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:
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.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs take care of business, make more opening day memories — Chicago Tribune — Theo Epstein was 29 when he experienced his first opening day as general manager of the Red Sox. — Fifteen years later, with three championship rings to his name and an express lane pass into the Hall of Fame …
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.
Dave Hyde / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
An Opening Day without hope, romance for Marlins fans — MIAMI — There's something about Opening Day, something about wild faith and rich hope and that heartfelt American belief in the regeneration of the baseball soul that suggests anything is possible in this great country of ... Oh, come on.
Jorge L. Ortiz / USA Today:
Anthony Rizzo's home run an ‘out-of-body experience’ on emotional Opening Day
Mark Gonzales / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Ian Happ hits home run on 1st pitch of season as Cubs beat Marlins, 8-4
Ian Happ hits home run on 1st pitch of season as Cubs beat Marlins, 8-4
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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
David Haugh / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Anthony Rizzo goes deep calling for stricter gun laws
Column: Anthony Rizzo goes deep calling for stricter gun laws
Discussion:
Fox News
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
Cubs wear Stoneman Douglas T-shirts to honor Parkland victims before Opening Day game
Discussion:
Chicago Tribune and MLB Baseball News …
John Harper / New York Daily News:
Mets winning by playing small ball, analytics an encouraging sign for the rest of the season — On Opening Day at Citi Field, a booming home run or two from Yoenis Cespedes, something akin to Giancarlo Stanton's eye-popping Yankee debut, would have made for a sexier storyline than singling Carlos Martinez and the Cardinals to death.
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New York Daily News:
After an injury-riddled 2017, Yoenis Cespedes smacks three RBI in Opening Day win — After a spring training in which he was bothered by right wrist pain - which necessitated a cortisone shot - and right shoulder discomfort, Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes was in the starting lineup for Thursday's 2018 opener.
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Thor brings the thunder as 1-2 punch of Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom is off to a good start — Dressed in a double-breasted, light-blue, plaid suit and his long blond hair slicked back, Syndergaard heard the comments coming from behind him as he walked out of the clubhouse door Thursday evening.
Christian Red / New York Daily News:
Mickey Callaway off to fast start as new Mets manager earns win in season opener
Stephen Edelson / Daily Record:
Todd Frazier has found a new family in the Mets
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
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 …
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
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
Giancarlo Stanton hits pair of home runs, drives in four as Yankees beat Blue Jays, 6-1 on Opening Day — TORONTO -You cannot stop him. — Giancarlo Stanton was a smashing success in his Yankee debut, blasting two homers, as the Bombers made a winner out of first-year manager Aaron Boone …
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Connor Grott / UPI:
Giancarlo Stanton hits rocket home run in first at-bat with Yankees
Giancarlo Stanton hits rocket home run in first at-bat with Yankees
Discussion:
NESN.com and FanRag Sports
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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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
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:
Brian Cashman still has full confidence in Aaron Boone as new Yankees manager — TORONTO — Heading into a season of great expectations, Brian Cashman feels that he's hired the right manager. — “I have no second-guessing or concerns,” Cashman replied Thursday when asked …
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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
Adam TeicherESPN / ESPN:
White Sox's Matt Davidson blasts 3 homers in opener — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Matt Davidson of the Chicago White Sox became the fourth player in major league history to hit three home runs in an Opening Day game on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals. — EDITOR'S PICKS
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.