Top News:
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Sorry Sidney serves 'em up — Pen no help as Jays nip 5 homers — TORONTO - It would be hard to blame this one on Alex Rodriguez. — Not when Sidney Ponson got blasted over 2-1/3 innings. Not when Kris Wilson was nearly as bad as Ponson. Not when Vernon Wells did his best to put a hole in the …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Erratic Outing by Ponson Is Sorry Reminder for Yanks — TORONTO, July 23 — Carl Pavano travels with the Yankees now, reminding them of what they are missing. He throws in the bullpen (fastballs only) and works in the weight room. He munches on candy bars in the clubhouse and makes regular visits to the massage table.
Dom Amore / Hartford Courant:
Phillips' Patience Thin — TORONTO — The Yankees' commitment to playing Andy Phillips is getting a big test. — Phillips did not start Sunday, appearing at the end of the Yankees' 13-5 loss. He made the last out, extending his hitless streak to 15 at-bats. — "He's just antsy right now," manager Joe Torre said.
Discussion:
NY Daily News
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:Rodriguez Is All Smiles as His Mistakes Mount
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Associated Press:
Dodgers deal Alomar Jr. to White Sox — CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox acquired veteran catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. from the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor-league pitcher B.J. LaMura on Sunday after designating backup Chris Widger for assignment. — A six-time American League All-Star …
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Dave van Dyck / Chicago Tribune:Widger dumped, Alomar returns as No. 2 catcher
Discussion:
Exile in Wrigleyville
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Delgado slump is long gone — Before the Mets started getting sloppy yesterday, Carlos Delgado got the day off to a rousing start, offering further proof he finally is in the midst of a trademark power surge. Delgado homered for the third time in four games, a three-run blast in the first inning.
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Mets run into trouble afoot — Heilman bumbles and Mets stumble — No one was calling Aaron Heilman a "fat toad" after the most glaring mistake by a Met yesterday. But when the loafing reliever got beaten to the first-base bag by the Astros' Chris Burke on a comebacker …
NY Daily News:
Pedro starts day with cheer — Pedro Martinez bounded into the Met clubhouse yesterday morning with a wide grin and greetings for teammates, reporters and everyone else inside. — "Happy morning, everyone," Martinez exclaimed. His buoyancy was the first sign that he was OK after Saturday's 80-pitch throwing session.
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Sox can't get handle on Seattle — SEATTLE — Manny Ramírez may have done the smartest thing any Red Sox outfielder did yesterday afternoon when he took advantage of a break in the action in the sixth inning — reliever Craig Hansen was trotting in to pitch — to grab a seat in the Sox bullpen.
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Girardi: Willis won't be traded — MIAMI GARDENS - Expect pitcher Dontrelle Willis to finish the season with the Marlins, and expect his teammates to stick around all year, too. — "I really believe we're done trading for the year unless something happens in the off-season," …
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Showalter hospitalized for dehydration — Rangers manager misses Sunday's loss to White Sox — CHICAGO - Rangers manager Buck Showalter missed Sunday's game while being treated at a Chicago hospital for dehydration symptoms. — Showalter, 50, said he felt a fluttery heart Sunday morning …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats Win, Soriano Watch Escalates — Kasten Weighs In On Slugger's Status : Nationals 7, Cubs 1 — He draws the loudest cheers, hits the longest home runs, smiles the brightest smile. When Alfonso Soriano launched a ball deep toward left field yesterday at RFK Stadium …
Ira Berkow / New York Times:
Johjima's Play Bridges the Communication Gap — When he was signed by the Seattle Mariners to a three-year contract for $16.5 million before this season, the concern about Kenji Johjima was whether he could communicate with the pitchers as the first Japanese catcher in the major leagues.
J. Weitzel / Beerleaguer:
No storybook ending for folk hero Fasano — Backup catcher Sal Fasano's magical ride in Philadelphia has come to an end as the Phils designate the 34-year old journeyman for assignment. — Fasano became the first player since Rollie Fingers to gain recognition for ironic facial hair.
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Zaun tells his side of Hillenbrand saga — Comments by former teammate prompt catcher's response — TORONTO — Gregg Zaun didn't want to get involved. When he was approached in Toronto's clubhouse on Wednesday night and asked about Shea Hillenbrand, the typically vocal catcher decided he didn't want to comment on the situation.
Discussion:
Batter's Box Interactive …
Julian Garcia / NY Daily News:
Paul's rule of thumb: play hurt — While Paul Lo Duca thinks he may have a broken bone or an injured ligament in the hand he slips into his catcher's mitt, he has no intention of finding out exactly what the problem is anytime soon. — "It doesn't matter," Lo Duca said.
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Littlefield expects more than one trade — MIAMI — Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield expressed confidence that he will make more than one deal before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, reiterating that his counterparts covet the veterans he is offering.
Discussion:
Honest Wagner
