Overnight at the Winter Baseball Meetings

The Central Maine Sports Blog is reporting that Francisco Rodriguez is not as close to signing with the Mets as widely reported. The CMSB sources tell us that K-Rod came out of meetings disappointed to the point that reps told other teams K-Rod was available to talk to them at any time. It looks like the Mets offered only 2 years, far from the 5 years K-Rod is looking for. Our source also stated opinions have surfaced in Las Vegas to not be surprised if K-Rod stays put in Anaheim(or Los Angeles, wherever the are).

Our source also states things are very slow otherwise.

Friday Morning Quick Hitters

The Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox race stayed even Thursday as both teams lost. The Twins lost to the KC Royals 3 -2 and the Pale Hose lost to the surging Toronto Blue Jays 6 – 4. The Twins remain 1 game behind the White Sox.

K-Rod ties Bobby Thigpen’s 57 Saves mark as the California Angels beat the Seattle Mariners 7 – 4.

Jamie Moyer and Ryan Howard powered the Philadelphia Phillies to a 6 – 3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Philly is 3 back of the Mets in the NL East race and 3 games back of the Brewers in the Wild Card race.

Kerry Wood gets his 30th save as the Cubs beat the Cardinals 3 – 2.

The Houston Texans move game in light of impending hurricane.

Problems in Raider-ville?

Chris Wells status up in the air for Ohio State.

Butch Davis’ Tar Heels slam Rutgers on their home field.

Eric Staal signs 7 yr deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Tuesday Morning Quickies

MLB

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman questions Manny Ramirez and his tactics to get out of Boston.

The Red Sox tried to stage a late rally, but fell short as Sean Casey lined out to right to end the game. Clay Buchholz falls to 2 – 7 with the loss, Royals win 4 – 3.

Cliff Lee kept the Tampa Bay Rays off the board helping the Indians beat the Rays 5 – 2. The loss keeps the Rays 3 up on the Red Sox.

The Milwaukee Brewers continued their freefall losing to the Reds 6 – 3. The Brewers added a familiar twist to their struggles, by fighting with each other. Losing pitcher Manny Parra left the game and, apparently, Prince Fielder had a few choice words and a couple forearm shoves for the pitcher. The players were separated and calm was restored. The Brew Crew is 5 games back of the Cubs.

Speaking of the Cubs, the Astros won a rain shortened game at Wrigley, 2 – 0 over the Cubs.

The Minnesota Twins missed an opportunity to go 1/2 game up over the White Sox, but losing to the Seattle Mariners 11 – 6. Raul Ibanez hit a grand slam and had 6 RBIs for the Mariners.

The Arizona Diamondbacks moved 1 1/2 games up on the LA Dodgers by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 11 – 6. The D-Backs had a season high 18 hits on the way to the rout.

Francisco Rodriguez blew a 4 run lead in the 9th, but the offense bailed him out, as the California Angels used a bottom of the 9th walkoff walk to beat the Baltimore Orioles 6 – 5.

The New York Yankees seem to be battling the injury bug again. Joba Chamberlain had to leave the game with what is described as “stiffness” in his sholder. Mariano Rivera was, for the 2nd night in a row, unavailable to close and this time it really hurt. The Texas Rangers Marlon Byrd hit a game winning, bottom of the 9th 2 out grand slam to beat the Yankees 9 – 5.

NFL

The Green Bay Packers canceled a late night press conference, as Brett Favre meets with team brass.

Ken Lucas trying to be the bigger man in Panthers camp.

Commissioner Gordon…I mean Goodell (sorry leftovers from The Dark Knight) decides the Vikings did not tamper with Brett Favre.

New York Giants back Ahmad Bradshaw speaks out at camp about his new jail sentance.

New England Patriots rookie becoming a jack of all trades.

NBA

The Philadelphia 76ers have re-signed restricted free agent Louis Williams.

Kwame Brown officially signs with the Detroit Pistons.

The Cleveland Cavaliers added depth to their backcourt by signing Tarence Kinsey.

Tuesday Morning Quick Hitters

Josh Hamilton…..IS GOD!!!!! Oh and by the way Justin Morneau won.

K-Rod could possibly set the Jonathan Papelbon bar VERY high…filing for free agency after the season.

Peyton Manning has “procedure” on a bursa sac on his knee….so many jokes…so little time.

PEOPLE!!!!!! You can buy a WHOLE SEASON ticket for $300…Don’t succumb to Big Papi Fever!!

And now….a little golf….I used to love to watch Tom Watson play golf…I always felt he never got the credit or the notoriety because the era was so dominated by The Golden Bear, but Tom Watson had a sweet swing and played the game the way I thought that game should be played. Maybe that is a recollection of childhood, maybe it’s the truth…more likely somewhere in between..but it is British Open season, and with Tiger on the bench, now is as good as time as ever to look back and remember as Tom Watson plays his last Birkdale.

OOOOPS…Tim Donaghy, allegedly, may not be the only ref involved…SHOCKER!!!

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