Top News:
Fox Sports:
Hard to defend Riggleman's choice — First of all, what Jim Riggleman did is indefensible. He deserves the coast-to-coast criticism, deserves to be crushed for walking out on his team. His resignation Thursday as Nationals manager was as me-first as it gets, an inexplicable betrayal of his red-hot club.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding and Federal Baseball
RELATED:
Jeff Seidel / MLB.com:
Bernadina leads off with right-hander on hill — WASHINGTON — Nationals manager Jim Riggleman made a minor shift to the top of his lineup for Thursday's series finale with the Mariners, putting Roger Bernadina in the leadoff spot and moving Jayson Werth to second.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Capitol Punishment, MLB Daily Dish, South Side Sox, Lone Star Ball, Federal Baseball and Yahoo! Sports
Washington Post:
Riggleman quits as Nationals manager — A season worth of brewing frustration about his tenuous contract status led Manager Jim Riggleman to abruptly resign today as the manager of the Washington Nationals, leaving them without a manager minutes after winning for the 11th time in 12 and achieving a record above .500.
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Shocker: Unhappy with contract, Jim Riggleman resigns as Nationals manager
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Jim Riggleman Resigns
Discussion:
Nats Insider and All Nats All the Time
Globe and Mail:
Blue Jays move Jose Bautista to 3B — The Toronto Blue Jays are moving star slugger Jose Bautista from right field to third base to give them more production from the hot corner. — Bautista led the majors with 54 home runs last season, and is currently batting .325 with 22 home runs.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …, Bluebird Banter and Yahoo! Sports
Philly.com:
At 87, Red Schoendienst stays put — Phillies broadcaster Gary Matthews tries to do one thing the same every time he comes to St. Louis. — “I talk to Red Schoendienst,” Matthews said. — Matthews interviewed Schoendienst on Thursday for the Phillies' pregame radio show.
Austin Laymance / MLB.com:
Oswalt likely to miss next start with tight back — Consistent issues plaguing Phils starter, who awaits Monday MRI — ST. LOUIS — Phillies starter Roy Oswalt left Thursday's 12-2 victory over the Cardinals after the second inning with lower back tightness.
Discussion:
The Good Phight and Yahoo! Sports
Mat Kovach / Hardball Times:
Why's pitching so good? Look at a 2010 rule change — Aren't we talking about 2010 and 2011 being Years of Pitchers? I find this interesting for many reasons. — {exp:list_maker}It would seem perfectly reasonable to argue that the effects of PEDs and greenies being out the game is hurting the batter.
Associated Press:
Virginia Eliminates California — OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Virginia's Tyler Wilson didn't have any problem with the pressure of pitching in a big game. — The unbeaten senior allowed five hits and carried a shutout into the eighth inning in the No. 1-seeded Cavaliers' 8-1 victory over California …
Discussion:
Baseball America
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Bucs have big decision to make about Maholm — PITTSBURGH — He may not view it as such, but Paul Maholm is making a pitch for his future each time he takes the mound this season. — His hope, too, is that the Pirates are taking notice. — Maholm is nearing the end of the guaranteed portion …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and MLB Daily Dish
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Fox reportedly wouldn't back Frank McCourt in a bankruptcy scenario — If it came to it, Fox would tell bankruptcy judge it is not bound to Dodgers TV deal because there is no contract, people familiar with matter say, leaving McCourt with one fewer option going forward.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Dodgers Blog, baseballmusings.com, HardballTalk, Mike Scioscia's tragic illness and 6-4-2
ESPN:
Rangers' Hamilton: Blues cause daytime drama … When it comes to hitting, it's been night and day for Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton this season — and the reigning American League MVP has a theory as to why. — He has blue eyes. — Under the sun, Hamilton's numbers are dim.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball and NotGraphs Baseball
Alex Remington / FanGraphs Baseball:
John Maine, “Habitual Liar” About Health, May Retire — On Monday, John Maine left the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, after posting a 7.43 ERA in 46 innings. Technically, he's trying to come back from a 2010 shoulder surgery which was intended to deal with a shoulder problem that dated …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, MLB Rumors and Inside the Colorado Rockies
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Backstop to the future? Not so fast — Yankee Stadium out of reach until Jesus Montero learns to focus on the here and now — MOOSIC, Pa. — The future of the New York Yankees received a two-game timeout earlier this month because the organization felt his play lacked “energy,” according to one club official.
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues and Bronx Baseball Daily
