Top News:
Associated Press:
Strong opinions — Wells unimpressed with Bonds' latest achievement — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Count David Wells among those unimpressed by Barry Bonds' move up the all-time home run list. — The outspoken Boston pitcher had harsh words for Bonds, who tied Babe Ruth for second all-time with his 714th home run Saturday.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Dan Hickling / MLB.com:
Wells declares himself ready to return — Veteran left-hander pleased with five-inning rehab start — MOOSIC, Pa. — One day removed from his 43rd birthday, and five weeks after his last pitch in anger, Boston Red Sox left-hander David Wells pronounced himself fit and ready to return …
Discussion:
Boston Red Sox
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Wagner's rough ninth leads to Mets loss — Closer walks three, hits a batter in allowing four runs — NEW YORK — Denials could be heard in every corner of the Mets' clubhouse on Saturday. Losing as they had lost, the Mets insisted, was no worse, no more horrifying because it had happened …
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Pierzynski's grown tired of controversy — Catcher loved by teammates, hated by opponents — CHICAGO — There probably never was a time where A.J. Pierzynski enjoyed his somewhat controversial reputation more than when he stepped into the athletic entertainment venue of professional wrestling last December in Orlando.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Hill still has lessons to learn — Young pitcher hopes to regroup, return to big leagues — CHICAGO — Rich Hill has not had the best 24 hours of his young professional life. — The Chicago Cubs rookie pitcher fell to 0-4 after taking the loss in Saturday's 7-0 decision to the White Sox …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Wood's next start up in air — He says he's ready; bosses aren't so sure — Kerry Wood said his sore right shoulder won't prevent him from making his scheduled start on Tuesday in Florida, though his bosses could not confirm he'll be ready. — "It's possible, but we don't know yet," manager Dusty Baker said.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Wood feeling some soreness — Right-hander skips work on Sunday; may throw Monday — CHICAGO — Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood has some soreness in his right shoulder and will not start on Tuesday if he does not pass his next side session. — Wood did not throw on Sunday, which would've been a normal side session.
Discussion:
Cubbiepalooza
Mike McGann / nybaseballcentral.com:
Soler Is A Better Choice For Now And The Future — So the ol' riverboat gambler pushed all the chips to the center of the table holding an off suit 2-6 and what happens? The boat catches on fire — and somehow, miraculously, Omay Minaya walks away with his future intact, as all bets are off.
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Brian Moritz / Press & Sun-Bulletin:Pelfrey struggles, but B-Mets sweep
Discussion:
New York Times, the metropolitans, Can't Stop The Bleeding and The Eddie Kranepool Society
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Gonzalez retires after 13 seasons — Phils' veteran infielder hadn't acclimated to backup role — PHILADELPHIA — Alex Gonzalez grounded to third in the eighth inning of Saturday's 8-4 loss to Boston. — The next morning, the Phillies infielder grounded his career, retiring after 1,396 games and 13 seasons.
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Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Notes: Lawton sent packing — Veteran designated for assignment; Morse called up — SEATTLE — With playing time becoming increasingly infrequent for Matt Lawton, the Seattle Mariners decided to sever ties with the veteran outfielder by designating him for assignment before Saturday's game against San Diego.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
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Associated Press:
Mixed emotions — Fans, players express admiration and trepidation — OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Tyler Snyder caught Barry Bonds' 714th homer on the fly Saturday, snagging it cleanly with his glove. The people around the 19-year-old Athletics fan cheered wildly, with nobody assaulting or gouging him.
Bill Plaschke / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers Flip the Switch on Angels This Season — The kid third baseman settled in for the sort of sixth-inning battle that the Angels always won. — Only, this kid played for the Dodgers. — Willy Aybar fouled off the first pitch. He fouled off the third pitch. He sawed off his bat in fouling off the fourth pitch.
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Royals' skid reaches nine games — Elarton remains winless with loss to Cardinals — KANSAS CITY — It was sweep and sour for the Royals. Very sour, in fact. — "We're pretty much bad in every facet of the game," pitcher Scott Elarton said, warming to the topic. "It doesn't look like anybody in here cares.
Discussion:
The Pine Tar Rag
Rich Draper / MLB.com:
Rookie Cain twirls shutout for Giants — Bonds raps two singles; Sweeney, Winn drive in two each — OAKLAND — There was never a doubt that Giants rookie pitcher Matt Cain could fire a baseball with hypersonic speed, but the trouble was his brain synapses were surging with too much voltage as well.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rare Bird Sighting: Ozzie Smith — In the 10 years since his retirement, Ozzie Smith has been only a distant Cardinal, and says he'll remain that way until team management changes. — Ozzie Smith stood before about 100 youngsters recently at the St. Louis Public Library and …
Discussion:
Redbirds Fun
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: McCann remains optimistic — Catcher says left ankle is beginning to feeling better — PHOENIX — Much of the optimism Brian McCann possessed when he left Chase Field on Saturday night had diminished by the time he returned on Sunday morning. — But after the Braves closed …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Chris Girandola / MLB.com:
Glavine takes on Yankees in finale — Yankees (24-17) at Mets (25-17), 8:05 p.m. ET — Sweeps week is up and running across the television networks. — And heading into the ninth inning of Saturday's contest against the Yankees, the Mets were primed to join the race.

