Top News:
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Griffey says yes to Mariners — PEORIA, Ariz. — Just over nine years to the day after he left, Ken Griffey Jr. is back with the Seattle Mariners. — The Seattle Post-Intelligencer learned Tuesday that Griffey turned his back on a flirtation with the Atlanta Braves Wednesday and opted …
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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 here. 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 …
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Ken Griffey chooses to return to Seattle Mariners — Ken Griffey Jr. is returning to Seattle. — Griffey — The future Hall of Famer informed the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday that he's returning to the city where he carved out a Hall of Fame career as a perennial All-Star in the 1990s.
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Griffey chooses to return to Mariners — Future Hall of Famer comes back to first big league team — PEORIA, Ariz. — Ken Griffey Jr. is coming home. — The future Hall of Fame outfielder who began his Major League career with the Mariners 20 years ago has decided to return to Seattle.
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Kasten: “I am angry. We've been defrauded.” — For about 20 minutes today, Washington Nationals team president Stan Kasten spoke to the media about the false identity of the prospect formerly known as Esmailyn Gonzalez. In the coming minutes, as you refresh this blog, a transcript of what he said will grow.
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Dan Steinberg / D.C. Sports Bog:
Stan Kasten and the Player to Be Named Later — Stan Kasten just completed his conference call with reporters about the Esmailyn “Smiley” Gonzalez mess. With about a dozen reporters crammed into a small office on the third floor of Space Coast Stadium, and with a few others on the line …
Melissa Segura / Sports Illustrated:Top Nats prospect falsified name, age
Discussion:
Deadspin, Nationals Journal, Yahoo! Sports, Federal Baseball, SPORTSbyBROOKS, DC Pro Sports Report, Nats Triple Play, Baseball Musings, Walkoff Walk, Hardball Times, William World News, Fire Jim Bowden, Nats320, Baseball America, We've Got Heart, NationalsPride.com, Baseball Insider, Just A Nats Fan and Nationals Farm Authority
Associated Press:
MLB investigators request interview with A-Rod — TAMPA, Florida (AP) — The Baseball Players' Association was contacted by the Major League Baseball commissioner's office Wednesday to set up an interview involving New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez and the sport's investigations department, union general counsel Michael Weiner said.
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Jeter Declares His Independence From the Steroids Era — TAMPA, Fla. — Derek Jeter subtly expressed his support for Alex Rodriguez on Wednesday as Rodriguez grapples with possible repercussions from admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. But Jeter was much more forceful …
T.J. Quinn / MLB:
Sources: MLB wants A-Rod to sit down with its investigators — Alex Rodriguez isn't finished answering questions yet. — Major League Baseball will ask the disgraced slugger to meet with its investigators in the coming weeks to further explain his admitted use of performance-enhancing drugs …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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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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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Kobrien / On the Yankees beat:
Teixeira to bat third; Jeter, other players on A-Rod — Joe Girardi announced that Mark Teixeira will hit third this season and Alex Rodriguez fourth. Alex did not do interviews today, but Teixeira said: “I'm going to take my cue from Joe and Alex. Whatever they want to do is fine.”
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Joe Smith / St. Petersburg Times:Derek Jeter ‘disappointed’ but supportive of Alex Rodriguez
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues
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
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Bourn turns over new leaf in 2009 — Speedster more comfortable, set to raise walks, lower K's — KISSIMMEE, Fla — Michael Bourn doesn't plan to dwell on anything that happened during the 2008 season, and to prove that he's truly wiped the slate clean, he began Spring Training this year …
Diamond Leung / PE.com:
Dodgers: Torre doesn't expect to manage after 2010 — Joe Torre is saying that he expects the 2010 season to be his final season of managing. “That's going to be the emotional one,” he said of spring training next season. “I don't envision myself going beyond this contract managing.”
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.
