Top News:
Mike Axisa / MLB Rumors:
Ryan Braun Wins Appeal, Will Not Be Suspended — Ryan Braun has won the appeal of his failed banned substance test and will not be suspended for the first 50 games of the season, reports Tom Haudricourt of The Journal Sentinel. The union officially announced the win, saying both parties agreed …
Discussion:
Brew Beat, Bluebird Banter, Lone Star Ball, Brew Crew Ball, Baseball Nation, THE BOOK and Halos Heaven
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Associated Press:
Ryan Braun wins appeal of suspension — NEW YORK — National League MVP Ryan Braun's 50-game suspension has been overturned by baseball arbitrator Shyam Das. — The decision was announced Thursday by the Major League Baseball Players Association. — An outfielder for Milwaukee …
Discussion:
JSOnline, VFTB, HardballTalk, The Seattle Times, Al's Ramblings, Deadspin and Baseball Nation
Fox Sports:
Why did MLB case vs. Braun fall apart? — I know what some of you are thinking: — Ryan Braun got off on a technicality. Baseball cut him a break. Braun should have been suspended 50 games for his positive drug test — period. — Here's what I say:
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Ryan Braun wins appeal of positive drug test — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Phoenix - Milwaukee Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun became the first major-league player to have a positive drug test overturned when he was informed Thursday that an arbitration panel ruled …
Discussion:
Red Reporter, Pinstripe Alley, Red Hot Mama, Deadspin and Baseball Nation
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Braun wins appeal of 50-game suspension — Panel votes 2-1 to overturn NL MVP's suspected violation — PHOENIX — The verdict is in for National League MVP Ryan Braun: Not guilty. — The Brewers outfielder is the first Major Leaguer to successfully appeal a suspected violation of MLB's Drug Treatment and Prevention Program.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball and By Gosh, It's Langosch
Craig Calcaterra / HardballTalk:
Ryan Braun wins the appeal of his drug suspension — Huge news: Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel is reporting that Ryan Braun has won the appeal of his 50-game suspension for taking a banned substance. The MLBPA has confirmed. Braun is the first player to successfully appeal a drug suspension.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish, baseballmusings.com and 6-4-2
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
NL MVP Ryan Braun wins appeal of drug test — Reigning National League MVP Ryan Braun avoided a 50-game suspension for doping Thursday when, according to sources, independent arbitrator Shyam Das ruled the package that carried Braun's urine sample was not adequately secured.
Discussion:
South Side Sox, baseballmusings.com and MLB.com
Bill Shaikin / Dodgers Blog:
Rick Caruso, Joe Torre withdraw from bidding to buy Dodgers — Rick Caruso and former Dodgers manager Joe Torre have withdrawn a joint bid to buy the Dodgers, three people familiar with the sale process said Thursday. — Caruso cited owner Frank McCourt's refusal to include …
Discussion:
6-4-2 and Mike Scioscia's tragic illness
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Associated Press:
Scary offseason for Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks — FORT MYERS, Fla.—If Bobby Jenks' first season with the Boston Red Sox was difficult, his offseason was worse. — In 2011, the first of a two-year, $12 million contract with Boston, Jenks was limited by several ailments …
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Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
The harrowing tale of Bobby Jenks
The harrowing tale of Bobby Jenks
Discussion:
HardballTalk and Baseball Nation
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Source: Oswalt willing to join team midseason … After waiting until spring training and failing to land a job to his satisfaction, free agent pitcher Roy Oswalt has told major league clubs that he might pull a Roger Clemens and return midseason, according to a baseball source. — Oswalt
Robert MacLeod / Globe and Mail:
Vizquel has the knowledge, Jays have the need — DUNEDIN, FLA.— From Friday's Globe and Mail — Strict attention is paid even to the smallest of details when it comes to baseball's spring training. — Arriving at 7:30 a.m. at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium on Thursday …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Dejan Kovacevic / PittsburghLIVE.com:
Pirates president Coonelly charged with DUI — Pirates president Frank Coonelly has been charged with four counts related to drunken driving in Ross, the Tribune-Review has learned. — Ross Township police arrested Coonelly, 51, of Sewickley on Dec. 22 and charged him with drunken driving …
Discussion:
The Big Lead, HardballTalk, Bucs Dugout, Where Have You Gone … and Yahoo! Sports
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Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Yanks, Russell Martin talking — TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees have proposed ripping up Russell Martin's new one-year contract and giving him a three-year deal, his agent Matt Colleran told ESPNNewYork.com. — If the two sides were to come to an agreement, it would make Martin a Yankee through 2014.
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Rumors, River Avenue Blues and HardballTalk
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
MLB players pained by first HGH testing, oppose it in-season — PEORIA, Ariz. - Major League Baseball players, submitting to human growth hormone tests for the first time, said they're opposed to in-season testing after enduring adverse effects this spring from giving blood.
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Selig Pushes for Expanded Playoffs in 2012, Decision in No More Than a Week — (L-R) Rob Manfred, Bud Selig, and Michael Weiner at the announcement of the new MLB — labor deal. As part of the agreement, a decision on expanded playoffs in 2012 needs to be — determined no later than a week from today.
Mike Kerwick / NorthJersey.com:
Mets' sluggers can see the writing on the wall — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - A group of fans tried to stop Daniel Murphy on his way out to Field No. 7. Earlier in the morning, he had signed every bat, glove and piece of paper handed his way. — But now he had an appointment.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com and Bats
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