Top News:
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.
Discussion:
MLB, Bugs & Cranks, FJB, William World News, Nationals Journal, NationalsFanboyLooser, The Big Lead and The Nationals Enquirer
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Zimmermann wins big league debut — Delayed start does not faze rookie right-hander — WASHINGTON — After a two-hour, 10-minute rain delay, rookie right-hander Jordan Zimmermann threw his first big league pitch at 9:15 p.m. ET on Monday. From that point on, he was solid, as the Nationals edged the Braves, 3-2, at Nationals Park.
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
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
Zimmermann picks up first big-league win — Jordan Zimmermann's major league debut will forever be remembered for the two rain delays that spanned a total of 2 hours and 43 minutes. It will be remembered for the lack of humanity inside Nationals Park, with perhaps one-tenth of the announced crowd …
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 …
Discussion:
The Voice of Yankees Universe, River Avenue Blues, Sliding Into Home, NY Daily News and Jorge Says No!
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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”.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Let's not rush to judgment — I think a lot of us — myself included — are getting carried away with proclaiming Yankee Stadium the second coming of Coors Field. — OK, so 20 home runs were hit in four games. That's a lot. But there were 20 home runs hit at the old Stadium from July 31-Aug. 3, 2007.
David Lennon / On the Mets beat:
Mets sign Wily Mo Pena — Here's the latest from the Mets: — FLUSHING, N.Y., April 20, 2009 - The New York Mets today announced that they have signed outfielder Wily Mo Pena to a minor league contract. Pena will report to extended spring training in Port St. Lucie for a short …
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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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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.
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates vs. Marlins, 4-20-09: Doumit out with wrist injury — Four hours to first pitch ... Game: Pirates vs. Florida Marlins, 7:05 p.m., PNC Park. — Pitching: RHP Ross Ohlendorf vs. LHP Andrew Miller. — First-pitch forecast: Rain, 50 degrees. Some doubts about this one.
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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.
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.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Globe:
Lowrie surgery likely in next day — While addressing the media after the game, Red Sox manager Terry Francona revealed that Jed Lowrie is expected to have wrist surgery in the next day or so, a procedure that will keep the shortstop out for several weeks. — Francona indicated that if all goes …
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Dan Hayes / North County Times:
PADRES: SS Cabrera has broken hand, so team reacquires Burke — The Padres learned Monday that backup shortstop Everth Cabrera has a broken hamate bone in his left hand and will miss at least two months. Then they arranged to reacquire utility player Chris Burke, a player they traded …
Steve Bisheff / Angels Unplugged:
Some scary facts and numbers — A quick update on the current state of the Angels: — Their pitching rotation, as of today, features Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver, Darren Oliver, Shane Loux and whoever is the new minor league call-up of the week. — Some up-to-date bullpen ERAs: Scot Shields …
Jeff Seidel / MLB.com:
Francoeur learning from tough 2008 — Outfielder on a tear, taking one game at a time — WASHINGTON — Jeff Francoeur has been on a roll lately. The outfielder used four multi-hit performances to raise his average, from .190 to .333, over his last five games before the Braves began a series against the Nationals on Monday.
