Top News:
MLB:
Acta says he's been fired — Manny Acta has been fired as manager of the Washington Nationals, he told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas on Sunday. — Acta — The Nationals were blanked by the Houston Astros on Sunday 5-0 to go into the All-Star break with the worst record in the league at 26-61.
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals dismiss Acta as manager — Announcement expected to be made early today — HOUSTON — About five hours after losing their 61st game of the season, the Nationals dismissed Manny Acta as their manager on Sunday night, according to multiple sources. An announcement is expected as early as today.
MLB.com:
A letter to Nationals fans — No one is more dissatisfied in the first half of the 2009 Washington Nationals season than we are. Like you, we had hoped that some of our younger players would have matured faster, and that the addition of some of our new veterans would have significantly improved our record from a season ago.
Discussion:
MASNsports.com
Chico Harlan / Nationals Journal:
Acta Fired As Washington Nationals Manager — [UPDATE] — Read the updated news story here. — In the middle of his third season as manager, Manny Acta has been fired by the Washington Nationals, a source with knowledge of the situation said tonight. Asked in an e-mail about his job status …
Associated Press:
Lincecum, Halladay to start All-Star Game … ST. LOUIS (AP) — Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay have been selected as the starting pitchers for the All-Star game. — Last year's NL Cy Young Award winner, Lincecum is 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA for the San Francisco Giants.
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Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Arvada West's Halladay named AL All-Star Game starter — ST. LOUIS — Roy Halladay, the greatest starter pitcher that the state of Colorado has ever produced, has achieved another significant honor in his stalwart career. The former Arvada West star has been named to start …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:Roy Halladay open to playing for Yankees
Discussion:
Full Count, The Zo Zone, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, Ken Davidoff's baseball … and iYankees
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees pitching prospect Sergio Mitre makes strong case for rotation spot — ANAHEIM - The Yankees plan on discussing their fifth starter situation during the All-Star break, but Sergio Mitre may have helped make that decision a little easier Sunday. — Mitre tossed eight shutout innings …
Discussion:
iYankees
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Peter Abraham / The Journal News:
Girardi will rotate outfielders after break — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Joe Girardi benched Johnny Damon and Nick Swisher yesterday and announced plans to use all five of the team's outfielders after the All-Star break. — “As I told all the outfielders today, we have five guys who are playing pretty good …
Marc Stein / MLB:
Report: Pedro Martinez may be on way to Philadelphia — Pedro Martinez may be flying to Philadelphia on Monday, WCAU-TV reported on Sunday night. — Martinez — After arriving, it is believed Martinez will take a physical, which appears to be the final obstacle standing …
RELATED:
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Like Cheesesteaks, Pedro? — Pedro Martinez will fly to Philadelphia today to take a physical tomorrow, a source confirmed. — If Martinez passes, expect him to sign with the Phillies in the next few days. — The Phillies watched Martinez throw twice last week at the team's baseball academy in the Dominican Republic.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Kelly molding his future as we speak — Sox prospect deciding on whether he'll be pitcher or short — ST. LOUIS — Though Casey Kelly had the honor of representing the Red Sox at the XM Radio All-Star Futures Game on Sunday, the truth is that his future is still filled with the intriguing unknown.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:World a winner on soggy night in Futures game
Discussion:
Baseball America
Ian O'Connor / NorthJersey.com:
Citi is the wrong field for Wright — NEW YORK - David Wright had just crushed a double, a run-scoring double at that, and yet through his smeared eye black he wore the expression of a 12 year old just informed his X-Box was on the blink. — This was the perfect scene to capture the Mets at the All-Star break.
Discussion:
Mack's Mets
RELATED:
Keitholbermann / Baseball Nerd:Trivia and Jocketty — I never posted the (apparent) …
Discussion:
Crosley Field Terrace
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Sox show firepower — Beckett's 11th win 100th of his career — The first half of the Red Sox season ended the way it began, bristling with justified promise as Josh Beckett ruled the mound at Fenway Park, his blank face betraying his supremacy. — Just when it appeared the Sox might stagger …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Bloomberg:
Chicago Cubs Bankruptcy Looms as Way to Finish Sale by Tribune — The Chicago Cubs may become the first Major League Baseball team in 39 years to file for bankruptcy as Tribune Co. seeks to sell the franchise after months of negotiations. — Tribune sought Chapter 11 protection in December.
Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Bergesen closes first half in fitting style — Starter allows two runs in victory; Roberts rips two RBIs — BALTIMORE — They thought he was ready, but they never thought he'd already be their ace. Rookie starter Brad Bergesen ended his first half in fine style Sunday …
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Straight-out beloved — His knuckler goes all over, but friends of Wakefield are direct with their praise — On July 31, 1992, Montreal Expos general manager Dan Duquette rooted against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team with which the Expos were tied for first place, and he felt confident.
Discussion:
YFSF
Doug Miller / MLB.com:
Field set, Derby promises to thrill — Newcomers pitted against hometown favorite Pujols — ST. LOUIS — Post positions have been drawn and the horses are just about ready to break from the gate in baseball's favorite Derby. — The 2009 State Farm Home Run Derby field was finalized on Sunday …
