Top News:
Associated Press:
Clemens the topic at spring training — Torre, Piniella, Girardi and players discuss testimony — VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Joe Torre spent much of his day talking about Roger Clemens. So did Lou Piniella, Joe Girardi and dozens of major leaguers from Florida to Phoenix.
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Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Yankees allow Pettitte to report late — Left-hander spoke to Cashman, Girardi before decision — TAMPA, Fla. — One of the most pressing issues surrounding Wednesday's congressional hearing in Washington was the absence of Andy Pettitte. One of the most pressing issues surrounding Yankees camp …
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform:
Committee Holds Second Day of Hearings on the Mitchell Report and Steroids in Baseball — The full Committee held a hearing entitled “The Mitchell Report: The Illegal Use of Steroids in Major League Baseball, Day 2.” This hearing examined allegations of steroid use by Roger Clemens and several …
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Performances weren't enhanced by testimony — Dirt flew in the halls of Congress yesterday, and when the last mud was slung, everyone was smudged. — Roger Clemens delivered his side of the story and again insisted he never used steroids or human growth hormone.
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Players react to Congressional drama — While Congress gave Roger Clemens the third degree, the proverbial six degrees of separation drew a lot of other ballplayers into the drama unfolding on Capital Hill. — Andy Pettitte nudged over Brian McNamee in the very small circle of people attesting …
Jonathan Lemire / NY Daily News:
News Web site poll shows that most readers don't believe the Rocket — An overwhelming majority of Daily News readers don't believe the Rocket. — Seventy-nine percent of the 1,200 readers who voted in a poll on our Web site as of 5:30 p.m. Wednesday said they believed former trainer Brian McNamee …
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
Cone Denies Telling McNamee Owners Opposed Testing — TAMPA, Fla. — David Cone was casually monitoring the Congressional hearings featuring Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee from his home in Stamford, Conn. After he left the room for a few minutes, he said he was surprised when he heard his name mentioned on television.
Discussion:
New York Post
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Johan Santana pitches in at Mets camp — PORT ST. LUCIE - One day before pitchers and catchers officially reported, Johan Santana arrived at the Mets' spring-training complex on Wednesday afternoon and quickly got to work with an impromptu throwing session.
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Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Notes: Santana makes first appearance — Prized lefty throws to Mets' Minor League pitching instructor — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — After steady rain had ended the Mets' unofficial morning workout Wednesday, an unusual episode happened in the early afternoon — a left-handed catcher appeared.
Discussion:
Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Sanchez aiming to play pivotal role — After missing '07 season, reliever eager to resume setup duties — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Pedro Martinez had promise as his daily companion then. Grueling and extended as his workouts were last summer, he always had hope by his side as he sweated and strained.
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Ben Shpigel / Bats:
Day 3 Highlights From Port St. Lucie — The news you have all been waiting for. OK, maybe that's too strong. But Johan Santana made a surprise appearance Wednesday afternoon and threw on flat ground for 15 minutes with the pitching coach Rick Peterson and the bullpen coach Guy Conti watching.
Discussion:
Seven Train to Shea Mets Blog
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Rob Bradford / Boston Herald:
Beckett lives in present — Future furthest thing from Sox ace's mind … FORT MYERS - Josh Beckett [stats] hadn't heard about the ESPN.com report quoting an unnamed Red Sox [team stats] official stating: “We'd better enjoy Josh Beckett the next three years. Because we won't be able to sign him after his deal is up after 2010.”
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Johnson ready to play — First baseman eager for spring, says leg is ‘100 percent’ — VIERA, Fla. — Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson was seen in the Space Coast Stadium clubhouse Wednesday afternoon and said that he is ready to start playing exhibition games — and for good reason.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
Remembering Fred Lynn — Before Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee hogged the spotlight, a lot of people were talking about Jim Rice and the Hall of Fame. Remember that? You do? Well, all of that talk made me nostalgic for 1975 in Boston. Remember that, too? No?
Associated Press:
Dempster: Cubs will end 100-year Series drought — MESA, Ariz. — Ryan Dempster plans to move from closer to starter for the Chicago Cubs this season. On the first day of spring training, he took on another role: prognosticator. — “I think we are going to win the World Series.
