Top News:
Paul Newberry / Globe and Mail:
Braves complete sweep of Blue Jays — Brandon Beachy had a career-high 11 strikeouts in his return from the disabled list, Dan Uggla and Brian McCann hit two-run homers, and the Atlanta Braves completed a sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays with a 5-1 victory Wednesday.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Talking Chop, Associated Press and Canadian Press
RELATED:
George Henry / Associated Press:
McCann backs Minor's pitching in Braves' 5-1 win
McCann backs Minor's pitching in Braves' 5-1 win
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Bluebird Banter
Larry Granillo / Baseball Prospectus:
Jack McKeon's 1962 Radio Experiment — Jack McKeon is back managing the Florida Marlins this year after manager Edwin Rodriguez resigned amid an atrocious June. McKeon, who also took over the 2003 Marlins mid-season before leading them to the World Series, is currently 80 years old.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and MLB.com
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Clark Spencer / Fish Bytes:
Logan Morrison blasts Hanley Ramirez in front of teammates
Logan Morrison blasts Hanley Ramirez in front of teammates
Discussion:
Fish Tank and HardballTalk
Len Kasper / Daily Herald:
Cubs' Kasper signs five-year extension — Broadcaster Len Kasper has signed a five-year extension to remain as the Cubs' TV play-by-play man through 2016. — The 40-year-old Kasper was in the final year of his current deal, but there was little doubt he'd be staying around for a long time.
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Bleacher Nation
Rob Parker / ESPN:
Mets should say ‘no way’ to Jose Reyes — With team destined for mediocrity with him, trading star SS makes perfect sense — NEW YORK — The New York Mets' response to Jose Reyes should be simple: “No way, Jose.” — After reaching out to Reyes' agent Tuesday to get an idea of what kind …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Associated Press, Mets Merized Online and New Jersey Online
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David Waldstein / New York Times:
Reyes Postpones Contract Talks as Athletics Drop Mets
Reyes Postpones Contract Talks as Athletics Drop Mets
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, USA Today, NY Daily News and Mets Merized Online
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Reyes Not Interested In Negotiating During Season
Reyes Not Interested In Negotiating During Season
Discussion:
Mike Silva's …, HardballTalk and Yahoo! Sports
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays' Joe Maddon apologizes after sending Sam Fuld to mound against Milwaukee Brewers — OF Sam Fuld should have been required to pitch to a batter after warming up. — MILWAUKEE — Rays manager Joe Maddon insisted he thought he was working within the rules and not trying to get around them.
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Associated Press:
Ethier Homers in Dodgers' 6-1 Win Over Tigers — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Suddenly, the Los Angeles Dodgers' season doesn't appear as bleak as it did a few weeks ago. For one night at least, Andre Ethier rediscovered his home run stroke and helped struggling Chad Billingsley get back in the win column.
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Bless You Boys
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Jonah / JonahKeri.com:
NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: The Definitive History of the Montreal Expos — I'm thrilled to announce that I've agreed to terms with Random House Canada to write my next book: The Definitive History of the Montreal Expos. The book is tentatively slated for release in the spring of 2014 …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and THE BOOK
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Frank McCourt hits back at Bud Selig — LOS ANGELES — Would you buy the Dodgers from Frank McCourt if you had to hand him one-third of your revenue every year? — McCourt threw that brushback pitch at Major League Baseball on Tuesday, the day after Commissioner Bud Selig vetoed …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Los Angeles Times
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Bill Shaikin / Dodgers Blog:
Frank McCourt's lawyer: Don't force us to sue
Frank McCourt's lawyer: Don't force us to sue
Discussion:
HardballTalk, The Biz of Baseball and MLB Rumors
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Pujols' return is ‘fluid’ — Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols officially landed on the disabled list Tuesday. How long the three-time National League MVP stays there might eventually come under review. — “I feel pretty good,” Pujols said before his team's series opener against Philadelphia.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, Brew Crew Ball and ESPN
Associated Press:
Posada breaks out, Yanks beat Reds in game one of doubleheader — CINCINNATI, Ohio — Jorge Posada ended the second-longest homer drought of his career, connecting on a two-run shot Wednesday that sent the New York Yankees to their fourth straight win, 4-2 over the Cincinnati Reds in the first game of a day-night doubleheader.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, ESPN and Associated Press
Jon Paul Morosi / mlbbuzz:
Phillies, Mariners, Reds interested in Padres' Ludwick — Outfielder Ryan Ludwick couldn't help the Padres reach the playoffs after San Diego acquired him from St. Louis last July. — But that won't prevent Ludwick from being moved again this year. — Sources say the Phillies …
Discussion:
Seattle Mariners blog, MLB Rumors and Lookout Landing
Ben Shpigel / Bats:
Yanks' Gardner Finds His Comfort Zone — CINCINNATI — In three games batting first for the Yankees since Derek Jeter strained his calf, Brett Gardner has reached base in 9 of 15 plate appearances, and scored five times. In 50 games since April 28, Gardner has hit .357 with a .440 on-base percentage …
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home, HardballTalk and It's About The Money
David Laurila / FanGraphs Baseball:
Q&A: Ryne Sandberg — Ryne Sandberg spent 15-plus seasons in the big leagues, which means that he faced a generation's worth of great pitchers. The Cubs Hall of Famer hit .285/.344/.452 overall, but how did he do against the likes of Pedro Martinez, Nolan Ryan and Bruce Sutter?
Discussion:
THE BOOK and baseballmusings.com
Associated Press:
Morel's SF Lifts White Sox Over Cubs — CHICAGO (AP) — Brent Morel hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning and the White Sox beat the Cubs 3-2 on Tuesday night to even their crosstown series at one game apiece. — The game was delayed for 1 hour, 44 minutes …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue and South Side Sox