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Plain Dealer:
Why I didn't vote for Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez: Paul Hoynes — Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group By Paul Hoynes, Northeast Ohio Media Group — CLEVELAND, Ohio - It's confession time. — I didn't vote for this year's Hall of Fame class that will be enshrined in Cooperstown in July 26.
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It's Pronounced “Lajaway”, NESN.com, Let's Go Tribe, Phillies Nation, Where Have You Gone … and ESPN
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Jerry Spar / Full Count:
Curt Schilling to D&C on Hall of Fame balloting: 'I can't spend my time being concerned about people's opinions of me that I'll never meet' — Former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling checked in with Dennis & Callahan on Wednesday, after falling short of election to the Baseball Hall of Fame …
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The Good Phight, HardballTalk, Deadspin, Red Sox Monster, ESPN, WEEI and MLB.com
NY Daily News:
Doubts linger, but support for Mike Piazza's Hall of Fame cause catching on
Doubts linger, but support for Mike Piazza's Hall of Fame cause catching on
Discussion:
Newsday, Wall Street Journal and Metsblog
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
All-time home run leader sees small uptick in third year of eligibility
All-time home run leader sees small uptick in third year of eligibility
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Kevin Thomas / Portland Press Herald Contributors:
And now for the 2016 Class; Yanks signing Drew; Red Sox DFA Dan Butler
And now for the 2016 Class; Yanks signing Drew; Red Sox DFA Dan Butler
Discussion:
New York Post, Over the Monster and MLB Trade Rumors
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Why should we care if a ballplayer is mean or if he's “a punk?”
Why should we care if a ballplayer is mean or if he's “a punk?”
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Writers elect four players to Cooperstown for first time since 1955
Fox Sports:
Could Hamels, Price or Scherzer be answer to Cards' rotation needs? — FOX Sports — The St. Louis Cardinals say they like their starting rotation. But that is not preventing them from pursuing a major upgrade. — The team is exploring trades for left-handers Cole Hamels and David Price …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Trade Rumors, HardballTalk and Baseball Essential
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Veteran catcher signs one-year deal to back up talented prospect Bethancourt — A.J. Pierzynski tells a story about his cousin not studying for his finals until the Braves won a game back in a tough stretch for Atlanta — ATLANTA — Throughout his long Major League career …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Talking Chop
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Buckel, Deglan enjoying all Australian Baseball League has to offer while honing craft — Cody Buckel (left) and Kellin Deglan have been sharpening their skills with the Melbourne Aces. — ARLINGTON — The temperature was 97 degrees at noon on Wednesday in Melbourne, Australia.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks to have six new managers at minor league affiliates — The Diamondbacks will have six new managers at minor league affiliates for 2015, the team announced Wednesday. — Phil Nevin, who was said to be a finalist for the Diamondbacks' major league manager position, will return to manage at Triple-A Reno.
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Ichiro, Schierholtz among options to fill bench role for Marlins — Ichiro Suzuki discusses his pursuit of 3,000 hits and how he is using it as motivation to continue playing — MIAMI — Batting from the left side is not necessarily a requirement, but it is the preference for the Marlins in their search for a fourth outfielder.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Baseball Essential
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Braves To Designate Tyler Pastornicky For Assignment — The Braves will designate infielder Tyler Pastornicky for assignment tomorrow in order to clear 40-man roster space for the three signings they announced earlier today, MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports (on Twitter).
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
John McDonald Retires — Veteran middle infielder John McDonald has officially retired, according to the Twitter accounts of the Angels, Blue Jays, D-Backs and Indians, each of whom McDonald played for over the life of a 16-year Major League career. — McDonald, 40, said in September …
Discussion:
MLB.com, Full Count, Providence Journal and MLB Daily Dish
Brad Nelson / Guardian:
With AC/DC and Steely Dan on the bill, has Coachella gone dadrock? — Though the festival seems to be catering to the older market, its most memorable moments have rarely been by the headlining bands — Coachella 2015: AC/DC, Jack White and Drake to headline
Discussion:
CBS Dallas and Radio.com
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks To Sign Nick Punto — 12:10pm: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that it's a minor league contract with an invite to big league camp (Twitter link). — 11:49am: The Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with veteran utilityman Nick Punto, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link).
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Baseball Essential and MLB Daily Dish
J.J. Cooper / Baseball America:
2015 Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Prospects — Want More? Complete 2015 Top 10 Prospects Rankings — Get it all: Subscribe to Baseball America — Go 30 deep: Order the 2015 Prospect Handbook! — The Reds head into 2015 with a lot of opportunity, and a whole lot of uncertainty on the horizon.
Discussion:
Cincinnati.com