ATM report--Griffey rumors are denied, no surgery is confirmed

[nyy26wc]

1) Yesterday's scores--

AL
BlueJays 9, Yankees 7
Whitesox 7, Tigers 5
Royals 6, Redsox 2
Devil Rays 3, Orioles 2
Indians 9, Twins 3
Rangers 4, A's 2
Mariners 8, Angels 1

NL
Mets 3, Cubs 2
Rockies 4, Astros 1
Expos 9, Marlins 7
Phillies 7, Braves 5 (11)
Reds 8, Pirates 5
Giants 2, Dodgers 1
Padres 2, Diamondbacks 1
Cardinals 6, Brewers 5 (11)

2) Standings--

AL EAST WON LOST PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST STREAK
Yankees 7 2 .778 - 3-0 4-2 07-02 00-00 00-00 LOST 1
Redsox 4 2 .667 1 1/2 1-2 3-0 03-01 01-01 00-00 LOST 1
Devil Rays 4 3 .571 2 3-0 1-3 01-03 03-00 00-00 WON 1
BlueJays 3 5 .375 3 1/2 2-5 1-0 02-02 01-03 00-00 WON 1
Orioles 1 6 .143 5 1-6 0-0 01-06 00-00 00-00 LOST 6

AL CENTRAL WON LOST PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST STREAK
Indians 8 1 .889 - 3-0 5-1 00-00 06-00 02-01 WON 7
Twins 5 4 .556 3 0-0 5-4 03-01 02-03 00-00 LOST 3
Whitesox 4 4 .500 3 1/2 0-0 4-4 00-00 03-02 01-02 WON 2
Royals 3 4 .429 4 2-3 1-1 01-01 02-03 00-00 WON 1
Tigers 0 8 .000 7 1/2 0-5 0-3 00-03 00-05 00-00 LOST 8

AL WEST WON LOST PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST STREAK
A's 6 3 .667 - 3-1 3-2 00-00 00-00 06-03 LOST 1
Mariners 6 3 .667 - 3-3 3-0 00-00 02-01 04-02 WON 3
Angels 3 5 .375 2 1/2 1-5 2-0 00-00 01-02 02-03 LOST 3
Rangers 2 6 .250 3 1/2 1-3 1-3 00-00 00-00 02-06 WON 1

NL EAST WON LOST PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST STREAK
Expos 5 3 .625 - 1-2 4-1 03-02 02-01 00-00 WON 2
Phillies 5 4 .556 1/2 4-2 1-2 05-04 00-00 00-00 WON 2
Mets 4 4 .500 1 1-2 3-2 02-01 02-03 00-00 WON 1
Braves 4 5 .444 1 1/2 3-3 1-2 04-05 00-00 00-00 LOST 2
Marlins 3 5 .375 2 0-2 3-3 03-05 00-00 00-00 LOST 3

NL CENTRAL WON LOST PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST STREAK
Pirates 5 2 .714 - 1-1 4-1 02-01 03-01 00-00 LOST 1
Cardinals 5 3 .625 1/2 3-2 2-1 00-00 04-01 01-02 WON 2
Reds 4 4 .500 1 1/2 3-3 1-1 01-02 03-02 00-00 WON 1
Astros 4 5 .444 2 3-3 1-2 00-00 03-03 01-02 LOST 2
Cubs 2 5 .286 3 1-3 1-2 01-01 01-04 00-00 LOST 1
Brewers 2 6 .250 3 1/2 1-2 1-4 00-00 01-04 01-02 LOST 4

NL WEST WON LOST PCT GB HOME ROAD EAST CENT WEST STREAK
Giants 7 1 .875 - 4-1 3-0 00-00 00-00 07-01 WON 1
Dodgers 4 4 .500 3 3-3 1-1 00-00 00-00 04-04 LOST 1
Diamondbacks 4 5 .444 3 1/2 2-1 2-4 00-00 02-01 02-04 LOST 3
Padres 4 5 .444 3 1/2 3-0 1-5 00-00 00-00 04-05 WON 3
Rockies 4 5 .444 3 1/2 2-1 2-4 00-00 04-02 00-03 WON 2

3) Today's schedule--

AL
Yankees (Roger Clemens) at BlueJays (Scott Eyre), 12:35
A's (Mark Mulder) at Rangers (Doug Davis), 3:05
Royals (Chad Durbin) at Redsox (Frank Castillo), 6:05
Devil Rays (Joe Kennedy) at Orioles (Sidney Ponson), 7:05
Twins (Kyle Lohse) at Indians (Bartolo Colon), 7:05
Mariners (Freddy Garcia) at Angels (Scott Schoeneweis), 10:05

NL
Brewers (Nick Neugebauer) at Cardinals (Bud Smith), 1:10
Mets (Pedro Astacio) at Cubs (Juan Cruz), 2:20
Dodgers (Andy Ashby) at Giants (Kirk Rueter), 3:35
Expos (Masato Yoshii) at Marlins (Julian Tavarez), 7:05
Braves (Tom Glavine) at Phillies (Dave Coggin), 7:05
Reds (Jimmy Haynes) at Pirates (Jimmy Anderson), 7:05
Diamondbacks (Randy Johnson) at Rockies (Jason Jennings), 9:05

4) Yesterday's HRs--

Michael Barrett--#4
Frank Thomas--#3
Bret Boone--#3
John Olerud--#3
Larry Walker--#3
Todd Zeile--#3
Cliff Floyd--#3
Andruw Jones--#3
Scott Rolen--#3
Pat Burrell--#3
Jason Giambi-#1 & #2
Mike Piazza--#2
Carlos Delgado--#2
Felipe Lopez--#2
Dustan Mohr--#2
Bobby Higginson--#2
Richard Hidalgo--#2
Mike Lowell--#2
Juan Encarnacion--#2
Marcus Giles--#2
Jay Gibbons--#2
Brian Daubach--#2
Richie Sexson--#2
Jim Thome--#1
Roberto Alomar--#1
Vernon Wells--#1
Dmitri Young--#1
Randall Simon--#1
Rusty Greer--#1
Chris Truby--#1
Brian Giles--#1
Deivi Cruz--#1
Tsuyoshi Shinjo--#1
Eduardo Perez--#1

5) HR leaders--

AL
T1) Carlos Pena--4
T1) Eric Chavez--4
T3) Frank Thomas--3*
T3) Troy Glaus--3
T3) Jacque Jones--3
T3) David Ortiz--3
T3) Torii Hunter--3
T3) Robin Ventura--3
T3) Nomar Garciaparra--3
T3) Raul Mondesi--3
T3) Matt Lawton--3
T3) Bret Boone--3*
T3) John Olerud--3*

NL
1) Barry Bonds--5
T2) Lance Berkman--4
T2) Michael Barrett--4*
T4) Sammy Sosa--3
T4) Gary Sheffield--3
T4) Derrek Lee--3
T4) Alex Ochoa--3
T4) Steve Finley--3
T4) Larry Walker--3*
T4) Todd Zeile--3*
T4) Cliff Floyd--3*
T4) Andruw Jones--3*
T4) Scott Rolen--3*
T4) Pat Burrell--3*

*--hit 1 yesterday

6) Frank Thomas passed Chili Davis and tied Dick Allen for 59th place on the all time HR list, with 351.

7) The Mariners and Reds deny the rumors that Griffey could be traded back to the Mariners.

According to Mariners Chairman Howard Lincoln, "There's absolutely no truth to that story. There have been no discussions with Griffey, Griffey's agent, the Cincinnati Reds, or the United States army about this. That story is absolutely, totally, unequivocally false. There is absolutely no basis to write that, as far as the Mariners are concerned. It would be totally inappropriate for us to express interest in a player under contract to another team."

According to Reds GM Jim Bowden, "There's absolutely no truth to it. Our plan is for Junior to finish his career as a Cincinnati Red. Our plan is for him to pass Hank Aaron's home-run record as a Cincinnati Red, and our plan is for him to get to the World Series as a Cincinnati Red. Those are the only plans we have for Junior."

8) According to the Reds doctor, Griffey "has a full range of motion, and after examining him today, I am convinced he is right on target to return in three to six weeks. There was vast improvement since Sunday."

[nyy26wc]

1) According to ESPN broadcaster Gary Thorne, a union rep said, "I was driving when I got a call from Donald Fehr. I had to pull off the road because [Fehr] had most of the players reps on for a conference call. He said he thought an agreement was going to be reached and all he needed was our OK to go forward with it."

Thorne also reports, "Fehr and former MLB vice president Paul Beeston did get it done, but as reported here in previous columns, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig canned the deal, not once, but twice, because he still wanted contraction and a salary cap. Those were items that Fehr and Beeston had found ways around. ...

"How can Selig not only remain in office, but also receive an extension on his contract as commissioner, when he has no respect from the players and continues to take every step imaginable to lead the game toward a shutdown?

"Selig's power comes from the team owners who hire him. There are a group of owners who detest the players' power in the game and want to destroy the union. That isn't going to happen, but they vote Selig in because he is willing to maneuver in that direction.

"Another group of owners would just as soon see Selig gone, but they love making money and Selig is willing to maneuver around the members, so they vote for him. Since Selig's former team makes money from revenue sharing, this group probably figures he is not going to act against their interests.

"Yet a third group of owners, from teams that are really struggling, would love to get him out and find a partnership with the players, but they do not have the votes. Furthermore, they are the teams benefiting from revenue sharing from the successful teams and any move against Selig would be a move against the owners of those teams."

2) Former Yankees MGR Stump Merrill, who is currently managing their AA team, was hospitalized with heart problems and is expected to rejoin the team tomorrow. Merrill was admitted to the hospital on Monday, after a routine physical showed heart irregularities, was given blood thinners and doesn't need surgery.

3) The Mets sent OF McKay Christensen to the minors and called up OF Tony Tarasco.

Christensen cleared waivers and was removed from the 40 man roster.

4) Phillies RF Bobby Abreu had to leave yesterday's game, due to a strained left hamstring, and it's not known yet if he'll have to miss any more time.

In the small sample size of 9 games, one of baseball's most underrated players is off to an excellent start, with a .615 SLG, .556 OBA, 1.171 OPS, 8 RCAA, .911 OWP, 18.56 RC/G.

5) Padres 3B Sean Burroughs missed yesterday's game, after tweaking his ankle on Tuesday. MGR Bruce Bochy says he could miss 3-5 days.

6) Angels 3B Troy Glaus returned from his 2 game suspension.

7) The Diamondbacks placed INF Danny Klassen on the 15 day DL and activated PH-INF Greg Colbrunn from the DL.

Klassen has an inflamed toe.

8) BlueJays MGR Buck Martinez has said rookie 3B Eric Hinske, a lefthanded hitter, would start against lefties. But, Hinske was out of the lineup yesterday. Martinez felt it is too early in the season to allow Hinske to face a lefty of Andy Pettitte's caliber.

9) Reds SS Barry Larkin had to leave yesterday's game, after aggravating a strained rib cage muscle. It's the same injury that kept him out of the lineup on Monday.

10) Marlins P Brad Penny injured his right index finger while trying to field a grounder with his bare hand. But, X-rays were negative and he's expected to be able to make his next start.

11) Indians CF Milton Bradley had to leave yesterday's game, with a strained quadriceps, and is day to day.

12) The Cubs will place P Kyle Farnsworth on the 15 day DL.

Farnsworth has a stress fracture in his right foot and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. He's coming off a very good 2.74 ERA/13 RSAA season, but just has to prove he can maintain a high performance level. It was the 1st positive RSAA of his 3 year career.

13) The Angels activated P Dennis Cook from the DL and sent utilityman Clay Bellinger to the minors.

14) The Astros gave Jeff Bagwell a routine day off yesterday, so they could combine yesterday's rest with today's off day.

15) The Cardinals will call up P Bud Smith before today's game and are expected to send P Mike Crudale back to the minors.

Smith will join the rotation and start tonight.

[nyy26wc]

1) Juan Gonzalez went to see a hand specialist last night and the team doesn't know when they'll have the results from that exam. He is believed to have a deep bruise and may have to go on the DL.

2) The Yankees decided to replace Orlando Hernandez with Roger Clemens for this afternoon's game. Clemens is pitching on 3 day's rest.

Hernandez has a stiff neck.

3) Redsox SS Nomar Garciaparra is expected to get a day off during their weekend series against the Yankees, since MGR Grady Little doesn't want him to play 9 straight games to start the season.

In the first 6 games of the season, Garciaparra's off to a good power start, with a .704 SLG and 3 HR. On the other hand, he still doesn't have a walk and has just a .296 OBA.

It would have made more sense to rest Garciaparra yesterday, when they were playing the Royals, and then let him combine that with today's day off.

4) BlueJays C Darrin Fletcher missed 4 games, due to a strained ribcage, appeared as a pinch hitter yesterday and is back in the starting lineup today.

5) Tigers 2B Damian Easley has missed the past 3 games, with a strained trunk, and says he hopes to return to the lineup tomorrow. The team is off today.

6) The Cardinals originally said MGR Tony LaRussa left the team, to go to Tampa after his father's death on Tuesday, but he never left St. Louis. LaRussa filled out the lineup card yesterday, but then stayed in his office during the game. LaRussa says Saturday, when the services are held, is the only other game he plans on missing.

7) The Tigers dropped to 0-8, but still have some losing to do before they get to the team record. They started 0-13 in 1920.

8) The Giants tied the record for fewest runs allowed in the first 7 games, with 8, tying the mark set by the 1993 Braves.

9) Marlins P Braden Looper lost his closer's role to Vladimir Nunez.

This is bad news for the Marlins, if Nunez is able to resemble the pitcher who had a 2.74 ERA and 15 RSAA in 2001. It's always a bad idea to move your top reliever from the more important setup role to the bullshit stat role.

[KCBOOMER]

Originally posted by nyy26wc

3) Redsox SS Nomar Garciaparra is expected to get a day off during their weekend series against the Yankees, since MGR Grady Little doesn't want him to play 9 straight games to start the season.

It would have made more sense to rest Garciaparra yesterday, when they were playing the Royals, and then let him combine that with today's day off.

Uh, my schedule has the Red Sox playing the Royals again today.

[gyb13]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
Our plan is for him to pass Hank Aaron's home-run record as a Cincinnati Red, and our plan is for him to get to the World Series as a Cincinnati Red. Those are the only plans we have for Junior."

I didn't know Bowden was such a funny guy!

[nyy26wc]

Originally posted by KCBOOMER


Uh, my schedule has the Red Sox playing the Royals again today.

DOH!!!!!!!!!

I was sure they were off, but now that I look at the schedule, they are playing the Royals.

It would still make more sense to rest him today against the Royals, but I'm complaining about it.

[WiredTiger]

Originally posted by nyy26wc

According to Reds GM Jim Bowden, "There's absolutely no truth to it. Our plan is for Junior to finish his career as a Cincinnati Red. Our plan is for him to pass Hank Aaron's home-run record as a Cincinnati Red, and our plan is for him to get to the World Series as a Cincinnati Red. Those are the only plans we have for Junior."

What I think Bowden meant to say was "Our plan is for him to retire just short of Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa in the pursuit of the All-Time Home Run record, and our plan is for him to get to the World Series as a Cincinnati Red by buying him a ticket.