Top News:
Mark Purdy / Mercury News:
Bonds still a big player, but hardly the only one — For the past year, Barry Bonds has been the scapegoat. That is what his defenders say. Some are his fellow major leaguers. Others describe themselves as baseball fans. — Why, these people ask, are so many fingers pointing at Bonds …
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
A New Front in Baseball's Drug War — Jason Grimsley, a journeyman pitcher with the Arizona Diamondbacks, took only two hours to disclose what he surely hoped would remain a secret, and what other major leaguers also wanted to keep private. About two months ago, according to federal investigators …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
USA Today:
Grimsley's lawyer says feds targeted Bonds — PHOENIX — The attorney for Jason Grimsley said Wednesday that federal agents tried to pressure the former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher into wearing a listening device to lure other major league players into confidential conversations in an effort …
Boston Globe:
Rain keeps pouring it on — Sox likely to play makeup in Sept. — Yankee Stadium was a picture of gray serenity after daylong showers postponed last night's Yankees-Red Sox game. (AP Photo) — NEW YORK — Along with the injuries, the Manny Moments, and the save total next to Jonathan Papelbon's name …
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Opportunity knocks: Rainout helps banged-up Sox — NEW YORK - If there was ever an opportune time for the Red Sox to receive a rainout, it was last night at Yankee Stadium. — Relentless showers postponed the third of four scheduled games between the Sox and the New York Yankees and threatened …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
Foulke's Balky Back — Reliever Can't Say When He'll Return — NEW YORK — Keith Foulke says he didn't tell the Red Sox to keep him off the disabled list. He never said he'd be able to pitch in a couple of days. — "Just the opposite, I told them I don't know when I'm going to be available," Foulke said.
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Notes: Colon's return imminent — Could join Angels on Sunday, bump Jered Weaver from rotation — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Angels are expecting the return of Bartolo Colon soon, possibly by Sunday. — Colon did not suffer any setbacks following Tuesday's 82-pitch outing and also maintained …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Built to last — Milledge lends hand as Tom tops Dodgers — LOS ANGELES - Lastings Milledge's right arm was in the spotlight once again last night. But it wasn't for high-fiving Dodger fans at Chavez Ravine. — The rookie sensation gunned down Nomar Garciaparra in the eighth inning …
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Add Former Orioles Manager as a Consultant — In a move that will further prepare the Washington Nationals for what could be a flurry of deals before the July 31 trade deadline, General Manager Jim Bowden yesterday hired former major league manager Davey Johnson as a special consultant …
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
With Sheffield Still Injured, Cabrera Makes a Case to Stay — Like most people, Johnny Damon had one major impression of Melky Cabrera before the season. Damon, the Yankees' center fielder, remembered Cabrera breaking the wrong way on a liner by Trot Nixon at Fenway Park last July, turning it into an inside-the-park home run.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Johnny: Checkup is 'a waste of time' — Johnny Damon's visit to the doctor yesterday went about as well as expected. The Yankees center fielder, who is playing with a cracked bone in his right foot, said he was told that "nothing's getting worse" and added that he feels like he's currently playing "at about 90%."
Jon Cooper / MLB.com:
Ortiz outduels Smoltz in finale — Washington takes series in Atlanta behind solid pitching — ATLANTA — It was a night of improbabilities for the Washington Nationals. — The Nationals not only beat John Smoltz, who hadn't lost to this franchise since 1994, they did so behind …
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Gagne shut down for a few days — Closer experiences soreness in elbow, MRI shows no damage — LOS ANGELES — An MRI on Eric Gagne's elbow Wednesday revealed swelling around the ulnar nerve but no structural damage. He has not yet been placed on the disabled list.
Discussion:
Dodger Hill
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Baseball America:
Birmingham Southern Headed To Division III — Citing financial disappointments, the board of trustees at Birmingham-Southern College voted to drop its athletic program from NCAA Division I to Division III, affecting 193 athletes at the small liberal arts school.
Discussion:
Purple Row
