Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Two deaths in the Yankee family — Johnny Blanchard, a Yankee from 1955-65, passed away today. He was 76. — Blanchard played in five World Series, helping the Yankees win two of them. He was an outfielder and catcher. — The Yankees also lost Arthur Richman, the team's senior advisor of media relations.
Discussion:
A DIE HARD YANKEES FAN, Yahoo! Sports, The Voice of Yankees Universe and Sliding Into Home
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Charley Walters / TwinCities.com:
Shooter Now: Ex-Yankee Johnny Blanchard dies — Johnny Blanchard, a Minneapolis Central grad who went on to play six seasons with the New York Yankees and in five World Series, died early this morning of a heart attack at home in Wayzata at age 76. — Blanchard was a close friend and confidant of Hall of Fame teammate Mickey Mantle.
MLB.com:
New York Yankees announce passing of longtime baseball ambassador Arthur Richman — It is with deep sadness that the New York Yankees announce the passing of longtime baseball writer and executive Arthur Richman. He passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in New York City early …
Bobbie Dittmeier / MLB.com:
Deal struck to sell Stadium memorabilia — Demolition of old Yankees ballpark reportedly to begin in April — Seats, foul poles, dugouts, urinals and numerous other items from the old Yankee Stadium will be sold to fans as part of a $10 million deal between the Yankees and New York City, the New York Post reported on Wednesday.
RELATED:
Ross / New Stadium Insider:New York Yankees Introduce The Caste System: Only Allow Field …
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid, Deadspin, Field of Schemes, Fack Youk and Scott Proctor's Arm
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Bullpen day for Smoltz — John Smoltz throws this morning in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Josh Beckett, out with Jon Lester to watch John Smoltz throw his first bullpen of his tenure with the Red Sox, paid a high compliment to his fellow starter.
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JSOnline:
Nixon released, Gamel optioned — By Anthony Witrado of the Journal Sentinel — Phoenix - Outfielder Trot Nixon was released this morning, a move that had manager Ken Macha a bit emotional - no tears, but some heartfelt words for a guy he considers a friend.
Associated Press:
Carter, Palmeiro lead College Baseball Hall of Fame class — LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Former World Series star Joe Carter of Wichita State and Mississippi State's Rafael Palmeiro, who hit 569 home runs in the major leagues, are among 10 inductees into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Please help John's family — THT and the baseball community lost a dear friend and writer this week when John Brattain passed away. But, of course, his wife and two teenage daughters feel the loss much more keenly. THT has started a donation drive to help them.
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Rockies Recap: Angels 18, Rockies 11 final — Angels 18, Rockies 11 — At Tempe Diablo Stadium — At the plate:Jeff Baker showed simultaneously why teams want him, namely the Astros and Pirates, and why the Rockies want fair value to move him. Starting his first game at third base, Baker homered twice and singled.
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Joshua Robinson / New York Times:
Rays Won't Rush Price's Young Arm — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Headphones hanging around his neck and iPod in hand, David Price tossed his duffel bag back into the hold of the Tampa Bay Rays' bus here last week. It was still early in the wet afternoon — Price had not even changed …
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
CLEVELAND INDIANS — Baseball News, Schedule, Pictures, and More — Left-hander Scott Lewis named fifth starter by Cleveland Indians; Aaron Laffey demoted — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — GM Mark Shapiro was't kidding when he said the Indians would name their fifth starter “sooner rather than later.”
Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com:
Yanks remain open to trading Cabrera — Gardner's success in center gives club options with 2008 center fielder — The Yankees have apparently not given up on trying to trade center fielder Melky Cabrera. — With Brett Gardner coming along at that position, the club had been open to dealing him earlier in the offseason.
Jeff Zrebiec / Baltimore Sun:
Baez ruled out of rotation competition — Trembley tells RHP that if he makes the team, it will be out of the bullpen — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Then, there were five. — The Orioles continued to whittle down the candidates for their rotation Wednesday, informing Danys Baez that if he makes the team …
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
KC wants Ponson to be under pressure — Club switches plan, will start righty against Mariners on Thursday — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Hang on. There's a change of plans for Royals pitcher Sidney Ponson. — Now Ponson is scheduled to face the Mariners on Thursday afternoon …
Dylan Hernandez / Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez plays left field without further damage — He says his hamstring feels pretty good after playing three innings. — Reporting from Phoenix — Manny Ramirez watched a ball sail over his head and clear the wall behind him. He prevented another ball from reaching that wall …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Robertson, Everett exit with injuries — While not deemed serious, timetable uncertain for lefty, shortstop — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The Tigers were supposed to become whole on Thursday night, with their four World Baseball Classic stars due back in the lineup.
Sam Kennedy / 1UP.com:
Curt Shilling: Done With Baseball, Focused on MMO — Former Red Sox pitcher talks about his game studio and MMO at GamesBeat. — Following the announcement of his retirement from baseball yesterday, former Red Sox pitcher Curt Shilling spoke at the GamesBeat game conference in San Francisco about his next venture, 38 Studios.
