Top News:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
The Mets May Be Climbing Out of the Back Seat — It is hard to say, for sure, if the Mets have caught up with the Yankees. The Mets, after all, have not reached the playoffs since the Yankees beat them in the 2000 World Series. The Yankees get there every year.
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
David, Delgado turn on power — The smoke from the fireworks celebrating Carlos Delgado's three-run homer hadn't cleared from the outfield when David Wright one-upped his teammate's shot. Wright launched a hanging sinker from Aaron Small beyond the Yankees' bullpen in left field …
Associated Press:
Pavano to have surgery on Thursday — NEW YORK (AP) - Carl Pavano still hopes to pitch in the majors this season despite needing surgery, and the New York Yankees might need him: At their current rate, they're running out of players. — Catcher Jorge Posada and outfielder Bernie Williams …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Sheffield's Ailing Wrist Will Get Test in Minors — Just like that, Gary Sheffield is coming back to the Yankees. Sheffield will play for Class AA Trenton at New Britain tonight, and he will rejoin the Yankees tomorrow in Boston if he feels ready. — "I just basically told him it was up to him …
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Switch pulled on A-Rod — Dismal display ends with Joe's maneuver — There was nothing to it other than by-the-book National League managing. The last batter to make an out usually gets removed when a double switch is executed, to preserve that team's bullpen.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
NY Daily News:
Billy flies high as game gets tight — When a reporter asked Billy Wagner before the game yesterday if he was ready to go again, to redeem himself for the fiasco on Saturday, the lefty closer trotted out what he called one of his favorite redneck expressions:
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jaw inspiring — Cubs get off canvas, salvage series finale — Chants of "sweep" swept through U.S. Cellular Field in the bottom of the seventh inning Sunday as psyched-up White Sox fans sensed a three-game pillaging of the rival Cubs. — But the Cubs seized the moment …
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
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Chad Jennings / Boston Globe:
Wells pronounces himself set to go — David Wells gave up two runs in five innings for Pawtucket. He could be in the Boston rotation as early as Friday. (AP Photo) — MOOSIC, Pa. — David Wells said he's ready, that five innings yesterday in Pennsylvania were enough to prove his right knee …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Kinsler's return to Rangers delayed — Hamstring issue will keep second baseman in minors — HOUSTON - The return of rookie second baseman Ian Kinsler's has been put off for at least another day. — Kinsler was scratched from the lineup before Triple-A Oklahoma's game at Salt Lake City …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Danks' ailing elbow to be examined — HOUSTON - Left-hander John Danks will be examined by Rangers team physician Keith Meister today, and an MRI will be performed on Danks' left elbow. Danks has experienced some soreness, and the team is describing the examination as precautionary.
Sid Hartman / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Selig: Twins would be gone if vote failed — The Legislature's passage of a stadium bill prevented the team from departing Minnesota, and the baseball commissioner was thrilled by the vote. — A lot of people didn't believe Minnesota eventually would lose the Twins if a new stadium …
Discussion:
Batgirl
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Rachel E. Stassen-Berger / TwinCities.com:
Pre-dawn vote gives Twins their stadium — After hours of committee meetings, years of waiting and dozens of starts and stops, the Legislature Sunday passed a $522 million measure to build a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in Minneapolis. — The bill will soon be on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's desk …
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
A rare form of futility — ST. PETERSBURG - The odds are staggering, but the Marlins are bucking them. — The chances of a team losing four consecutive games in which they've taken a lead into the ninth inning — something only the Marlins and 2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays have managed to accomplish — come out to about one in 160,000.
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Juan C. Rodriguez / Sun-Sentinel:Blown leads put Marlins in dubious company
Discussion:
FishStripes
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Tony La Russa on Ozzie Smith: 'He's not welcome' — KANSAS CITY — Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, after reading a story in Sunday's Post-Dispatch that, in part, reiterated Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith's disinclination to participate in club-related field activities as long as La Russa was manager …
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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Maury Brown / Hardball Times:
Sale of the Braves Fuels the Corporate vs. Family Ownership Debate — They say that the only sure thing in life is death and taxes. They didn't say that the sale of the Braves would be involved, but that may well be the case. — Bear with me. — While the sale of the Nationals …
