June 2008 - Baseball Wiretap

Maddon: Longoria Needs To Be More Selective
Rays' Manager Joe Maddon believes that rookie third baseman Evan Longoria needs to be more selective at the plate.

MLB.com

Beckett Expects To Be Sharper Against Rays
Red Sox starter Josh Beckett hopes to be sharper against the Rays in the ALCS than he was against Los Angeles in the ALDS.

Hartford Courant

Barrett Clears Waivers, Opts For Free Agency
Former Padres' catcher Michael Barrett has cleared waivers and opted to become a free agent this winter.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Man Gets Prison For Killing Fan After Bonds' 700th
A California man has been sentenced to sixteen years to life in prison for fatally stabbing a fellow fan at a San Francisco Giants' game four years ago.

ESPN

Giants Begin Revamping Pitching Staff
The Giants on Friday sent RHP's Tyler Walker, Kevin Correia, and Brad Hennessey to Triple-A Fresno.

MLB.com

Yanks Wish They Pushed Harder For Johan
Hank Steinbrenner regrets not pushing harder to sign pitcher Johan Santana prior to the 2008 season.

New York Post

Doc: Schilling Could Have Pitched In Playoffs
Dr. Craig Morgan said earlier this week that Curt Schilling could have pitched in the postseason had he followed his advice to have surgery on his troublesome shoulder last winter.

Salem News

Hank: I'm Still In Charge Here!
Hank Steinbrenner said Friday that there is no truth to the notion that he has taken a step back in running the Yankees.

New York Post

Rangers Promote Sundberg To Senior VP
The Rangers promoted ex-catcher Jim Sundberg to senior executive vice president on Friday.

ESPN

A's Assistant GM Forst Won't Interview With M's
Oakland Assistant GM David Forst will not interview for the vacant GM job with the Mariners.

ESPN

Canseco Detained At Mexican Border In Drug Bust
Admitted steroid user Jose Canseco was detained for more than nine hours at a San Diego Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility Thursday afternoon.

New York Daily News

Padres Waive Barrett, Claim Denker From Giants
Padres' catcher Michael Barrett has elected to test free agency after clearing waivers on Friday.

AP

Dice-K Dominant As Red Sox Take Game 1
The Red Sox beat the Rays 2-0 Friday night in the opener of the ALCS.

AP

Myers Leads Phils To 2-0 Lead Over Dodgers With Bat
Phillies pitcher Brett Myers led his team to a 8-5 win over the Dodgers with his bat on Friday night to give Philadelphia a quick 2-0 lead in the NLCS.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

30 Years Later, LA Still Giving Up Playoff RBIs To Phillies' Pitchers
Before Brett Myers on Friday there had been only two other pitchers in NLCS history to drive in at least three runs in a game: Steve Carlton and Tom Glavine.

Christopher Reina/RealGM

Karros: Dodgers Are Boring Without Manny
TBS analyst Eric Karros believes that the Dodgers were a boring team before Manny Ramirez came to town in early August.

Los Angeles Daily News

Cuban: Financial Crisis Will Slow Cubs Sale
Mavericks' owner Mark Cuban believes that the recent financial crisis in the United States could slow the sale of the Cubs this winter.

Chicago Tribune

Yankees Worried About Sabathia's Laid Back Attitude?
Some around the game believe that the Yankees might have second thoughts about making CC Sabathia an offer this winter because of his laid back attitude.

Rocky Mountain News

Manuel's Mother Dies Before Game 2
Charlie Manuel still plans to manage the Phillies this afternoon despite the Friday morning death of his mother, June Manuel.

AP

Peavy Wouldn't Mind Pinstripes?
Jake Peavy is on the trading block and has discussed destinations with his agent Barry Axelrod.

The Record

Andruw: I Need To Play Everyday Or Move In 2009
Andruw Jones doesn't want to jinx the Dodgers and is watching their playoff run from his home in Atlanta.

Los Angeles Times

Damon: Red Sox Have Best Team
Yankees' outfielder Johnny Damon believes that the Red Sox have a very good chance to repeat as World Series champions this month.

New York Post

Burnett In No Hurry To Talk To Blue Jays
A.J. Burnett is in no hurry to talk with the Blue Jays about a new contract.

Toronto Star

Jeter Not Surprised By Torre's Success In L.A.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter isn't at all surprised by the success the Dodgers have had under Manager Joe Torre.

New York Post

Twins Pick Up Option On Backup Catcher Redmond
The Twins have picked up the option on backup catcher Mike Redmond's contract for the 2009 season.

ESPN

Dusty To Coach Son's Youth Baseball Team
Reds manager Dusty Baker will be the fill-in coach for son Darren's 10-and-under traveling tournament team this weekend in Sunnyvale, Calif.

AP

Phils Strike First, Take Game One
The Phillies struck first in the NLCS on Thursday night, defeating the Dodgers 3-2 at Citizens Bank Park.

Andrew Perna/RealGM

Vitale To Throw Out First Pitch In Game 2 Of ALCS
Dick Vitale, who is a longtime Tampa Bay Rays' season ticket holder, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 2 of the ALCS versus the Boston Red Sox.

RealGM Staff Report

Padres Franchise To Be Sold
According to sources, Padres owner John Moores is going to sell 49 percent of the team as part of a divorce settlement with his wife Becky.

NBC San Diego

Yankees To Use New Stadium To Lure Sabathia?
The Yankees are hoping to give CC Sabathia a tour of the new stadium as they court him in free agency.

New York Post