Top News:
Associated Press:
Rays lose to Orioles, fail to gain ground in playoff hunt — BALTIMORE — The Tampa Bay Rays missed an opportunity to gain ground in the wild-card race, getting only three hits over seven innings against Jeremy Guthrie in a 6-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Boston Herald, Associated Press, Camden Chat, DRaysBay and Boston Globe
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Evan Drellich / MLB.com:
Red Sox's 2012 schedule full of drama
Discussion:
Sox #1 Fan dot com and Boston Globe
Matthew Cerrone / MetsBlog.com:
Updated: Here is the Mets full, preliminary 2012 schedule
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Yahoo! Sports
Jeff Seidel / MLB.com:
Damon joins exclusive 200-HR, 400-steal club
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball-Reference Blog
Bill Finley / New York Times:
Red Sox 18, Blue Jays 6: In One Victory, Red Sox Find Much to Celebrate
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Bluebird Banter
Barry Jackson / Sports Buzz:
Marlins player cut after flight attendant incident; UM/NCAA investigation update — WEDNESDAY BUZZ COLUMN (updated Wednesday morning with news of Mike Cameron) — One problem that has arisen for UM in the NCAA investigation is that a few former players are implicating assistant coaches.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Seattle Mariners blog and Projo Sox Blog
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Espn.Com / MLB:
2012 MLB season to open at Marlins' new park
Discussion:
MLB.com, ESPN and Batter's Box Interactive …
Thomas Harding / MLB.com:
Alfonzo suspended 100 games for PED use — DENVER — Rockies catcher Eliezer Alfonzo became the first player to receive a 100-game suspension for a second positive test under Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program, the Commissioner's Office announced Wednesday.
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Associated Press:
Alfonzo is first to get 100-game ban for failed test — NEW YORK (AP) — Colorado catcher Eliezer Alfonzo has become the first player suspended twice under the Major League Baseball drug program and will serve a 100-game suspension. — Alfonzo was penalized Wednesday by the commissioner's office for a second violation.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Deadspin
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Starter Kershaw, Mattingly Ejected — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and manager Don Mattingly have been ejected from a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. — Kershaw was tossed in the sixth inning Wednesday night after his inside pitch …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and True Blue LA
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Colin Fly / Associated Press:
K-Rod now unhappy with role on Brewers — MILWAUKEE (AP)—Francisco Rodriguez is unhappy with his role on the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. — Acquired from the Mets at the All-Star break, K-Rod has been a setup man for John Axford(notes). — Rodriguez first told CBSSports.com …
Discussion:
MLB and Associated Press
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Sports Illustrated:
Brewers' Fielder: This is ‘probably the last year’ in Milwaukee … NEW YORK (SI.com) — Brewers star and free-agent-to-be Prince Fielder said in an exclusive interview with TBS that this is “probably the last year” that he will play in Milwaukee. — Speaking to Brian Anderson …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Sports Illustrated and Brew Beat
Mark Purdy / Mercury News:
Bill Neukom out as S.F. Giants honcho — With the Giants sliding out of the playoff picture after a frustrating summer, it should be no surprise that a personnel shakeup is at hand. The shock is where the shakeup will start: At the top. — According to multiple baseball sources …
Discussion:
El Lefty Malo, MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, McCovey Chronicles and Baseball Nation
Gary Taylor / Orlando Sentinel:
Curtis Leskanic: Former pro baseball pitcher arrested on DUI charge — Curtis Leskanic also faces a charge of child neglect — Former Major League pitcher Curtis John Leskanic faces charges of driving under the influence and child neglect without harm following his weekend arrest in Altamonte Springs.
Discussion:
Fox Sports, The Big Lead, Projo Sox Blog, HardballTalk and Deadspin
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Ozzie Guillen eyes end of line with Sox, says he's ready for anything — Ozzie Guillen has a genuine admirer in chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, but general manager Ken Williams is the bet to stay. Tom Cruze~Sun-Times — White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf still hadn't answered an e-mail sent two weeks ago.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Cubs scouting chief in line for contract extension — CINCINNATI — Even as Cubs ownership continues its search for a new general manager, it continues down the curious path of talking contract extensions with key front office officials. — The next one is scouting director Tim Wilken …
Keith / The dish:
Moneyball, the movie, is an absolute mess of a film, the type of muddled end product you'd expect from a project that took several years and went through multiple writers and directors. Even good performances by a cast of big names and some clever makeup work couldn't save this movie …
Discussion:
ESPN and HardballTalk
Todd Wills / MLB.com:
Gomez has a shot at Indians' 2012 rotation — ARLINGTON — Indians manager Manny Acta said Wednesday that Jeanmar Gomez's name can be added to the list of potential starting rotation candidates when the club heads for Spring Training next year. — Gomez will start Saturday's game in Minnesota …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Plain Dealer
Associated Press:
Texas' Hamilton hits slam in 9-1 win over Indians — ARLINGTON, Texas - Josh Hamilton's third career grand slam highlighted an eight-run fourth and Derek Holland pitched seven effective innings as the Texas Rangers beat the Cleveland Indians 9-1 on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Associated Press
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs may have to act quickly on Ramirez's 2012 option — Club might have to make decision before new GM named — CINCINNATI — When the Cubs make the decision on whether to exercise Aramis Ramirez's $16 million option this offseason, one thing they must consider is the possibility …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors and Red Reporter
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs, Dempster fall short in 2-1 loss
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Associated Press:
Mariano Rivera gets 600th save in Yankees' 3-2 win — SEATTLE — Mariano Rivera earned his 600th save, moving within one of Trevor Hoffman's major league record, by closing out the New York Yankees' 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday night. — Rivera entered with a one-run lead …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Lookout Landing
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