Top News:
Michael S. Schmidt / New York Times:
Mets Lead the Majors in Declining Attendance — A year after moving into a sparkling new $800 million stadium, the Mets have the most home victories in the major leagues, but neither their stadium nor their record is translating into box-office success. — After 22 home games …
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Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Top Lender to Rangers Has a Warning for Baseball — The top lender to the Texas Rangers has told Major League Baseball owners in a letter that the lengthy stalemate over the team's sale could lead to the team's bankruptcy or “costly, distracting and messy” litigation.
Associated Press:
Marlins 2 — Recap — Box Score — Play-By-Play — Conversation — Marlins escape Mets in Santana-Johnson duel — MIAMI — Once Cody Ross slid across the plate, he kept going — right into the arms of a jubilant Hanley Ramirez. — The rest of the Florida Marlins quickly joined …
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USA Today:
Florida Marlins Team Report — INSIDE PITCH — The Marlins added a third catcher to their roster Thursday when Brett Hayes was recalled from Class AAA New Orleans. Outfielder Bryan Petersen was optioned to New Orleans. — Hayes' stay may be temporary.
Joe Posnanski:
The Firing of Trey Hillman — In 2007, when the Kansas City Royals hired Trey Hillman to be their manager, I traveled to Japan to watch the man in action. Hillman was a bold hire by what then looked like a young and bold organization. The Royals had just hired Dayton Moore from Atlanta …
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Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Royals Fire Trey Hillman — The Royals fired manager Trey Hillman, according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan (via Twitter). Former Brewers manager Ned Yost will take over the club. The 12-23 Royals already trail the first place Twins by 10.5 games in the AL Central.
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Padres extend NL West led over Giants — SAN FRANCISCO (AP)—The San Diego Padres are doing all the little things that first-place teams do: aggressive baserunning, manufacturing runs, pressuring the opposing pitcher. — Yorvit Torrealba — drove in two runs against his former team, pitcher Clayton Richard
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Tim Sullivan / SignOnSanDiego.com:
Anemic hitting has Padres seeking one more big bat — Part of it is patience. Part of it is pragmatism. Jed Hoyer has resisted replacing the Padres' underperforming outfielders because time is on their side and not yet on his. — The rookie general manager is willing to wait …
Associated Press:
Shutouts: Latos 1-hits Giants — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Mat Latos knows he might have pitched a perfect game if he only could have blocked Eli Whiteside 's comebacker. — The 22-year-old righty replayed that one a few times in his head afterward, and how could he not? It was his lone blemish.
Dave Campbell / Associated Press:
Minnesota's Gardenhire to go to motivational forum — MINNEAPOLIS — The full-page ad has been printed in local newspapers for weeks, touting appearances by Colin Powell, Rudy Giuliani and Steve Forbes and others of prominence at an upcoming motivational seminar.
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball:
VALENTINO PASCUCCI SIGNED BY NEW YORK METS ORGANIZATION — Camden's Designated Hitter to Report to New York's AAA Affiliate — The Camden Riversharks announced today that designated hitter, Valentino Pascucci has signed a contract with the New York Mets organization.
Discussion:
TedQuarters.net
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Jeter's fine after hit-by-pitch — DETROIT — Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter was clipped on the left pinky finger by a Justin Verlander fastball in the fifth inning of New York's 6-0 loss to Detroit on Thursday. Predictably, he said after the game that he was all right.
Discussion:
Bronx Baseball Daily
Dallas Morning News:
Evan Grant: If the Rangers trade Justin Smoak, it will be for a player to put them over the top — Here are some highlights: — Are the Rangers prepared to go with a Matt Treanor/Max Ramirez platoon for a while, or are they going to have to gear up the trade machine early?
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Selig honored by anti-PED group — MLB Commissioner first recipient of Taylor's Award — NEW YORK — Commissioner Bud Selig was named the first recipient of Taylor's Award, presented by the Taylor Hooton Foundation to an individual who has made a major impact on efforts to educate …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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