Top News:
Daniel Brown / Mercury News:
The case for Jeter — In 1950, the last time a New York Yankees shortstop won the most valuable player award, Phil Rizzuto edged a deep and talented field despite lacking gaudy statistics. — Rizzuto got the nod because writers recognized his contributions that went beyond the box score.
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Joe Posnanski / Kansas City Star:
Feelings clash about Jeter — Begin with a story: I have a friend, a devoted Yankees hater, who claims that he and his friends play a drinking game whenever Derek Jeter plays on television. He says that when the announcer says anything good about Jeter — when he talks about Jeter's general brilliance …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
David Lefort / Extra Bases:
Papi returning today — The quickly recovering Red Sox lineup will receive another boost tonight after the team, as expected, cleared David Ortiz to return to action. — "The ongoing monitoring of David Ortiz has not identified any further problem," the Red Sox released in a statement attributed to Dr. Thomas Gill.
ESPN:
Abreu deal was Yanks' best in six years — NEW YORK — It was late June in 2000 when Yankees general manager Brian Cashman decided his dynasty was in danger of collapse. After two consecutive world championships, the Bombers were barely above .500, having lost six of seven and looking nothing …
Sports Illustrated:
The chase for 62 — It's time to celebrate Howard's run at Maris' old mark — We don't need the pregame news conferences in front of the national media. We don't need the specially numbered baseballs with the watermark that can be seen only under an ultraviolet light.
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Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Howard's Success Has Cynics Grumbling — Last week in this space I somewhat off-handedly predicted that Philadaelphia's Ryan Howard would hit 62 home runs for an 80-win team and win the National League's MVP award. I ought to play the stock market, or at least join in on a few games of c-lo.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Cruz control: Rangers rout A's, 8-1 — OAKLAND, Calif. - Labor Day traditionally means two things for the Rangers: the end of summer and the start of looking to next season. — At least Monday, gazing into the future provided a vista as pretty as sunset at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:Zito, Payton, A's struggle vs. Texas
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Joe Kay / Associated Press:
Griffey out indefinitely with toe injury — CINCINNATI (AP) — The slight limp gave it away. — Ken Griffey Jr. walked slowly and carefully on Tuesday, a day after he dislocated a toe on his right foot while trying to make a catch. He was out of the Cincinnati Reds' lineup, and had no guess about when he might be back.
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Winning hit was child's play — Walkoff homer a real throwback — I was Tony Conigliaro, with the wide stance and bat cocked high, shaping the No. 25 with duct tape on the back of a white T-shirt. — You were Fred Lynn making great catches against an imaginary wall, or Jim Rice hitting sizzling line drives over the Green Monster.
Discussion:
Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn
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Phil Rogers / ESPN:
Best deadline deal? Maddux to Dodgers — Was there really a time when we debated whether Greg Maddux could be an asset for a contender? Why didn't we just ask if the earth was round, if poker was on television and if Will Ferrell had a movie in production?
Discussion:
High and Tight
Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
LaRoche Probably Won't Get the Call — MILWAUKEE — All it took was sitting for several hours during the flight from L.A. and Chad Billingsley's next start was pushed back indefinitely. — As for Andy LaRoche's debut, that apparently will wait as well. — LaRoche, a prospect …
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
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Rob Gillies / Associated Press:
Blue Jays to increase payroll again — TORONTO (AP) — Blue Jays owner Ted Rogers thinks the team needs to increase its payroll again next season. — The Blue Jays made a request to ownership several days ago and Rogers thinks the request is warranted. The team boosted its payroll …
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Embraced by the fans — Taguchi signed a $3 million, three-year contract with the Cardinals and was introduced on January 9, 2002. He prepared a short speech in English for the press conference, and the fans embraced him, lining up for his autograph in such large numbers at the Cardinals Winter Warm-up that Emiko cried.
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Under The Knife — Three FAQs — Real life has been intruding on baseball a bit much lately. We all got the shock of Jon Lester's diagnosis, one that hit home for me and for many in the Red Sox organization. The yellow "Livestrong" band I wear isn't just in support of cancer research …
MLB.com:
Cubs complete trade with Minnesota and make three other moves — The Chicago Cubs today acquired right-handed pitcher Adam Harben from the Minnesota Twins to complete the trade which sent Phil Nevin to Minnesota on August 31. In addition, the Cubs have recalled right-handed pitcher Jae Kuk Ryu …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Associated Press:
HOMEMLBNEWS STORYWright, Reyes to lead MLB tour in Japan — TOKYO (AP) - New York Mets infielders David Wright and Jose Reyes will lead a team of major league players on an exhibition tour of Japan in November, Major League Baseball officials said Tuesday. — Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Baseball Without Strikes? Talks Could Make It Happen — PROBABLY the biggest surprise in all of the years I have written about baseball was not the Red Sox' comeback against the Yankees in the 2004 postseason, or the Diamondbacks' victory over the Yankees in the ninth inning of Game 7 …
