Top News:
Jon Weisman / Dodger Thoughts:
Troncoso's huge strikeouts preserve Dodgers victory — Nibblers. Dinks. It looked as if the Dodgers' comeuppance had come up. Nursing a 2-1 lead with Jonathan Broxton unavailable, the Dodgers and Manager Joe Torre placed all their faith in Ramon Troncoso — even letting him bat …
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness, 6-4-2 and True Blue LA
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Mike Lupica / NY Daily News:
Lupica: Mets, Yankees enjoying the view — The opening of the fancy ballparks was supposed to be the start of the baseball season in New York. But two months later, it feels as if the good parts are about to start now, as if April and May were just some out of town tryout.
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Peter Schmuck / Baltimore Sun:
Looking at Wieters, O's fans have star in eyes — Heralded Wieters being counted on to lead revival of troubled organization — Matt Wieters might or might not be the greatest Orioles prospect in history, but there is little doubt that he will arrive today at Camden Yards to greater fanfare …
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Welcome, Matt: Wieters debuts tonight — Highly touted Orioles catcher rocketed through Minors — BALTIMORE — Nothing about this situation is normal. — When Matt Wieters makes his Major League debut tonight, he'll do so with the unremitting glare of a media spotlight that has been trained on him ever since he was drafted.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
From the first pitch, Alex Rodriguez has been a blast for Yankees … (Page 1 of 2) — CLEVELAND - Has a .258 hitter ever made as much of a difference as Alex Rodriguez has over the past three weeks? — Ever since A-Rod and his surgically repaired hip returned from the disabled list on May 8, the Yankees have been rolling.
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George A. King III / New York Post:
GIRARDI MY BEST SKIPPER BY FAR, YANKEES' TEIXEIRA SAYS — CLEVELAND — Ten months ago, there were people wearing pinstriped uniforms who weren't sure Joe Girardi was the right man to manage the Yankees. — Two weeks ago, the Yankees were 16-17 and 5 ½ games out of first place …
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Jon Heyman: As Peavy wreaks havoc, Bedard may become hot commodity … The Mariners made some early noise with their nice start to the season, but the club could create a much bigger national story as a trader this summer. Unlike a vast majority of teams expected to straddle the buy/sell fence …
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
REHABBING DELGADO NOT SURE WHEN — OR IF — HE'LL MAKE METS RETURN — If the Mets want a slam dunk, they should trade for LeBron James. — Carlos Delgado returning to the lineup this season? Not a slam dunk. That assessment comes from none other than Delgado, who last night …
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Baseball America:
Prospect Hot Sheet: May 29 — When the Yankees signed Jesus Montero to a seven-figure bonus in 2006 out of Venezuela, scouts were skeptical about his ability to remain at catcher. But right now, it doesn't look like it matters whether he can catch—his bat is that good.
Discussion:
Pending Pinstripes
Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
Cleveland Indians drop David Dellucci; recall Rafael Perez — CLEVELAND — David Dellucci, the man Indians bloggers loved to hate, has been designated for assignment to make room for left-hander Rafael Perez. — Dellucci, for whatever reason, became a symbol for everything that has gone wrong …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Torre: Manny shouldn't be '09 All-Star — From baseball aspect, suspended OF hasn't done enough — CHICAGO — Dodgers manager Joe Torre said he doesn't think suspended outfielder Manny Ramirez should be an All-Star this year, even though fans have him fourth in voting at the position.
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
MLB on Blackout Policy: “There's still more work to be done” — There was hope in August of last year, albeit thin, that Major League Baseball was finally ready to make good on their efforts to address the television territories in the league that was creating so much consumer outrage when coupled with MLB's blackout policy.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Phil Coke Is a Go-To Guy in Yankees' Depleted Bullpen — The Yankees arrived in Cleveland on Thursday with fewer problems than they have had all season. — Their fearsome lineup is welcoming back Jorge Posada. Their deep rotation has a starter to spare in Chien-Ming Wang.
Tom Gage / Detroit News:
Jim Leyland steamed after Tigers' loss — Baltimore — Once or twice a season. — That's how often the post-game fire within manager Jim Leyland burns so intensely that it eventually fries his patience. — Thursday night's 5-1 loss to the Orioles was one of those times.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Eric Simon / Amazin' Avenue:
Jerry Manuel vs Manny Acta: The Quotes — Here's a little two-part challenge for everyone. — Part 1: Read the following quotes from two current big league managers — Manager A and Manager B — and try to figure out which is Jerry Manuel and which is Manny Acta (easy!).
Chuck Finder / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Draft Outlook: Boras not factor in making first pick — The midnight-deadline wrangling. The 2 1/2-month machinations. The tense and terse times that included a grievance, a hearing and legal eagles from both Major League Baseball and the players association.
Discussion:
Where Have You Gone …
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Orioles getting younger, winning and having fun — Buzz up! — BALTIMORE (AP)—The younger they get, the better the Baltimore Orioles seem to play. — And boy, are those kids having fun. — The Orioles extended their winning streak to four games Thursday night, using two home runs by Luke Scott
