Top News:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Maine Joins Mets, but Departs Too Quickly — John Maine was told to fly to Queens from Norfolk, Va., yesterday morning because of Alay Soler's impending demotion and Pedro Martínez's sore hip. Those are not the ideal circumstances for a promotion, but Maine can deal …
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Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — Willie, Omar dance Oliver twist — Mets fans, click your heels together and repeat this phrase over and over: Ten-and-a-half games. Ten-and-a-half games. — It is July 4. Half the season, plus one game, is in the rear-view mirror. And the Mets have a 10½-game lead in the National League East.
Anthony Rieber / On the Mets beat:
Surprise, Surprise — There were many surprises and a few surprised people in the Mets clubhouse before last night's game with the Pirates. — The first surprise was the presence of John Maine, who was seated in front of a locker that once belonged to Jose Lima, among others.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Pelfrey may get chance — Mike Pelfrey's major-league debut may come this weekend against the Marlins - whether or not Pedro Martinez overcomes hip inflammation and can make a start before the All-Star break. Because of a rainout during the season's opening home stand …
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Notes: Maine, not Oliver, faces Bucs — Veteran lefty was scheduled to go, but righy starts instead — NEW YORK — Darren Oliver reported to Shea Stadium on Monday believing he was going to be the Mets' starting pitcher, especially after the long reliever wasn't called into action Sunday night.
Dallas Morning News:
Rangers really are boys of summer — Been thinking. Head hurts. — I know. I know. I should do that less often. But inside the old cranium, the voices are arguing: — Talk about something significant," the one little man says. " This team is going nowhere.''
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Rangers interested in Smoltz? — Atlanta right-hander one of several options for Texas — Time to answer a few questions from the readers, but why should I have all the fun? — Check out Monday Morning Manager, now playing at Postcards from Elysian Fields.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Baker keeps faith in Dempster — Skipper aims to prevent doubt from affecting closer's approach — CHICAGO — Ryan Dempster is still the Cubs' closer. — Cubs manager Dusty Baker said he'll stick with the right-hander, who blew his fifth save on Saturday in the Chicago White Sox 8-6 victory.
Discussion:
CubsNet.com
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:9th-inning knockout — Pierzynski gets revenge with HR off Dempster
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:Baker cites fireworks show by Angel in outfield
Discussion:
1060west
Jonah Keri / ESPN:
Baseball's worst of the worst — I can't understand why people get so worked up about Major League Baseball's All-Star selections. When home park attendance and how often a team appears on TV are the two most important selection criteria, you're bound to get plenty of horrendous snubs and shaky selections.
Discussion:
Mack Avenue Tigers
Enrique Rojas / ESPN:
Top Latino prospects get major-league deals … The New York Yankees paid a $2 million signing bonus to Venezuelan catcher Jesus Montero on Sunday, a busy day for the best Latin American prospects. — Dominican shortstop Esmaily Gonzalez received $1.4 million from the Washington Nationals …
Wayne Coffey / NY Daily News:
The life of Brien — Bricks, back roads & broken dreams of a former phenom — BEAUFORT, N.C. - A few times a week, often on his way home from work, the greatest pitching prospect the New York Yankees ever had pulls into a little roadside convenience store called In & Out Food Mart.
Greg Simms / Dayton Daily News:
Arroyo excited about his first All-Star Game nod — Cincinnati — Bronson Arroyo made no attempt to downplay it after the Reds announced that the 29-year-old right-hander had been named to the 2006 National league All-Star team by the squad's manager, Phil Garner, and players and coaches.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Fox Sports:
What's going on in San Diego's front office? — At present, the San Diego Padres hold a slim lead in the NL West and are on pace to post a third consecutive winning season for the first time in franchise history. — The architect of the Padres since late 1995 has been general manager Kevin Towers.
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Canseco: Major League Baseball is the 'mafia' — Canseco: Major League Baseball is the 'mafia' — CHICO, Calif. (AP) — Jose Canseco wrote the book that helped persuade baseball to toughen its steroids policy, and he insists there's much more damaging information to come.
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Yanks need an All-Star break — You had to be there to appreciate the sheer width of Johnny Damon's smile. It was as if George Steinbrenner decided yesterday to eliminate all team regulations regarding hair. — Nothing so dramatic spurred the happiness.
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Top sluggers to showcase power — Pool of candidates for CENTURY 21 Home Run Derby is deep — Boston slugger David Ortiz and Philadelphia's Ryan Howard — the Major League leader in home runs — are among the five players tentatively scheduled to compete in the Century 21 Home Run Derby on ESPN.
