Top News:
USA Today:
Dusty Baker's All-Star roster analysis — Former San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs manager Dusty Baker breaks down the AL and NL rosters for USA TODAY: — American League: — "Oooh, that lineup is unbelievable. It's a reflection on the league, really, just how good it is.
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Chilling by the bay — With his legs aching, Big Papi sits back to enjoy Derby — SAN FRANCISCO — David Ortiz has come to represent Major League Baseball every bit as much as the Dominican Republic and Red Sox Nation. And that's why Ortiz refused to let his nagging legs give …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
Fox Sports:
Guerrero out-slugs Rios in HR Derby finals — FOXSports.com, Updated 2 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Alex Rios' second-round outburst may have given Vladimir Guerrero the Home Run Derby crown. — The Blue Jays' Rios hit 12 homers in the semi-finals — the most by any slugger in any round …
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Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Making an already fantastic event even better … SAN FRANCISCO — Let's get this straight right from the first sentence: There's nothing "wrong" with the Home Run Derby. — Heck, we love the Home Run Derby. We're not the only ones, either. The whole country loves the Home Run Derby.
Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Trade talks fail, so Hillenbrand released — The Angels, unable to trade Shea Hillenbrand in the 10-day period after he was designated for assignment June 29, had no choice Monday but to release the former designated hitter, who is now a free agent. — In a similar position last season …
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Where will A-Rod land? — News takes look at which could be next A-team — He's pulled off a successful switch to third base, won an MVP and is now taking aim at a hallowed home run record owned by Roger Maris. But Alex Rodriguez's tenure in the Bronx also is pockmarked with boos, poor Octobers and racy tabloid tales.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
ESPN:
Upton, Chamberlain stand out among prospects — Top Five Hitters — 1. Justin Upton, CF, Arizona Diamondbacks: Not even close. Upton was a man among boys, even though he's just 19 years old. He's a fast-twitch hitter, like his brother, B.J., who lets the ball travel deep and then just spins …
Tom D'Angelo / Palm Beach Post:
Cabrera still unsure if he'll play tonight — SAN FRANCISCO — Miguel Cabrera's shoulder felt better Monday but maybe not good enough to allow him to play in tonight's All-Star Game at AT&T Park. — Cabrera, who jammed his left shoulder diving for a ball Saturday in Los Angeles …
Discussion:
FishStripes
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Hold on to your hat — Cubs skipper Lou Piniella opens up about the turbulent first half of his first season — It's hard to pick one defining moment of the dawn of the Lou Piniella era. — Was it kicking dirt on an umpire? Hollering at a reporter? Cursing in the dugout after a mind-boggling misplay?
Discussion:
GoatRiders of the Apocalypse
New York Times:
Shoulder Surgery for Randolph — Mets Manager Willie Randolph had rotator cuff surgery on his right shoulder yesterday, which means he will begin the second half of the season Thursday with one arm in a sling. — Randoph had the operation at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Bonds Smiles Aboard All-Star Welcome Wagon — The host of the 2007 All-Star Game can be charming, thought-provoking and funny. He can also be aloof, irritable and a little bit mean. — Barry Bonds has served Major League Baseball in many capacities over the past two decades — as icon, villain and almost everything in between.
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Boras wants defense to be recognized — Agent proposes a new stat, 'EP' or 'Exceptional Play,' to be given to players who make sensational plays on defense during a game. — SAN FRANCISCO — In a sport packed with statistics, is there room for another? With a nod to the best defenders in baseball …
Discussion:
The Griddle
Maury Brown / The Biz of Football:
Dan Patrick to Leave ESPN on Aug. 17 — ESPN television and radio personality, Dan Patrick, finally announced today what many had been speculating for over a week: He is leaving the Worldwide Leader in Sports. — At the beginning of the second hour of his radio show, Patrick announced, "I'm going to leave ESPN August 17."
Discussion:
businessofsportsnetwork …
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Lynn Zinser / New York Times:
Milledge's Latest Chance to Make a Good First Impression — As the ball left his bat and rocketed toward the train tracks beyond left field Monday afternoon, most of the lingering questions about Lastings Milledge's timing sailed over the wall with it. — He rounded the bases matter-of-factly …
ESPN:
Are You For Real? Martin, Lackey, Saito — Most of the media attention in the week leading up to the All-Star Game isn't on the actual All-Stars. Much more common are lists of players who were snubbed, debates about the process — how the fans should or should not vote …
Discussion:
6-4-2
Sandy Burgin / MLB.com:
Notes: Francoeur has been on tear — Braves right fielder hit 10th homer Saturday on anniversary — SAN DIEGO — Jeff Francoeur celebrated the second anniversary of his Major League debut Saturday by hitting his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot off the Padres' David Wells.
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