Top News:
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
In Boston the V is for villain as Bobby Valentine managing for a short stay with Red Sox — Valetine must be wondering what he got himself into — It didn't take long for Bobby Valentine to walk right into controversy as the skipper of the Red Sox. — A week ago in this space …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, HardballTalk and the joy of sox
RELATED:
Andrew Cohen / The Atlantic Online:
RIP: The Red Sox Decade (2003-2012)
RIP: The Red Sox Decade (2003-2012)
Discussion:
Drunk Jays Fans and MLB.com
Fox Sports:
The evolution of Roy Halladay — The last time I wrote about Phillies ace Roy Halladay, in the middle of spring training, he called it, “poor reporting on the extreme end of poor reporting.” — What I reported was that two scouts had expressed concern about Halladay's lack of velocity and sharpness …
Discussion:
Crashburn Alley and MLB Rumors
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
Ivan Rodriguez career highlights — It was recently announced that veteran catcher and current unsigned free agent Ivan Rodriguez intends to officially retire in Texas on Monday. — When a great player like Rodriguez retires, it's nice to look back over his career, what his highs and lows were …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports, FanGraphs Baseball and baseballmusings.com
Allen Barra / Runnin' Scared:
How “Perfect” Was Philip Humber's Perfect Game? — You got a guy who is 29 years old and making a comeback from Tommy John surgery - and, to top it off, hasn't won a game this year. He throws a perfect game and nobody - and I mean nobody, including me - wants to put a damper on it.
Discussion:
Hardball Times, baseballmusings.com and HardballTalk
Chris Jaffe / Hardball Times:
The 10 greatest games in Tiger Stadium history — Last week, as I'm sure many of you know, Fenway Park celebrated its centennial anniversary. It had a big celebration and media attention. That's appropriate, as the park has lasted all this time. However, while it's the only baseball stadium …
Discussion:
HardballTalk and TigerBlog
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Texas Rangers' hero admits winning squeeze bunt was foul ball — DETROIT — Alberto Gonzalez had never attempted a suicide squeeze before Sunday afternoon, even though Ron Washington said that the utility infielder is the kind of player who must execute the do-or-die play.
Discussion:
ESPN, Rangers Blog and Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Star-Telegram / Foul Territory:
Sunday morning Rangers notes: MRI for Adrian Beltre
Sunday morning Rangers notes: MRI for Adrian Beltre
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
NY Mets, not Yankees, have best starting pitching rotation in New York City, surprisingly — So far, Amazin's proving to have better starters than in the Bronx — Jon Niese is just part of a pretty deep New York Mets pitching rotation. — The contrasting climactic events at Fenway Park …
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, MetsBlog.com, New Jersey Online and New York Times
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Schedule creates opportunity for Red Sox — Here is the Red Sox schedule for the next 22 games: — April 23-25: At Minnesota (3) — April 26-29: At Chicago (4) — April 30-May 2: Oakland (3) — May 4-6: Baltimore (3) — May 7-9: at Kansas City (3) — May 10-13: Cleveland (4)
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Mike Nichols / MetsBlog.com:
Recap: Terry talks Baxter, Tejada before today's game — Prior to today's doubleheader, Mets Manager Terry Collins spoke to the media and said the following, per SNY's Matt Dunn: — Mike Baxter is starting in left field for game one because he wants to get him in the lineup.
Discussion:
MetsMinorLeagueBlog.com
Kristie Rieken / Associated Press:
Astros avoid sweep with 12-0 win over Dodgers — HOUSTON—Jordan Schafer hit his first career grand slam on a shot that bounced off the glove of Dodgers right fielder Andre Ethier, Wandy Rodriguez pitched three-hit ball through seven innings Sunday and the Houston Astros romped past Los Angeles 12-0.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Talking Chop and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Cueto helps Reds beat Cubs 4-3 — CHICAGO—Johnny Cueto threw 6 1-3 strong innings to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. — Cueto (2-0) allowed one earned run, scattering five hits. He struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 1.78 for the season.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Cuddyer Leads Rockies to 4-1 Win Over Brewers — MILWAUKEE (AP) — Michael Cuddyer lined a two-run double in the eighth and Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven strong innings Sunday, leading the Colorado Rockies to a 4-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. — The win put a damper on the celebration …
Discussion:
Purple Row, Brew Crew Ball and Associated Press