Top News:
ESPN:
Rays' Scott piles on Boston: Fenway's a ‘dump’ — Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Luke Scott told MLB.com he thinks Fenway is “a dump” as the Boston Red Sox prepare to kick off their 100th season in the ballpark. — “As a baseball player, going there to work, it's a dump,” said Scott …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and MLB
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Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Maddon, Scott have mixed opinions of Fenway — DETROIT — Friday afternoon's game against the Red Sox will be Boston's home opener, kicking off the 100th season of Major League baseball at Fenway Park. — “That's cool, it's very cool,” manager Joe Maddon said.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, MLB Daily Dish, Getting Blanked, baseballmusings.com and NESN.com
Howard Ulman / Globe and Mail:
Beckett rebounds, Red Sox pound Rays — Josh Beckett pitched eight solid innings Friday and the Boston Red Sox rebounded from a rough road trip by winning their eighth straight home opener, 12-2 over the Tampa Bay Rays. — Boston won despite losing centre fielder Jacoby Ellsbury because of an injured right shoulder.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Associated Press and Over the Monster
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
GM Williams likes early look of White Sox — CHICAGO — Five games does not a Grinder Rules campaign make. — But from listening to White Sox general manager Ken Williams' comments before Friday's home opener against Detroit, it sounds as if he believes the team is constructed to move …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers' sale to group fronted by Magic Johnson is OK'd by court — During a tense six-hour court session, the deal is closed despite strong objections from Major League Baseball, which wants more control over the club as it moves out of bankruptcy. — Magic Johnson will be the new face of the Dodgers ownership.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Mark Lerner on Stan Kasten, Mike Rizzo, the 2012 season and never selling the Nationals — Nationals Principal Owner Mark Lerner sat in the team's dugout yesterday morning, about two hours before the first pitch of the season at Nationals Park. The team he presides over has finally produced …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
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Jayson Stark / MLB:
Stark: Don't bet on Dodgers spending big — Don't expect new owners to start throwing big money at top free agents — This is for all the amateur psychics out there who think they can predict the future of the soon-to-be back-from-the-dead Los Angeles Dodgers.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Indians Use Big First Inning to Beat Royals, 8-3 — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Michael Brantley had a pair of hits during a seven-run first inning, and the Cleveland Indians roughed up Luke Hochevar before knocking him from the game in an 8-3 victory Friday that spoiled the Royals' home opener.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
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Richard Griffin / Toronto Star:
Jays lucky to have coach Brian Butterfield, and he feels the same way — When the Blue Jays' support staff and coaches were introduced before the home opener Monday at the Rogers Centre, polite, rhythmic applause rolled through the stadium, predictable as morning surf washing up on a rocky beach.
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Mark Polishuk / MLB Rumors:
Make Or Break Year: Adam Lind
Discussion:
Toronto Sun, Bluebird Banter, Camden Chat, Drunk Jays Fans and Batter's Box Interactive …
Associated Press:
Cain Pitches 1-Hitter, Giants Win Home Opener — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matt Cain threw a one-hitter, allowing only a single by Pittsburgh pitcher James McDonald in the sixth inning during a near-perfect performance Friday as the San Francisco Giants beat the Pirates 5-0 in their home opener.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Phillies To Sign Mike Fontenot — The Phillies have agreed to sign infielder Mike Fontenot, Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio tweets. The Phillies announced that the Paragon Sports International client gets a minor league deal. — Fontenot, who was released by the Giants toward …
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Baseball Nation, Crashburn Alley and SI Tracking Blog
Andy Martino / NY Daily News:
David Wright's future with NY Mets hinges on third basemen's health, as current deal expires after club option for 2013 — Pinkie injury serves as reminder of third baseman's past woes — David Wright's health will help determine if Mets want to give hime long-term extension.
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, NorthJersey.com, Over the Monster, HardballTalk, MetsBlog.com, MLB Rumors, New York Times and CBS New York
