswell on Alex Rodriguez's Steroid Stories
Discussion: Field of Schemes
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
As Team Looks On, Rodriguez Details His Use of Steroids
Alan Schwarz / Bats:
As It Happened: The A-Rod News Conference
Discussion: Baseball Insider
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Gallardo likely won't start opener  —  Macha points to blooming righty's limited big league experience  —  PHOENIX — Brewers manager Ken Macha will not name his Opening Day starter until the final week of March, but he was “over 50 percent” sure on Tuesday that it will not be right-hander Yovani Gallardo.
Discussion: Brewers Bar
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers sign Gagne to Minors deal
Polls / Brew Beat:
Spring surprise: Gagne back with the Brewers
Discussion: MLB Rumors
JSOnline:
Details of Gagne deal
Discussion: MLB Rumors and River Avenue Blues
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
A-Rod answers questions, raises more … TAMPA, Fla. — His friends told him the truth would set him free.  But is that what Alex Rodriguez told Tuesday?  —  The truth?  The whole truth?  And nothing but the truth?  —  Ehhhhh ... it didn't feel that way.
RELATED:
Jack Curry / New York Times:
After Awkward Pause, Rodriguez Thanks Yankees  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez slowly read a statement that was part explanation and part apology off white sheets of paper.  He was offering some details about why he used steroids for three years, plodding through his nervousness.
Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
A-Rod apologizes to Rangers owner  —  Buzz up!  —  Alex Rodriguez made a personal call to apologize to Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks after the slugger's admission that he used banned substances while playing for the team from 2001-03.  —  Hicks told The Associated Press on Tuesday evening …
Melissa Segura / Sports Illustrated:
Top Nats prospect falsified age, name … A top Washington Nationals prospect and recipient of the largest international signing bonus in team history is not who he appeared to be.  Esmailyn Gonzalez, who is listed as 19 years old on the team's roster, is actually 23-year-old Carlos Alvarez Daniel Lugo, four sources have told SI.com.
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Forecast is hazy for Glaus  —  JUPITER, Fla. — The Cardinals staged their first full-squad workout Tuesday with only one position player not on the field.  —  Four weeks after surgery repaired damaged muscle near his right shoulder, third baseman Troy Glaus is not close …
RELATED:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Carpenter is making progress  —  JUPITER, Fla. — Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter still hasn't faced hitters in live batting practice, much less an exhibition game.  —  But Carpenter has given typically stoic pitching coach Dave Duncan cause for optimism.  —  Carpenter completed his longest of four side sessions Tuesday.
Joe Strauss / Cardinal Beat:
Carpenter dishes while Little Dunc' Deals
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Today  —  Changing the Game?  —  Well, this is a ridiculous notion:
Discussion: Squawking Baseball
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Rays add 2B Adam Kennedy to spring roster  —  2B Adam Kennedy was added to the Rays spring roster on a minor-league contract.  —  Kennedy, 33, was released last week by the Cardinals, for whom he hit .280 in 115 games last season following a horrible .217 in 87 games the year before.
RELATED:
MLB:
Tampa Bay Rays' Scott Kazmir won't pitch in World Baseball Classic  —  PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Scott Kazmir will not pitch for the United States in next month's World Baseball Classic because the Tampa Bay Rays were concerned about the risk of injury to the All-Star left-hander.  —  Kazmir
Fred Goodall / Associated Press:   2B Adam Kennedy signs with Rays
Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers are in a mound of trouble with starting rotation  —  They should have held on to Brad Penny, as this year their choice for opening day starter is a guy coming off a broken leg or another coming off a sore shoulder.  —  T.J. Simers  —  I'm hoping Manny is spending this extra time …
RELATED:
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Larry Bowa responds to Brad Penny's criticism
Discussion: MLB FanHouse
Tony Jackson / Inside the Dodgers:   Larry Bowa reacts to Brad Penny
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Stokes' hammy pops pen  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Brian Stokes became the first notable casualty of the spring, when the 29-year-old righthander injured his right hamstring, leaving him unable to work off a mound.  “It didn't pop or anything,” Stokes said, downplaying the severity.
RELATED:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
As Beltrán Speaks, Mets Watch Rodriguez  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Each of the six new flat-screen televisions in the Mets' clubhouse had been tuned to ESPN early Tuesday morning, but hardly anyone noticed until about 1:30 p.m. When Alex Rodriguez's news conference was about to begin …
John Hickey / seattlepi.com Mariners blog:
Still no word if Griffey is headed to Atlanta or Seattle  —  As of 6 p.m. MST, the Mariners still have no idea if they are in the hunt for Ken Griffey Jr., their former All-Star and the man they hope will be their left fielder and/or DH this season.  —  Neither Griffey or his agent …
RELATED:
Geoff Baker / Seattle Times:
Mariners' hopes fade as Ken Griffey Jr. nears deal with Braves
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Giles doesn't expect personal issues to be a distraction for him or the team  —  PEORIA, Ariz. - Brian Giles, who is embroiled in a public dispute with a former girlfriend, reported to Padres camp Tuesday and said his legal issues will not be a distraction to either him or the Padres this season.
Discussion: MLB Rumors and Yankees Rumors
MLB:
Arizona Diamondbacks, Conor Jackson agree on one-year contract  —  PHOENIX — Conor Jackson avoided a salary arbitration hearing with the Arizona Diamondbacks when he agreed Tuesday to a one-year contract worth $3.05 million.  —  The 26-year-old infielder and outfielder hit .300 with 12 homers and 75 RBIs in 144 games last year.
RELATED:
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
D-backs, Jackson avoid arbitration
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers, Hart avoid arbitration  —  Right fielder agrees to one-year, $3.25 million deal on eve of hearing  —  PHOENIX — It wasn't exactly the 11th hour, but it was getting pretty late for the Brewers and right fielder Corey Hart when they finally struck a deal.
Discussion: Chuckie Hacks
RELATED:
JSOnline:
Hart avoids arbitration
Discussion: MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Cubs' Soriano OK moving out of leadoff spot … MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Alfonso Soriano has heard this question so many times since he arrived in Chicago two seasons ago: Could he, would he, should he be moved out of the leadoff spot?  —  There it was again Tuesday as the Cubs held their first full-squad workout.
Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
BELTRAN AIM: ‘KILL’ HAMELS  —  PORT ST. LUCIE - Carlos Beltran drew a bull's-eye on Cole Hamels yesterday.  —  Adding yet more fuel to the ongoing war of words between the Mets and Phillies, the Met center fielder said he hopes the Amazin's “kill” the Philadelphia ace every time they face Hamels this season.
Discussion: 24 Hours From Suicide
 
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MLB:
Miguel Tejada apologizes to Houston Astros for use of PEDs
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports and Fox Sports
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Manuel's unusual hitting drill hands-on
Discussion: MetsBlog.com
 

 
From WeSmirch:

TMZ.com:
Original ‘Wheel of Fortune’ & ‘Love Connection’ Host Chuck Woolery Dead at 83

Mark Kennedy / Associated Press:
Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Scrabble,’ dies at 83

TMZ.com:
‘The Slumber Party Massacre’ Star Michael Villella Dead at 84

 
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