Top News:
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
The Hall call arrives for Gwynn, Ripken — First ballot players to be inducted into Hall of Fame on July 29 — NEW YORK — As anticipated, the dynamic duo of eight-time National League batting champion Tony Gwynn and Iron Man Cal Ripken Jr. earned election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday …
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baseballhalloffame.org:
2007 Hall of Fame Voting Results — Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. elected to Hall of Fame by BBWAA — COOPERSTOWN, NY: Cal Ripken, holder of one of baseball's most cherished records, and Tony Gwynn, among the game's most prolific hitters, were elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame …
Associated Press:
Gwynn, Ripken elected to Hall of Fame — NEW YORK — Mark McGwire fell far short in his first try for the Hall of Fame, picked by 23.5 percent of voters while Tony Gwynn and Cal Ripken Jr. easily gained baseball's highest honor. — Tarnished by accusations of steroid use …
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Two Elected to Hall of Fame; McGwire Misses — Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn, two iconic players who were renowned for their skills as well as their class, were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame today. But Mark McGwire, a once-deified slugger, fell far short of joining them in his first year on the ballot.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Bernie Wilson / Associated Press:
Gwynn gets to 'toot the horn of the contact guy' — SAN DIEGO (AP) — Tony Gwynn got the validation he was seeking, and then some. — Standing with his back to a ballpark he would have absolutely worn out if given the chance, Gwynn celebrated his election to the Hall of Fame on Tuesday …
R.B. Fallstrom / Associated Press:
Gwynn: McGwire belongs in Hall — ST. LOUIS (AP) — When Mark McGwire retired in 2001, the debate was about whether his Hall of Fame plaque would feature a Cardinals or Athletics hat. — That all seems pretty trivial now. — The former slugger was picked by only 23.5 percent of voters …
Bill Center / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Gwynn joins Ripken in Cooperstown — Tony Gwynn is a Hall of Famer. — The eight-time National League batting champion and Baltimore's Cal Ripken Jr. received confirmation this morning that they have been voted into the Hall of Fame. — Gwynn received 532 votes on the 545 ballots returned …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Hall voting will always be subjective — First of all, don't rip the eight voters who failed to vote for Cal Ripken and the 13 who failed to vote for Tony Gwynn. It's a free country, last time anyone checked. Solicit the opinions of 545 people on any issue, and it's doubtful they will be in unanimous agreement.
Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
Buhner doubts Hall call — Jay Buhner has no delusions of grandeur, no pretensions of Cooperstown. — Ask him if he expects to get a Hall of Fame vote when the results are announced today — a single vote, mind you; not actual election — and he snorts. — "No. Come on. Let's be serious.
Discussion:
The Baseball Zealot
Rob Biertempfel / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Bucs conduct informal workouts — Manager Jim Tracy didn't see the need for a structured minicamp this offseason, so the Pirates yesterday began holding informal workouts at PNC Park. — "You've got to give (the players) some rope," Tracy said Monday. "I want them to be very, very fresh on Feb. 16."
Discussion:
Where have you gone …
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Toronto Star:
Jays sign veteran Thomson, re-sign Frasor — SHI DIVIDI — The Toronto Blue Jays added another pitcher to the mix for their starting rotation, rolling the dice on free agent right-hander John Thomson. — Thomson gets a $500,000 (all figures U.S.), one-year deal plus incentives …
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Associated Press:
Former All-Star catcher Lopez, Rockies agree to deal — DENVER — Former All-Star catcher Javy Lopez drew interest from other teams in the offseason to be a designated hitter, maybe even play an occasional first base. — But Lopez was insistent on catching, and the Colorado Rockies believe he still can.
Bob McManaman / Arizona Republic:
Trade has Johnson 'thrilled' — Randy Johnson passed a physical with the Diamondbacks, as expected, and the team will formally announce during a 1 p.m. news conference today at Chase Field that he has been reacquired from the New York Yankees. — "I just spoke to Randy and Lisa (Johnson's wife) …
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MLB.com:
Cubs invite 11 more to big league camp — The Chicago Cubs today announced that 11 additional players have been invited to Big League camp with the club. Pitchers Sean Gallagher, Adam Harben, Ryan O'Malley, Carmen Pignatiello and Randy Wells will report to Fitch Park in Mesa, Ariz. …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Rich Lederer / Baseball Analysts:
Categorizing Pitchers (Part Two): Relievers — As a follow-up to yesterday's Categorizing Pitchers by Batted Ball Types and Strikeout Rates (which focused on starters), today's article is devoted exclusively to relievers. — The graph below includes strikeout and groundball data …
Josh Suchon / insideBayArea:
A's sign Perez to one-year deal — OAKLAND — Infielder Antonio Perez signed a one-year contract Monday for about $500,000, the second of nine arbitration-eligible players on the A's roster to agree to terms. Backup catcher Adam Melhuse agreed last week. — In addition, the A's signed …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Jason Johnson to pitch in Japan next season — The free-agent market is thriving even for struggling pitchers headed to Japan. — Right-hander Jason Johnson, who was 3-12 with a 6.35 ERA with three clubs last season, has agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with the Seibu Lions, FOXSports.com has learned.
Yahoo! Sports:
Giants sign RHP Ortiz to a one-year contract — SAN FRANCISCO (TICKER) — The San Francisco Giants hope a return to the Bay area will change the fortunes of Russ Ortiz. — The Giants on Tuesday signed the righthander, who is just 5-19 in the last two years, to a one-year contract.
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
South Side 'back to normal' — Out at the offices on West 35th Street in Chicago, Kenny Williams "crawled out from under the rock I've been under the past couple weeks" to discover the locals thought a lot more of him last winter. — A baseball general manager always looks smarter standing next to a World Series trophy.
