Top News:
It is about the money, stupid:
The embarrassment of the rich — We're seeing the first signs of a collossal embarrassment for the NY Yankees. We've discussed this ad nauseum last season and this off-season: the out-pricing of the “average” fan while chasing the ultra-rich/corporate “attendees”.
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Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
Giambi took a lot more than he ever gave — They gave him the key to the city and he treated it as if it were the key to the mini bar. — That about sums up Jason Giambi's career in pinstripes, a seven-year party for him, the beginning of the end for the Yankees.
Sean Brennan / NY Daily News:
For Jason, Stadium is sinking in — The man who brought “Mustache Day” to Yankee Stadium last season was back in the Bronx Monday, and it seemed like he never left. — After seven seasons in the Bronx, Jason Giambi was back in town with the A's and he held a mini press conference before Monday's rainout …
Jeremy Olshan / New York Post:
YANKEES ‘MASCOT’ FORCED TO BEG FOR TICKETS — Freddy “Sez” Schuman, the one-eyed, cookware-clanking octogenarian who's been an unofficial pinstripe mascot for 22 seasons was forced to panhandle for tickets at the new Yankee Stadium this past weekend. — In years past Schuman …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Over the Wall and Under the Microscope in the Bronx — Before they built the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees commissioned engineering studies to gauge the possible effect of wind on batted balls. The tests showed nothing alarming, though more research is planned now that 20 home runs have been hit in the first four games.
Washington Post:
Now It's the Community Giving Back to Dukes — He stayed for the speeches. He stayed for the parade of Little Leaguers — all 54 teams' worth. He stayed for the cheerleaders and the introduction of the high school team and the national anthem — perhaps getting a little fidgety, but staying nonetheless.
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MLB:
Elijah Dukes of Washington Nationals fined, but Little League says it will pay — Washington Nationals outfielder Elijah Dukes was fined $500 and benched for being late to Saturday's home game against Florida. — Dukes — But he won't pay the fine himself.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Chico Harlan / Washington Post:
Rain Doesn't Dampen Zimmermann's Debut — Almost nobody saw it. Jordan Zimmermann's debut was years in the making — Washington discovered him at a tiny Division III outpost in Wisconsin, drafted him, nurtured him, watched him develop, delayed his big league debut, allowed the hype to ratchet up …
Discussion:
Associated Press
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Bart Hubbuch / New York Post:
POST COLUMN GETS METS TO DO WRITE THING ON DOC — ST. LOUIS — The Mets buckled under to a heavy fan outcry yesterday and decided to preserve Dwight Gooden's Citi Field autograph after all. — After insisting for the better part of two days that Gooden's signature inside the exclusive Ebbets Club …
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Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Pena signed to minor deal — The Mets signed veteran outfielder Wily Mo Pena to a minor-league deal today and assigned him to extended spring training. Pena, 27, will report to Triple-A Buffalo after that. — The right-hand hitting Pena, originally signed by the Mets as an amateur free agent in 1998 …
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Michael Fleming / Variety:
Demetri Martin swings at ‘Moneyball’ — Comic to star opposite Brad Pitt in Soderbergh pic — Columbia Pictures and director Steven Soderbergh have set Demetri Martin to star alongside Brad Pitt in “Moneyball,” the adaptation of the Michael Lewis book about ballplayer-turned-Oakland Athletics g.m.
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Paint the wall blue already — Slowly but surely, the Mets seem to be warming to the idea that Citi Field is in actuality their home ballpark. It's taken a few weeks, but the recent acknowledgment from Fred Wilpon that a Hall of Fame is in the works, along with letting Doc Gooden's signature remain on a wall are positive first steps.
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Free Matt Murton — The Colorado Rockies have a crowded outfield. Even after trading away Matt Holliday, they are trying to find playing time for five outfielders, plus using Ian Stewart in the OF on occasion. So, it's not a surprise that Matt Murton wasn't able to crack their opening day roster …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Baltimore Sun:
O's put Freel on DL, call up Montanez — Bergesen officially promoted to make start against White Sox — The Orioles placed utility man Ryan Freel on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a head injury and recalled outfielder Lou Montanez from Triple-A Norfolk to take Freel's roster spot, the team announced in a news release.
Discussion:
Associated Press
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Phils rained out; Manuel has concerns — Club not yet in sync this year due to off-field distractions — PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies said the right things in Spring Training. — They would not become complacent. They would continue to work hard and try to defend their World Series championship.
Associated Press:
Pirates cool off Marlins behind Ohlendorf's pitching, McLouth's hits — PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ross Ohlendorf allowed two hits over seven innings during Pittsburgh's third shutout in four games and Nate McLouth drove in four runs as the Pirates ended Florida's seven-game winning streak, winning 8-0 on Monday night.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Projo Sox Blog:
Baldelli could go on DL; Bailey recalled — It appears Red Sox outfielder Rocco Baldelli is heading to the disabled list with a hamstring injury. As a result utility man Jeff Bailey has been recalled to Boston for precautionary reasons. — The Red Sox have not made an official announcement.
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