Top News:
Joshua Robinson / New York Times:
Last Section of Shea Stadium Is Torn Down — Shea Stadium, the site of the Mets' two World Series victories, their many seasons of futility and a few historic concerts, met the fate of Ebbets Field and the Polo Grounds on Wednesday morning. At 11:21 a.m., a demolition crew pulled down the final section …
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Mike Rose / On the Mets beat:
Shea demolition update — Shea will be gone, but not completely forgotten. COO Jeff Wilpon said that home plate, the pitchers mound and the bases will be immortalized in the parking lot, which Shea's hallowed ground will hopefully become by April. — So good news — you can still do the DynaMets Dash.
Mike Nichols / MetsBlog.com:
Note: Shea Is Gone — David Lennon of Newsday reports, Mets COO Jeff Wilpon says the pitchers mound and the bases, including home plate, will be ‘immortalized in the parking lot.’ — Update, 11:34 am: — According to William Valderrama, the last piece of Shea Stadium came down at 11:26 am EST.
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NJ.com
Associated Press:
Red Sox owner renews plea for MLB salary cap … FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Boston Red Sox owner John Henry is renewing his call for a baseball salary cap. — He says he thinks all owners would support an “enlightened” salary cap to improve competitive balance and that players might agree.
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Chris Forsberg / Boston Globe:
Owners provide State of the Nation address — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox owners Tom Werner and John Henry and team president/CEO Larry Lucchino sat down for a 20-minute chat with the media this morning at the team's player development complex. — Among the notable topics were the upcoming season …
Melissa Segura / Sports Illustrated:
Top Nats prospect falsified name, age … 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.
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David O'Brien / Atlanta Braves with David O'Brien:
Waiting for Griffey's arrival.... Editor's note: Please go the latest blog posting and comment there. We've had to shut off commenting here because of technical problems. We're working on them. Don't blame Dave. — Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — And so we begin Day 4 of the Junior Watch …
Discussion:
MLB.com, seattlepi.com Mariners blog, Seattle Times, MLB Rumors, Talking Chop, Bowman's Blog, Mariners Blog and Baseball Insider
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Larry Fine / Reuters:
Yankees boss critical of Rodriguez's drugs explanation — TAMPA, Florida (Reuters) - New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman criticized Alex Rodriguez's explanation for using performance-enhancing drugs on Tuesday. — “I like the fact more when he says he was stupid, not young and naive …
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
After Awkward Pause, Rodriguez Thanks Yankees
After Awkward Pause, Rodriguez Thanks Yankees
Discussion:
ESPN, bronxbanterblog.com, New Jersey Online, Jimmy Scott's High & Tight, Sox and Pinstripes and MLB
Joe Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Derek Jeter ‘disappointed’ but supportive of Alex Rodriguez — Yankees captain Derek Jeter said he's “disappointed” in Alex Rodriguez for using performance-enhancing drugs, but while he doesn't “condone” what Rodriguez did, he plans to support him and help him through this season.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Dallas Morning News:
Andruw Jones hopes to revive career with Texas Rangers — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The drive from Duluth, Ga., to the Surprise Recreation Campus stretches nearly 2,000 miles and takes the average motorists a few days to complete. — Andruw Jones made the trek earlier this week …
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Roch Kubatko / MASNsports.com:
Roberts deal just about done — There's more to do than just cross the T's and dot the I's, but the Orioles are close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension with Brian Roberts that has been confirmed at four years and $40 million. — Two open issues need to be addressed …
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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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Rick Reilly / ESPN:
LIFE OF REILLY — It's time to right some wrongs, one MVP at a time. — John Grieshop/Getty Images — It's been tougher than a $4.99 steak. Got chased by Dobermans eight times. Had to hire five different sticky-fingered third-graders. Broke into the wrong house twice. — But it's finally done.
Ben Reiter / Sports Illustrated:
The Fabulous New Life Of Cole Hamels … IT WAS 6:15 on the evening of Jan. 18, and were this any other year, the couple of hundred sports fans who had gathered in the Diamond Club inside Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park might have been consumed by despair.
Matt Maiocco / 49ers:
Niners: No interest in Michael Vick — The 49ers emphatically closed the door on any possibility imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick will suit up for the club in 2009 or beyond. — Coach Mike Singletary did not express interest in acquiring Vick during a question-and-answer session …
Joe Posnanski / Sports Illustrated:
Joe Posnanski: Silence proved golden for this steroid star … You probably remember that exchange. It occurred on March 17, 2005, and the Committee on Government Reform held a hearing with the understated name: “Restoring Faith in America's Pastime.” The idea, as everyone understood it …
Discussion:
NJ.com
Marc Topkin / The Heater:
Aybar deal done, could be worth $4.525 M — The Rays officially announced the signing of INF Willy Aybar to a two-year deal with a 2011 option that could be worth $4.525 million. — “We've had the chance over the last year to really get to know Willy and we feel he brings a lot of our club,” executive VP Andrew Friedman said.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Sean McAdam / Boston Herald:
Who starts at shortstop? Julio Lugo — FORT MYERS - On the face of it, the Red Sox [team stats] are holding an open competition for their starting shortstop job. It's Julio Lugo [stats] vs. Jed Lowrie, and may the best man win. — Unless that man happens to be Lowrie. Then, all bets are off.