Top News:
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins MVP, American League takes eighth straight MLB All-Star Game — DENVER — Shohei Ohtani made history. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. nearly beheaded a Hall of Famer, then unleashed his unparalleled power into the thin air of Coors Field.
Discussion:
Orange County Register, MLB Baseball News … and Denver Post
RELATED:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Staying true to what was ‘a strong focus,’ Los Angeles Angels use all 20 draft picks to select pitchers — The Los Angeles Angels made unique draft history this week: They made 20 picks in the 20-round draft and selected 20 pitchers. — The only other team to select all pitchers in a draft …
Discussion:
Orange County Register and baseballmusings.com
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Shohei Ohtani pitches perfect inning, goes 0-for-2 in MLB All-Star Game — DENVER - Shohei Ohtani made major league history Tuesday night, controlling the All-Star Game as no player ever has before - leading off the game for the American League, and then pitching a scoreless bottom half of the inning.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Befitting kings: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr. reach All-Star Game exceeding lofty expectations — DENVER — Fernando Tatis and Vladimir Guerrero carry the Juniors that follow their names with grace and dignity, knowing their mere bloodlines will reset expectations and perceptions …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and MLB Daily Dish
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Ohtani is AL starting pitcher, bats leadoff in All-Star Game — DENVER (AP) — Shohei Ohtani will be the American League's starting pitcher in Tuesday's night's All-Star Game and will bat leadoff, too, as the designated hitter in another landmark for the two-way Japanese sensation.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
2021 MLB All-Star Game lineups: Shohei Ohtani named AL's starting pitcher, batting leadoff
Discussion:
Wall Street Journal, NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun-Times:
Shohei Ohtani not best choice to start for AL in All-Star Game, White Sox' Lance Lynn says
Discussion:
NBCSports.com and MLB Baseball News …
Shams Charania / The Athletic:
Sixers opening up Ben Simmons trade talks, Knicks interested in Collin Sexton, plus more NBA news — With the 2021 NBA Draft less than three weeks away and free agency shortly thereafter, teams are beginning to discuss their offseason plans both internally and externally with colleagues.
Discussion:
Hoops Rumors, Clips Nation, Liberty Ballers, Rockets Wire, Bleacher Nation, The Bird Writes, Mercury News, Peachtree Hoops, Sports Illustrated, New York Post, Denver Stiffs, Sactown Royalty, Posting and Toasting, Golden State Of Mind, Pounding The Rock, Detroit Bad Boys and Blazer's Edge
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
MLB likely to drop seven-inning doubleheaders, extra-innings runner rule in 2022, commissioner Rob Manfred says — DENVER — Banning the shift, eliminating seven-inning doubleheaders and playing extra innings without a runner starting on second base are all on the table as Major League Baseball continues …
Discussion:
New York Post, Lookout Landing, MLB Baseball News …, Twinkie Town and The Good Phight
David Lennon / Newsday:
Pete Alonso successfully defends Home Run Derby title — DENVER — Shortly after obliterating the Home Run Derby competition like a belt-high fastball, Pete Alonso sat down at the interview podium late Monday night, placed the crossed-bat trophy on the table and spun the giant gold medallion hanging from his neck.
RELATED:
Lynn Worthy / Kansas City Star:
Kansas City Royals' Sal Perez set a new Home Run Derby record for catchers Monday night — Kansas City Royals All-Star and fan favorite Salvador Perez set a MLB Home Run Derby record for catchers but did not advance past the first round Monday night in Denver.
Discussion:
Kings of Kauffman and Royals Review
Ken Davidoff / New York Post:
Mets reached out to Yoenis Cespedes about possible reunion during injury crisis — DENVER — The Mets, pummeled by injuries in the season's first half, spoke with Yoenis Cespedes' representation about a possible return of the lively outfielder, multiple industry sources told The Post.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Sports Illustrated
Gary Washburn Globe / The Boston Globe:
With a new coach and fresh motivation, Celtics star Jayson Tatum wants to be seen as one of the league's best — Amid all the organizational changes in Boston, Jayson Tatum remains focused on ascending into stardom while pairing with teammate Jaylen Brown to bring the Celtics a long-awaited championship.
Discussion:
Boston.com, Hoops Rumors, Celtics Wire and CelticsBlog
Jordan McPherson / Miami Herald:
‘We knew how this was going to happen’: How Marlins are maneuvering a MLB Draft talent surplus — Marlins director of amateur scouting DJ Svihlik knew going into Day 2 of the 2021 MLB Draft on Monday that there was going to be an excess of talented players available for the taking. — More so than usual.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
