Top News:
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
National uprising: NL wins All-Star Game — Braves' McCann delivers the big blow in the seventh — ANAHEIM — The National Pastime's Midsummer Classic no longer is the exclusive property of the American League, which was knocked out on Tuesday night without a swing from the Yankees' mighty Alex Rodriguez.
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Jim Caple / ESPN:
Girardi cost AL with questionable calls — Manager's bad decisions mean the American League will be on road in World Series … ANAHEIM, Calif. — If George Steinbrenner still were alive and in his prime, chances are Joe Girardi would have gotten a phone call from the owner after the All-Star Game.
Ben Walker / Associated Press:
McCann makes up for near-miss, wins All-Star MVP — ANAHEIM, Calif.—Bases loaded, two outs, a real chance for the National League to break through after years of waiting. — So when Brian McCann lofted a foul fly down the right-field line, there was only one thing to do.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Busy Byrd soars into All-Star lore — Cubs lone rep walks, scores, makes defensive play of night — ANAHEIM — Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd had not played in right field all season, but there he was in the ninth inning, with the 81st All-Star Game on the line. In perfect position to make a bit of history.
Janie McCauley / NBCSports.com:
National pride: NL ends All-Star game drought — McCann's 3-run double in eighth hands AL first loss since 1996 — NL All-Star Brian McCann doubles to drive in three runs in the seventh inning of the 81st All-Star game Tuesday. — ANAHEIM, Calif. - A terrible toss to first base.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
All-Star game updates from Anaheim — Game over: NL 3, AL 1 — The AL's 13-game unbeaten streak ends. Ortiz singled to right to lead off the ninth off Dodgers' closer Jonathan Broxton. Beltre struck out on a high fastball. John Buck blooped a single to right, but Ortiz had to hold …
Sports Illustrated:
The All-Star Game may ‘count’, but nobody has told the managers … ANAHEIM, Calif. — Five cuts from the National League's 3-1 win on Tuesday night. — 1. There is no way to put this to you gently: you've been hoodwinked. Baseball has sold you the idea that the All-Star Game is meaningful …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Actually, there was a lot to like — You would have liked George Steinbrenner. — Really. — It was different for those who worked for him, no doubt. Steinbrenner, the Yankees owner who died yesterday in Tampa at 80, was demanding and quick-tempered and ever-ready to fire people.
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Fay Vincent / Fox Sports:
Fay Vincent remembers Steinbrenner
Discussion:
MLB.com, NY Daily News, Reuters, The Atlantic Online, Wezen Ball, Fack Youk and BronxBanterBlog.com
Richard Goldstein / New York Times:
George Steinbrenner, Yankees' Owner, Dies at 80
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Newsday, Bats, Boston Dirt Dogs, William World News, Plain Dealer, Deadspin, Oriole Post and Bugs & Cranks
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
The Brewers' Asking Price For Corey Hart — The Brewers asked the Giants for Jonathan Sanchez or Madison Bumgarner in exchange for Corey Hart, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). Giants GM Brian Sabean is understandably hesitant to deal either pitcher.
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Elias Rankings At The Break — After the season the Elias Sports Bureau will take all players over the 2009-10 period, divide them into five groups for each league, and rank them based on various statistics. Then each player will be labeled a Type A, B, or none.
Todd Zolecki / The Zo Zone:
Forget About Pedro in 2010 — It has been almost exactly a year since the Phillies signed Pedro Martinez. — Don't expect a 2010 reunion. — Ruben Amaro Jr. said before tonight's All-Star Game that he spoke yesterday with Martinez's agent, Fernando Cuza, in the lobby of their hotel in Anaheim.
Eric Seidman / Baseball Prospectus:
K/BB Ratio Redux — Well, last week was rather eventful, wasn't it? I woke up to the tune of approximately 14 text messages from friends and family asking for my opinion of a supposed Cliff Lee-to-the-Yankees deal, only to find out after responding that no such deal had been consummated.
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Anthony Castrovince / CastroTurf:
“The truth we fear to reveal” — I know I said I wouldn't be blogging for a few days, but that was before I opened this morning's Cleveland Plain Dealer to find a 6-foot-7, 290-pound man sticking his size-15 foot in his mouth. — This was what AL All-Star CC Sabathia had to say when asked …
