Top News:
Newsday:
Steve Howe dies at 48 — Steve Howe, the relief pitcher whose promising career was derailed by cocaine and alcohol abuse, died Friday when his pickup truck rolled over in Coachella, Calif. He was 48. — Howe was killed at 5:55 a.m. PDT, said Dalyn Backes of the Riverside County coroner's office.
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Jerry Crowe / Los Angeles Times:
Former Major League Pitcher Steve Howe, 48, Dies — NEW YORK — Steve Howe, a former baseball relief pitcher whose cocaine and alcohol abuse overshadowed and ultimately tarnished his major league career, was killed early Friday morning when he rolled his pickup truck in an unincorporated area …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Oft-troubled Howe dies in car crash — One-time Dodgers, Yankees hurler battled addiction — SAN DIEGO — Steve Howe, a former All-Star closer whose immense pitching talent was interrupted by chemical addiction, was killed Friday morning when his pickup truck overturned in Coachella, Calif. He was 48.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Griffey, Lopez among Reds on ballot — Slugger Dunn also eyes first trip to Midsummer Classic — CINCINNATI — In the past two seasons, Reds left fielder Adam Dunn has piled up at least 40 home runs, 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored. — One of the few things Dunn hasn't scored yet is an invitation to the All-Star Game.
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Tracy eyes first All-Star appearance — Gonzalez, Green among candidates for NL roster — When some in the Diamondbacks organization speak of Chad Tracy, they talk about a player that could be a future batting champion and All-Star. — The future could be now, as far as the All-Star Game is concerned …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
Alan Eskew / MLB.com:
Notes: Who will take Harden's spot? — Flores recalled from Triple-A; Street throws side session — KANSAS CITY — The A's rotation has a big void to fill with right-hander Rich Harden out 3-6 weeks with a strained muscle in his back. — The A's put Harden on the 15-day disabled list …
Discussion:
Catfish Stew
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Steve Brisendine / Associated Press:
Athletics place Harden on 15-day DL; Street could return soon — Athletics place Harden on 15-day DL; Street could return soon — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Oakland Athletics placed right-hander Rich Harden on the 15-day disabled list with a strained back muscle, putting his bid for a 4-0 start on hold for three to six weeks.
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Mesa suspended 4 games for throwing at Vizquel; Morris, Righetti fined — Mesa suspended 4 games for throwing at Vizquel; Morris, Righetti fined — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Colorado Rockies pitcher Jose Mesa was given a four-game suspension by Major League Baseball on Friday for intentionally throwing …
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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Jamey Eisenberg / Palm Beach Post:
Painful big toe sidelines Mitre — MIAMI GARDENS — Sergio Mitre missed his scheduled start Friday night against Colorado because of an injured right big toe. — Marlins manager Joe Girardi said Mitre has turf toe, which has bothered him since his previous start on Monday against the Phillies.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Associated Press:
Mets minor leaguer is first player penalized under toughened major league rules — NEW YORK (AP) — Mets minor league pitcher Yusaku Iriki was suspended for 50 games Friday after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, making him the first player to be penalized under Major League Baseball's toughened steroid rules.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Maddux tops Brewers for win No. 5 — Righty victorious in opening five starts for first time in career — CHICAGO — Greg Maddux is getting better with age. — For the first time in his long career, Maddux is 5-0 in his first five starts. He gave up two runs — the most he's allowed …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
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Greg / Faith and Fear in Flushing:
There Comes A Point When You Will Exhale — Phew. Or whew. Or new. — I'll definitely take new. There was too much old in the atmosphere, and I'm not talking about Ralph Kiner in the booth or Jimmy Carter in the stands or Julio Franco in a beautiful doff of the helmet. Them I like.
Jonathan Mayo / minorleaguebaseball.com:
Minor League umpires to end season-long strike — Union expected to approve new six-year agreement on Sunday — Minor League umpires are returning to a ballpark near you soon. — MiLB.com has learned that the Professional Baseball Umpire Corporation (PBUC) reached a tentative six-year agreement …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers to add Tejeda to rotation — Right-hander will be called up to start Tuesday — CLEVELAND — The Rangers continue to rework their pitching staff and are planning to call up right-hander Robinson Tejeda so he can join the rotation, club officials said Friday.
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Justin M. Norton / Associated Press:
BALCO supplier of 'the clear' pleads guilty — BALCO supplier of 'the clear' pleads guilty — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A noted scientist in the field of sports nutritional supplements pleaded guilty Friday to supplying the BALCO lab with the performance-enhancing drug known as "the clear."
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Guerrero's four RBIs for naught — White Sox jump on Weaver early and often in ALCS rematch — ANAHEIM — The White Sox went to the whip early and held on to hand the Angels an 8-5 loss in front of 43,940 on Friday night to open the series. — Paul Konerko reached base five times …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Seo's gem pushes Dodgers past Padres — Right-hander tosses six scoreless innings to open series — SAN DIEGO — J.D. Drew singled in two runs, Dioner Navarro singled home the other and Jae Seo threw six scoreless innings for his first victory with the Dodgers, a 3- combined shutout …
Discussion:
6-4-2
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Oswalt aims to beat the Reds — Houston (15-6) at Cincinnati (15-7), Friday, 6:10 p.m. CT — The Astros open their first series with the Reds on Friday, and who better to start things off than Roy Oswalt? — Not only is Oswalt the ace of the staff, but he's had a career-long dominance …
Discussion:
Church of Baseball
