Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Sosa wins spot on Rangers roster — GM says slugger will be with Texas on Opening Day — TUCSON, Ariz. — First, Sammy Sosa smiled mischieviously as he started to get dressed in the visiting clubhouse at Tucson Electric Park. — Then he put his hands together and looked angelically toward heaven.
Discussion:
Random Thoughts
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
'Little strain' sidelines Wood — With Prior struggling, it seems like typical spring for Cubs — MESA, Ariz. — The days of Kerry Wood and Mark Prior dominating the talk of a Cubs spring training were supposed to be over, but there were the former co-aces of the pitching staff Thursday standing …
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Sports Illustrated:
Another setback — Cubs' Wood strained triceps in previous appearance — MESA, Ariz. — First, it was Mark Prior and his problems. Now it's Kerry Wood again. — Stop us if you've heard this one before. — The Cubs announced Thursday — reluctantly — that one-time ace Wood …
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins still in market for closer — KISSIMMEE — Manager Fredi Gonzalez wouldn't mind finding out if the Marlins can produce the next Jonathan Papelbon, who emerged as a rookie last season to be Boston's bullpen ace. But with two weeks left in camp, Florida's front office still is trying …
Discussion:
FishStripes
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Beckett effective in loss to Mets — Righty fans six, walks none, but offense held to one run — METS, 4, RED SOX 1 — Red Sox at the plate: Boston had two singles and a double and struck out nine times in five innings against Oliver Perez. Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz and Josh Beckett struck out twice each.
Discussion:
Fenway Blogger
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Notes: Igawa still making adjustments — Cabrera flashes leather; Hughes, Ehlers honored before game — TAMPA, Fla. — Eight of Kei Igawa's first nine pitches missed the strike zone Thursday, and with two Atlanta Braves on base and none out, Ron Guidry made an unexpectedly early trot to the mound.
Discussion:
Replacement Level …
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Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Talented Tabata a work in progress — Sky is the limit for gifted 18-year-old Yankees outfield prospect — TAMPA, Fla. — At first glance, Jose Tabata blended in with the roughly 11 dozen Minor Leaguers roaming the back fields on Himes Avenue, jogging across diamonds carrying their gloves, bats and big-league dreams.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
First pitch, March 16 — GAME DAY — Second baseman Kaz Matsui was out of the lineup for the Rockies' 5-2 victory against Oakland on Thursday at Hi Corbett Field because of a strained right forefoot. He suffered the injury when he stepped on a baseball during a workout Wednesday. …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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Jack Etkin / Rocky Mountain News:How low can Lopez go? — Colorado's goal for new starter is to keep ball down
Discussion:
Purple Row
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Epstein not in a hurry — GM feels Red Sox have time to assess — GM Theo Epstein likes what he sees from the Sox this spring. (CHARLES KRUPA/ASSOCIATED PRESS) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein figures that sometime next week teams will begin to assess …
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Associated Press:
Former MLB commissioner Kuhn dies at 80 — PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Former commissioner Bowie Kuhn, who lorded over baseball during 15 tumultuous years that saw players gain free agency and start the spiral of multimillion-dollar salaries, died Thursday. He was 80.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Items from around Florida and Arizona ... Around the horn at spring training: — The Cardinals' starting pitching has been a pleasant surprise; right-handers Kip Wells, Braden Looper and Adam Wainwright have combined to allow three runs in 352/3 innings.
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
Dollars, Not Jeers, Will Send Rodriguez Packing — Earlier this week, apparently as part of an ongoing campaign to irritate Yankees fans as much as possible, Alex Rodriguez said on the radio, "I want to 100% stay in New York. Period. That's it." He then intimated that if fans don't stop booing him …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
Susan Bickelhaupt / Boston Globe:
Baptism by fire for NESN's Cervasio — When Tina Cervasio came to Boston last year to be a Red Sox reporter for NESN, she had to jump right in. — "My first game was the exhibition in Philadelphia, and the next day was Opening Day [in Texas]," said Cervasio.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
60 seconds with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo — Staff writer Joe Capozzi spoke with Marlins catcher Miguel Olivo, who finger-fishes. — Tell me about finger-fishing. — In the Dominican, we fish like that, with the line tied around your finger. — Just go to Wal-Mart and buy a fishing rod.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:
Phillies Notes | Manuel yet to pick opening-day starter — Phillies Notes — CLEARWATER, Fla. - Charlie Manuel said last week that he probably would know his Opening Day starter by yesterday. — Yesterday came and went without an announcement. — The choice is between righthanders Brett Myers and Freddy Garcia.
Discussion:
Philliesflow
MLB.com:
CUBS 9, MARINERS (ss) 3 — Mariners at the plate: Wladimir Balentien hit an RBI single in the second. Michael Garciaparra also singled and scored on a throwing error by shortstop Cesar Izturis that inning. — Cubs at the plate: Cliff Floyd and Aramis Ramirez both homered.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
