Top News:
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Jim Bouton Opened Up the Major Leagues to Everyone — Through both his everyman path to professional baseball and his revealing memoir “Ball Four,” Bouton, who died on Wednesday, made a gilded world seem attainable. — In high school they called him Warm-Up, because he only ever pitched in the bullpen.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Bruce Weber / New York Times:
Jim Bouton, Author of Tell-All Baseball Memoir ‘Ball Four,’ Dies at 80
Jim Bouton, Author of Tell-All Baseball Memoir ‘Ball Four,’ Dies at 80
Discussion:
Washington Post, Royals Review, DRaysBay, Ballpark Digest and Uni Watch
Chris Cotillo / Union-News:
Mitch Moreland injury: Boston Red Sox first baseman starts rehab assignment — Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday night, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout as the designated hitter. — Moreland hadn't seen game action since June 7 …
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Over the Monster, MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Mets Designate Wilmer Font — The Mets have designated right-hander Wilmer Font for assignment, Tim Healey of Newsday reports (Twitter link). He'll be replaced on the active roster by fellow hurler Chris Mazza. — Font was utilized initially as a starter and then in a multi-inning capacity …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
Tim Stebbins / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
White Sox prospect Luis Robert has a grand Triple-A debut with Charlotte Knights — They say you only have one chance to make a good first impression. — It's safe to say that Luis Robert made more than a good impression with the — Charlotte Knights. In his Triple-A debut on Thursday,
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cardinals Place Yadier Molina On 10-Day IL; Activate Matt Carpenter — 5:22pm: Molina will likely miss around three weeks and surgery won't be required, Cardinals manager Mike Shildt told MLB.com's Anne Rogers and other media. — 4:14pm: The Cardinals have announced (Twitter links) …
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos and Bleacher Nation
Joe Lapointe / Detroit Free Press:
40 years ago, Disco Demolition Night stirred culture war still being fought — Forty years ago today, when Dan Petry was a rookie pitcher for the DetroitTigers, his second road trip took him to Chicago's Comiskey Park for a scheduled twi-night doubleheader against the White Sox on Disco Demolition Night.
Mark Polishuk / MLB Trade Rumors:
Padres Interested In Matt Boyd — You can add Matt Boyd to the long list of starting pitchers on the Padres' radar, as MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi reports that San Diego is “evaluating” the southpaw as a potential trade acquisition. Things still seem to be in the exploratory phase, however …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys, Pinstripe Alley, MLB Baseball News … and Padres News
ESPN:
Dodgers get even stronger as Seager returns — The Los Angeles Dodgers, with the best record in baseball at 60-32, will be getting even stronger when the second half of the season begins. — They activated shortstop Corey Seager, out since June 12 with a hamstring strain …
Discussion:
True Blue LA
Stephen Hawkins / MLB Baseball News, Scores …:
Lynn gets MLB-best 12th win as Rangers beat Astros 5-0 — Lance Lynn matched his season high with 11 strikeouts in seven stellar innings for his major league-best 12th victory and the — Texas Rangers beat the AL West-leading — Houston Astros 5- in the only game Thursday night …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes and Lone Star Ball
Chris McCosky / Detroit News:
Second half: Tigers trust darkest hour is right before the dawn — Kansas City, Mo. — Don't think it can't get any worse. Because it can. Of course it can. — The Tigers limped into the break, pun intended, with eight players still on the injured list, including four starting pitchers …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Talking Chop and Bless You Boys
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Cubs Release Junichi Tazawa — The Cubs have released veteran right-hander Junichi Tazawa from their Triple-A affiliate in Iowa, as first reported by broadcaster Alex Cohen (Twitter link). He'll return to the open market in search of a new opportunity as numerous clubs seek out bullpen depth in advance of the July 31 trade deadline.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation and MLB Baseball News …
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching. Who are the Marlins' top trade assets? — The All-Star Game is over. The second half of the season resumes on Friday. — And while the Miami Marlins look to climb out of the National League cellar on the field, the front office will be busy …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Fish Stripes and MLB Daily Dish