Top News:
David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Monumental mashing: Ranking D.C.'s record 10 All-Star Game homers — WASHINGTON — Don't be ashamed. It's OK to admit you like home runs. You can still go on YouTube and watch highlights of your favorite skinny dudes and slap-hitting middle infielders from the 1970s and '80s …
Discussion:
Sporting News and HotNewHipHop.com
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Matt Snyder / CBSSports.com:
All-Star Game 2018: Astros teammates hit back-to-back homers, propelling Alex Bregman to MVP award
All-Star Game 2018: Astros teammates hit back-to-back homers, propelling Alex Bregman to MVP award
Discussion:
ESPN 98.1 FM, Sporting News, WTOL-TV and baseballmusings.com
ESPN:
Astros' Alex Bregman wins All-Star Game MVP after go-ahead HR in 10th
Astros' Alex Bregman wins All-Star Game MVP after go-ahead HR in 10th
Discussion:
Federal Baseball and Deadspin
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
All-Star Game becomes its own Home Run Derby as sluggers shatter record
All-Star Game becomes its own Home Run Derby as sluggers shatter record
Discussion:
KHOU-TV
Rob Maaddi / Boston Globe:
8 hitters available for teams that don't land Manny Machado — Manny Machado could be wearing a new uniform before he plays another game and other hitters will be on the move in the next couple weeks. — Teams seeking to boost their offense will have several options to land a big bat, even if they miss out on Machado.
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ESPN:
MLB to require Brewers pitcher Josh Hader to take sensitivity training in wake of old tweets — Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Hader will be required to take sensitivity training and participate in the league's diversity and inclusion initiatives after tweets from his past emerged during Tuesday's All-Star Game.
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Jon Meoli / Baltimore Sun:
MLB orders diversity training for Maryland native Josh Hader after hateful tweets surface during All-Star Game — Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brewers pitcher and Old Mill alumnus, addresses tweets from high school that surfaced during All-Star Game tonight. (Eduardo A. Encina, Baltimore Sun video)
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Josh Hader To Undergo Sensitivity Training For Offensive Tweets — Major League Baseball announced today that it will require Brewers pitcher Josh Hader to undergo sensitivity training and to participate in the league's “diversity and inclusion initiatives.”
Discussion:
NBC News, Sporting News and Brew Crew Ball
Jeff Passan / Yahoo Sports:
The scene of Josh Hader's apology just after racist, sexist, bigoted, homophobic tweets surfaced
The scene of Josh Hader's apology just after racist, sexist, bigoted, homophobic tweets surfaced
Discussion:
NESN.com
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
All-Star morning after: On Blake Snell's opening act — Willson Contreras had seen Rays lefty Blake Snell before. — Five times over two 2017 games, and at least a couple of times in 2015 when they were both playing at Double-A. — So the Cubs catcher had a good idea what to expect …
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Thomas Boswell / Chicago Tribune:
Commentary: If MLB's so-called problems are embodied by Max Scherzer, things will be just fine — The Washington Post — In the top of the first inning of the All-Star Game on Tuesday night, Max Scherzer struck out Mookie Betts, Boston's MVP candidate, on a slider looking.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Column: Cubs' Willson Contreras on top of game in National League's 8-6 loss to American League
Column: Cubs' Willson Contreras on top of game in National League's 8-6 loss to American League
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Mike Mazzeo / New York Daily News:
VIDEO: Aaron Judge hits home run in All-Star Game off of Max Scherzer
VIDEO: Aaron Judge hits home run in All-Star Game off of Max Scherzer
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley and MLB Baseball News …
Arizona Republic:
Next Slide — The Diamondbacks are going to realize how much every game counts when they get back from the All-Star break Friday. — Mathematicians, statisticians and sabermetricians can (accurately) tell you that each contest is just 1 of 162, but from here on it's going to feel far more intense than that.
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Manny Machado's future Dodgers teammates ready for big things after All-Star Game trade — WASHINGTON — Manny Machado, wearing a stylish baby-blue suit with glasses, no shirt and a briefcase in his hand, walked out of Nationals Park on Tuesday night, unwilling to release his emotions.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report, McCovey Chronicles and The Good Phight
Daily Record:
Manny Machado trade to Dodgers from Orioles agreed upon despite Yankees rumors, per report
Manny Machado trade to Dodgers from Orioles agreed upon despite Yankees rumors, per report
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, DodgerBlue.com and MLB Trade Rumors
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
With Manny Machado likely to Dodgers, what do New York Yankees do now?
With Manny Machado likely to Dodgers, what do New York Yankees do now?
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Bobby Nightengale / Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Scott Schebler on the disabled list with shoulder injury — When the Reds return from the All-Star break on Friday, they will be without one of their usual leadoff hitters. — Scott Schebler was placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.
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John Fay / Cincinnati.com:
Here's a plan for the Cincinnati Reds to consider in free agency: Keep the band together — We're less than two weeks from the trade deadline, so things will be heating up. Here's a plan that may or may not be considered down at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way: — “Let's keep the band together.”
Dave Clark / Cincinnati.com:
Reds in All-Star Game 2018: Gennett's 9th-inning homer takes Votto off the hook
Reds in All-Star Game 2018: Gennett's 9th-inning homer takes Votto off the hook
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs at the break: What's half full, what's half empty? — Chicago Tribune — The Cubs find themselves battling the Brewers in the National League Central for the second consecutive season. Here are three reasons why their cup of optimism is half full, and three why it's half empty:
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Phil Thompson / Chicago Tribune:
White Sox at the break: What's half full, what's half empty? — Chicago Tribune — The White Sox were touted by some preseason pundits as a sleeper playoff contender. Instead they enter the All-Star break with a franchise-record 62 losses. Here are three reasons why their outlook …
Associated Press:
As MLB mulls rule changes, union hints at work stoppage — WASHINGTON (AP) — Major League Baseball wants a broad discussion with players about rule changes to combat decreased offense and longer games, an initiative likely to be met by a testy union stung by declining free-agent prices …
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David SchoenfieldESPN Senior / ESPN:
Commissioner, MLBPA executive director disagree on free agency, DH
Commissioner, MLBPA executive director disagree on free agency, DH
Discussion:
Awful Announcing and MLB Baseball News …
ESPN:
How crazy would it be to consider trading Bryce Harper? — Bryce Harper ruled the All-Star Home Run Derby, but it has been an up-and-down year for Washington's slugging free-agent-to-be. Given the Nationals' struggles, we asked our experts if the Nats should consider doing the unthinkable …
Joshua Schrock / NESN.com:
J.D. Martinez Offers Practical Prediction For Red Sox-Yankees AL East Battle — The Boston Red Sox were the best team in baseball during the first half of the season, posting a Major League Baseball-best 68-30 record. — But despite their blistering start, the Red Sox were unable to put away …
Discussion:
Over the Monster
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Rob Longley / Toronto Sun:
Remember when the Blue Jays had real all-star power?
Remember when the Blue Jays had real all-star power?
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Bluebird Banter and Over the Monster
Detroit Free Press:
Next Slide — Joe Jimenez, the Detroit Tigers' lone All-Star, was called upon in the fourth inning with two outs to face San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford. — Jimenez, 23, struck out Crawford looking with an 84 m.p.h. slider to finish an 8-pitch at-bat and preserve …
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
MLB commissioner confident Rays owner is ‘going to get’ stadium deal done — WASHINGTON - Acknowledging both the challenges and urgency to work out a public-private financing plan, Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred on Tuesday expressed extreme confidence in Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and DRaysBay
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