Top News:
Kuiperfan / Joe Posnanski:
The Hall of Fame Recap — Bert Blyleven ranks fifth all time in strikeouts (3,701) and ninth in shutouts (60). (AP) — Well, for the most part, Hall of Fame day went as expected. Roberto Alomar didn't just go into the Hall of Fame, he received 90% of the vote, a higher percentage than Jackie Robinson …
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Nate Silver / FiveThirtyEight:
Is The Hall of Fame Too Small? — Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven were inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame this afternoon, becoming the 234th and 235th players so honored. — Others were left on the sidelines, however. Jeff Bagwell, the Astros slugger who according …
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
The Hall of Fame gives voters a clear signal: moralize about steroids even more — In the past couple of weeks many Hall of Fame voters expressed dismay at the dilemma they faced regarding PED users and the character clause in their voting instructions. Some — including Ken Rosenthal …
Discussion:
Crashburn Alley, baseballmusings.com and It's About The Money
Bill / The Platoon Advantage:
Is Jeff Idelson Lying or Incompetent? Either Way, He's Trying to Ruin the Hall — I sat down this evening and was all set to write a nice, light-hearted (if, hopefully, thought-provoking and properly shaming) response to The Common Man's elegant but misguided manifesto on Morris and Hall of Fame voting from the other day.
John Romano / St. Petersburg Times:
Fred McGriff at a disadvantage with Hall of Fame voters because …
Discussion:
Bats and New York Times
Associated Press:
Roberto Alomar, Bert Blyleven in Hall
Discussion:
Yankeeist, Faith and Fear in Flushing, MLB Daily Dish, Halos Heaven and River Avenue Blues
Sports Illustrated:
Palmeiro on Hall of Fame snub: ‘I feel like the forgotten man’
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Blyleven, Alomar elected to Hall of Fame
Discussion:
The House That Dewey Built, Boston Globe and Lookout Landing
Anthony Andro / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Ian Kinsler could return to Texas Rangers' leadoff spot — ARLINGTON — Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington said Wednesday that new third baseman Adrian Beltre would likely bat cleanup. — The rest of the lineup remains in flux, with the exception of Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz sandwiching Beltre.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Time in Arlington
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Dallas Morning News:
Why Gold Glove 3B Adrian Beltre is a Ranger: ‘I want to win’ — ARLINGTON - The Rangers satisfied the vast majority of the items on Adrian Beltre's wish list as he looked for a new place to play in 2011. — Above all, the free agent wanted to play for a playoff contender …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers land Beltre with six-year deal
Discussion:
sox1fan.com, Boston Globe and Over the Monster
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Michael Young to work out at first base and other important stuff …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Picks are Red Sox' parting gifts
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Lone Star Ball and Texas Rangers
AaronGleeman.com:
Bert Blyleven, Hall of Famer — In his 14th year and second-to-last chance on the ballot Bert Blyleven is finally a Hall of Famer and on July 24 will officially take his rightful place in Cooperstown (alongside Roberto Alomar and Pat Gillick) after receiving 79.7 percent of the votes …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Lone Star Ball, Minor League Ball and True Blue LA
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Baseball Hall of Fame:
Alomar, Blyleven Elected to the Hall of Fame
Discussion:
Sox Machine, Baseball Prospectus and Baseball-Reference Blog
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Me vs. reality: 2011 Cooperstown
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Red Reporter
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers' opener moved up to March 31 — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers' Opening Day game with the defending World Series champion Giants at Dodger Stadium has been moved up a day to Thursday, March 31, at 5 p.m. PT, from the originally scheduled Friday, April 1, the clubs announced Thursday.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and True Blue LA
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Yankees claim RHP Brian Schlitter — The Yankees have claimed right-hander Brian Schlitter off waivers from the Cubs. — Schlitter is a 25 year old who pitched out of the Cubs bullpen seven times last year. He spent most of the season with Triple-A Iowa, going 2-1 with 13 saves and a 3.15 ERA …
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Franco disappointed by lack of Hall support — NEW YORK — After he had taken the first couple of hundred flights in his 21-year big league career, John Franco understood what little control he had over at least one critical factor in his life. He put it into words Wednesday evening.
Discussion:
Tedquarters, Can't Stop The Bleeding, Mets Merized Online and The Mets Police
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Phillies Invite Delwyn Young To Spring Training — The Phillies announced that Delwyn Young is one of seven players they have invited to Spring Training. The Phillies and Brewers pursued Young after he elected free agency last fall. — Philadelphia also invited Brian Bass, Tuffy Gosewisch …
Sports Illustrated:
Angels top teams with shopping left to do before spring training … There's still plenty of shopping for several teams to do, and not just for the Angels, who have taken the collar so far this winter and are up to plan D. Or is it plan G or even plan M? — Whatever it is …
Alex Speier / WEEI:
THE CAMERON EQUATION: HOW THE OUTFIELDER FITS THE 2011 RED SOX — Mike Cameron had a pair of noteworthy phone conversations around the time the Red Sox signed free agent Carl Crawford to his landmark seven-year, $142 million deal. — The first was initiated by Red Sox GM Theo Epstein …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
MLB.com:
Coonelly discusses contracts with fans — Pirates president Frank Coonelly participated in his monthly live online chat with Pirates fans on Wednesday. During the chat, Coonelly answered questions about possible contract extensions, the club's top prospects, any more potential moves …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
