Top News:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Roar for Mike & mighty Mets — Piazza tips cap but not result — Willie Randolph and Paul Lo Duca addressed the Mets in a closed-door meeting before last night's game, imploring the team to "just stay focused on baseball," according to the manager. — The Mets then welcomed back their Hall of Fame catcher.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Mets Fans Treat Piazza Like One of Their Own — Mike Piazza knew the ovation was coming, but he did not think it would be so intense. There had been hints that Mets fans still missed him as he traipsed around Manhattan yesterday, and there were louder signals that they still adored him once …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Could be just nicer as visitor — From 5:20 onward yesterday, it must have felt like a fantasy for Mike Piazza. We all desire to be missed by those from our past, don't we? The love filled Shea Stadium for Piazza's return, from his pre-game stretch to batting practice, from a video tribute to his first at-bat.
David Lennon / Newsday:
Wright spoils Piazza's return — Shea Stadium never felt more like home to Mike Piazza than it did last night. From the minute he appeared on the field, Piazza's every move was wildly cheered, and the sound system even screeched with the hard-rock theme song from his Mets' days when he stepped to the plate in the second inning.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
thewade.blogs.com:thewadeblogs.com - Put up your Lo Ducas... Sonia's Playboy DVD
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Archie Bunker's Army
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:Mets enjoy view from top after year on bottom
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Bowden disputes wrong doing in trade — Nats GM said that all information was provided on Majewski — WASHINGTON — Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said on Tuesday afternoon that there was no wrong doing when he traded reliever Gary Majewski to the Reds on July 13 as part …
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Washington Post, Associated Press, Federal Baseball, District of Baseball and Cincinnati Enquirer
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John Fay / Cincinnati Enquirer:
Krivsky: No red flags — Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky would not say on Tuesday if the club will file a grievance over the Washington Nationals' failure to disclose that relief pitcher Gary Majewski, who has been sent to the disabled list, took a cortisone shot for tendinitis in his shoulder …
Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Manager puts rumors of rift with Loria to rest — Joe Girardi dismissed the idea that he and owner Jeffrey Loria were having issues and added that he wants to remain the manager for the remainder of his contract. — cspencer@MiamiHerald.com — WASHINGTON - Joe Girardi doesn't understand what all the fuss is about.
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankees Fall After Rivera Blows Save in 9th — Ten months later, the Yankees finally made it to Chicago. They had packed their bags for a trip here last October, and even sent a pitcher ahead of the team. The Yankees needed only to win the final game of their playoff series in Anaheim …
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Never-say-die guys — Konerko's HR off Rivera ties it, Dye beats Yanks with hit in 11th — Paul Konerko bailed out the White Sox's bullpen in the ninth inning, and Jermaine Dye provided temporary relief in the 11th. — Konerko hit a game-tying homer and Dye hit a single …
Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
No License Is Required to Run a Fantasy League — Major League Baseball Advanced Media, the Internet arm of Major League Baseball, had a major setback yesterday in its attempt to regulate the growing fantasy baseball industry when a federal judge ruled that companies do not need licenses to operate such leagues.
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Tom Withers / Associated Press:
Indians agree to $14 million deal with Lee — CLEVELAND (AP) — Indians pitcher Cliff Lee has always felt at home in Cleveland, and he's now more rooted there than ever. — Lee signed a $14 million, three-year contract extension with the club Tuesday, another long-term commitment …
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Brew Crew Ball
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Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Garza gets another big call — Young right-hander will start for Twins on Friday — DETROIT — Matt Garza has seen his fair share of important calls this season during his rapid ascension through the Twins' Minor League system. — But there is no question the two biggest calls …
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Roto Authority Fantasy …
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
AWOL HoJo puts Norfolk job in jeopardy — Howard Johnson's days with the Mets look numbered. Sources say the Triple-A hitting coach was denied permission to attend his son Glen's competition in a Wilmington, N.C., tournament for rising high school seniors that's heavily scouted by major-league teams.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Bryan Tsao / Hardball Times:
Who Wants To Be The Next K-Rod? — Every season there seem to be at least one rookie who comes from out of nowhere and gives his team a boost down the stretch or in the postseason. Last season, Bobby Jenks didn't pitch in his first Major League Baseball game until July 6 …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Jim Bowden / Examiner:
Trust me, the Nats' future is bright — WASHINGTON - When teams are out of the playoff chase, you usually hear the same old cliché: "We're building for the future." — Talk is cheap. — However, we have already begun to implement our plan for a successful tomorrow.
Discussion:
thurdl sports
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
For now, Epstein remains unmoved — Criticism comes in many forms when you are general manager of the Boston Red Sox. It swallowed a great man named Lou Gorman and it no doubt expedited the departure of Dan Duquette. Being in charge of the Sox makes you a target for nasty newspaper columns …
