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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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
GM: A-Rod has minor injury to thumb — Brian Cashman acknowledged to ESPNNewYork.com that third baseman Alex Rodriguez has been suffering from a minor injury to his right thumb, but the New York Yankees' general manager said the unspecified injury was not the reason manager Joe Girardi …
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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 …
Fay Vincent / Fox Sports:
Fay Vincent remembers Steinbrenner — Fox Sports — One of the most wonderful quips about George Steinbrenner, whose death has prompted a review of the life and career of that complicated public person and unique baseball owner, was uttered by John McMullen, who had been an early limited partner …
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New York Post, Reuters, MLB Daily Dish, MLB.com, New York Magazine, Fack Youk, Wezen Ball and BronxBanterBlog.com
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Molly Knight / ESPN:
'Til debt do us part — The Dodgers' pennant run will not be half as entertaining as the owners' divorce trial — Jamie and Frank McCourt's divorce is taking its toll on the Dodgers franchise. — She knows it was a Wednesday last October. She knows it was 10:55 a.m. But for all the Dodger Dogs …
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Dodgers Put George Sherrill On Outright Waivers — The Dodgers put George Sherrill on outright waivers, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. Price suggests Sherrill, who makes $4.5MM this season, will clear waivers, which would enable the Dodgers to option the reliever to the minor leagues.
Discussion:
Fanhouse MLB Blog, True Blue LA, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness, MLB Daily Dish and School of Roch
Associated Press:
Cal Ripken Jr. could return to Baltimore Orioles as part-time adviser — BALTIMORE — Cal Ripken Jr. is exploring the possibility of joining the Baltimore Orioles as a part-time adviser, which would ease his transition into a permanent position after his son graduates high school in 2012.
