Top News:
Baseball America:
Tuesday Morning Mock Draft — For the first time since 1999, when the Devil Rays deliberated between Josh Hamilton and Josh Beckett, scouting directors will wake up on draft day without knowing for sure who will go No. 1. The Royals own that pick, and if they've finalized their decision, they've kept it closely guarded.
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David Andriesen / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners expected to take college pitcher — Zach Clem, other Huskies have high hopes in today's draft — Heading into the 2006 amateur baseball draft, not much is certain — but one thing is pretty close. About 10:30 this morning, the Mariners will use the No. 5 overall pick on a right-hander who has been to college.
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Beckett hit hard in loss to Yankees — Right-hander has short night as Red Sox drop series opener — NEW YORK — The Red Sox found themselves on the wrong end of a Bronx bashing Monday night at Yankee Stadium, suffering such an early knockout punch in a 13-5 loss that Jason Varitek …
Discussion:
Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Classic case of bombing in the Bronx — NEW YORK — Ex-major league pitcher Bob Tewksbury insists he was summoned for one reason, and one reason only: to pitch batting practice, because manager Terry Francona needed a fresh arm. — Just because Tewksbury is the organization's sports psychology coach …
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Phillips Finds His Stroke, and a Foothold at First
Phillips Finds His Stroke, and a Foothold at First
Discussion:
Off the Facade
Dylan Hernandez / Contra Costa Times:
Giants roll as Bonds rocks — Slugger gets homer No. 716 and will get additional support with Alou's return — SAN FRANCISCO - The Giants had crushed the Florida Marlins, Moises Alou was about to be activated, and the clubhouse was theirs again. — Gone were the scores …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Rotation is on the rise — SAN FRANCISCO - They're young, but they're durable. — The Marlins have eight rookies (three starters and five relievers) on their staff, but they're getting mileage out of those arms, not to mention solid performances. — On May 18, the Marlins had a staff earned-run average of 5.72.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Nationals hold off Braves — Hernandez hurls six innings for first win at Turner Field — ATLANTA — Livan Hernandez's luck at Turner Field was bound to change. — Coming into Monday's game at Turner Field, Hernandez had never won in the Atlanta stadium in 10 starts.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Notes: Players remain calm — McCann set for short rehab stint, could be ready this week — ATLANTA — Braves manager Bobby Cox addressed his team before they took batting practice on Monday afternoon at Turner Field. But holding true to form this wasn't one of those closed-door intense meetings …
Discussion:
Talking Chop
Mark Schlabach / Washington Post:
Nationals Win Fifth Game in a Row — Cordero Escapes Trouble in the Ninth: Nationals 5, Braves 4 — ATLANTA, June 5 — About three hours earlier, Washington Nationals Manager Frank Robinson sat in a small office in his team's clubhouse at Turner Field. Asked if he worried …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins might not go for pitching in draft — SAN FRANCISCO — It wasn't by design, but Taylor Tankersley and Chris Volstad, the Marlins past two top draft picks, have become close friends. — Volstad, Florida's top choice last June, lives in Palm Beach Gardens.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Former umpire Gregg, 55, dies after stroke — Eric Gregg, the fun-loving West Philadelphia native who became a popular Major League Baseball umpire, died last night at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood after suffering a massive stroke at his Ardmore home Sunday morning. Mr. Gregg was 55.
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Dan Gelston / Associated Press:
Former umpire Eric Gregg fighting for his life after stroke
Former umpire Eric Gregg fighting for his life after stroke
Discussion:
The Catbird …
Jamey Newberg / MLB.com:
Going Deep: Late picks can pay off — Rangers make the most of some draft-and-follow choices — Third baseman Steve Marquardt played baseball at a junior college. He was drafted by Texas in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, but not until the 23rd round.
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Andrew Marchand / New York Post:
MILL LOW AFTER FANS' HIGH-FIVES — June 5, 2006 — Willie Randolph reprimanded Lastings Milledge for celebrating his first major-league homer - a dramatic game-tying solo shot in yesterday's 10th inning - by taking a detour to high-five fans on his way out to right field to start the next inning.
Discussion:
NY Daily News, Double Play Depth, Hot Foot, Metsblog.com, Can't Stop The Bleeding and Ben Maller
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Sizing up a showdown — It's only June and 106 games remain, but there's plenty at stake in Sox's 3-game series vs. Tigers — This is what is know as a "statement series," this Detroit Tigers-White Sox three-game showdown starting Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field.
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
USA Today:
Former prep prospect now creating heat in the kitchen after shoulder surgeries — Persistent shoulder injuries early this decade prevented Ryan Anderson from throwing 100-mph heat in the major leagues. Now out of baseball, Anderson is ready to turn up the heat in a new career.
Discussion:
Mariner Minors