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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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Ortiz finds himself in thick of All-Star loss — Slugger thrown out at second in ninth-inning rally; Lester shines — ANAHEIM — A night earlier, David Ortiz was in his element, swinging for the fences and carting home the trophy that crowned him the champion of the State Farm Home Run Derby.
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 …
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.
ESPN:
Braves get Gonzalez; Escobar to Jays … The second half hasn't begun yet, but the Atlanta Braves made a trade Wednesday to try to stay atop their NL East perch. — The Braves acquired shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who has 17 home runs at the All-Star break, on Wednesday in a five-player trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Blue Jays Acquire Yunel Escobar — The Blue Jays acquired shortstop Yunel Escobar and pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes from the Braves for shortstop Alex Gonzalez and minor leaguers Tim Collins and Tyler Pastornicky, according to a team press release. The Jays designated Ronald Uviedo for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Yahoo! Sports, Batter's Box Interactive …, Bluebird Banter and Al's Ramblings
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Blue Jays acquire Escobar for Gonzalez — Toronto also gets lefty Reyes in swap of starting shortstops — TORONTO — The Blue Jays and Braves exchanged shortstops on Wednesday in a five-player trade that sent Yunel Escobar to Toronto and Alex Gonzalez to Atlanta.
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, New York Post, Reuters, New York Magazine, Fack Youk, Wezen Ball and BronxBanterBlog.com
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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Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
Texas has biggest division lead despite bankruptcy — ARLINGTON, Texas—The Texas Rangers are having arguably their best season ever, despite being in bankruptcy and on the auction block. — Texas begins play Thursday after the All-Star break 4 1/2 games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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.
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
