Top News:
David Waldstein / New York Times:
Despite Criticism by an Owner, Positive Feelings — SAN FRANCISCO — In the wake of public criticisms from Fred Wilpon, the Mets' principal owner, in a May edition of The New Yorker, the team held a meeting in the cramped visitors' clubhouse at Wrigley Field.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED:
Adam Berry / MLB.com:
Beltran, Reyes pleasant surprises for Collins — SAN FRANCISCO — According to Mets manager Terry Collins, every good team has at least one surprise storyline every season. His 2011 club, set to enter the break with a winning record, has been no exception through the All-Star break.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Associated Press:
Giants beat Mets 4-2 in final game before break — SAN FRANCISCO - Pablo Sandoval celebrated his first All-Star game selection by hitting an RBI double to extend his hitting streak to 21 games and fellow All-Star Matt Cain pitched six scoreless innings to lead the San Francisco Giants …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Union chief defends All-Stars who will skip game
Union chief defends All-Stars who will skip game
Discussion:
USA Today and baseballmusings.com
Jordan Garretson / MLB.com:
Weaver set to start for AL in All-Star Game — ANAHEIM — Despite being selected for his first Major League All-Star game last season, Jered Weaver wasn't able to pitch because he started the Sunday before. This year, he'll not only pitch — he'll be starting.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, Halos Heaven, Sox #1 Fan dot com and NESN.com
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Grant Green takes home MVP at Futures game — PHOENIX (AP) - Grant Green thought back to the last time he was an MVP. — It was three years ago, and he was representing Chatham in the Cape Cod League All-Star game. — “The only thing I really remember is I got a home run to center …
RELATED:
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Next generation of stars set for Futures Game — A look at who to watch in Sunday's parade of prospects — PHOENIX — The XM All-Star Futures Game allows fans to see the game's best prospects all on one field. Sunday will afford another glimpse at the game's future stars …
Discussion:
Baseball America, AZ Snake Pit, Mets Merized Online, Purple Row and Boston Globe
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
MLB whispers: Cardinals weather storm during Pujols' absence — The Cardinals held it together without Albert Pujols, going 7-7 and scoring 4.2 runs per game. Tony La Russa was hoping Pujols would be added to the NL All-Star roster so he could avoid a four-day break. ...
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, HardballTalk and Full Count
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
Isringhausen to Alderson: Please don't trade me — When Jason Isringhausen read that he might be traded, he took his reaction directly to Sandy Alderson, telling the general manager that he wanted to remain a Met. — Sure, it would be fun to join another team and reach the playoffs …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, ESPN, Mets Merized Online and MLB Rumors
Nicole Auerbach / Boston Globe:
Lot's going on in Kyle Weiland's debut — Little boys with oversized mitts and even bigger dreams spend hours imagining their major league debuts. — Few - if any - could have pictured one as odd as Kyle Weiland's yesterday afternoon at Fenway Park. — The Red Sox righthander started …
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Associated Press and Boston Globe
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
10 things I didn't know before SABR 41 — It happens every summer. A special convention is held, one featuring a disproportionate number of aging white guys who could probably lose a few pounds. Great, so far I just described every convention. — This one is special because the conventioneers …
Discussion:
Mike Silva's …
Jim Williams / Washington Examiner:
McCarver returns to All-Star booth — Fox Sports lead baseball analyst Tim McCarver will broadcast his 20th All-Star Game on Tuesday night in Phoenix, the most in history. — He has worked with nearly every big name in the business. He once broadcast World Series games with Jack Buck on CBS …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Trade Candidate: Carlos Pena — First baseman Carlos Pena hit just .196/.325/.407 in 2010, and the Scott Boras client signed a one-year, $10MM deal with the Cubs last December in hopes of rebuilding value. Maybe it's due to switching leagues, but Pena's power has rebounded and now he might …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
ESPN:
Alex Rodriguez to have knee surgery — NEW YORK — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has elected to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a slight meniscus tear in his right knee, a team spokesman confirmed Sunday. — He is expected to miss four to six weeks.
Discussion:
ESPN, Pinstripe Alley, NESN.com, WasWatching.com and Baseball Nation
RELATED:
Mike Mazzeo / ESPN:
New York Yankees' David Robertson in for David Price at All-Star Game — Yankees right-hander David Robertson and Texas Rangers pitcher Alexi Ogando will be heading to Phoenix after all. — Robertson was not selected for the 2011 American League All-Star team, but became a late addition …
Discussion:
MLB, Associated Press and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED: