Top News:
Associated Press:
Astros deal two minor-leaguers for Huff — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Devil Rays traded third baseman Aubrey Huff and cash to the Houston Astros in exchange for two minor league prospects on Wednesday. — The 30-year-old Huff, subject of trade speculation each of the past three years …
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mlb.mlb.com:
Astros acquire Huff from Devil Rays — Zobrist, Talbot to Tampa Bay; Outfielder Jason Lane optioned to Triple-A Round Rock — HOUSTON — The Houston Astros announced today that they have acquired outfielder Aubrey Huff and $1.625 million in cash considerations from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays …
Associated Press:
Huff dealt to Houston — Devil Rays trade third baseman for pair of prospects — HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros acquired third baseman Aubrey Huff from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for two minor league prospects Wednesday, hoping Huff can help revive the Astros' struggling offense.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
NY Daily News:
Phil in blank — All-Star Confidential — PITTSBURGH - In their quest to land a power-hitting outfielder before the trading deadline, the Yankees are closely monitoring developments in Philadelphia, where GM Pat Gillick is seeking to dump the hefty contracts of Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu.
Kevin Yanik / MLB.com:
Huff bound for Houston — Astros acquire slugger to bolster offense — HOUSTON — Let the wheeling and dealing begin. — The Astros acquired outfielder Aubrey Huff and cash from the Devil Rays on Wednesday in exchange for right-hander Mitch Talbot and infielder Ben Zobrist, two Minor League prospects.
Discussion:
Twinkie Town
Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Selig wants pitchers rested — Proposes ban for All-Star hurlers Sunday before game — PITTSBURGH — While meeting with baseball writers Tuesday before the All-Star Game, Commissioner Bud Selig threw out a stunning proposal—banning All-Star Game pitchers from being used on the Sunday before the Midsummer Classic.
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USA Today:
Selig's reign will be remembered for the good ... the ugly — PITTSBURGH — There's certain serenity to a river as it splashes against a concrete bulkhead on a humid July night. But don't let it fool you. It can be calm one moment and turn into an angry ogre the next.
NY Daily News:
Glavine puts team ahead of All-Stars — PITTSBURGH - While criticizing Manny Ramirez for not appearing at the All-Star Game, Commissioner Bud Selig praised Tom Glavine's and Jose Reyes' attendance. Of course, Glavine was unavailable to pitch because he faced the Marlins on Sunday.
Discussion:
Mike's Mets
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Report details injury — Ramírez might have tear in knee — PITTSBURGH — Even as Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig reiterated yesterday he was irritated with Manny Ramírez's no-show at the 77th All-Star Game, a report purporting to offer details of the injury to Ramírez's right knee emerged.
Mike Kiley / Chicago Sun Times:
Dusty Baker safe — for now — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry ended the speculation about Dusty Baker's immediate future today by saying the manager is in no jeopardy of being replaced at the moment. — ``There's no truth to any of the speculation,'' Hendry said.
Discussion:
1060west
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs' angst grows: 'Z' hurt? — Zambrano's elbow hit by Cora's fungo bat; pitcher misses All-Star Game — PITTSBURGH — Just when Cubs fans thought it couldn't get any worse, it has. — The team's only All-Star, pitcher Carlos Zambrano, was hit above the right elbow …
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Today — All-Star Game Diary — 4:58 p.m. PDT: It's been a few years since I've done this, and I don't think I've ever posted one live, so this should be interesting. — I've been spending a lot of time today thinking about the All-Star Game.
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ESPN:
Report: Bonds friend is key witness against him — One of Barry Bonds' longtime friends is a key witness against him as the federal government ponders perjury or tax-evasion charges against the San Francisco Giants slugger, Bonds' lawyer told The New York Times.
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Selig 'saddened' by Bonds' troubles — PITTSBURGH — Bud Selig said yesterday that he was "saddened" by Barry Bonds' continuing legal troubles, but declined to say what, if any, action he would take, should Bonds be indicted by a federal grand jury. — A special grand jury …
Discussion:
The Baseball Journals
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Wright, Beltran hit home — PITTSBURGH - Don't blame the Mets. — David Wright, who reached the finals of the Home Run Derby, picked up where he left off with the first pitch he ever saw in an All-Star Game. Wright, who had a .367 average against lefties during the first half …
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Kevin Baxter / Miami Herald:
Uggla, Cabrera focus on fun — PITTSBURGH - Dan Uggla hitched a ride to the ballpark Tuesday. Well, actually, all the All-Stars did, riding down a red carpet over the Roberto Clemente Bridge in the back of a Chevy Avalanche. — But although Ivan Rodriguez brought his family and David Ortiz …
Jay Jaffe / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Hit List — Week of July 9 — Don't ask about the All-Star Game; this scribe boycotted, and it looks like I've got seven more years of same ahead of me. Seven more years of treating the game, its surrounding irrelevant contests, and the inane selection debates with all the consideration …
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
Cup Ratings Are Up, but Fans Deserve Better — The quadrennial visit of the World Cup must be viewed as a television success story. The final on Sunday attracted 16.9 million American viewers, and the star of stars, Zinédine Zidane of France, morphed from magician to the soccer equivalent …
Associated Press:
Age is a state of mind — 83-year-old becomes oldest professional ballplayer — SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — No one in the bleachers at the Sioux Falls Canaries game was quite sure what was going on down on the field. They were all quiet, wondering and transfixed on the little old man digging into the batters' box.
