Top News:
Jack Curry / New York Times:
As the Mets Flounder, Gómez Could Be a Catch — Carlos Gómez has few friends in New York, so he has been surprised when strangers have stopped him, acted as if they had known him forever and talked about the catch. Five weeks into his major league career …
Discussion:
NJ.com
RELATED:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Lo Duca figures Mets have to catch 5 of next 7 — The Mets season isn't exactly on the brink - not with a 1-1/2-game division lead. But with Oakland arriving at Shea tomorrow for a three-game series that concludes interleague play, then St. Louis visiting for four games …
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Could Pedro save the Mets? — NEW YORK - It wasn't so long ago that Pedro Martinez was adrift in that no-man's land between the disabled list and retirement - still a member of the organization but in the outer limits of the Mets' consciousness. — They weren't just surviving Pedro's absence, they were living large.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Five Sox homers back Tavarez's gem — Righty stymies Braves; Papi, Manny go deep in blowout — ATLANTA — A batting barrage and a pitching masterpiece. It isn't often that a team can combine both of those forces in one night, but the Red Sox had all of that going for them and more in Wednesday's 11-0 romp over the Braves.
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Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Tavarez toughs one out: Focuses once on field — ATLANTA - Last night was all about adjustments, and reflections, for Julian Tavarez [stats]. — The raw surface that encompassed the end of his right middle finger suggested a blister worse than the Red Sox [team stats] …
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:Shots To Chops — Red Sox Hit Five Homers In Second Shutout Of Braves
Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Dontrelle Willis expects to make next start for Florida Marlins — CHICAGO Dontrelle Willis was back on the field Wednesday morning, playing his usual day-after game of catch and expressing optimism he would be able to make his next start. — He wants to make three more starts …
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Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:Marlins rally past White Sox on Wood's pinch home run
Discussion:
FishStripes
ESPN:
Not for the Birds: Girardi turns down Orioles job — BALTIMORE — Joe Girardi has declined an offer from the Baltimore Orioles to become their next manager, his agent, Steve Mandel, told ESPN on Thursday. — Girardi interviewed with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, and ESPN's Peter Gammons reported …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Once Again, Yankees' Bats Are Stifled by Rockies — The Yankees came here as the hottest team in the American League. With their rollicking offense in the thin air of Colorado against a traditional also-ran, the Yankees had reason to believe they would thrive at Coors Field.
Discussion:
Bronx Banter
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ESPN:
Evaluating Sosa's Hall of Fame candidacy … Last winter ESPN surveyed Hall of Fame voters and found that only 20.4 percent would have voted for Sammy Sosa if he'd been eligible. — Now that Sosa has become the fifth player in major league history to reach 600 home runs …
Discussion:
Mike's Baseball Rants
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Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Rangers interested in Jones — Michael Barrett on Wednesday doesn't have any direct bearing on the Cubs' philosophy or intentions heading toward next month's trade deadline. But that doesn't mean they're done dealing. — The Cubs have talked with the Texas Rangers and several other teams …
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T.J. Quinn / NY Daily News:
Giambi close to a deal to talk to Mitchell — Jason Giambi is expected to become the first active player to agree to speak to baseball's Mitchell Commission on doping today, handing Bud Selig a major victory, but also angering many players who feel Giambi is being punished for speaking the truth.
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Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Ayala Is Back, Speigner and Abreu Depart — Luis Ayala smiled broadly as he grabbed his glove yesterday afternoon. The right-hander, once a stalwart of the Washington Nationals' bullpen, was active for a major league game for the first time since September 2005, finally …
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Daniel Paulling / USA Today:
Bloggin' Nationals baseball — What's the best move made by management in the recent past? — Hiring Manny Acta as their manager. The man has the patience of Job, is very smart and ideally suited to manage a growing team of young guys. He's so even-tempered that if you watch …
Discussion:
Nationals Power
Associated Press:
Randolph, Bochy to coach NL in All-Star Game — NEW YORK — Willie Randolph of the New York Mets and Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants were picked Thursday as coaches for the NL All-Star team. — Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire and Texas' Ron Washington were selected as coaches of the AL team for the July 10 game in San Francisco.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
Michael Phillips / MLB.com:
Langerhans, Kasten meet with fans — Nats outfielder, president discuss franchise at ESPN Zone — WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, Nationals center fielder Ryan Langerhans and president Stan Kasten fielded questions from fans during a lunchtime appearance at Washington's ESPN Zone.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Mark Hale / New York Post:
SANTANA MAY ROCK BIG APPLE — If the Mets or Yankees want to land Johan Santana for 2009, it sounds as if his main priority when finding a new destination will be his comfort level. — "I want to be comfortable. I want to feel comfortable," the Twins' 28-year-old lefty ace said yesterday.
