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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 92: Orioles at Yankees (updates with Wang setback, Hal Steinbrenner audio and Girardi audio) — YANKEES (54-37) — Pitching: LHP Andy Pettitte (8-5, 4.85). — ORIOLES (41-50) — Roberts 2B — Markakis RF — Jones CF — Huff 1B — Mora 3B — Scott DH — Reimold LF
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Bats, The Voice of Yankees Universe, Heartland Pinstripes, River Avenue Blues and The Yankee Universe
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Associated Press:
Hal Steinbrenner: New York Yankees capable of winning title — NEW YORK — Hal Steinbrenner was direct and to the point, much as his famous father always was. — “I think we've got a championship-caliber team,” he said. “I absolutely believe that we have the team that can win the championship.”
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
One small step into history: Baseball recalls moon landing — Perhaps the most memorable story connecting baseball with the Apollo 11 moon landing begins back in 1962, when a reporter asked Giants manager Alvin Dark about the rookie pitcher taking swings in the batting cage - Gaylord Perry.
Discussion:
Hardball Times
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Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Manuel, Minaya assured jobs are safe … NEW YORK — Mets general manager Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel have been reassured by club higher-ups that their jobs are not in jeopardy, league sources told SI.com. — Minaya and Manuel have come under public scrutiny and even attack during …
Discussion:
Mets Blog, Hardball, New Jersey Online, MLB Rumors, MetsBlog.com and Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
Bart Hubbuch / Mets Blog:
Nieve DL'd, Sullivan promoted — WASHINGTON — As expected, the Mets put pitcher Fernando Nieve on the disabled list today and promoted outfielder Cory Sullivan from Triple-A Buffalo to take his spot on the roster. — The Sullivan move is temporary, though, as the Mets wanted …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Myers could return to Phillies in August — Righty to throw 'pen session Saturday, would pitch in relief — PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies are considered favorites to land Roy Halladay before the July 31 Trade Deadline. — But even if they acquire Halladay, they could add a relief pitcher as early as mid-August.
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Trade Talk:
Dodgers in on Halladay and Relievers — Dodgers assistant general manager Logan White and special assistant Vance Lovelace scouted Toronto starter Roy Halladay's victory over Boston Sunday. The need for Halladay is clear in a rotation that lacks a clear ace and the club has enough prospects …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Lou Piniella has a new pupil: Milton Bradley — Cubs manager will try to get outfielder out of hitting funk — WASHINGTON — Milton Bradley has a new hitting instructor, and his name is Lou Piniella. — The Cubs manager said he plans to work with Bradley in the batting cage on Monday …
JSOnline:
Assessing the trade market — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Here's a story from mlb.com that assesses the trade market as it pertains to several teams. — I wouldn't look for the Brewers to make a serious play for Toronto ace Roy Halladay, and here are the reasons why:
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Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Halladay deals as Blue Jays prevail
Halladay deals as Blue Jays prevail
Discussion:
ESPN, Globe and Mail, The Fightins, Yahoo! Sports, MLB Rumors, Batter's Box Interactive … and Trade Talk
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Monday Ten Pack — Drew Carpenter, RHP, Phillies (Triple-A Lehigh Valley) — Carpenter pitched seven innings of three-hit ball on Sunday, and that's really nothing new, as it was his ninth quality start in his last 11. He's hardly a stud prospect-wise, and is more of a strike-throwing speed-changer …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
Mussina Staying Retired — NEW YORK - — Mike Mussina is not the un-retiring type. — “Baseball was great,” said Mussina, who walked away after winning 20 games for the Yankees last season. “But there comes a point where you have to say it's time to go home.”
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Who's up first? — There's a hex on the Red Sox leadoff spot. That's one explanation. Consider these on-base percentages: — Jacoby Ellsbury — As a leadoff hitter: .320 — As a non-leadoff hitter: .388 — J.D. Drew — As a leadoff hitter: .299 — As a non-leadoff hitter: .381
MLB.com:
Yunel Escobar of the Atlanta Braves named the National League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America — Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar, who led the National League with eight RBI and 16 total bases, has been named National League Player of the Week presented by Bank of America for the period ending July 19th.
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Mets Are a Case Study In Squandered Fortunes — The day before the New York Mets were to open the second half of their rapidly deteriorating season, GQ magazine ran a small item that quoted newsman Larry King as saying pal Fred Wilpon — the Mets' (once-)deep-pocketed owner …
Discussion:
Baseball Insider
Alex Pedicini / Hardball Times:
San Diego's Latos Makes Debut — San Diego Padres pitcher Mat Latos made his Major League debut yesterday against the Rockies going four innings allowing two runs on three hits (including one long homerun to Ian Stewart) while walking one and striking out four batters.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
He's got to have something better to do — Red Sox owner John Henry is a smart guy. He played hedge funds to make a fortune, picked Theo Epstein to be his GM and put seats on top of the Green Monster. He just married a woman half his age. — So why was he on Twitter (John_W_Henry) posting this tonight?