Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Lack Luster — Offense Listless, Crowd Lethargic, Defeat Sluggish: Mets 7, Nationals 1 — When all the fans settled into their seats under the sun, long after Vice President Cheney had skipped his ceremonial first pitch into the dirt in front of Washington Nationals catcher Brian Schneider …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Wagner makes it bit of a wild finish — WASHINGTON - Billy Wagner's velocity was up, but his control was off. The closer hit 96 mph while walking three batters in the ninth inning against the Nationals. — "It's ugly, but I've had uglier games," he said about yesterday's 31-pitch appearance.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Young Friends Help Bond the Mets and the Nationals — WASHINGTON, April 11 — The rookie pitcher Brian Bannister naturally wanted nothing to do with Brian Schneider's towering pop fly while it floated in the sunny sky above. Catcher Paul Lo Duca dropped his mask, peeked into the glare …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
No Walks, Little Talk, but Rookie May Have Right Stuff — WASHINGTON, April 11 — The Mets know what it is like to be teased by a young pitcher. In the last two decades, they have watched several of their prospects climb through the minors before quickly slipping into mediocrity or oblivion.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets applaud Banni-star — Rook takes fight out of Nationals — WASHINGTON - Brian Bannister shied away from the inside corner during his first time through the Nationals' lineup, trying to avoid the spark that could set off a brawl. — In the end, there were no bean balls …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Fans' attention centers on clutch Bernie — Bernie Williams had forged countless Opening Day memories from his 15 previous years in pinstripes, so it was fitting that Johnny's Damon's home debut still held a few nostalgic moments for his center-field predecessor.
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Murray Chass / New York Times:
From the Talk of the Town to Hardly Talking — THIS is about the day that George Steinbrenner almost talked to me. — George always used to talk to me, not to mention every other reporter who covered the Yankees. Sure there were times when he didn't — wouldn't would be more exact …
Discussion:
NY Daily News
NY Daily News:
Longballs make for short memory — For openers, this sure had quite a closing. — On a spectacular sun-splashed spring afternoon in the Bronx, the Yankees put 54,698 of their adoring fans and Opening Day dignitaries and power brokers through the full gamut of emotions - joy, frustration …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Jeter Provides Fireworks That Cap Home-Opening Victory — At the start of spring training, Johnny Damon said the Yankees were Derek Jeter's team. Politically, it was a wise move by Damon, the pricey free agent deferring to the team captain. But it was also accurate.
Chris Snow / Boston Globe:
Revved Sox — Winning streak hits 5 as they shine in home opener — So it wasn't quite last year's Opening Day. No World Series banner unfurled, no rings, no Bill Russell, no laughing Mariano Rivera taking a bow, no Alex Rodriguez miscue to open the floodgates. It wasn't perfect.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Sore shoulder lands DeJean on disabled list — Phoenix - If the Rockies want to call bullpen member Mike DeJean, they will have to reach him on his cellphone. — What had become increasingly clear in his mind for two weeks became impossible to ignore as DeJean flew back to Denver …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Borchard in jeopardy — Lawton's return likely will drop OF from roster — CLEVELAND — Joe Borchard's time with the Mariners might not last past today. — Borchard is the likeliest of the Mariners to be moved off the roster to make room for Matt Lawton …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Phils have many problems — Pat Gillick has been GM for some bad teams, but he's never seen one start like this. The first step: More big hits. — ATLANTA - Pat Gillick has never seen a start like this. — Not in 17 years in Toronto. — Not in three years in Baltimore or four years in Seattle.
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Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:Philadelphia Phillies — It's a little early for scoreboard watching …
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Halos' winning ways vs. Texas continue — Kennedy comes through in ninth in comeback victory — ANAHEIM — Not all of the heroes have left. — Some of the familiar names from the 2002 title run are gone, but a few remain, and Adam Kennedy proved Tuesday night that there is still some thunder in their sticks.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Winter Olympics / Chicago Sun Times:
With his extension official, Lee stumps for Dusty — First baseman Derrek Lee wants the extension parade to march on. — After his four-year contract extension was announced Tuesday, Lee said he hopes to see manager Dusty Baker kept in the fold with a long-term deal.
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
THT Interview: John Dewan — If you've looked up Zone Ratings or line drive information, or used the Retrosheet file format, John Dewan has improved your sporting life. If you've read online boxscores or real-time line scores, John Dewan has improved your sporting life.
Discussion:
Sabernomics
