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Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Taking a Different Kind of Dive — NEW YORK As Alfonso Soriano was about to slide into home plate, he suddenly saw the bat at the last instant. By accident, or perhaps as an emblem of his luck since becoming a National, the large black stick lay in exactly the worst place a bat can be …
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals fall despite Livan's efforts — Tying run gunned down in close play at the plate — NEW YORK — The Nationals said they were going to put their 9-23-1 Spring Training record behind them, but their problems continued on the field as they lost their season opener to the Mets …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Signs Point to Postseason for the Mets — CONFESSION of a foolish man: I have picked the Mets to win the World Series. — I did it on the spur of the moment in an e-mail message for an annual contest I have with my grandsons Zach and Jake. Jake, who would rather be known as J. J. …
New York Times:
Wright and Nady Hit. Wagner Saves. Mission Accomplished. — Wagner Saves. Mission Accomplished. — A sellout crowd of 54,371 endured a raw chill and the threat of thunderstorms to watch the Mets defeat the Washington Nationals, 3-2, on opening day. Afterward, fans filed out chanting, "Let's Go Mets."
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Clemens, Red Sox renew acquaintances — Free agent righty in Texas for Opening Day — ARLINGTON — Nearly 10 years to the day since he pitched his final Opening Day in a Boston uniform — here in this very ballpark against the Rangers — Roger Clemens walked through the doors …
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Padilla poised for Rangers debut — Boston (1-0) at Texas (0-1), 7:05 p.m. CT — The Rangers play their first night game of the season on Tuesday, but there is nothing unusual about them playing under the lights and out of the Texas heat. Since the Rangers came to Texas in 1972 …
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Jump start — Red Sox get off on right foot against Texas — ARLINGTON, Texas — In seven spring games against assorted minor leaguers, Boston College, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, not a single Curt Schilling pitch eclipsed 94 miles per hour, and few even touched that number.
Jim Caple / ESPN:
Many issues to ponder … So what do you think of Barry Bonds now? — Are you rooting for him to launch fastballs on majestic parabolas into McCovey Cove? Are you hoping he leads the Giants to their first world championship since moving to San Francisco?
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' plan: Keep Hendry — Extension for Baker probably would follow — CINCINNATI — The Cubs will begin negotiations Wednesday on a contract extension for general manager Jim Hendry, sources said. — A deal could be announced as early as Thursday. — It's no secret the Cubs …
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Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Contract extension in works for Hendry — CINCINNATI — The Cubs are expected to sign general manager Jim Hendry to a contract extension Thursday, the day before the team's home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. — A Cubs source said Monday that team president Andy MacPhail will begin negotiations with Hendry today.
ESPN:
Anna Benson drops divorce petition — Tabloid favorite Anna Benson no longer wants to divorce Baltimore Orioles pitcher Kris Benson. — On Tuesday, she dismissed the divorce petition she had filed last week in Atlanta, attorney Jeffrey B. Bogart said in a press release.
Jim Salisbury / Philadelphia Inquirer:
Rollins owes La Russa one — The Cards' manager helped extend the hitting streak by asking for a strike. — Jimmy Rollins' hitting streak survived the long, cold winter, and he has two people to thank for that. — The first, of course, is himself. While some players might have stiff-armed …
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Associated Press:
Pirates GM Littlefield gets contract extension through 2008 — PITTSBURGH (AP) - The Pirates and general manager Dave Littlefield agreed Monday to a one-year contract extension through 2008, the second time in three seasons he got a new deal on opening day. — Pittsburgh has gone through 13 straight losing seasons.
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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Lackey signs through 2009 — Pitcher says, 'It is nice for them to show the confidence in me.' — SEATTLE — John Lackey signed a $17.01 million, three-year deal with a club option for 2009 on Monday. — The right-hander avoided arbitration in January when he signed a one-year deal …
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Tony Jackson / sgvtribune.com:
Garciaparra hurting — LOS ANGELES - No one was willing to say it, but Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra probably will be placed on the 15-day disabled list today with a strained muscle in his right side, an injury he suffered during Sunday's Freeway Series finale at Angel Stadium.
Craig Burley / Hardball Times:
The Talent Gap — Their starting catcher, Ramon Hernandez, is an established talent though not immediately an impressive figure. Around the infield, though, this team is good. Jim Thome at first base, Luis Castillo at second base, Alex Gonzalez at short, and Troy Glaus at third?
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Notes: Record six rookies start — Management renewed; German claimed off waivers — HOUSTON — In settling on Monday's starting lineup, Marlins manager Joe Girardi made some baseball history. — For the first time since 1900, regarded as the beginning of the league's modern era …
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