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MLB.com:
Notes: Martinez's bold prediction — Youngster expects to be playing at Shea sometime this year — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — As far as predictions go, these Mets have already proven to be brash. Carlos Beltran sparked the trend last weekend, and even owner Fred Wilpon chimed in on Tuesday afternoon.
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Lee Jenkins / Sports Illustrated:
The Savior of Port St. Lucie — Johan Santana has yet to throw a pitch for the Mets, but his arrival in camp has lifted the gloom from last season's historic collapse and given New York a reason to believe again — After the worst week of the worst month in the history of the New York Mets …
Jack O'Connell / MLB.com:
Mariners' Niehaus wins Frick Award — Legendary Mariners broadcaster going to Cooperstown — NEW YORK — Happy birthday, Dave Niehaus, you're headed for the National Baseball Hall of Fame. — Niehaus, a fixture in the Seattle Mariners' broadcast booth since they entered the American League …
Discussion:
One More Dying Quail
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Geoff Baker / Mariners Blog:
Mariners sign Crosby — UPDATE (11:01 a.m.): Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus just got named winner of the Ford C. Frick Award, on the same day he is celebrating his 73rd birthday. This is quite an honor, since it means he's being inducted into the broadcasting wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.
Discussion:
MLB Fleece Factor
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats sign pitcher Perez to Minors deal — Non-guaranteed contract gives left-hander shot at rotation — VIERA, Fla. — The Nationals agreed to terms on a non-guaranteed Minor League contract with left-hander Odalis Perez on Tuesday afternoon. Perez will be invited to Spring Training and compete for a spot in the rotation.
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Bplunkett / From the dugout:
No mas DH — Vladimir Guerrero reported to camp this morning and sat with reporters for a few minutes, Angels coach Alfredo Griffin serving as interpreter. — But Griffin's services were not needed. When I asked Guerrero what he thought about Angels manager Mike Scioscia's plan to DH …
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Alan Schwarz / New York Times:
Girardi Hopes He's Seen as Prepared and Caring — TAMPA, Fla. — For most of his 12-year stint as manager of the Yankees, Joe Torre made an opening speech to his players that became reasonably predictable: play hard, show up on time. Other maxims in the Torre Rule Book were little more than an index card.
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Pat Forde / ESPN.com:
Source: IU likely will suspend, then fire Sampson — BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A source close to the unsettled coaching situation at Indiana University told ESPN.com on Tuesday that the school is looking at three options for handling Kelvin Sampson's future at the school.
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Tejada happy to be with Astros, mum on steroids talk — This is the way baseball works in 2008. — Disgruntled slugger gets traded to new team for a fresh start. — Slugger has an additional spring in his step, a wider smile on his face, an extra-peppy, “just happy to be here” cliche on his lips.
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Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Notes: Braun's left-field tutelage begins — Kendall brings different style; good news for Palmisano — PHOENIX — Class was in session early Tuesday morning for the Brewers' newest outfielder. — Ryan Braun, who won the National League Rookie of the Year Award last season as a third baseman …
CBC News:
Trust, loyalty among teammates a thing of the past — One thing you could always count on was what happened in the clubhouse, stayed in the clubhouse. But thanks to players who would rather make a name for themselves off the field rather than on the field, that is no longer the case.
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Strengthened corps — Brewers hope Gagne can lead pen rebuilt with veterans — Phoenix - During eight years as bullpen coach for the Atlanta Braves, Ned Yost learned that closers have their own unique and sometimes peculiar way of preparing to walk the high wire at the end of games.
DMZ / U.S.S. Mariner:
Examining the Alex Rodriguez screwed Seattle legend … Part two of a long series of chunks o'knowledge to be cited in the constantly arising arguments. Suggestions, thoughts welcome. — I'll start off by saying that the title's chosen intentionally. In the first one of these I wrote …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Texas Rangers' John Rheinecker to miss first half of season — Reliever diagnosed with same condition that plagued Blalock — egrant@dallasnews.com — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Left-hander John Rheinecker will miss at least the first half of the season, and it may leave the Rangers without …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
