Top News:
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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Wayne Drehs / ESPN:
Body language analyst breaks down Clemens, McNamee performances … ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The first verbal knife had yet to be thrown. Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee had yet to say a single word. And yet renowned body language expert Janine Driver already had jumped off her couch …
Discussion:
SOX1FAN
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:Performances weren't enhanced by testimony
Discussion:
Boston Sports Media Watch
Joe Pawlikowski / MLB Rumors:
Sabathia, Indians Put Off Contract Talks — We know the Indians had been working with ace C.C. Sabathia on a contract extension over the course of the winter, but nothing has materialized. This morning, front and center on his official website (because some poacher has ccsabathia.com) …
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Associated Press:
Sabathia calls off contract talks — WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia has tabled contract talks with the Cleveland Indians. — The left-hander, who is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season, says on his Web site that he and his agents have broken off negotiations on an extension with the club.
ccsabathia52.com:
SPRING TRAINING 2008 STATEMENT — This off-season, through my representatives at Legacy Sports Group, I have discussed the possibility of a contract extension with the Cleveland Indians. At this time, we haven't been able to reach agreement. Now that the reporting date for spring training is here …
Discussion:
Vegas Watch
Kat O'Brien / Newsday:
Pettitte, Wang otherwise occupied as Yanks report — TAMPA, Fla. - The Yankees have all kinds of questions about their starting rotation as they wait for pitchers and catchers to report to spring training today. Concerns about Andy Pettitte may dominate their thoughts …
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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.
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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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Five story lines for Padres spring training — 1. Will they turn the corner? GM Kevin Towers said he will continue to explore trade options for a corner outfielder. The Padres have asked about three right-handed hitters: Pittsburgh's Xavier Nady and Jason Bay and the Chicago Cubs' Matt Murton.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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.”
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Pitchers and catchers start to check in — Had a chance to speak to Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain so far this morning. — Hughes, as always, was measured and confident. He said he was shocked at the revelations about Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens but still feels the same way about them personally.
Discussion:
Scott Proctor's Arm
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Ryan makes opening pitch to Texas Rangers — New president visits spring training, begins work with Daniels — egrant@dallasnews.com — SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Rangers don't officially open spring training until today, but already there is a fundamental communication problem between …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Red Sox lefty setup man Hideki Okajima plays 'I've Got A Secret' — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Hideki Okajima smiled, raised one finger to his lips and said “secret” when asked about his new pitch. — A secret himself a year ago after 12 seasons in Japan, the Red Sox discovered …
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
Associated Press:
Witness says Leyritz distracted before fatal crash — FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A man riding with Jim Leyritz the night they were involved in a fatal crash says the former World Series star got distracted just before running a traffic light. — Bruce Barger told police Leyritz reached …
