Top News:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Cool, calm Lowe tosses gem in debut — Righty throws eight scoreless innings, gets early support — PHILADELPHIA — With a frenzied crowd prepared to bring the defending World Series champion Phillies into the 2009 season, Derek Lowe wasn't provided the best setting to make a good first impression …
Discussion:
Hardball Times, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, Archie Bunker's Army and Sons of Steve Garvey
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Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Lowe's performance leads Braves over Phillies 4-1 — Buzz up! — PHILADELPHIA (AP)—If Derek Lowe had been this dominant last October, the Philadelphia Phillies might not be World Series champions. — Lowe pitched eight superb innings, three Braves homered off Brett Myers …
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Schafer homers in first career at-bat — Center fielder: ‘I felt like I was floating. It was awesome’ — PHILADELPHIA — Jordan Schafer spent the past seven weeks attempting to prove that he was ready for the Majors. It took him just one at-bat to indicate that the Braves were wise to provide him this opportunity.
Associated Press:
Lowe, Braves dominate Phillies, win MLB season-opener — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Once the Philadelphia Phillies finished celebrating their World Series title, the Atlanta Braves spoiled the rest of the opening-night party. — Derek Lowe pitched eight superb innings, three Braves homered off Brett Myers …
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Astros eager to open at home, face Cubs' Zambrano — Club thinks this time it will be fair fight with Cubs' Zambrano — As Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano visits Minute Maid Park to start the 2009 season, it's impossible to forget he was part of the Astros' lowest point last year.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Incredible shrinking payroll: 14 MLB teams cut back — Fourteen of the 30 teams in Major League Baseball will have a lower opening-day payroll than a year ago, according to USA TODAY's annual salary survey. — Ten of the 14 teams are cutting their 25-man-roster budget by at least $10 million.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Wintry weather delays Sox-Royals — Snow, high winds force season opener to Tuesday — CHICAGO — Since the 2009 season has yet to officially get under way for the White Sox, Sunday night's postponement of Monday afternoon's Opening Day contest against the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field …
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Kurt Streeter / Los Angeles Times:
Jose Canseco continues to take shots — Revelations about baseball's steroid era have given credibility to the former slugger's claims . . . and he has suspicions about Manny Ramirez. Still, few are there to listen during a talk at USC. — Here sits the great baseball sage Jose Canseco …
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Clement ends comeback bid with Jays — Righty plans to retire after nine seasons in the Majors — TORONTO — Matt Clement's comeback has come to a close. The veteran pitcher informed the Blue Jays on Sunday that he plans to retire from baseball after spending the past three years attempting …
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Mets' bitter past brings sweet motivation to 2009 opener … Jerry Manuel doesn't support the notion that the heartache endured over the last few seasons no longer matters for the Mets. — Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS; two straight September collapses thereafter; a disaster of a bullpen …
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Melvin tweaks opening lineup — D-backs manager to sit Upton, Reynolds in matchup move — PHOENIX — In case anyone doubted just how serious Bob Melvin was about putting his best nine players on the field each game, the D-backs manager announced on Sunday that his Opening Day lineup …
Richard / SportsJustice:
It's Opening Day, and isn't that the best news you've heard in awhile? — It's the little things. It's Lance Berkman walking into the clubhouse in jeans and boots each and everyday, with a smile on his face and a friendly word for everyone. It's Hunter Pence's endless energy, relentless work ethic and desire to be great.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Associated Press:
This year, there's no doubting the Rays — BOSTON — The Tampa Bay Rays played their first 10 openers with low expectations, and for good reason: They lost early and often in their first decade in the majors, never finishing better than next-to-last or even approaching a winning record.
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Yanks don't stop short with Pena, he wins job — Ramiro Pena won the utility infielder job, beating out former AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa. Pena, who has never played above Double-A, will wear uniform No. 19. He hit .266 with two homers and 45 RBI in 111 games at Trenton last season …
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