Top News:
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Grimsley — When I heard the Jason Grimsley story on Tuesday afternoon, the first thing that came to mind was...no, the first is unprintable. The second thing that came to mind was "good people are going to get sucked into this." Logic escapes the performance-enhancement zone with perfect consistency.
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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 …
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 …
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 …
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
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Tony Massarotti / Boston Herald:Young arms thrown into fire: No time for kid gloves
Discussion:
SawxBlog
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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Sports Illustrated:
A personality to Last — Mets rookie Milledge shouldn't tone down his act — Lastings Milledge had better not turn into Nuke LaLoosh. — The Mets took off on a three-city swing on Sunday, promising to win some games and bring their rookie back an official major leaguer. Which could be good.
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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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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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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Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com:
'Don't Count' draftee Matthews out — Prep pitcher chosen by Cardinals with 1,502nd and final pick — NEW YORK — Charles Matthews had a pretty good idea he'd be selected sometime during the latter half of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft. So much so, that he didn't even bother to listen on MLB.com.
Bryan Smith / Sports Illustrated:
Draft winners & losers (cont.) — Best One-Two Punch: Mike Rizzo earns praise every year for his drafts, and this one is no different as his Arizona Diamondbacks collected yet another solid group of players. The class is led by Max Scherzer, just four months removed from sitting alone atop the Royals' (and others) draft board.
Cody Johnson / Baseball America:
2006 Draft: Atlanta Braves — TOTAL PICKS: — 54 (College: 6, High School: 23, Juco: 24, Other: 0) — Position Players: 17 Pitchers: 37 — Players signed indicated in Bold — Round — Overall — Team — Player — Position — Bonus
Fox Sports:
Tigers, Dodgers big winners so far in draft — On Tuesday, the first 18 rounds of baseball's annual June draft went down. — As is the case each year there some surprises, some disappointments and some pleasing twists of fate. To get a better handle on which teams fared best and which fared worst …
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox draft the next Papelbon — Rookie closer's younger brother selected in 48th round — NEW YORK — Rookie closer Jonathan Papelbon has been a dominant surprise this season. Though it might be a while before the Red Sox find the next Papelbon, they at least did so in a literal sense …
Discussion:
Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn
