Top News:
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.
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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.
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
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
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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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Speculation around White Sox ‘typical’ — White Sox GM reiterates trade market stance — SEATTLE — During a pregame meeting with manager Ozzie Guillen and his coaching staff on Tuesday, White Sox general manager Ken Williams talked about what his crew specifically needed talent-wise …
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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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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Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Michaels leads Astros past Cubs in 12 innings — CHICAGO—Pinch-hitter Jason Michaels delivered a two-out, two-run double in the top of the 12th inning and the Houston Astros hung on to beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Wednesday. — Jeff Keppinger and Chris Johnson started the 12th with consecutive singles.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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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 …
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.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
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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 …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Philly.com, MLB.com, Viva El Birdos, The Crawfish Boxes, SBNation.com and MLB
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Jason Bay tries to find groove, create more offense for New York Mets in the middle of the lineup — PHOENIX - There are elements of Jason Bay's first season with the Mets that he is proud of, but the $66 million left fielder knows that his tenure has not yet been successful.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
TSN.ca:
Longoria, Rays edge O's to take series — The Sports Network — Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Evan Longoria homered, doubled and drove in the game-winning run with a walk, as the Tampa Bay Rays held on for 5-4 win over the Baltimore Orioles in the rubber match of a three-game set at Camden Yards.
Discussion:
DRaysBay
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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.
