Top News:
Ben Walker / Houston Chronicle:
With tabloids humming, Lo Duca hits away — NEW YORK — Several years ago, Paul and Sonia Lo Duca stood inside Shea Stadium and watched a storm erupt. Wide-eyed, they saw the enraged wife of another player stomp into the lobby, so hysterical over a divorce case that security had to intervene.
Discussion:
Archie Bunker's Army
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Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Big-money gaming denied — As a treat to his players, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria once had the team charter make a surprise stop in Las Vegas on a cross-country trip between San Francisco and Pittsburgh during the 2003 season. The Marlins were mired in a losing streak, and Loria thought it would be a good way to help them unwind.
Associated Press:
Padres-Astros Preview — The San Diego Padres ' latest slide has knocked them out of first place in the National League West. — The Padres look to avoid losing their fourth straight game when they open a three-game series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Friday.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Park ready to pitch with new blood — NEW YORK - Chan Ho Park lost half his blood, but none of his sense of humor. — Taking into account the extraordinary treatment Park has undergone for a mysterious intestinal problem that has sidelined him since July 28 - he's had three blood transfusions …
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Brewers bench struggling Jenkins — Milwaukee to take extended look at Gross, Hart — ATLANTA — After waiting in vain for right fielder Geoff Jenkins to get hot, Brewers manager Ned Yost said Friday he planned to bench the slumping veteran for the rest of the season and will spread more playing time to Corey Hart and Gabe Gross.
MLB.com:
Outfielder Jorge Piedra designated for assignment; Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs — DENVER — The Colorado Rockies announced this afternoon that outfielder Jorge Piedra has been designated for assignment. To take Piedra's place on the roster …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Sox punch like Judy: String of losses smells like trouble — "Things are not going good." - David Ortiz — KANSAS CITY, Mo. - To make any attempt to candy-coat what has become of the Red Sox would be silly. — They stink right now. The timeliness of their hitting is extinct.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Vidro's Rehab Assignment Is Put Off — Washington Nationals second baseman Jose Vidro, on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain, won't go on a rehabilitation assignment over the weekend, as he originally said he would. — "We want him to be ready to go," General Manager Jim Bowden said.
Roman Modrowski / Chicago Sun Times:
Baker still on deck, in dark with steroids panel — MILWAUKEE — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has met with representatives of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell's committee on steroid abuse in baseball, and manager Dusty Baker likely will get a chance to reschedule his canceled meeting.
Discussion:
GROTA
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:Baker prefers to delay a Cubs callup for Pie
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Kevin Goldstein / Baseball Prospectus:
Future Shock — Cameron Maybin led off yesterday's center field rankings, so he'll pull double duty by leading off today's scouting notebook as well. The 10th overall pick in last year's draft has had an outstanding year in his full-season debut, batting .320/.401/.477 for Low Class A West Michigan …
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Prior to DL? Velocity dip a concern — DENVER — Mark Prior's lost season grew dimmer Friday. — Instead of flying with the Cubs from Milwaukee to Denver, the club sent the right-hander to Chicago to have team physician Stephen Gryzlo examine his shoulder.
Dave / U.S.S. Mariner:
Leadership deceived … Julio Mateo's groundball percentage is 24.2%. There are exactly two major league pitchers with a lower GB% than Mateo this season; Keith Foulke, who has spent most of the season on the DL because he was unable to pitch effectively, and Chuck James …
MLB.com:
Washington Nationals pay tribute to Negro Leagues on Friday, August 11 vs. New York Mets — Baseball club kicks off weekend of promotional giveaways with raffle of game-worn replica Homestead Grays uniforms during Friday night celebration — The Washington Nationals will pay tribute …
Chuck King / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins fill system with independents — JUPITER — When the Florida Marlins organization needed players to fill gaps within its minor-league system, it turned to the independent professional baseball leagues. — Since the start of the minor-league season, only Oakland has acquired …
Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Feeling Like 'The Kid' Again — Despite Numerous Injuries, Griffey Is at Peace With His Accomplishments — CINCINNATI — It's summertime, the start of school is still another few weeks away, and in the mid-afternoon the Cincinnati Reds' clubhouse is filling up with kids, lucky kids whose fathers are big league ballplayers.
Discussion:
Red Reporter
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Bochy booed as Piazza sits — Mike Piazza did not appear in yesterday's matinee at Shea, not even as a pinch-hitter, which prompted jeers for Padres manager Bruce Bochy. The crowd booed as catcher Josh Bard hit with two out in the ninth with Piazza still on the bench.
Discussion:
the metropolitans
