Top News:
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Game 138: Rays at Yankees — YANKEES (87-50) — Pitching: LHP CC Sabathia (16-7, 3.48). — RAYS (72-64) — Bartlett SS — Crawford LF — Zobrist 2B — Pena 1B — Burrell DH — Longoria 3B — Kapler RF — Navarro C — Perez CF — Pitching: RHP Matt Garza (7-9, 4.01).
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
All eyes on Jeter in twin bill with Rays — New York (87-50) vs. Tampa Bay (72-64), 1:05 p.m. ET — TORONTO — Derek Jeter's pursuit of the Iron Horse has brought him back to New York, as the Yankees shortstop will have a chance to become his franchise's all-time hits leader on a long day of baseball at Yankee Stadium.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Derek Jeter's every hit as a Yankee has been seen and called by radio announcer John Sterling — TORONTO - Teammates, coaches and even managers have come and gone during Derek Jeter's career, each witnessing part of the shortstop's climb toward the top of the Yankees' all-time hits list.
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets batting leaders Gary Sheffield, Carlos Delgado doubtful to return this season — Any Met fans still holding their breath to see Gary Sheffield or Carlos Delgado back in the middle of the lineup should stop. Jerry Manuel is doubtful either injured slugger will play again this season.
Associated Press:
Pirates secure 17th straight losing year after loss to Cubs — PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Chicago Cubs assured the Pittsburgh Pirates of a record-breaking 17th consecutive losing season, getting two homers from Derrek Lee (FSY) and an effective start from Ted Lilly (FSY) while winning 4-2 on Monday.
Jesse Temple / MLB.com:
Ozzie lobbying for Kotsay's return — White Sox skipper likes idea of vet being with team in '10 — CHICAGO — White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has been voicing his support seemingly in a continual loop this week for veteran mid-season acquisition Mark Kotsay.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Martinez is helping them to be victorious — CHICAGO - Victor Martinez is pretty much calling the games now, with an occasional glance at pitching coach John Farrell, a sign Martinez is getting comfortable with the Red Sox hurlers and at least planting the seed in the minds of the brass …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Ramirez becomes fourth-fastest SS to 100-homer mark — WASHINGTON — To Hanley Ramirez, it was just a solo home run that gave the Marlins a 1-0 lead. Only later did he learn his 21st homer of the season was a milestone. — Ramirez's shot into the left-field seats in the fourth inning Sunday was his 100th career home run.
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
No slowing down Bourn on basepaths — Houston (66-70) vs. Philadelphia (77-57), 1:05 p.m. CT — HOUSTON — Michael Bourn didn't come into this season looking to break the club record for stolen bases, and unless he goes wild in the final month, he's not going reach Gerald Young's club mark of 65 set in 1988.
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs join Sox in Figgins quest — NEW YORK — White Sox general manager Ken Williams got the last big name on the Cubs' wish list, Jake Peavy, but if the Cubs get a little spending money this winter from new ownership, he's going to have a lot harder time doing it again with Chone Figgins.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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ESPN:
Pirates swindle Yankees — In the Times, Tyler Kepner writes about the Pirates and mostly about Ross Ohlendorf, a smart guy who's going to spend part of his offseason as an intern in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. I'm going to write mostly about Jose Tabata, who's going to spend …
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, The Yankee Universe, Mike Silva's …, iYankees, New York Yankees Fan Blog, MLB.com and THE BOOK
Terez A. Paylor / Kansas City Star:
Royals notebook: Hughes makes strong debut on mound — Royals pitcher Dusty Hughes admits he didn't know what to expect entering Sunday's game, but he did know one thing: If he did pitch, he was going to be nervous. — “I was nervous (Saturday), and I pretty much knew I wasn't even going to pitch that day,” Hughes joked.
Joe Smith / St. Petersburg Times:
Pitcher Wade Davis dazzles in his major-league debut for the Tampa Bay Rays — Teammates congratulate Wade Davis after the seventh, which was his final inning. He left with the lead but got a no-decision. — Times] — ST. PETERSBURG — Manager Joe Maddon said RHP Wade Davis' dazzling …
