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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Martin Gallegos / Mercury News:
A's fall to Mariners in extras from Tokyo in Ichiro's final MLB game — A's lose in Ichiro's final MLB game, Matt Olson injures hand — TOKYO — A storybook ending to the career of one of baseball's all-time legends came at the expense of the A's. — The A's had plenty of chances …
Discussion:
Chico Enterprise-Record, Marin Independent Journal and MLB Baseball News …
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
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
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
As Ichiro waves goodbye to baseball, Masahiro Tanaka opens up about his time with the legendary hitter
ESPN:
Source: Ichiro retiring after today's game
Source: Ichiro retiring after today's game
Discussion:
Associated Press, From the Corner …, MLB Baseball News …, ABC7, Lookout Landing, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Halos Heaven and Fish Stripes
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
Cincinnati.com:
Cincinnati Reds first-base coach Delino DeShields enjoys father-son moment — GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Before Wednesday's spring training against the Texas Rangers, Reds first-base coach Delino DeShields exchanged lineup cards with his son, Delino, who started in center field for the Rangers, at home plate.
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Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Rangers inform Willie Calhoun that he won't be on the Opening Day roster. Here's why — The Texas Rangers' roster for Opening Day is all but set, and Willie Calhoun won't be on it. — The outfielder received the bad news Thursday morning as the Rangers cleared up a few of their lingering roster decisions.
Ben Axelrod / WKYC-TV:
9 observations from a week at Cleveland Indians' Spring Training — The Cleveland Indians will kick off their 2019 season next Thursday when they face the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. — GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cleveland Indians are just a week away from kicking off their 2019 season …
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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:
Sporting News, New York Daily News, The Atlantic and AZ Snake Pit
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?”
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Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers observations: Miguel Cabrera shows off his power
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
How Detroit Tigers' Spencer Turnbull set himself up for starting spot
How Detroit Tigers' Spencer Turnbull set himself up for starting spot
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Ben Frederickson / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cardinals top prospect Reyes has ‘more than proved himself’ for bullpen job — JUPITER, Fla. • Cardinals top pitching prospect Alex Reyes shared earlier this spring that his lone goal of camp was to leave it with an invitation to Milwaukee. — The future starter whose past two seasons …
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Deadlines for decisions fast approaching as Cards offense remains sluggish
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Gomber, Ponce de Leon are headed to Memphis
Gomber, Ponce de Leon are headed to Memphis
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
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 …
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Robert Murray / The Athletic:
What would Craig Kimbrel mean to the Brewers? Continued bullpen dominance
What would Craig Kimbrel mean to the Brewers? Continued bullpen dominance
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …, Brew Crew Ball, NBCSports.com and Cubs Insider
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Jason Heyward is prepared for the uncertainty of the 2019 season: 'Right now I'm just trying to look at pitches' — Photos of Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward. — Chicago Tribune — Jason Heyward's Cubs career has had glimpses of promise only to be tempered by injuries or regression.
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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
RELATED:
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 and Beyond the Box Score
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.
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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Daily Record:
Mets Brandon Nimmo heating up; Todd Frazier, Jed Lowrie likely not ready for opening day — PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Thursday marked exactly a week before the start of the regular season. And it's pretty clear that Mets centerfielder Brandon Nimmo is ready for the games to mean something.
Daily Record:
Gio Gonzalez flashes new pitch, CC Sabathia starts on minor league side at Yankees camp — Lefty Gio Gonzalez speaks at Yankees camp after throwing his first bullpen since signing a one-year minor league deal — TAMPA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez's first bullpen session at Steinbrenner Field …