Top News:
Associated Press:
Angels designate disgruntled DH Hillenbrand for assignment — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shea Hillenbrand wants out and the Los Angeles Angels are granting his wish. — The team told Hillenbrand after Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Kansas City that he will be designated for assignment Friday …
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Bats erupt for 22 hits as Smoltz wins ninth — Four days after they feuded, John Smoltz and Chipper Jones returned to the business of leading the Braves to victories — in this case a seriously one-sided win. — Order was restored on several fronts Wednesday night, as Smoltz got …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Young Hopes to Show Others How to Learn From Mistakes — When someone mentioned to Dmitri Young of the Washington Nationals that he had changed a lot of things about himself lately, his face turned serious and his answer was succinct. "Kind of had to," he said in a deep voice. "Either that or die."
Discussion:
Washington Times
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
A New Low for Clemens and the Yankees — It feels like falling off a cliff, Joe Torre said Wednesday night after another loss, and the metaphor is appropriate. The Yankees had reached a high point before this trip, but suddenly they are plunging to depths never experienced in Torre's 12 years as manager.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Glavine's 297th win a rain-shortened one — NEW YORK (AP) — Tom Glavine nearly gave the New York Mets their first no-hitter — with a major explanation attached. — Glavine earned his 297th win, pitching one-hit ball for six innings in a rain-shortened shutout to lead New York past the St. Louis Cardinals 2-0 on Wednesday night.
RELATED:
David Lennon / Newsday:
Glavine's 297th win worth the wait — Tom Glavine stretched out on a clubhouse couch for an afternoon nap Wednesday before his start against the Cardinals. Had an alarm clock next to him, too. With fierce thunderstorms in the forecast, maybe Glavine knew he was in for a long night.
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
Patrick Brown / MLB.com:
Well-deserved headache — Lopez delivers walk-off double as Seattle sweeps Boston — SEATTLE — Jose Lopez knew his former teammate, Joel Pineiro, was going to throw him fastballs. — That knowledge translated into a sweep — and a headache. — Lopez's double in the 11th inning …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Notes: Gonzalez may now learn first — Utility player may have another position on deck — ST. PETERSBURG — During Tuesday night's postgame talk with the media, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen mentioned his idea to have Andy Gonzalez play first base during this upcoming offseason in winter ball.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
RELATED:
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox on verge of sweep — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mark Buehrle's future with the White Sox looks more promising. — Assistant general manager Rick Hahn, the team's chief negotiator, flew Wednesday from Chicago to Florida to negotiate an extension that would keep Buehrle from being traded before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks eke past Dodgers — Bob Melvin's hands were tied Wednesday night, so all the Diamondbacks manager could do was stand behind the railing in the dugout and watch the drama unfold just like everybody else. — Normally, when the less-dependable components of his bullpen falter …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
RELATED:
Andrew Bagnato / Associated Press:Arizona's Webb shuts down Dodgers 2-0
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Falling Rox drop sixth straight — Chicago - What began as a road bump has become an awful road trip. The Rockies dropped their sixth-straight game today, falling 6-4 to the Chicago Cubs at muggy Wrigley Field. — At this point, the Rockies are sitting on the median with hazards flashing.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
RELATED:
Jacob Jackson / Hardball Times:
The best unemployed GM in baseball — In his 18-month tenure as Dodgers' GM from February '04 to October '05, Paul DePodesta did all of the following things: — Helped construct a roster that produced the 2004 NL West Divison title, the Dodgers' first playoff berth in eight years.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Marc Fisher / Washington Post:
Peanuts, Cracker Jack and Jesus Make an Unsavory Mix at Ballparks — T he last time the Washington Nationals tried to mix baseball and religion, the team ended up suspending its volunteer chaplain and having to apologize for a player who suggested that Jews are destined for eternal damnation.
Discussion:
Capitol Punishment
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
Geren gets A's going before win — Cust has career-high five RBIs as Oakland ends skid — CLEVELAND — A day after the players-only meeting that was called for Tuesday was called off and the A's suffered a crushing loss when the Indians scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Major league shame — You think steroids are a plague in the baseball universe, right? My sense is that most Hardball Times readers are angry that so many players took steroids, while Major League Baseball, the union and the media looked the other way. Heck, I'm angry about it too.
Discussion:
Chop-n-Change
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Notes: Purpura ready to make changes — General manager could make changes as team returns home — MILWAUKEE — Manager Phil Garner described his closed-door meeting with general manager Tim Purpura and the coaching staff Wednesday morning a "good, open exchange of ideas."
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
