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.
Discussion:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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Associated Press:
The Latest: Zach Duke strikes out 4 in an inning — 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.
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
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
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Anthony Rizzo's home run an ‘out-of-body experience’ on emotional Opening Day — MIAMI - Given the events of the last six weeks, Anthony Rizzo's homecoming was going to be emotional regardless. Then he received a standing ovation in a road ballpark. And to top it all …
Associated Press:
Cubs power past Marlins 8-4 on Opening Day — Fish fall at home — MIAMI - A large contingent of Chicago Cubs fans crashed opening day in Miami, and one pitch into the major league season, Ian Happ had them on their feet to celebrate while Marlins fans stewed.
Victor Mather / Boston Globe:
Derek Jeter's first inning as Marlins co-owner didn't go quite as planned
Derek Jeter's first inning as Marlins co-owner didn't go quite as planned
Discussion:
CBSSports.com, NPR and Chicago Sun-Times
Jesse RogersESPN / ESPN:
Marlins, Cubs wear ‘MSD’ patches, to visit with victims' families, survivors
Marlins, Cubs wear ‘MSD’ patches, to visit with victims' families, survivors
Discussion:
HotNewHipHop.com
Brett Bodner / New York Daily News:
Cubs wear Stoneman Douglas T-shirts to honor Parkland victims before Opening Day game
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Anthony Rizzo urges stricter gun laws and defends ‘bullied’ Stoneman Douglas students
Anthony Rizzo urges stricter gun laws and defends ‘bullied’ Stoneman Douglas students
Discussion:
Sun-Sentinel and MLB Baseball News …
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Mickey Callaway off to fast start as new Mets manager earns win in season opener — Unlike his predecessor Terry Collins, who had a penchant for colorful phrases like “Cripes” and “Stinkin',” Mets rookie manager Mickey Callaway was even-keeled and fairly vanilla with his quotes following his first victory in Flushing.
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Associated Press:
Springer 1st with consecutive MLB opening day leadoff HRs — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - George Springer has set a MLB first with his 100th career home run for the Houston Astros. — The World Series MVP led off the Astros' season opener at Texas with a home run off Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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Stephen Hawkins / Associated Press:
Springer, World Series champ Astros top Texas 4-0 in opener — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) - World Series MVP George Springer hit a leadoff homer in the season opener for the second year in a row, Justin Verlander pitched six scoreless innings and the Houston Astros started their championship defense …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Steve Gardner / USA Today:
Astros play four-man outfield against Rangers' Joey Gallo
Astros play four-man outfield against Rangers' Joey Gallo
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bleacher Report and Deadspin
Associated Press:
Reds play catch between raindrops, await opener vs Nationals — CINCINNATI (AP) — Closer Raisel Iglesias skirted the tarp-covered infield along with the rest of the Cincinnati Reds pitchers, heading for the outfield and a quick game of catch before the rains returned.
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Connor Grott / UPI:
Giancarlo Stanton hits rocket home run in first at-bat with Yankees … When moving from place to place in the world of professional sports — whether that's being traded or signed — there is sometimes an adjustment period. — That theory may not apply to Giancarlo Stanton, the new right fielder for the New York Yankees.
Discussion:
FanRag Sports
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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
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
Former Detroit Tigers All-Star Rusty Staub dies at 73
Discussion:
Detroit News, USA Today and New York Times
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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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.
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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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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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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
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