Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Nightengale's Notebook: How Albert Pujols' final hours with Angels turned ugly — Star players rarely go out gracefully, but the future Hall of Famer's departure from Anaheim was especially uncomfortable. — It was one of the most awkward, uncomfortable and ugly good-byes in this generation of baseball immortals.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Halos Heaven, Orange County Register and MLB.com
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Associated Press:
Angels star Mike Trout says he ‘broke down’ over Albert Pujols' departure from team — ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mike Trout was cooling down after the Los Angeles Angels' game Wednesday night when he was told Albert Pujols was hugging teammates in the locker room.
Discussion:
ESPN, USA Today and MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Albert Pujols wants to play, but his career may be over after being cut by Angels — The Los Angeles Angels knew this day was coming. — Albert Pujols sensed it, too. — The Angels believed that Pujols, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, simply was no longer an everyday player, citing his .198 batting average and .622 OPS.
Discussion:
Deadspin, MLB Baseball News …, New York Post, Royals Review and Sports Illustrated
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Los Angeles Angels designate slugger Albert Pujols for assignment — The Los Angeles Angels cut ties with future Hall of Fame first baseman Albert Pujols on Thursday, barely two months into the final season of his contract, ending a near-decade run in Southern California.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Zack Scott admits Lindor-McNeil fictional rat story was ‘not ideal’ — Zack Scott, in his four months as Mets acting GM, has typically refrained from outlandish statements or unpopular assessments that may not sit well with his players. — But he went against the grain Saturday …
Discussion:
New York Post, MLB Baseball News … and Sports Illustrated
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Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets win fourth straight behind tunnel buddies Francisco Lindor, Jeff McNeil — The Mets' 15th win of the year was executed well from both sides of the ball, and double-play partners Francisco Lindor and Jeff McNeil — fresh off a tunnel tussle — set the tone.
Discussion:
Associated Press and NorthJersey.com
Alan Blinder / New York Times:
N.C.A.A. Chief, Pressured by State Laws, Pushes to Let Athletes Cash In — Five states are poised to allow college athletes to profit from their fame starting on July 1, and the N.C.A.A.'s leader says the association is preparing to respond. — CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami …
Discussion:
Deadspin and Sportsnet.ca
Ellen J. Horrow / USA Today:
Wade Miley throws no-hitter as Cincinnati Reds blank Cleveland — Major League Baseball's no-hitter parade continues. — Two days after John Means tossed a no-hitter and near perfect game for the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati's Wade Miley shut down the hitters in Cleveland for his own …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB.com
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Yankees call up Miguel Andujar after injury to Gio Urshela — Miguel Andujar made some noise in Triple-A Thursday night, hitting two home runs, and Friday afternoon the one-time Rookie of the Year finalist is back in the big leagues. While the Yankees have not announced the results …
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets' top pitching prospect Matt Allan will undergo Tommy John surgery — Matt Allan, the Mets' top pitching prospect, will undergo Tommy John surgery in the coming weeks, the team announced Friday. It's a disappointing blow to the right-hander's minor-league development and further pushes back his eventual big-league debut.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Jose Altuve celebrates his birthday by getting revenge on taunting Yankees fans — NEW YORK — It was merciless, cruel at times, but Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve refused to succumb to the taunts. — Instead, ever so quietly, he vowed to get revenge. — Oh, baby, did he ever.
Entertainment Tonight:
Baseball Stars Mookie Betts and Andrew McCutchen Get Animated for Disney Kids Series (Exclusive) — Baseball all-stars Mookie Betts and Andrew McCutchen are getting animated! — Betts, who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and McCutchen, who takes the field for the Philadelphia Phillies …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Kim A. Wilcox / Inside UCR:
Intercollegiate Athletics next steps — In November, I announced the establishment of the Athletics Working Group to conduct a thorough assessment of Intercollegiate Athletics on the UC Riverside campus; review challenges and opportunities; and make recommendations on the long-term sustainability of the program.
Discussion:
Orange County Register