Top News:
Associated Press:
Damon unsure of return date — Yankees center fielder may have to go on disabled list — NEW YORK (AP) — Andy Pettitte's return to the Yankees was pushed back a day because of rain, while Johnny Damon's injured calf left him unsure when he'll play again.
Discussion:
Ballhype
RELATED:
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Pettitte's return postponed by rain — Left-hander rescheduled to start Thursday against Rays — NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte's Bronx return will have to wait one more day, as Wednesday's scheduled game between the Yankees and the Devil Rays was postponed due to poor weather conditions.
George King / New York Post:
BULLPEN GETS OFF TO GOOD START — The bridge from Yankees starter to closer Mariano Rivera was very sturdy Monday against the Devil Rays. GM Brian Cashman has done a good job of acquiring power arms, signing Brian Bruney off the street and trading for Luis Vizcaino to go along with Scott Proctor and Kyle Farnsworth.
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
'67 Sox gather for salute — KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Red Sox [team stats] will mark the 40th anniversary of the fabled "Impossible Dream" team with a season-long tribute that begins prior to the home opener at Fenway Park [map] on Tuesday. — The 1967 Sox, who went from a ninth-place team …
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Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:
Okajima Shakes Off Home Run Debut — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Hideki Okajima knew he was going to be nervous when he took the mound for the first time in the major leagues, after 12 seasons of pitching in his native Japan. — But when the left-handed reliever started the sixth inning …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
DMZ / The Cheater's Guide to Baseball Blog:
Francisco Rodriguez doctoring the ball — 4-2-2007, against the Rangers, K-Rod put something on the ball repeatedly during the 9th inning, and wasn't even subtle about it. First, I'm going to admit these are bad pictures. Patches welcome, as they say in the open source world.
Associated Press:
Red Sox to unveil more seats in 'Conigliaro's Corner' — BOSTON (AP) - A doughnut shop advertisement behind the outfield bleachers proclaims "Welcome to Fenway'' in Japanese, anticipating new Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and the fans and media expected to arrive with him.
Greg Johns / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Mariners Notebook: Age tips cap to youth — Batista, 36, talks up Hernandez on eve of M's debut — When Miguel Batista takes the mound tonight for his Mariners debut, don't try making comparisons with Opening Day starter Felix Hernandez. — Yes, the two are starters. Sure, both are right-handers.
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Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Josh wants to throw foes a curve — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Josh Beckett [stats] was always at his best last season right after he was at his worst. — Using words like "brutal" and "embarrassed" and others that must be bleeped out, Beckett would berate himself for the mound sins he had just committed.
Greg Rybarczyk / Hardball Times:
Sometimes It Is How Far You Hit Them — It's true that no matter how far you hit a home run, it's still only worth one run. However, people still want to know who hits them the farthest and the hardest. Using an analytical method and tool called Hit Tracker, I was able to show …
Discussion:
The Saberoticians
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Blanco hopes for quick return after Florida testimony — CINCINNATI — The Cubs are holding out hope that backup catcher Henry Blanco will miss no more than a few innings of tonight's game because of his trip to Florida to testify in a trial involving one of his agents.
Jeff Sackmann / Hardball Times:
Who Are These Guys? — In December, I looked at the awe-inspiring mediocrity of the Washington Nationals' projected starting rotation. Back then, I figured the front five would consist of John Patterson, Michael O'Connor, Shawn Hill, Tim Redding, and an as-yet-unnamed free agent.
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
George bans Swindal from Yank dinner — A standing ovation from his team brought George Steinbrenner to tears Monday night at the Yanks' popular "Welcome Home" charity dinner at the midtown Sheraton, a few hours after their Opening Day victory over the Devil Rays.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Guerrero pounds Rangers again — He gets four hits, including a home run, as Angels win their second in a row, 8-3. — Don't get Vlad, get even. — That was the theme of the night for Angels right fielder Vladimir Guerrero, who continued to brush off Texas right-hander Vicente Padilla's brush …
Discussion:
Big A Baseball
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Sore elbow slows Carpenter — A bad Sunday night has become a bad week for Chris Carpenter. Still to be determined is whether it will extend to a bad month. — The Cardinals' ace will miss at least his next scheduled start against the Houston Astros on Friday after notifying team trainers …
