Top News:
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
The Cardinals are the front runners for Roy Oswalt — A major league source tells me that, contrary to what we've all been hearing for the past several days, the Phillies are not the front runners for Roy Oswalt. The St. Louis Cardinals are. — In fact, the Astros have been talking …
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Fox Sports:
Source: Cardinals enter Oswalt fray — Fox Sports — The Cardinals have engaged the Astros in trade talks for starter Roy Oswalt, but the teams have struggled to arrive at a fit, according to one major-league source with close knowledge of the talks. — The Astros like Class …
Discussion:
SBNation.com
Paul Hagen / Philly.com:
Lidge would be happy to call Oswalt for Phillies
Discussion:
Fanhouse MLB Blog
Richard Goldstein / New York Times:
Ralph Houk, Yankees Manager, Dies at 90 — Ralph Houk, a third-string catcher for the Yankees who went on to win three straight American League pennants and two World Series championships in his first seasons as their manager, died Wednesday at his home in Winter Haven, Fla. He was 90.
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Associated Press:
Former New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox manager Ralph Houk dies — BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox say former manager Ralph Houk has died. He was 90. — Red Sox spokesman Dick Bresciani says Houk died in Winter Haven, Fla., on Wednesday afternoon. The team heard from Houk's grandson, who lives in the Boston area.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Pinstripe Alley, It's About The Money, sox1fan.com, Zell's Pinstripe Blog and ESPN
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Sox lose in 11 innings — Jenks blows lead as Mariners rally for 2-1 victory — Shortstop Alexei Ramirez holds on to the ball after colliding with Seattle's Ryan Langerhans, forcing him out at second base in the eighth inning. (DEAN RUTZ, McClatchy-Tribune / July 21, 2010)
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Breaking Sports:
Ozzie: Options ‘open now’ after Jenks' blown save
Discussion:
FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball
Chicago Sun Times:
CUBS IN BRIEF: Brenly's hat in ring; Trammell biding time — Unlike the last two managerial hiring processes for the Cubs, in which general manager Jim Hendry had a top candidate in mind early, he says he considers this one wide open as he begins looking for Lou Piniella's replacement.
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Brenly and Sandberg have interest in Cubs' job
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
This trip to Safeco a tad dangerous — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — OAKLAND, Calif. - If you thought the Red Sox [team stats] offense looked like it was running on fumes against the A's, try not to shudder at what's coming up next: four games in Safeco Field.
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Joe McDonald / ESPN:
Red Sox need deadline spark — Epstein working to upgrade in outfield, bullpen, behind plate … OAKLAND, Calif. — With less than 10 days remaining before the July 31 deadline, the Boston Red Sox will need to be aggressive in the trade market in order to remain contenders in the highly competitive American League East.
Discussion:
WTVD-TV
Dallas Morning News:
MLB clears Mark Cuban to bid; judge reassures Rangers manager — Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has been cleared by Major League Baseball to bid on the Texas Rangers, his lawyer, Clifton Jessup of Dallas, said today. — Meanwhile, Rangers manager Ron Washington, called to court …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
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MLB.com:
Leyland unfazed by Boesch's struggles — DETROIT — Since the All-Star break, the Tigers' offense has sputtered. No one is feeling the struggles more than rookie slugger Brennan Boesch. — Prior to the break, the rookie owned a .342 average with 49 RBIs and 12 home runs in his 65 games since …
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Associated Press:
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre not ruling out move to Chicago Cubs — LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers skipper Joe Torre says he's not ruling anything out, but he doesn't anticipate managing anywhere else, including Chicago. — Torre's name has emerged as a possible candidate …
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Denver Post:
Rockies live: Tied 2-2 with the Marlins in the eighth — In the midst of long, hot, humid and crucial road trip, the Rockies are searching for a victory today in South Florida. — That will be tough to come by against Marlins ace Josh Johnson, a prime candidate for the National League Cy Young Award.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Thomas Lake / Sports Illustrated:
Thumbing His Way Back Home … Before we talk about sacrifice, or phantom blackbirds, or the Chipper Jones Momentum-Turn Hypothesis, let me tell you about the time Bobby Cox demolished a toilet with one bare hand. — It happened at Shea Stadium. Braves shortstop Darrel Chaney slid into home …
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Orioles Release Joey Gathright — The Orioles released speedy outfielder Joey Gathright this morning, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (via Twitter). The 29-year-old was hitting .185/.255/.222 in 244 plate appearances at Triple A. A three-time 20-steal man in the majors …
Dan O'Neill / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Whitey Herzog and Garry Templeton ... a memorable clash — As Whitey Herzog takes his place among baseball royalty, one episode in his colorful career was especially prominent in putting him on a Hall of Fame path. It also represents one loose end that has never been thoroughly tied down.
