Top News:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Stroke is all Wright — David blasts way to 2nd in Derby — PITTSBURGH - David Wright practiced on Sunday morning, accepting Paul Lo Duca's offer to pitch and getting Xavier Nady to crouch behind the plate to provide a target at Shea. And when Wright arrived at the Home Run Derby …
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Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Howard's young, talented, and plenty tired — Ryan Howard stalked through the Phillies' clubhouse. Against Pirates lefty Zach Duke, he wasn't in the lineup the day before the All-Star break. — And man, was he happy. — "I'm tired. There's no reason to sugarcoat it," Howard admitted.
Associated Press:
Howard's end: Phillies 1B wins Home Run Derby — PITTSBURGH — The Philadelphia Phillies haven't been big winners for a long time. Thanks to Ryan Howard and Bobby Abreu, they're tough to beat in the Home Run Derby. — Howard made certain his first trip to the All-Star game would be a memorable one …
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Howard wins wet-and-wild HR Derby … PITTSBURGH — It was a Home Run Derby only Admiral Dewey, Charlie the Tuna and the star-studded cast of The Little Mermaid could have loved. — It wasn't the most spectacular Home Run Derby in history. But it was definitely the most waterlogged.
Bob Herzog / Newsday:
Rogers' stars are aligned — PITTSBURGH — A year ago, Kenny Rogers was under the media microscope at the All-Star Game in Detroit for dubious behavior. Yesterday, he was under the media spotlight for superlative pitching. — Tigers lefthander Rogers, 41, who has an 11-3 record and 3.85 ERA …
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New York Post:
A-ROD KNOWS YANKS WON'T WIN WILD-CARD — July 11, 2006 — PITTSBURGH - The challenge of the second half is clear. Alex Rodriguez sees it. — The Yankees must beat Boston or go home. — "The wild card will not come out of the East. Period," Rodriguez told The Post yesterday at the American League All-Stars' press conference.
Genaro C. Armas / Associated Press:
Kazmir hitches a ride to All-Star game on Air A-Rod — PITTSBURGH —Scott Kazmir needed a ride. Alex Rodriguez had a plane. — The Devil Rays lefty went first class on Air Rodriguez to the All-Star game. — A-Rod and the Yankees played in Tampa on Sunday, the day before the midseason break.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Baker at the break — After a difficult 2005 season, Dusty Baker returned to his California home from a Hawaiian vacation with a new mantra he hoped to carry into 2006: — "No worries." — But the first half of '06 has produced one headache after another, and now Baker's uncertain job status threatens …
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Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:Notebook: Cubs' All-Star even thinks Baker is toast
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Michael Walsh / MLB.com:
Nats announce major changes to RFK — 'Grand Reopening Weekend' to take place on July 21-23 — WASHINGTON — Saying that there was no reason to wait until their new ballpark was opened in 2008 and that a decline in attendance this season was not the deciding factor, incoming Nationals …
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Thomas Heath / Washington Post:
Nats' New Owners Hoping Changes Lure Fans to RFK — Faced with sluggish attendance and a last-place team, the incoming owners of the Washington Nationals said yesterday they will reduce the price of 2,000 upper-deck seats, some to as low as $3 each, and cut the cost of some refreshments in an effort to attract more fans.
Discussion:
William F. Yurasko's …
Brian J Oliver / Nationals Farm Authority:Stan Kasten Press Conference - Minor League News
Discussion:
Just A Nats Fan
Jim Reeves / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers have become true believers — For Gary Matthews, it's always been about trust. — Trusting his breeding. Trusting his swing. Trusting himself. And, finally, trusting that someone, somewhere, sometime, would give him a chance to play. — Every day. — Every inning. — Every at-bat.
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Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
One down, one to go for Matthews — PITTSBURGH - Most of Gary Matthews Jr.'s dreams as a kid revolved around baseball. — That was a gimme because his dad, Gary Matthews Sr., was a major leaguer and an All-Star. — Matthews dreamt of being a big leaguer like his father, also known as Sarge.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Lee gives loyalty oath — All-star might be too costly to keep — thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com — Pittsburgh - All-star leftfielder Carlos Lee said Monday that he had no desire to leave the Milwaukee Brewers. — "We've got a great team," said Lee, one of three Brewers on the National League all-star team.
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Grant / McCovey Chronicles:
Worst. Post. Ever. — First thought in my brain after the Giants won the third game of the series: Ooh. Good. Now the worst they can do is split. — Second thought in my brain after the Giants won the third game of the series: Dang it, they're going to split.
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Klesko, Castilla could be on way out — Padres eye trading veterans for hitters — The Padres are looking to trade Ryan Klesko in August, and to trade for a third baseman and possibly a relief pitcher later this month, General Manager Kevin Towers said yesterday.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Ira Berkow / New York Times:
At 81, Coach Accessorizes a Title With an Earring — A pierced ear has become the fashion for men, including, to be sure, young ballplayers. So it is a switch to find that the only man in uniform for the Fort Worth Cats of the independent Central Baseball League who wears bling is the lean …
Discussion:
Futility Infielder …
NY Daily News:
A shortcut above the rest — Writers say Jeter best now, but Reyes coming on strong — PITTSBURGH - Jose Reyes, 23 years old and sitting on a riser yesterday during his first All-Star Game media session, considered the question: Which player here would you most like to get an autograph from?
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Phil Sheridan / Philly.com:
Ownership has a real perception problem — It's all right there. — In the words and between the lines of the extensive conversation Bill Giles had with a handful of reporters in Pittsburgh, you can find answers to every question you have about how the Phillies operate.
