Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Will Sox regret not making a major trade? — This question can't be answered fairly for several years. If the Sox finish second for the ninth straight season and fail to make the playoffs, there certainly will be some local gnashing of teeth. But we don't know precisely what deals were turned down …
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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Sports Illustrated:
Why not Whitey? — Herzog itching to manage again, eyes Cubs job — The circumstances would have to be right, but Whitey Herzog told me on the phone Thursday that he would consider coming back to manage a major league baseball team again. The first thing he wants to let any prospective employer …
Discussion:
Redleg Nation
Sports Illustrated:
Why not Whitey? (cont.) — "I don't know which jobs might become available," Herzog said. "The Cubs would be interesting if you knew those two pitchers would get up off their ass and pitch. — "I shouldn't put it like that but ... God almighty, it's got to be a tough decision for the Cubs.
Maureen Mullen / Boston Herald:
Stern's stuck in limbo — PAWTUCKET, R.I. - Javy Lopez was acquired by the Red Sox yesterday from the Orioles in exchange for cash considerations and a player to be named. And that player to be named is believed to be Pawtucket outfielder Adam Stern. — Sitting out the first game …
Discussion:
Providence Journal
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Washington whacks Padres around — One lesson the summer of 2005 taught the Padres is that no matter how badly you play, no matter how stagnant you appear, you can still win the National League West. — Maybe this summer is more of the same as the Padres sputter and stumble yet continue to lead a motley pack.
Discussion:
Washington Post
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CBS SportsLine.com:
Team Info — World Championships: 3 — The Orioles placed RHP Kris Benson on the 15-day DL with tendinitis in his right elbow. The move is retroactive to July 26, the day after he last pitched. RHP LaTroy Hawkins returned from bereavement leave and took Benson's spot on the roster. — •
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Notes: Benson sent to 15-day DL — Right-hander will likely be activated Thursday — BALTIMORE — Sometimes, the line on the transactions page seems more ominous than the actual injury. The Orioles sent Kris Benson to the 15-day disabled list Friday, but he isn't expected to miss an extended amount of time.
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
WAGNER CALLS LIDLE 'CHICKEN' — Billy Wagner called former Phillies teammate Cory Lidle "chicken" yesterday for blasting the Phils only after Lidle was out the door. — Wagner basically agreed with Lidle's message - that the Phillies were uninspired and didn't exhibit a winning attitude every day.
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NY Daily News:
Big Mac gives little help — McGwire refuses to talk to MLB investigators — After telling Congress last year that he wanted to help rid the world of steroids, Mark McGwire is refusing to cooperate with baseball's Mitchell investigation. — According to a source familiar with the investigation …
Ken Tremendous / FIRE JOE MORGAN:
Idea that Announcer Can Jinx Perfect Game = Holocaust — That is the position of Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay, who, on his radio show today, went totally bananaballs crazy. — Apparently, Kay began his show by saying, "On this day, August 4th, 2006, I declare the Red Sox officially dead."
ESPN:
MLB Manager Approval Ratings - July — This MLB season, we're giving you, SportsNation, the opportunity to cast your vote of approval, or disapproval, of the job your favorite team's manager is doing. Is he molding a winning team and inspiring championship-level play from his team?
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Jonathan Okanes / Contra Costa Times:
Mariners continue to support A's cause — Oakland improves to 10-1 against Seattle, while it is 48-50 against all other opponents; Zito gets his fourth win in five starts — SEATTLE - If the A's didn't get to play the Seattle Mariners, they likely wouldn't be looking down at the rest of the American League West.
NY Daily News:
Jose is Wright man — At the official announcement of Jose Reyes' contract extension yesterday, the All-Star shortstop made it clear he wants to play alongside third baseman David Wright during the length of the pact. He also acknowledged that he has no control over whether that can happen.
Discussion:
...getting paid to watch
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Little likes Lugo's attitude — Infielder gives manager options when Kent, Garciaparra return — MIAMI — Julio Lugo is willing to become a utilityman. — That's what manager Grady Little said Lugo told him in a meeting on Friday. Little got the answer he was looking for …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Baker's wild thought: Wild-card contenders — Manager won't count his Cubs out until standings say so — Dusty Baker made a stunning revelation before Friday's loss to Pittsburgh: — The Cubs are still in the National League wild-card playoff race. — Though they began …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Childs Walker / Baltimore Sun:
Comcast says it will carry Orioles-owned MASN network — Comcast Cable has agreed to carry the Orioles-owned Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, ending a 16-month standoff that kept Washington Nationals games unavailable to 1.6 million cable customers in Maryland, Washington and Virginia.
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: No progress for Weeks — Brewers expect second baseman to need surgery on right wrist — ST. LOUIS — After another setback on Friday, the Brewers are prepared for the likelihood that a right wrist injury will shelve second baseman Rickie Weeks for the rest of the season.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
