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, The Voice of Yankees Universe, Yahoo! Sports 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.
Jack Curry / Bats:
Remembering Arthur Richman, 83, a Baseball Lifer — Arthur Richman had a distinctive way of saying hello to me and to others. He never really said hello. He asked how you were doing, then asked if you needed any money. He must have asked me that a thousand times.
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 …
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MLB:
John Smoltz says first mound session felt ‘awkward’ — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Right-hander John Smoltz pitched from the mound in a Boston Red Sox uniform for the first time Wednesday, testing his surgically repaired shoulder by throwing 40 pitches in the bullpen. — Smoltz
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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.
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.
Pat Borzi / New York Times:
Jackson the Younger Impresses Jackson the Elder — TAMPA, Fla. — Reggie Jackson beat the Yankees prospect Austin Jackson into the clubhouse Tuesday night, and it was hard to tell who was happier. Jackson, the youngster, pulled a full-count pitch high over the left-field foul pole for a grand slam in the eighth inning.
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
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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Associated Press:
Source: Sale of Padres to Moorad appears close — SAN DIEGO (AP) — The sale of the San Diego Padres from John Moores to former agent Jeff Moorad appears to be almost finalized. — The two sides were close to wrapping up the sale, a baseball official with knowledge of situation told …
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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 …
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
The final numbers for Pettitte — Andy Pettitte's final line today: — 5.1 innings — 7 hits — 5 runs — 1 earned run — 1 walk — 3 strikeouts — 83 pitches / 63 strikes — Of the seven hits, one was a broken-bat double and two others infield singles.
Padres Fan / Who's your Padre?:
Another day, another new pitcher ... PEORIA, Ariz. - The Padres continued their stockpiling of pitchers on Wednesday when they obtained right-hander Eulogio “Frankie” De La Cruz from the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations. — De La Cruz, who turned 25 earlier …
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 …
