Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
It didn't take long to get in a zone — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Larry Bird's first game in a Celtics uniform was against the Philadelphia 76ers in a preseason doubleheader at Madison Square Garden, the most famous indoor arena in the world. — Larry's first game in green certainly wasn't as big as Dice-K Friday at City of Palms Park.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
RELATED:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Matsuzaka will mix it up — Righthander's array outlined by Farrell — Daisuke Matsuzaka tips his cap after working his outing. He threw 25 pitches — 19 strikes. (JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — What you saw last night were coming attractions.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Dice-K dominates in Sox debut — Right-hander tosses two scoreless innings, strikes out three — FORT MYERS, Fla. — For just one quick instant, maybe some over-reactive soul wondered if maybe this $103.1 million acquisition from Japan wasn't all he was cracked up to be.
Discussion:
Fenway Blogger
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
He's duly impressed — Francona calls Ramírez 'special' — Manny Ramírez did more hitting than usual this winter according to his agent. (JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — In other news . . . Or, as Hideki Okajima, the other Japanese pitcher …
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Guillen goes off on McCarthy — Manager's latest mark: the departed McCarthy — TUCSON, Ariz. — Manager Ozzie Guillen fired on former White Sox pitcher Brandon McCarthy on Friday for questioning the makeup of Guillen's Sox clubhouse and alleging it possessed a negative atmosphere.
Discussion:
Wrigleyville23
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Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Ozzie spews a Mac attack — Guillen: 'McCarthy should look himself in the mirror' — TUCSON, Ariz. — So much for the nice, quiet camp that was White Sox spring training in 2007. — Reacting to a story that ran in the Sun-Times on Feb. 21, manager Ozzie Guillen shook things up Friday morning …
Macon Telegraph:
Former Brave LaRoche forgets his uniform in return to Disney — LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Typically stoic Chipper Jones had a look of genuine excitement Friday morning when he went over and bearhugged former teammate Adam LaRoche. — Suddenly, Jones looked puzzled.
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Steve Henson / Los Angeles Times:
Clem Labine dies at 80 — VERO BEACH, Fla. — Clem Labine, a pioneering relief pitcher and a member of the "Boys of Summer" Brooklyn Dodgers 1955 World Series championship team, died Friday at Indian River Memorial Hospital. He was 80. — Labine, a right-hander, played in five World Series …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers pitcher Labine dies at 80 — Righty was integral member of Brooklyn's first Series win — VERO BEACH, Fla. — Clem Labine, one of — "The Boys of Summer" on the Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s chronicled by author Roger Kahn, died on Friday after a brief illness. He was 80.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Jenkins laying into lefties — Club signs five, renews Fielder; Villanueva blanks old team — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who was outspoken early in camp against giving up at-bats against left-handers, is apparently letting his bat do the talking.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
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Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Eckstein setback — JUPITER, Fla. — Apparently the Cardinals won't be able to avoid some unpleasant leftovers from 2006. — Shortstop and leadoff hitter David Eckstein probably will miss at least two weeks of Grapefruit League competition after experiencing discomfort in his left side …
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Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Notes: Eckstein sits, status uncertain — Pain possibly related to left oblique sidelines Cards shortstop — JUPITER, Fla. — David Eckstein was held out of the Cardinals starting lineup against the Mets on Friday due to some soreness in his left side. — Eckstein said the pain …
Discussion:
6-4-2
Sports Illustrated:
Documents: Hairston received HGH — Bogus prescriptions at heart of probe; player 'baffled' … SI.com: You attended the raid of an anti-aging clinic and we know that an Orlando pharmacy was raided simultaneously, but where do the doctors who write the prescriptions fit into this alleged distribution network?
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Evan Grant / NBCSports.com:
Face of a team — Rangers look to Michael Young to take Texas into playoffs — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Think of the most faceless organizations in big-time professional sports (which, for the time being, eliminates the NHL). — Anybody come to mind? — The Clippers immediately come to mind …
RELATED:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:Notes: Rangers ready to get it started
Discussion:
Baseball Time in Arlington
Sports Illustrated:
Calling on A-Rod — Eight teams sought superstar; opt-out still possible — TAMPA, Fla. — If Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez exercises his opt-out clause after this season and walks away from the $81 million and three years remaining on his record contract, he may be subjected to even more boos in the Bronx.
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Hill a bright spot in opener — Defense struggles behind starter, yielding two unearned runs — VERO BEACH, Fla. — The Manny Acta era began on Friday afternoon with the Nationals falling to the Dodgers, 12-7, at Holman Stadium. — Acta was not pleased with his club's defense and mistakes on the basepaths.
Discussion:
Washington Post
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phillies renew Howard's contract — NL MVP nevertheless gets raise from $355,000 to $900,000 — CLEARWATER, Fla. — Ryan Howard will earn $900,000 in 2007. — After exhausting talks with Howard's agent, Casey Close, the Phillies renewed the contract of the reigning National League …
Discussion:
Philliesflow, MLB Trade Rumors, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and I've Made a Huge Tiny Mistake
