Top News:
The News Tribune:
Commentary: For Griffey, Mariners, end is near — If life were as simple as fiction, the book on Ken Griffey Jr. and the Seattle Mariners would have closed late last summer, with him being carried around Safeco Field on the shoulders of his teammates. Junior wanted one more year, the Mariners thought it might work and gave it to him.
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ESPN.com:
Report: Ken Griffey Jr. of Seattle Mariners slept through pinch hitting opportunity — Though he may be 40 years old now, sometimes “The Kid” needs to sleep. — Griffey — Seattle Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr. missed a chance to enter an unspecified game last week as a pinch hitter …
Larry Larue / Mariners Insider:
For Griffey & the Mariners, the end is near — If life were as simple as fiction, the book on Ken Griffey Jr. and the Seattle Mariners would have closed late last summer, with him being carried around Safeco Field on the shoulders of his teammates. — Adored by fans, appreciated by one and all, his place in baseball history secure.
Joe Lapointe / New York Times:
Mets Raise Their Voices but Go Quiet in the Big Moments — The dominant image of David Wright on Monday night at Citi Field was not his ninth strikeout in nine consecutive at-bats. That happened with the bases loaded in the first inning. — Instead, the more meaningful picture was of Wright …
Discussion:
Faith and Fear in Flushing
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Donnie Collins / Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Blog:
Nova gets the call — Thanks to my pal Tim Bontemps of the New York Post for the heads up on this, but it appears the Yankees are in the market for a starting pitcher again tonight. — Ivan Nova, whose regular turn in the rotation would have been yesterday, has been called to New York …
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Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Nova called up from Scranton/WB
Discussion:
Fack Youk, Pending Pinstripes, River Avenue Blues, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre … and Bottom9 Baseball
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Adonis Cardona Close To Agreement With Blue Jays — The Blue Jays are close to signing Venezuelan righty Adonis Cardona, according to ESPN.com's Keith Law. The prospect can't officially sign with the Blue Jays until the July 2nd signing period opens. The terms of the deal aren't clear …
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Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Moore believes Royals will step it up — GM doesn't have any moves on tap for slumping squad — KANSAS CITY — What's next for the slumping, shell-shocked Royals? Apparently no personnel changes before they open a home series against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Ben Walker / Yahoo! Sports:
MLB teams take scouting to new level, track umps — Ron Washington flips the pages of his three-ring notebook, filled with inside info on the other team's pitchers and hitters. — The Texas manager gets to the back of the black binder, reaches into the pocket and pulls out another scouting report—on that night's home plate umpire.
David Laurila / Baseball Prospectus:
Prospectus Q and A: Denard Span by David Laurila — Denard Span … David Laurila: Who are you out on the field? — Denard Span: Who am I on the field? I'm definitely a confident ballplayer, a hard-working ballplayer. It took a lot of hard work for me to get here …
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Happy ending 'penned — Trio of relievers get job finished vs. Jays — + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email — The Red Sox [team stats] have mangled, strayed from or plain forgotten their lines so often this season, what happened with the bullpen last night is a welcome reminder …
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
Associated Press:
Tigers pay tribute to Harwell … DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers honored late broadcaster Ernie Harwell by raising a flag with his initials at Comerica Park. — The team paid tribute to Harwell on Monday night before playing the New York Yankees, its first home game since Harwell died last Tuesday from cancer.
TSN.ca:
NIX, ROLEN HELP REDS HOLD ON FOR WIN IN PITTSBURGH — The Sports Network — Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Laynce Nix and Scott Rolen each had a run- scoring double and Bronson Arroyo pitch seven-plus quality innings, as the Cincinnati Reds held on for a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Troy Renck / All Things Rockies:
Hawpe activated, Cargo on bereavement list, no DL for Tulo — Carlos Gonzalez was given permission to go on the bereavement list today, allowing the Rockies to avoid a tough roster move. Brad Hawpe has been activated and takes his spot. Troy Tulowitzki underwent an MRI on his strained right quad, and it was clean.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Mike Clark / NW Indiana Post-Tribune:
Modern pitchers taken to task by legend Jenkins — MERRILLVILLE — During his keynote speech at Monday's Meet the RailCats luncheon at the Radisson Hotel, Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins lamented the lack of assertiveness on the part of modern pitchers. — “In my era, we knocked people on their butt …
Frank Russo / Mike Silva's New York Baseball Digest:
Vazquez Shopped, Millwood and Mets, Johnson's Durability — On Monday afternoon I spoke with my main Yankees source down in Tampa, who informed me that the team has already received inquiries from several NL teams in regards to the availability of Javy Vazquez.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Torre denies report he's leaving LA after '10 — PHOENIX — Joe Torre seemed partly amused and partly annoyed when told FOX Sports reported that “unnamed friends” claim he wouldn't return for a fourth season as manager unless the Dodgers' ownership situation improves.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
