Top News:
Los Angeles Times:
Manny Ramirez will be suspended 50 games for positive drug test — The suspension, which is expected to begin with tonight's game, makes him the biggest star penalized under baseball's testing program that started in 2003. — Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs …
Discussion:
Unfiltered, New York Times, Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com, The House That Dewey Built, Fack Youk, Sons of Steve Garvey, Full Count, Projo Sox Blog, True Blue LA, SPORTSbyBROOKS, Fox Sports, Sox and Pinstripes, NESN.com, River Avenue Blues, Mets Today, Deadspin, Hardball Times, Walkoff Walk, Baseball Daily Digest Blog, Baseball Crank, FanGraphs Baseball, Bats, 24 Hours From Suicide, Boston Globe, The Big Lead, Mets Merized Online, New York Mets Fan Blog, Center Field, Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog, My Pinstripes, Lady At The Bat, It is about the money, stupid, AZ Snakepit, MLB FanHouse, Baseball & The Boogie Down, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Scott Proctor's Arm
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ESPN.com:
Manny Ramirez of Los Angeles Dodgers will serve 50-game suspension for drug violation — Major League Baseball announced Thursday that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez has been suspended for 50 games for violating its drug policy. — Ramirez — The commissioner's office …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Manny suspended for use of PEDs — Ramirez biggest name to be punished by MLB's drug policy — LOS ANGELES — Major League Baseball suspended Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez for 50 games on Thursday for use of performance enhancing drugs. — Major League Baseball made an official announcement shortly after noon ET.
Tom Verducci / Sports Illustrated:
Manny tests positive … Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance, incurring an immediate 50-game suspension and serving as the highest-profile reminder yet that the use of such drugs in the testing era may have been reduced, but not eradicated.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts:
Manny Ramirez to be suspended 50 games — The magic bubble has popped. The report is anonymously sourced, but Dylan Hernandez and Bill Shaikin of The Times have the following story: — Manny Ramirez has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and will be suspended 50 games starting today, The Times has learned.
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
The NL West Race Is Over
The NL West Race Is Over
Discussion:
6-4-2, Hardball Times, Purple Row, True Blue LA, Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness and McCovey Chronicles
Michael Vega / Boston Globe:
Remy is battling cancer complications — Before last night's game against the Cleveland Indians, Red Sox play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo stood alone in NESN's broadcast booth at Fenway Park. Orsillo began the telecast with stunning news about the protracted absence of his broadcast partner, Jerry Remy.
Discussion:
Projo Sox Blog
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Jerry Remy / redsox.trufan.com:
Feature Comments: — While Jerry is great in the booth he is even better outside the booth - Jerry is a great guy and everyone is pulling for a speedy recovery. Here is the announcement that was made on NESN. — Here are some additional links for anyone who wants to keep in touch with Jerry:
Michael Vega / Boston Globe:
Remy taking indefinite leave after cancer surgery
Remy taking indefinite leave after cancer surgery
Discussion:
Bugs & Cranks
Michael Obernauer / NY Daily News:
Coke fizzles in 10th — Phil Coke and Carlos Pena have at least one thing in common: They both loved the second pitch Coke threw in the top of the 10th inning Wednesday night. — While the Yankee lefthander maintained that his 1-0 fastball to the Tampa Bay slugger was “as good as you're gonna get …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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George A. King III / New York Post:
BOMBERS' GIVE UP WINNING HR IN 10TH — RAYS 4 YANKEES 3 — From the manager's office to the clubhouse lockers, there is a belief the Yankees will emerge from the dog days of May in good shape. — “When it clicks, it will be ridiculous,” A.J. Burnett said. “When it clicks, it will be fun to watch.”
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Bullpen can't fend off Rays in extras — Yankees rally on Teixeira's clutch hit, but it's not enough — NEW YORK — The frustrating part of this loss for Yankees manager Joe Girardi was that his relievers had spent the better part of Wednesday evening vindicating his faith in them.
Discussion:
Bombers Beat
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Both doom and gloom — The Yankees have the nicest clubhouse in the game.
Both doom and gloom — The Yankees have the nicest clubhouse in the game.
Discussion:
iYankees
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Phils lose despite Park's stellar effort — Righty tosses six scoreless innings; Feliz's error costly — NEW YORK — Chan Ho Park might have saved his job in the Phillies' rotation Wednesday night at Citi Field. — He also might have proved to himself that aggressiveness and confidence go a long way.
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Mike Nichols / MetsBlog.com:
Perez DL'd, Niese To Start Friday — Oliver Perez will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with patella tendinitis, according to Omar Minaya, who talked with reporters following the game. — “I felt like I could continue to pitch, but I want to get healthy and I want to feel better,” Perez told reporters following tonight's game.
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Jeff Seidel / MLB.com:
Twins fall to O's in rain-shortened game — Gardenhire not happy with chain of events on Wednesday — BALTIMORE — Mother Nature didn't appear to want this game to take place at Oriole Park at Camden Yards Wednesday night. — There were four rain delays that totaled nearly four hours …
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Reds lose as Arroyo's night ends early — Starter lifted after giving up slam; Bruce, Phillips homer — CINCINNATI — The Reds have more road wins than any team in the Majors. At home, they look about as comfortable as someone sitting on the crunchy plastic that might cover grandma's sofa.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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