Check out Mini-Ballbug for simple mobiles or Ballbug Mobile for modern smartphones.
12:35 AM ET, March 21, 2012

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Jerry Crasnick / MLB:
Berkman: Selig ‘extorted’ Astros into AL move  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lance Berkman said Tuesday that Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig “extorted” new Houston Astros owner Jim Crane into changing leagues as a precondition of the sale of the franchise in November.
RELATED:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch:   Berkman tried to recruit Pettitte to Cards
Dominic Massa / WWL-TV:
Mel Parnell, N.O. native and former Red Sox pitcher, dies at 89  —  NEW ORLEANS - Mel Parnell, the New Orleans native who went on to a star career in Major League Baseball as a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, died Tuesday.  He was 89.  —  Parnell spent his entire 10-year career with Boston, from 1947 to 1956.
Discussion: HardballTalk and NESN.com
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Royals Acquire Jason Bourgeois, Humberto Quintero  —  5:36pm: Luhnow told reporters (including MLB.com's Brian McTaggart) that the player to be named later will be the “key component” of the trade (Twitter links).  Astros Sr. Director of Social Media Alyson Footer says it'll be a while before that player is named, however.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Shoppach goes deep in loss to Blue Jays  —  In bid to win rotation job, Bard yields three runs over five frames  —  FORT MYERS, Fla. — Kelly Shoppach launched his first homer and right-hander Daniel Bard was strong in four of his five innings during the Red Sox's 9-2 loss to the Blue Jays on Tuesday night at JetBlue Park.
Discussion: Boston Globe and Over the Monster
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Neftali Feliz exits with stiff shoulder  —  MESA, Ariz. — Texas Rangers right-handed starter Neftali Feliz did not come out to pitch for the fourth inning on Tuesday because of right shoulder stiffness.  —  The team said he will continue to be evaluated.  —  Feliz threw 49 pitches …
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Padres sign Nick Hundley long term, block prospect Yasmani Grandal's path to the majors  —  Nick Hundley and the Padres have agreed to a multi-year contract that covers 2013 and 2014 while including a team option for 2015.  —  Hundley was already signed for $2 million this season …
Greg Johns / MLB.com:
Millwood, Iwakuma stake claims to roster spots  —  GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Veteran right-hander Kevin Millwood bolstered his bid for a starting spot in the Mariners' rotation on Tuesday, while Hisashi Iwakuma pitched three innings of shutout ball in relief in what might foreshadow his immediate future for Seattle.
Discussion: U.S.S. Mariner and Lookout Landing
Richard Durrett / ESPN:
Derek Holland signs 5-year deal  —  SURPRISE, Ariz.— Left-handed pitcher Derek Holland signed a five-year contract extension with the Texas Rangers on Tuesday morning.  —  The deal is worth $28.5 million, with club options for 2017 ($11 million) and 2018 ($11.5 million), a source said.
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
Johnny Damon's strange new role: the best player without a job … Opening Day, two weeks in the offing stateside, likely will be without Johnny Damon in the big leagues for the first time since 1995, when he was a 21-year-old prospect in the Kansas City Royals system.
Discussion: The Yankee Analysts and MLB Rumors
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
A-Rod instrumental as Yanks' bats erupt  —  TAMPA, Fla. — Alex Rodriguez drove in three runs to continue his productive spring as the Yankees batted around in a five-run fourth, defeating the Pirates, 10-3, in Grapefruit League action on Tuesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Discussion: Pinstripe Alley
MLB:
Tigers 3B Cabrera has small fracture under eye  —  Miguel Cabrera Injured By Ground Ball  —  Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera was bloodied after taking a ground ball to the face.  —  Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera suffered a small fracture in the bone under his right eye …
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Strasburg sharp, bats held in check vs. Mets  —  Righty fans three, allows two hits, one run over five innings  —  PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — If the Mets and Nationals have their way, youngsters Lucas Duda and Stephen Strasburg will square off plenty of times going forward in National League East play.
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers flex muscle behind solid Verlander  —  Raburn, Young go deep; ace strikes out four in five innings  —  LAKELAND, Fla. — Ryan Raburn hit his sixth home run of the spring, providing offensive support behind Justin Verlander for the Tigers' third win over the Braves this spring, a 7-2 decision Tuesday at Joker Marchant Stadium.
Discussion: Bless You Boys
Philly.com:
David Murphy: Utley's career could be in jeopardy  —  CLEARWATER, Fla. - An era is supposed to last longer than elementary school.  Second basemen are supposed to last longer than senators.  Six years might be a long time between albums, but it can't be all the time we'll get to watch Chase Utley at his peak.
RELATED:
 
 Archived Page Info: 
This is a snapshot of Ballbug at 12:35 AM ET, March 21, 2012.

View the current page or another snapshot:


 
 See Also: 
Ballbug: site main
Ballbug River: reverse chronological Ballbug
Ballbug Mobile: for phones
Ballbug Leaderboard: Ballbug's top sources
 
 Subscribe: 
Ballbug RSS feed
 
 
 More News: 
Steve Campbell / Ultimate Astros:
J.D. Martinez doesn't know when to quit working
Discussion: Bleacher Report and HardballTalk
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Pollock's homer gives D-backs walk-off win
Discussion: AZ Snake Pit
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Ethier's homer highlights victory vs. Brewers
Discussion: True Blue LA
Kieran Darcy / ESPN:
Pettitte on joining Yanks: I feel like I never left
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
D-Train signs Minors deal with Orioles
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
Robbi Pickeral / ESPN:
Williams: UNC planning to be without Marshall
Adam McCalvy / Brew Beat:
Breakout day for Aoki  —  Brewers PR man Mike Vassallo …
Discussion: Bleacher Report and HardballTalk
 Earlier Picks: 
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Vizcaino to miss '12 after Tommy John surgery
Discussion: Lookout Landing
Marc Topkin / The Heater Feed:
Rays Maddon meets his idol: Joe Namath
Philly.com:
Aumont, Schwimer sent down
Discussion: Philliesflow.com
Fox Sports:
A-Rod seeks refund after spree
Associated Press:
La Russa has a book deal
Discussion: Viva El Birdos
Star-Telegram / Foul Territory:
Rangers Mike Napoli on C.J. Wilson's tweet: “It's not a prank”
 

 
From WeSmirch:

TMZ.com:
Kate Middleton Seen in New Video Enjoying Windsor Farm Shop with William

Richard Simmons:
I have some news to tell you.  Please don't be sad.  I am ....dying.  Oh I can see your faces now. …

Snejana Farberov / New York Post:
King Charles is not dead, despite Russian media ‘announcement’ forcing palace to scramble

 
Sister Sites:

Techmeme
 Top news and commentary for technology's leaders, from all around the web
Mediagazer
 Top news and commentary for media professionals from all around the web
memeorandum
 What US political commentators are discussing online right now
WeSmirch
 The top celebrity news from all around the web on a single page