Top News:
Sacramento Bee:
Ichiro walks off into history in ‘sayonara’ at Tokyo Dome — Ichiro Suzuki has said “sayonara.” — The 45-year-old Seattle Mariners star announced his retirement Thursday night, shortly after waving goodbye at the Tokyo Dome during a 5-4 win over Oakland in 12 innings.
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Stephen Wade / Associated Press:
Ichiro Suzuki will reportedly retire after Mariners-A's in Japan — TOKYO (AP) — Ichiro Suzuki started for the Seattle Mariners on Thursday in what the Japanese news agency Kyodo is reporting will be his final major league game. … The 45-year-old Ichiro fouled out his first time up and grounded …
Discussion:
New York Post and MLB Trade Rumors
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
As Ichiro waves goodbye to baseball, Masahiro Tanaka opens up about his time with the legendary hitter — TAMPA - Masahiro Tanaka grew up watching Ichiro Suzuki. He was thrilled when he was able to play with the legendary outfielder in 2009 during the World Baseball Classic and again in 2014 with the Yankees.
New York Daily News:
Ichiro walks off to loud cheers in Tokyo then announces retirement; Mariners beat A's 5-4 in 12 — TOKYO — Ichiro Suzuki was showered with cheers and chants while taking his final bow in a magnificent career that lasted nearly three decades Thursday night when the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 5-4 in 12 innings.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
ESPN:
Source: Ichiro retiring after today's game — TOKYO — Ichiro Suzuki has told the Seattle Mariners he will retire after today's game, sources confirmed to ESPN. — Kyodo News was first to report the story. — Many expected Ichiro to retire after the Japan series or when the Mariners returned home …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Lookout Landing, From the Corner …, Halos Heaven, ABC7, Bleed Cubbie Blue and Fish Stripes
Martin Gallegos / Mercury News:
A's fall to Mariners in extras from Tokyo in Ichiro's final MLB game
Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
‘A magician with a bat in his hands’: Untold stories as Ichiro retires
‘A magician with a bat in his hands’: Untold stories as Ichiro retires
Discussion:
ABC7
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
In Ichiro's finale, Seattle tops A's; Matt Olson lost to hand injury
In Ichiro's finale, Seattle tops A's; Matt Olson lost to hand injury
Discussion:
Athletics Nation
Toronto Sun:
Mike Trout, Angels finalize record $432 million, 12-year deal — ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night announced their 12-year contract, a record deal that ties baseball's top player to the Orange County club for what likely will be the rest of his career.
Discussion:
The Atlantic and Associated Press
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Ben Axelrod / WKYC-TV:
Cleveland Indians SS Francisco Lindor on Mike Trout's extension: ‘He deserves every single penny. Maybe more’ — On the same day Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout signed his record-breaking extension, Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor shared his thoughts on the biggest contract in sports history.
Mark Fischer / New York Daily News:
Mike Trout's first public remarks after sending baseball into $432 million frenzy
Mike Trout's first public remarks after sending baseball into $432 million frenzy
Discussion:
NESN.com
Associated Press:
Dodgers' Seager homers in return from surgeries — MESA, Ariz. — Corey Seager returned with a bang to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup Wednesday night. — The star shortstop, playing against major league competition for the first time in nearly a year, homered to center field in his second …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
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Houston Mitchell / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers Dugout: Who starts on opening day for the Dodgers?
Dodgers Dugout: Who starts on opening day for the Dodgers?
Discussion:
Sporting News, Beyond the Box Score and MLB Trade Rumors
Jonathan Hull / Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
Houston Astros and Texas Rangers: Previewing new menu items and the teams — It wasn't that long ago the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros were in opposite roles. — The Rangers were the perennial World Series contender and the Astros were picking high in the MLB Draft, often at No. 1 overall.
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Teddy Greenstein / Chicago Tribune:
A winning attitude and a marquee attraction: 6 things to know about the 2019 White Sox — White Sox players pose for the cameras on photo day during spring training on Feb. 21, 2019, at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Tribune
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Sam Miller / ESPN:
How many complete games will be thrown in 2019? Thirty? Ten? None? — If asked how baseball has changed most over the past three decades, the answer could be the precipitous decline of the complete game. Lots of things change in scale, in frequency, in importance.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Deadlines for decisions fast approaching as Cards offense remains sluggish — JUPITER, Fla. • With a week remaining before opening day and five games to go in Florida, the sample sizes may be too small to sway individual decisions that must be made for the roster …
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Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
A's top prospect Jesus Luzardo shut down with shoulder injury — TOKYO — All spring, manager Bob Melvin said the most pressing concern for the A's was health. — One game into the regular season, disaster struck. — General manager David Forst announced before Oakland's second game …
Discussion:
Athletics Nation, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
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Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays bullpen takes a hit with Tepera, Axford out — DUNEDIN, Fla. — The Blue Jays bullpen has suffered a serious blow with the loss of one, and likely two, veteran right-handers for the start of the season. — For set-up man Ryan Tepera, it could be much longer.
Discussion:
Bluebird Banter
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Don Brennan / Toronto Sun:
Blue Jays rolling dice with defensively challenged Gurriel Jr. at second base
Blue Jays rolling dice with defensively challenged Gurriel Jr. at second base
Discussion:
Camden Chat
Associated Press:
Still rebuilding, Tigers hoping for growth in 2019 — DETROIT — Al Avila is known for his candor, and the Detroit general manager has remained pretty straightforward about what the future holds for the Tigers. — Yes, they're still rebuilding. — “The only reason I'm being honest is because: How do you hide this?”
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Corey Knebel Headed For Elbow Exam — Brewers closer Corey Knebel will have his right elbow examined today, manager Craig Counsell revealed to reporters (Twitter link via Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel). The Athletic's Robert Murray had previously written that he was taking …
Discussion:
The Athletic, Brew Crew Ball and Cubs Insider
Pete Caldera / Daily Record:
A look at the Yankees' injury list heading into opening day and which players will benefit — TAMPA, Fla. - Opening day is just a week away and there's more good news: It's expected to be partly cloudy and 54 degrees in the Bronx for the Orioles-Yankees afternoon game.
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