Top News:
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Q&A with Joe Maddon after surprise firing from Angels: ‘I want to manage’ — Joe Maddon was on the line. He had just been fired as Angels manager. And the first thing he said was that he found the moment “liberating.” — A transcript of the interview: — Were you surprised? — A little bit.
RELATED:
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
The Los Angeles Angels turned to Nickelback walk-up music to try to break their slump — The Angels were reeling in unfathomable fashion, having lost a franchise-record 13 consecutive games to ruin a thrilling, dominant start to this season. Their manager was gone. Their best player was hurt.
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, Associated Press, Bleacher Nation and Sports Illustrated
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Los Angeles Angels fire Joe Maddon; Phil Nevin named interim manager — Over the past couple of days, while his team navigated through a mystifying losing streak that still has not ceded, Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian began to think a change at manager might be necessary.
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Joe Maddon out as Los Angeles Angels manager as losing streak hits 12 games — If it was strictly up to Angels GM Perry Minasian, manager Joe Maddon might have been fired during the winter with Buck Showalter replacing him. — The Angels instead decided to wait, giving Maddon one more chance to turn around the Angels' fate.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Greg Beacham / Associated Press:
Joe Maddon, who went went 130-148, is fired as Los Angeles Angels manager amid a 12-game losing streak
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Orange County Register, MLB Baseball News … and Sports Illustrated
Ian Browne / Red Sox News:
Wacha's shutout keeps Boston on a roll
Discussion:
NBCSports.com, MLB Baseball News …, Union-News and Boston Herald
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Nestor Cortes gives up two homers, season-high four runs as Yankees fall to Twins, 8-1 — MINNEAPOLIS — Nothing was going right. Giancarlo Stanton was “pissed” at himself for three glaring mistakes in the outfield. The Yankees bats went silent and even Nestor Cortes …
Discussion:
New York Post, New Jersey Online, Boston Herald, Pinstripe Alley, Yankees News and Mercury News
RELATED:
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Anthony Rizzo homer for Yankees in rout of Twins — MINNEAPOLIS — Their run of outstanding pitching couldn't last forever. The defense, which has been so solid this season, had an off night. So the Yankees did exactly what they were built to do on nights like Tuesday — they powered through.
Discussion:
Orange County Register and New York Post
Associated Press:
Gary Sánchez, Twins agree to $9M deal, at midpoint — MINNEAPOLIS — Catcher Gary Sánchez and the Minnesota Twins agreed Thursday to a $9 million, one-year contract, avoiding an arbitration hearing that had been scheduled for next week. — The agreement was at the midpoint …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Pete Alonso and Starling Marte exit with injuries in second inning of Mets' loss to Padres — SAN DIEGO - Pete Alonso (hit by pitch on right hand) and Starling Marte (quad tightness) left with alarming injuries in the second inning of the Mets' 7-0 loss against the Padres on Tuesday at Petco Park.
Discussion:
Newsday, New York Post, NorthJersey.com and Boston Herald
RELATED:
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Chris Bassitt's nightmarish stretch continues in Mets' blowout loss to Padres: 'I'm beyond embarrassed'
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Eduardo Escobar hits for the cycle, Carlos Carrasco steps up in Mets' rout over Padres
Discussion:
Newsday, NorthJersey.com and New York Post
Omar Kelly / Sun-Sentinel:
Dolphins OTA observations (Week4): Duke Riley stands out on defense — Miami Gardens — Absences by some players creates opportunities for youngsters and journeyman to showcase themselves during offseason programs, and it seems Duke Riley has used those snaps to showcase his ability for the Miami Dolphins defense.
Discussion:
Orange County Register
RELATED:
LaMond Pope / Chicago Tribune:
‘He rises to the occasion’: Michael Kopech shuts down the Los Angeles Dodgers for 6 innings in a 4-0 Chicago White Sox win — ExpandAutoplay — 1 of 18 — White Sox starting pitcher Michael Kopech walks to the dugout with catcher Reese McGuire after shutting down the Dodgers …
Discussion:
Mercury News, South Side Sox and Sox On 35th
Kyle Hightower / Associated Press:
Celtics beat Warriors 116-100 thanks to big fourth quarter, take 2-1 lead in NBA Finals — BOSTON — Jaylen Brown scored 27 points, Jayson Tatum added 26 and the Boston Celtics beat back another third-quarter onslaught by the Golden State Warriors in a 116-100 victory Wednesday night that gave them a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, Boston Herald, Bleacher Nation, DraftKings Nation, Mercury News, Associated Press, Union-News and The Athletic
Ira Winderman / Sun-Sentinel:
As he turns 42, Heat's Haslem deliberating 20th season, but rules out coaching with sights set on being team owner — MIAMI — The next step could further define the degree that Udonis Haslem's NBA story becomes one for the ages. — With the Miami Heat captain turning 42 on Thursday …
Discussion:
Mercury News
RELATED:
Daniel Kaplan / MLB - The Athletic:
Umpire Angel Hernandez alleges MLB manipulated reviews to make minorities look bad — Angel Hernandez alleged in a legal filing with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals that Major League Baseball manipulated its internal umpiring metrics to disadvantage minorities, thereby excluding them from becoming crew chiefs.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB Baseball News …, The Good Phight and Lookout Landing
Associated Press:
Atlanta Braves lose arbitration case to SS Dansby Swanson, win vs. OF Adam Duvall — NEW YORK — Shortstop Dansby Swanson beat the Braves in salary arbitration on Wednesday and outfielder Adam Duvall lost to Atlanta, leaving teams with a 6-3 advantage over players this year.
Discussion:
Battery Power and MLB Trade Rumors
