The Final 9

MLB.com

Manny Ramirez is going to the Dodgers.

The Red Sox, Dodgers and Pirates have agreed to a deal, according to sources, in which Ramirez will go to Los Angeles, outfielder Jason Bay will go from Pittsburgh to Boston and the Pirates will receive pitchers Brandon Moss and Craig Hansen from the Red Sox and third baseman Andy LaRoche and outfielder Bryan Morris from the Dodgers.

The Pirates have called a 5:30 p.m. ET press conference.

Ramirez traded to Dodgers in three-way deal....

Today the news came out that the Tigers traded Pudge Rodriguez to the Yanks for Kyle Farnsworth.

My gut reaction was what in the hell is Dombroski thinking? I was looking forward to Pudge playing his final season in Detroit to standing O's all over the league and going into the hall as a Tiger. Now, nothing.

I was watching the Tigers game against the Tribe and before the game was interviews with Leyland, Dombrowski, and Pudge. The whole thing became a little clearer.

Leyland stated that Pudge was not going to be offered a contract next year and that the decision to make Inge the everyday catcher for 09 was already decided. He further stated that Pudge playing 3 out of 5 games was getting on Pudge's nerves as well, as he wants to play everyday. And the Tigers are trying to get Inge some time behind the plate.

Dombrowsk stated that the deal for Pudge came very suddenly and that Farnsworth can help the team now and that the Tigers are very comfortable with Inge behind the plate.

Pudge for Farnsworth....

by Ken Rosenthal

Ken Griffey Jr. has never played in a World Series. Now he might get his chance.

Griffey has approved a trade to the White Sox, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. The trade is now pending the approval of the commissioner, an indication that it involves a cash transaction of more than $1 million.

The approval is expected to be a formality. The Reds will receive pitcher Nick Masset and second baseman Danny Richar, according to CBS Sportsline.

Griffey had the right to block a deal as a player with at least 10 years of major-league service, five with the same club. He did not receive any form of compensation for waiving his no-trade protection.

Griffey accepts trade to White Sox....

By JACK CURRY

The Los Angeles Angels have the best record in the major leagues, and with a double-digit lead in the American League West, they can already peek ahead to the playoffs. After acquiring first baseman Mark Teixeira from the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, the Angels will probably start looking ahead to the World Series, too.

To obtain Teixeira and strengthen their ordinary offense, the Angels sent first baseman Casey Kotchman and the minor league pitcher Stephen Marek to Atlanta. Teixeira, a switch-hitter whom the Braves acquired at the trade deadline last year, will probably bat behind Vladimir Guerrero and should make the Angels, the strongest team in baseball, even more formidable.

Formidable Angels Acquire Teixeira From the Braves....

BY BEN SCHMITT AND ZACHARY GORCHOW • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS

Detroit City Council saved a portion of Tiger Stadium today without even voting.

After about two hours of haggling between preservationists and the Detroit Economic Growth Corp, Council President Kenneth Cockrel Jr. sent both groups into a private room and asked them to work something out.

The result was a new agreement in which preservationists must create escrow accounts of $300,000 and $69,000 by Aug. 8, when the issue will be brought back to council.

The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy, a preservation group, also must get complete funding for a museum in place by March 1, 2009, under the agreement. The amount needed is about $15.6 million.

The plan includes preserving the baseball diamond and 3,000 seats, and building a museum.

New plan hatched to save portion of Tiger Stadium....

By Marty Noble / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- The latest "Manny being Manny" episodes in Boston hardly increase the likelihood that the Mets' semi-vacant corner-outfield situation will be solved by a deal importing Manny Ramirez. Even if the Mets were armed with sufficient young talent to satisfy the Red Sox and acquire Ramirez -- even if they wanted to add to their payroll -- Ramirez's behavior might turn the Mets away.

"His bat would be a great addition," one Mets player said on Sunday. "He could help us win. And most of the time, If you're winning, nothing else really matters. But we've got something good going now. I'm not saying he'd screw it up, but you can't tell what he's going to do. ... He's not helping Boston right now."

Whether the Mets believe in such a better-safe-than-sorry manner remains an unknown. But the Mets appear to have neither the chips not the inclination to deal for Ramirez or any other high-profile corner outfielder.

"If there was a perfect fit out there, a guy who could help us now and next year who we didn't have to overpay for, we'd be pursuing it," one member of the Mets' hierarchy said over the weekend. "But there aren't any perfect fits, or even good fits."

Mets an unlikely destination for Manny....

by Ken Rosenthal

OK, so now Manny Ramirez says that he's willing to waive his no-trade clause to leave the Red Sox.

The plot thickens. Maybe a little. Maybe a lot.
Ramirez would be more attractive in a trade if he did not require a contact extension or the exercising of his two $20 million option years.

In fact, all he might want to waive his no-trade clause is the assurance that his new team would make him a free agent at the end of the season.

If that's the case, his new team would get an extremely motivated player without needing to worry about paying him $20 million per year after this season.

That team also would get two premium draft picks once Ramirez departed as a free agent, helping replenish the talent it lost in the trade.

The Red Sox, given their distaste for Ramirez, might even be willing to pay part of his remaining salary — approximately $7 million — to get the right players in return.

The problem is, Ramirez's reputation is so far gone, all that still might not be enough to get him moved.

The Mets and Phillies have contacted the Red Sox about a possible deal, major-league sources say, but the Mets deny serious interest in Ramirez and the Phillies are even more of a longshot.

The plot thickens. Maybe a little. Maybe a lot.
Ramirez would be more attractive in a trade if he did not require a contact extension or the exercising of his two $20 million option years.

In fact, all he might want to waive his no-trade clause is the assurance that his new team would make him a free agent at the end of the season.

If that's the case, his new team would get an extremely motivated player without needing to worry about paying him $20 million per year after this season.

That team also would get two premium draft picks once Ramirez departed as a free agent, helping replenish the talent it lost in the trade.

The Red Sox, given their distaste for Ramirez, might even be willing to pay part of his remaining salary — approximately $7 million — to get the right players in return.

The problem is, Ramirez's reputation is so far gone, all that still might not be enough to get him moved.

The Mets and Phillies have contacted the Red Sox about a possible deal, major-league sources say, but the Mets deny serious interest in Ramirez and the Phillies are even more of a longshot.

Manny clears way for trade, but to where?....

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. (AP) — For more than two decades, Rich "Goose" Gossage unnerved batters as one of baseball's most menacing and dominating relief pitchers. On Sunday, it was his turn for the jitters.

"This experience is overwhelming, over the top. I can't put in words what this means," Gossage told a decidedly New York Yankees crowd during the National Baseball Hall of Fame ceremony that capped his 22-year career.

Gossage had to pause twice to collect his thoughts — including once when he was moved to tears talking about now dead teammates Thurman Munson and Bobby Murcer.

"I'm like a kid going on his first ride at Disney World and not getting off for 22 years," said Gossage, whose speech was interspersed with choruses of "Goose" from the crowd.

Dick Williams — one of Gossage's former managers — also was inducted Sunday. Williams managed six teams in 21-year career, winning the World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1972 and 1973. He also won league pennants with the Boston Red Sox in 1967 and San Diego Padres in 1984.

"It's hard to believe that at age 79, this has to be one of my most memorable times," said Williams, whose 1,571 wins are good for 17th place all-time.

More than 14,000 people watched the ceremony, including a record 56 of the 64 living Hall of Famers.

Gossage, Dick Williams inducted into hall....

John Crumpacker, Chronicle Staff Writer

After Beijing, it's bye-bye, baseball and so long, softball.

The International Olympic Committee booted both iconic American sports out of the Games for the 2012 Olympics in London following a final fling in Beijing. Advocates of both sports are campaigning hard for inclusion in the 2016 Games, for which Chicago is one of the international bidders.

"They left together. I'd like to see them come back together," said Bob Watson, general manager of USA Baseball. Baseball and softball go together."

USA Softball's most magnetic star, pitcher Jennie Finch, said, "We're looking to get back in in 2016. We want to prove we belong in the Olympics."

That's the problem. The U.S. is too good and the number of competent softball countries worldwide is too small, otherwise known as Big Fish, Small Pond.

The American women's team has won the gold medal in each of the three Summer Olympics softball has been on the program, in 1996, 2000 and 2004. The '04 version was the most dominant team in any sport, male or female, in Athens.

Last hurrah for 'take me out to the ballgames'....

By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. -- Outside of Cooperstown High School on Saturday hung a white sign with black printed letters attached to a cyclone fence, honoring their class of 2007, which graduated on June 24 of that year. Presumably, another class graduated in 2008, although the powers that be haven't gotten around to changing the sign yet.
Inside the school's auditorium, the National Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2008 made its last media appearance prior to Sunday's induction ceremonies on a stage behind the Clark Sports Center, which will be carried by MLB.com at 1:30 p.m. ET. Like the high school class, this year's group of Hall of Famers largely have been overshadowed by the class of '07 -- Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn.

Less than a hundred media members were on hand to listen to Rich "Goose" Gossage, one of the top relief pitchers of his era, at one session along with Dick Williams, the erstwhile manager. Both are finally getting their due after long waits to be elected.

"It's going to be a very emotional time for me, because the people who were influential in my career are gone," Gossage said. "It's overwhelming. It's going to be a very happy day, not a sad day. It'll be very emotional, but I'll get through it."

Hall of Fame class ready for induction....

By JAMES HANNAH – 2 hours ago

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A minor league pitcher accused of throwing a ball that hit a fan during a bench-clearing brawl was charged with felonious assault.

Peoria Chiefs pitcher Julio Castillo was arrested Thursday following the fight with the Single-A Dayton Dragons, authorities said Friday. Umpires ejected 15 players and the team's managers following the 10-minute brawl.

Castillo, 21, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday, Montgomery County Jail officials said. Video from the game shows Castillo angrily throwing a ball, but doesn't show where the ball landed.

The fan, who remains unidentified, was treated at Miami Valley Hospital and released, said hospital spokeswoman Nancy Thickel. She didn't know the extent of the fan's injuries.

The Dragons are affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, while the Chiefs are affiliated with the Chicago Cubs.

Pitcher charged after minor league brawl in Ohio....

By Mark Bowman / MLB.com

MIAMI -- When Braves manager Bobby Cox learned Tuesday that Major League Baseball had handed him a one-game suspension, he obviously wasn't pleased. But it's safe to say he wasn't nearly as upset as he was during Sunday's heated argument with umpire Chris Guccione.
After reviewing Sunday's argument, Bob Watson, vice president of on-field operations for Major League Baseball, levied an undisclosed fine and the one-game suspension, which Cox chose to serve during Tuesday night's game against the Marlins.

In a release, Watson said that Cox's punishment was in response to "inappropriate conduct and comments."

Cox handed one-game suspension....

By Mark Newman

Fourteen players currently at the Triple-A level were among those named on Wednesday to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Baseball Team, which is now only a few weeks away from a trip to Beijing and a chance to win gold at the Summer Games.
USA Baseball revealed 23 of the 24 members of a roster that will be led by Davey Johnson, who won World Series championships as a player (Orioles) and manager (Mets). His team features 12 pitchers and 11 position players, and the final roster spot will be filled in the coming days -- ahead of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad's (BOCOG) cut-off date next Tuesday.

Opening Ceremonies are on 8/8/08, a number that purports good fortune in China, and now it remains to be seen whether that applies to the U.S. contingent. The team will open against Korea on Aug. 13 at Wukesong Baseball Stadium, site of the entire baseball competition. The Olympic Medal Round will be on Aug. 23, a day before Closing Ceremonies.

USA Baseball names Olympic team....

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Young lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 15th to give the AL a 4-3 triumph over the National League in baseball's All-Star Game. Justin Morneau led off the winning rally with a single before beating Corey Hart's throw to the plate to conclude the longest All-Star game ever.

With the victory, the American League improved to 11-0 and 1 tie in the last 12 All-Star games.

American League All-Stars win 4-3 in 15 innings....

By Reid Cherner & Tom Weir

The NY Daily News is citing unnamed sources in a report that says a confessed drug supplier has provided the Justice Department with documents that allegedly show he sent Roger Clemens two kits of human growth hormone.

Kirk Radomski was sentenced to five years of probation in February after cooperating with federal officials. The Daily News says sources close to the government's investigation of Clemens disclosed Radomski has forwarded shipping receipts for HGH he sent to Clemens' Houston home, in late 2002 or 2003.

Clemens is being investigated for perjury after testifying to Congress that he never used steroids or HGH. Clemens attorney Rusty Hardin told the Daily News he hasn't been informed of any drug-related receipts and added, "I can't imagine that there's any truth to that at all . . . We'll find out one day Roger never received or took the stuff."

The newspaper said Matthew Parrella, an Assistant U.S. Attorney from San Francisco who's involved in the investigation, declined comment.

Report: Convicted dealer alleges he sent HGH to Clemens....

By Jerry Crasnick

NEW YORK -- Major League Baseball continues to work feverishly on its plan to blend technology with the human element on the field. Barring a glitch, the kinks could be ironed out in time to prevent a dreaded umpiring fiasco on a national stage in October.

Commissioner Bud Selig said Tuesday that instant replay, a long-debated topic in baseball circles, is being looked at "intensely," and that a system could be in place in time for postseason play.

Selig gives state of MLB address, says instant replay near....

By Scott Miller

NEW YORK -- The old lady is gleaming now, all gussied up and spit-shined for one more night out on the town.

She's gaudy as ever. She's loud and abrasive and -- there's no way to put this graciously -- she's big. I mean, capital B-I-G. How big? Let's just say, good luck wrapping your arms around her.

But for three or so hours on what is predicted to be a gorgeous night in New York City, folks are going to try, beginning with the first pitch Cleveland's Cliff Lee throws in Tuesday's 79th All-Star Game.

What we've got here is a collection of some of the world's greatest players. Josh Hamilton is in from Texas with a gold-plated first half. The Chicago Cubs have sent eight players, including Japanese sensation Kosuke Fukudome and ace Carlos Zambrano. The Red Sox are checking in, of course, with three starters -- outfielder Manny Ramirez, first baseman Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia.

And yet, here comes the old lady, all dolled up in lipstick and heels, intent on stealing the show.

What else would you expect from Yankee Stadium?

Ruth's House going out as American monument....

Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton set an All-Star Game Home Run Derby record on Monday by belting 28 homers in the first round but the Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau prevailed in the end to win the trophy. Morneau claimed the title by hitting five homers against three from a spent Hamilton in the final round, where they started 0-0 with no carryover from the earlier rounds.

Morneau wins Derby but Hamilton steals the show....

By Mel Antonen, USA TODAY
NEW YORK — Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins was selected Sunday as the final participant for Monday night's All-Star Home Run Derby, meaning at least four lefties will take aim at the same short porch Babe Ruth made famous.
There could be a fifth, if switch-hitter Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros decides to compete as a lefty. Berkman, who has 17 of his 22 home runs left-handed, said he will make his decision when he gets to Yankee Stadium.

The stadium's right-field foul pole is 314 feet from the plate. Berkman has batted right in three previous derbies, saying he didn't want to mess with his left-handed mechanics.

At Yankee Stadium, Home Run Derby swings toward left....

By BEN WALKER

NEW YORK (AP) — Bobby Murcer succeeded Mickey Mantle, played in pinstripes with Don Mattingly and watched proudly from the broadcast booth when the New York Yankees returned to power.

A cherished link from former Yankees greats to the club's current stars, Murcer died Saturday due to complications from a malignant brain tumor, the team said. He was 62.

In his final moments, Murcer was surrounded by family at Mercy Hospital in his hometown of Oklahoma City, the Yankees said. A five-time All-Star outfielder, he spent nearly four decades with New York as a player, executive and announcer.

"Bobby Murcer was a born Yankee, a great guy, very well-liked and a true friend of mine," owner George Steinbrenner said. "I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay, their children and grandchildren. I will really miss the guy."

Ex-Yanks star, broadcaster Bobby Murcer dies at 62....

ESPN.com news services

ATLANTA -- Jeff Francoeur's stay in the minor leagues barely lasted a weekend.

Francoeur, who had four hits in his third game with Double-A Mississippi on Sunday, was recalled to the Atlanta Braves on Monday.

Francoeur was 7-for-13 (.548) with two RBIs at Mississippi.

The recall came after Francoeur, who hit .538 (7-for-13) with a triple and two RBIs in three games at Mississippi, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he felt "betrayed" by the Double-A assignment.

Francoeur recalled, felt 'betrayed' after demotion....

By CHRIS JENKINS

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner CC Sabathia was traded Monday from the Cleveland Indians to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects.

Sabathia, eligible for free agency after the season, went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA last season and gives the Brewers another power pitcher to pair with Ben Sheets as Milwaukee tries to make the playoffs for the first time since 1982.

"I'd say we're going for it," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "That's the way I look at it."

Sabathia is the first reigning Cy Young winner to be traded since Roger Clemens was dealt to the New York Yankees after winning the award with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1998 — a sign of surrender by Cleveland that hardly anyone would have imagined going into the season.

Sabathia traded to Brewers....

By Erik Matuszewski

July 7 (Bloomberg) -- The National Hockey League will play its second outdoor game at Chicago's Wrigley Field on Jan. 1, when the Blackhawks host the Stanley Cup-champion Detroit Red Wings, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.

The game was approved last week when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and officials from the Blackhawks and Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, the paper said, without citing the source of its information.

NHL to Play Outdoor Game at Wrigley Field, Star Tribune Reports....

By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

The fans have voted. And now so have the managers and players. This year's All-Star squads are now set to represent the National and American Leagues in the annual Midsummer Classic at Yankee Stadium on July 15. Again they offer the best and brightest of Major League Baseball's veterans and talented younger set.

From Alex Rodriguez, Chipper Jones and Lance Berkman to Chase Utley, Joe Mauer, Ryan Braun and Geovany Soto, it's the finest of the old and the new.

Rodriguez, the third baseman for the Yankees, was again the top overall vote-getter with 3,934,518. Last year, for the game in San Francisco, A-Rod also out-polled all 16 elected starters with 3,890,515 votes.

Utley, the six-year second baseman with the Phillies and a .299 hitter this season with 24 homers and 67 RBIs, paced the NL with 3,889,602 votes.

A record 214.7 million votes from 16.5 million ballots were cast online via MLB.com and the affiliate 30 club sites.

Midsummer Classic has 25 newcomers....

CBSSports.com wire reports

NEW YORK -- New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez will skip the All-Star Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium later this month, choosing to protect his finely tuned swing.

The reigning AL MVP participated in three derbies before he joined the Yankees in 2004 and he feels the made-for-TV event held the night before the July 15 All-Star Game can have an adverse affect on a batter's mechanics.

A-Rod to pass on Home Run Derby at Yankee Stadium....

CBSSports.com wire reports

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona declined comment Monday on a report the team received a mailed threat targeting black and Latin players.

The Boston Herald, citing unidentified sources, reported the threat was believed to be postmarked in Memphis, Tenn., and that a suspect believed to be from Baltimore but living in the Memphis area was being sought. The newspaper said the team increased security for its three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

"I will not discuss that out of respect to everyone concerned," Francona said Monday night. "It's not something we can address."

No names of players were identified in the newspaper report.

Red Sox mum on report about mailed threat targeting black, Latin players....