Top News:
Alex Speier / WEEI:
NOMAR TO RETIRE AS MEMBER OF RED SOX — WEEI.com's Lou Merloni reports that Nomar Garciaparra will sign a one-day, minor league deal with the Red Sox and then announce his retirement as a member of the organization. Garciaparra will then commence a career as a baseball analyst for ESPN.
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Nomar Garciaparra To Announce Retirement — Nomar Garciaparra will announce his retirement at a Red Sox press conference this morning, tweets ESPN's Gordon Edes. WEEI's Lou Merloni reports that Garciaparra is signing a one-day minor league contract with Boston to retire as a member of the club, and then begin work as an ESPN analyst.
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Nomar to retire as a Red Sox today — The Red Sox will be holding a press conference at 10:30 here in Fort Myers for Nomar Garciaparra to announce his retirement from baseball. — Garciaparra is expected to sign a one-day minor-league contract with the team then also announce that he has taken a job with ESPN.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
MLB:
New York Mets say Jose Reyes has thyroid issue; he says no — The New York Mets say Jose Reyes has an overactive thyroid, but the shortstop isn't buying it. — The team said on Tuesday that Reyes is expected to remain in New York while the results of additional blood tests are used …
RELATED:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Tests on Reyes confirm overactive thyroid — Mets shortstop staying in New York to determine treatment — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Jose Reyes has an overactive thyroid. The Mets said late Tuesday that tests administered in New York on Monday confirmed the original diagnosis.
Discussion:
The Real Dirty Mets Blog
Jayson Stark / MLB:
Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg makes quite a first impression — Hyped phenom lives up to billing with electric spring training debut for Nationals … VIERA, Fla. — His cleats reached the mound at 1:03 p.m., Eastern Strasburg Time, as John Fogerty was warbling over the PA system: “Put me in, Coach.
RELATED:
Mark Zuckerman / NATS INSIDER:
One great debut; now what? — Stephen Strasburg couldn't have done …
Discussion:
Nationals Journal
Associated Press:
Stephen Strasburg of Washington Nationals throws two scoreless innings …
Discussion:
Deadspin
Sports Illustrated:
Yankees executive charged with DUI in Tampa — TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -A top New York Yankees executive was charged with driving under the influence in Tampa. — Hillsborough County Jail reports show that Mark Newman, the Yankees' senior vice president of baseball operations, was arrested Monday night.
Shelby Grad / L.A. NOW:
Former Dodger Willie Davis found dead in Burbank home — Former Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Willie Davis was found dead Tuesday morning in his Burbank home, police said. He was 69. — Authorities said that a neighbor who usually brought breakfast to the former baseball star's Victory Boulevard home found Davis' body.
Associated Press:
Rangers acquire RHP Ramirez from Yankees — SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — The Texas Rangers have acquired right-hander Edwar Ramirez from the New York Yankees for cash. — Ramirez was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Feb. 28 to make room for Chan Ho Park.
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NY Daily News:
New York Yankees unleash Nick Johnson's hitting power — TAMPA - The issue with Nick Johnson is always going to be staying out of the trainers' room, as we were reminded last week with that early back strain. As such his two home runs yesterday don't make him any less of a gamble for the Yankees, for GM Brian Cashman.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Daisuke: I want to play at least 10 more years in the U.S. — Daisuke Matsuzaka said he hopes to play at least 10 more years in the United States. (AP) — FORT MYERS, Fla. — Daisuke Matsuzaka has gone exactly halfway through his six-year contract. He is 29 years old.
Jill Rosen / Baltimore Sun:
Animal advocates gather to protest Vick's Ed Block Courage Award — Carrying signs with slogans like “No awards for dog killers” and “Cowards abuse animals,” Tuesday evening about 100 protesters picketed the award ceremony at which convicted dogfighter Michael Vick received an award for his courage and sportsmanship.
ESPN:
Bradley felt like prisoner in Chicago … Seattle Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley said he felt like a prisoner in his own home when he played for the Chicago Cubs last year, and that he feared for the well-being of people around him. — “It was pretty bad,” Bradley said during an interview with ESPN's Colleen Dominguez.
Discussion:
Chicago Breaking Sports
Sports Illustrated:
Tomlinson schedules Thursday visit with Vikings — Tomlinson visiting Vikes on Thurs. … Running back LaDainian Tomlinson will visit with the Vikings on Thursday, a league source said. — Minnesota is seeking to replace Chester Taylor, an eight-year veteran who signed a free-agent deal with the Bears on Friday.
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Sports Illustrated:
Tom Verducci: Selig, committee making good on promise to better the game … When baseball commissioner Bud Selig named a 14-person “special committee for on-field matters” four months ago, he promised that all topics would be in play and “there are no sacred cows.”
Joe Pawlikowski / FanGraphs Baseball:
Replacing Joe Nathan — For the past six seasons the Twins haven't had to think about the ninth inning. If they had a lead in a close game, Joe Nathan was there to ensure victory. In only 25 of 272 instances did he fail to deliver. This year, though, the Twins will likely have to turn to someone else.
RELATED:
Bloomberg:
Ripken Says His Desire to Manage Baseball Is Growing (Correct) — Hall of Fame baseball player Cal Ripken Jr. says his interest in becoming a manager is growing nine seasons after retirement. — Ripken, a two-time Most Valuable Player who played in a record 2,632 straight Major League Baseball games …
Discussion:
HardballTalk
