Top News:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
The Other Left Fielder at Shea — As a flood of reporters swarmed Lastings Milledge after the Mets' 13-inning victory Wednesday night, Cliff Floyd stood alone by his locker observing his latest pupil. Milledge answered each question patiently (like Floyd), mixing self-deprecating humor …
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Bonilla backs Bonds — Longtime friend says boos at Shea won't upset Bonds — So the Barry Bonds Road Show comes to Shea Stadium tonight, and don't expect the Mets fans' reception to faze him. So says a former Met who knows Bonds, and rude treatment in Flushing, about as well as anyone.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phils option struggling Floyd to Minors — Right-hander sent down to Triple-A, replaced by southpaw Brito — LOS ANGELES — Enough was enough. — Gavin Floyd's performance on Thursday was enough for the Phillies to option the struggling right-hander to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
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Associated Press:
Giants put Matheny on disabled list — NEW YORK (AP) — Barry Bonds' first game in the Big Apple this season was washed out, but his San Francisco Giants were more concerned about their Gold Glove catcher. — The Giants put Mike Matheny on the 15-day disabled list Friday with a concussion …
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Rich Draper / MLB.com:
Notes: Matheny forced to DL — Catcher suffered latest in series of concussions on Wednesday — NEW YORK — Giants catcher Mike Matheny has routinely taken shots to the head — much like an amateur prize fighter — over the years, but foul tips particularly plagued him during the past week.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Rocket could put the Astros in the red — There's one obvious drawback to the Astros' re-signing of right-hander Roger Clemens for more than $12 million: — The team's 2006 payroll likely is at its limit. — The Astros were slightly over budget when they opened the season with $92.1 million payroll …
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Future Shock — NL Draft Preview — Scouting Director: Mike Rizzo. Rizzo is one of the senior scouting directors out there, having been in charge of the Arizona drafts since 2000. His last three drafts have consistently been among the best in baseball.In 2003, he selected Conor Jackson …
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Notes: Back spasms sideline Rivera — Torre hopes closer's injury doesn't linger — DETROIT — The Yankees' injury report got a little longer on Thursday, but New York is hoping that the newest name on the list won't be there for long. — Mariano Rivera experienced spasms in his lower …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Associated Press:
Gagne returns to Dodgers; Kent goes on DL — LOS ANGELES — Infielder Jeff Kent went on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a sprained left wrist, becoming the latest in a series of Los Angeles Dodgers who have been hurt. — Kent's stint is retroactive to May 28 …
Discussion:
Dodger Hill
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Sports Illustrated:
Dawn of the Dead — If we have learned anything from the past few seasons, it's that it's always too early to count a team out. How many of us know-it-all instapundits believed the Astros were dead and buried last season when they began 15-30? On June 15, Houston was 26-38. And they weren't even a good 26-38.
Discussion:
AaronGleeman.com
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Reitsma understands upset fans — Like most of us, Braves reliever Chris Reitsma would prefer not to take problems at the job home with him. Lately, that hasn't been easy. — A few days ago, he was walking in his Newnan neighborhood with his two daughters, ages 4 and 2, who were on their bikes.
Richard Durrett / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers' aim in draft is bigger, younger — Time will tell if quality pitching staff will come of new draft philosophy — It sounds so simple: Draft talented pitchers, develop them in the minor league system and watch them become important major league arms.
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
From Way Out in Right Field — Yankees Fan Who Beat O's in Stands Could Join Them in Dugout — This is a story about fate, a story about a curse — if you care to believe in such things. It is a story about coming to grips with them, and maybe, just maybe, reversing them.
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:
Hey fake fans: Make like Damon and leave — They show up like every day is Christmas, and you know what that means: You just lost your seat at church. You have shown up week after week, year after year, and now you have to stand behind the last pew because of some lady with an obnoxious pink hat.
