Top News:
Associated Press:
The Latest: Orioles' Gentry robs homer from Twins' Rosario — Kansas City Royals Alex Gordon runs sprints on during a baseball workout, Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Royals open the baseball season on Thursday afternoon when they host the Chicago White Sox.
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Mark Gonzales / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ian Happ hits home run on 1st pitch of season as Cubs beat Marlins, 8-4 — MIAMI — Ian Happ made a statement about his leadoff credentials on the first pitch of the 2018 season. — Happ, making his first Opening Day start, smacked a home run off Jose Urena over the right-field fence …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Anthony Rizzo goes deep calling for stricter gun laws — Chicago Tribune — Of all the artwork Cubs manager Joe Maddon has introduced to his players this spring, the most powerful display appeared Thursday at Marlins Park during batting practice before the Cubs' 8-4 victory.
Discussion:
Fox News
Victor Mather / Boston Globe:
Derek Jeter's first inning as Marlins co-owner didn't go quite as planned — Welcome to the bigs, Derek Jeter. — Jeter's first inning as chief executive of the Miami Marlins did not quite go as planned. — Jose Urena threw the first pitch of the 2018 baseball season. It was a four-seam fastball at 95 mph.
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, NPR and Chicago Sun-Times
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Marlins, Cubs wear ‘MSD’ patches, to visit with victims' families, survivors
Discussion:
HotNewHipHop.com
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo urges stricter gun laws and defends ‘bullied’ Stoneman Douglas students
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Sun-Sentinel
Stephen Edelson / Daily Record:
Todd Frazier has found a new family in the Mets — NEW YORK - The Frazier family gathered once again on Thursday, just like they have at places like Lamade Stadium in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the field wedged in behind Toms River High School South, at Rutgers University or any number …
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Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
NEW YORK • Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez again had difficulty in the early innings Thursday. Martinez wasn't too good in the middle innings, either, at least the middle innings he pitched. — Notorious slow starter Martinez walked six, hit one and allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings …
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Series preview: Cardinals at New York Mets
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Viva El Birdos and baseballmusings.com
Bill Madden / New York Daily News:
Rusty Staub, beloved Mets icon, dead at 73 — In every way, Rusty Staub, the beloved Mets' hitting icon, who passed away early Thursday morning at age 73, was bigger than life — a bigger-than-life baseball personality, humanitarian, gourmet chef, wine connoisseur, friend-to-all and …
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Joe Belock / New York Daily News:
10 greatest Rusty Staub moments as a Met
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Marlowe Alter / Detroit Free Press:
Former Detroit Tigers All-Star Rusty Staub dies at 73
Discussion:
USA Today, Detroit News and New York Times
Sam McDowell / Kansas City Star:
Kyle Zimmer had such promise. But the Royals' patience has run out — The intrigue derived from the velocity, at least initially, but as Royals scouts further studied Kyle Zimmer in 2012, they were awed by the full repertoire. Ahead of the June draft that year, Baseball America graded Zimmer's fastball …
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Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Masahiro Tanaka looking forward to season debut despite getting passed over for Yankees' Opening Day start — TORONTO — Masahiro Tanaka said it wasn't a strange feeling that he wasn't starting on Opening Day. But given that he had started the previous three season-openers for the Yankees, it must've been at least a little weird.
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ESPN:
Giants place closer Mark Melancon on 10-day DL with elbow injury — The San Francisco Giants placed closer Mark Melancon on the 10-day disabled list Thursday with a right elbow flexor strain. — The move was made retroactive to March 26. Right-hander Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A to fill his roster spot.
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles and MLB Trade Rumors
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Associated Press:
Melancon joins Bumgarner, Samardzija on Giants' DL — LOS ANGELES (AP) — San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon was put on the 10-day disabled list with a right elbow flexor strain before Thursday's opener, joining starters Madison Bumgarner and starter Jeff Samardzija on the sidelines.
Associated Press:
Japanese baseball stars returning home from MLB to extend careers … Daisuke Matsuzaka says he still has something to prove. — Koji Uehara wants to help his former team regain its past glory. — The two former U.S. major leaguers are among several Japanese stars that will be looking …
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Associated Press:
Grease fire causes smoke inside Tropicana Field before Rays opener — A small grease fire in the upper deck of Tropicana Field on Thursday caused a smoky haze to fall over the playing field five hours before the first pitch of the regular-season opener between the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and ESPN
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Sources: Cardinals working to close a deal with Greg Holland — NEW YORK • A few days after suggesting they were ready to go into the regular season without a closer and throw a variety of pitchers at the ninth inning, including rookie Jordan Hicks, the Cardinals have made a move to answer their biggest question.
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Associated Press:
Jake Arrieta assigned to minors while getting in shape for his Phillies debut — Philadelphia pitcher Jake Arrieta has been assigned to Class A Clearwater while working into shape for his Phillies debut. — Since the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner got a late start in spring training …
Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
Chicago sportswriter vowed to jump in Lake Michigan if Ian Happ led off with homer, and well ... Chicago Tribune — Apparently, anybody who doubts Ian Happ's power can just go jump in the lake. — Just before the Cubs' opener at Miami on Thursday, Bleacher Nation reporter Michael Cerami promised …
Discussion:
USA Today, Bleacher Nation and Chicago Sun-Times
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Stefan Stevenson: MLB team in San Antonio? Commissioner would like to see it — ARLINGTON, Texas — How about a trip to San Antonio for a three-game series with the Rangers and, say, San Antonio Texians? Yes, I spelled that right. Consult your history books. — Or maybe the San Antonio Alamos or San Antonio Riverwalks?
Andy McCullough / Los Angeles Times:
It's time for some opening day music … In one of the final moves in constructing their opening-day roster, the Dodgers optioned outfielder Andrew Toles to triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, clearing a path for outfielder Joc Pederson and utility man Kyle Farmer to occupy the last two spots on the bench.
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Matthew Florjancic / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians enter 2018 with designs on finishing season with World Series Championship — The Cleveland Indians are set to open the 2018 regular season against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field tonight. — CLEVELAND — Two years ago, the Cleveland Indians were one inning away …
