Life experiences have made Marshall

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Dave Marshall is now in charge of parking at the Long Beach Convention Center, and is a familiar downtown figure in his golf cart as he also coordinates parking for special events in the area.

He is a gracious, engaging fellow quick with a smile, and it's known he spent seven seasons in the major leagues with the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets and that he twice broke up no-hit bids by Don Drysdale with eighth inning hits and that his first big league home run came off Bob Gibson and that he once drilled a grand-slam against his old roommate Gaylord Perry the first time he faced the Giants after they traded him to the Mets.

It's known he owned a couple of taverns in New York from 1974-84, and that he was an active creature of the evenings in those wild times as he hung out in such nightclubs as Studio 54 - he knew its notorious owner, the late Steve Rubell - the Cheetah, the Hippopotamus and so many other popular places where booze and drugs and women were so available to him.

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Leaving his fear behind

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The public address system at Hammond Stadium, where the palms quake in a stiff March breeze, snaps on during a spring-training game between the Baltimore Orioles and the home-standing Minnesota Twins.

The announcer describes an automobile in the sandy parking lot, reads its license number. The PA booms: "Your car is still on!"

The message might have been aimed at Barlow High School graduate Brian Burres, who is warming up in the Orioles bullpen. The 25-year-old left-hander claims he doesn't fit the role of the flaky left-hander, but his teammates in the visiting clubhouse have another view: "Yes, you do," they crack.

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Pitchers Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list.

Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring-training complex in Mesa, Ariz. On March 11, he strained his right triceps while pitching against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

"Until we get him back out there and get him on a schedule, you just don't know," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "Hopefully he could, but it has to work for the team and it has to be in his best interests."

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Gagne makes his debut; Bonds hits fifth home run THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Eric Gagne pitched in a game for the first time this year and Barry Bonds hit his fifth home run.

It wasn't your regular everyday exhibition.

Gagne pitched one inning, giving up a home run to Kevin Frandsen, in the Texas Rangers' 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

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Wood and Prior could start season on DL again

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The bad news keeps coming for the Chicago Cubs' once-dynamic duo of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.

For the second straight year, the oft-injured veteran pitchers could start the season on the disabled list.

The 29-year-old Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring training complex in Mesa, Ariz. He strained his right triceps on March 11 against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

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Wood and Prior could start season on DL again BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

The bad news keeps coming for the Chicago Cubs' once-dynamic duo of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood.

For the second straight year, the oft-injured veteran pitchers could start the season on the disabled list.

The 29-year-old Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring training complex in Mesa, Ariz. He strained his right triceps on March 11 against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

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Gagne returns to mound; Bonds hits 5th HR of spring

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Eric Gagne pitched in a game for the first time this year and Barry Bonds hit his fifth home run.

It wasn't your regular everyday exhibition.

Gagne pitched one inning, giving up a home run to Kevin Frandsen, in the Texas Rangers' 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

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Torres making a difference

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

BRADENTON - After replacing injured Mike Gonzalez as the Pittsburgh Pirates' ninth-inning closer last season, Salomon Torres led all major league relievers with 12 saves from Sept. 1 onward.

The 35-year-old right-hander is responsible for saves of a different sort in his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. For the fourth consecutive season, he is organizing equipment drives among his teammates to help Dominican youngsters get started in baseball.

Cleats, balls, bats, gloves - you name it, Torres' teammates fill the box in the McKechnie Field clubhouse. Torres, who also got Dick's Sporting Goods to donate bags and equipment, estimates more than $40,000 worth of merchandise was shipped to the Dominican last year alone.

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Wood and Prior could start season on DL

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list. Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring-training complex in Mesa, Ariz. On March 11, he strained his right triceps while pitching against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season. "Until we get him back out there and get him on a schedule, you just don't know," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "Hopeful...

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Wood and Prior could start season on DL BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list.

Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring-training complex in Mesa, Ariz. On March 11, he strained his right triceps while pitching against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

``Until we get him back out there and get him on a schedule, you just don't know,'' pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. ``Hopefully he could, but it has to work for the team and it has to be in his best interests.''

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Athletics 5, White Sox 3

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

PHOENIX - Look at Rich Harden's line and it sure would seem like Oakland's strong-armed right-hander had a great day.He didn't agree."How many walks did I have?" Harden said. "I know it was a few. Not good. My command wasn't there."Still, Harden struck out seven, walked two, allowed five hits and one run in five innings during the Athletics' 5-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. When his fastball wasn't working, Harden went to his offspeed stuff with no problem, getting outs with change...

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Ernie gives back

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Professional athletes sometimes get a bad rap for the mistakes of a few.

The good that so many current and former professional athletes do is unfortunately often swept under the rug or buried at the bottom of the sports page or the end of a radio or television sports cast.

If you will bear with me, I would like to spotlight a former Bainbridge High School Bearcat and professional athletes who has constantly given back to Bainbridge and Decatur County through the years.

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Local teams swing for KingCo crown

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Motorists driving down the Issaquah-May Valley Road or heading westbound on Interstate 90 in the mornings often lament how hard it is to get through town. But these traffic jams are nothing compared to the annual one in 3A KingCo Conference baseball. Each year, it seems like the road through KingCo to the state playoffs goes through Newport or Issaquah, who together have won four of the state's last seven 3A titles. Add Liberty, which won the state title in 2003 and is usually among the league's...

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Rangers 4, Giants 3

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Eric Gagne pitched in a game for the first time this year and Barry Bonds hit his fifth home run.

It wasn't your regular everyday exhibition.

Gagne pitched one inning, giving up a home run to Kevin Frandsen, in the Texas Rangers' 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

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Cubs' Wood, Prior may start season on DL

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Kerry Wood and Mark Prior could start the season on the Chicago Cubs' disabled list.

Wood, coming back from a torn right rotator cuff, threw 25 pitches off a mound Tuesday at the Cubs' spring-training complex in Mesa, Ariz. On March 11, he strained his right triceps while pitching against Milwaukee, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the start of the season.

"Until we get him back out there and get him on a schedule, you just don't know," pitching coach Larry Rothschild said. "Hopefully he could, but it has to work for the team and it has to be in his best interests."

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PG&E plans to dun ratepayers for AT&T solar panels

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

A plan to install 590 solar panels at AT&T Park is generating lots of positive public relations for the San Francisco Giants and for Pacific Gas & Electric.

But it turns out the public will be asked to pay the bill.

PG&E announced Tuesday that it inaccurately described the project a day earlier when it told the Mercury News that PG&E shareholders will pay the costs. Instead, the company, an investor-owned utility that is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, will go to the PUC during its next "general rate case" in 2009 and ask for permission to bill PG&E's customers for the purchase, installation and maintenance of the panels.

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San Francisco Giants to have solar panels installed at ballpark

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO The San Francisco Giants are bringing a new source of power to their home ballpark.The Giants haven't made a deal for another power hitter, but they have reached an agreement to produce electricity by setting up solar panels at A-T-and-T Park.The team and Pacific Gas and Electric are set to announce tomorrow that nearly 600 solar panels will be installed at the stadium.The approximately 123 kilowatts of electricity generated by the panels won't be used to power the lights or any other devices at the ballpark, instead P-G-and-E will sell the electricity its customers.

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Baseball: Haren not chicken about bigger role

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

PHOENIX — Dan Haren wants to be a real shot in the arm for the Oakland A's this year, and that's no joke: The A's projected Opening Day starter is so focused on the 2007 season, he volunteered for a chicken pox vaccination at the start of spring training. Just in case.

That's how detailed Haren's thinking is. The 26-year-old right-hander knows that the A's lost the leader of their pitching staff when Barry Zito signed with the San Francisco Giants in December.

With Zito gone, Haren wants to fill in that role as well as he can. Always known as a dedicated worker in the offseason, he ramped it up even more this winter. He also cut French fries (his favorite) and desserts out of his diet, and he's got more muscle and less fat.

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Beloved Nob Hill bar's days numbered?

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

For nearly 40 years, lower Nob Hill denizens have treated a modest bar in their neighborhood as a comfortable living room. But now they find themselves waging a passionate campaign to prevent the place from closing down in June.

Loyal patrons say the John Barleycorn on Larkin Street near California is more than just a bar ? it?s their community center, their living room, a safe meeting place for blind dates and, with its cache of local memorabilia, their history book of the neighborhood and San Francisco.

?You don?t even have to buy a drink,? owner Larry Ayre said. ?It?s a place you can come home to. You can go out on Friday and Saturday night, but this is the place you come home to.?

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Bucs have no room for mistakes

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Pitchers' fielding practice - or PFP - can be one of the biggest chores of spring training.

Each day, pitchers go through a series of drills in which they field bunts and ground balls, throw to bases, cover first base and make pickoff throws. The constant drills aren't without a purpose. With repetition, the hope is that everything becomes second nature once the regular season begins.

"It can wear on you," Zach Duke said.

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Giants adding solar power to lineup

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

When the San Francisco Giants need power, they usually look to Barry Bonds. But now they'll have a new source: the sun.

Embracing the Bay Area's booming interest in renewable energy and working to harness a green public relations boost, the Giants will become the first major league baseball franchise to install solar panels on their stadium.

Team president Peter Magowan and Tom King, CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric, are set to announce Wednesday that 590 solar panels will be installed at AT&T Park, generating the same electricity as about 40 home roof systems.

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Giants to collect solar power at AT&T

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The San Francisco Giants have been energizing The City since 1958, but soon, the team will be providing a whole different kind of power.

On Wednesday, the Giants and Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will announce a partnership to install 590 solar panels around AT&T Park to generate 123 kilowatts of power for the San Francisco power grid.

?Our goal is to work with PG&E to help with the use of renewable energy sources and showcase it to our fans,? Giants spokeswoman Staci Slaughter said.

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Power company plugs into Giants

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

When the San Francisco Giants need power, they usually look to Barry Bonds. But now they'll have a new source: the sun.

Embracing the Bay Area's booming interest in renewable energy and working to harness a green public relations boost, the Giants will become the first major league baseball franchise to install solar panels on their stadium.

Team president Peter Magowan and Tom King, CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric, are set to announce Wednesday that 590 solar panels will be installed at AT&T Park, generating the same electricity as about 40 home roof systems.

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San Francisco Giants Going Green

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The San Francisco Giants are bringing a new source of power to their home ballpark.

The Giants haven't made a deal for another power hitter, but they have reached an agreement to produce electricity by setting up solar panels at AT&T Park.

The team and Pacific Gas and Electric are set to announce tomorrow that nearly 600 solar panels will be installed at the stadium.

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Travel in brief

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Among activities will be book signings by local historians, oral history presentations by local residents, gold panning, a miner's/cowboy cookout, live musical entertainment, guided tours of the town and Chinese building undergoing restoration and a children's singalong at the historic schoolhouse. Call (408) 834-2440 or visit http://www.fiddletown.info.

Go with the Giants

The San Francisco Giants are offering baseball game travel packages for fans. The "Giants Vacations" program offers two road trip packages: one is June 14-18, and includes the Giants vs. Red Sox Inter League series in Boston; the other is Sept. 14-16 during the Giants vs. Padres series in San Diego. A third trip in the off-season is scheduled for Nov. 9-16 to Maui, Hawaii, with a select group of current and former Giants alumni and executives. Visit http://www.sfgiants.com/giantsvacations.com or call (800) 670-0858.

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AT&T Park to go solar

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

When the San Francisco Giants need power, they usually look to Barry Bonds. But now they'll have a new source: the sun.

Embracing the Bay Area's booming interest in renewable energy and working to harness a green public relations boost, the Giants will become the first major league baseball franchise to install solar panels on their stadium.

Team president Peter Magowan and Tom King, CEO of Pacific Gas & Electric, are set to announce Wednesday that 590 solar panels will be installed at AT&T Park, generating the same electricity as about 40 home roof systems.

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Giants 6, Royals 5

Monday, March 19, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Alex Gordon showed off his tremendous potential at the plate before making a rookie mistake in the field that cost the Kansas City Royals a game. Gordon hit his first home run in a Royals uniform and had a throwing error at third base that allowed the winning run to score in the San Francisco Giants' 6-5 victory Sunday. Gordon led off the second inning with a shot off Noah Lowry, the first of what the Royals expect will be many more in his career. "It feels good to ...

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Bell undecided on starting catcher

Monday, March 19, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The Kansas City Royals' catching race between John Buck and Jason LaRue is still too close for manager Buddy Bell to call.

Bell said Sunday he doesn't know who will be behind the plate for the April 2 opener against Boston, but whoever doesn't start that game will be in the lineup for the next one.

At the start of the season, Bell's plan is to alternate Buck, who has started the past 2 1/2 seasons, and LaRue, who started five years for the Cincinnati Reds and was acquired in an offseason trade.

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Famed bar?s days numbered?

Monday, March 19, 2007

For nearly 40 years, lower Nob Hill denizens have treated a modest bar in their neighborhood as a comfortable living room. But now they find themselves waging a passionate campaign to prevent the place from closing down in June.

Loyal patrons say the John Barleycorn on Larkin Street near California is more than just a bar ? it?s their community center, their living room, a safe meeting place for blind dates and, with its cache of local memorabilia, their history book of the neighborhood and San Francisco.

?You don?t even have to buy a drink,? owner Larry Ayre said. ?It?s a place you can come home to. You can go out on Friday and Saturday night, but this is the place you come home to.?

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BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: Braves playing it safe with Chipper

Monday, March 19, 2007

Third baseman Chipper Jones was held out of the Atlanta Braves' lineup for the third consecutive game Sunday with a sore muscle on his right side, but he doesn't think the injury is serious.

''It's just a tweak,'' Jones said through team spokesman Brad Hainje.

Jones said he hopes to play Wednesday but might be held out much longer. He said his absence from the lineup is ''precautionary, to make sure it's 100 percent.''

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L.B.'s Larker recalled as Dodger, family man

Monday, March 19, 2007

Whether Norman Howard Larker was playing first base for the Dodgers, basketball with his four sons or just fishing, he wanted to win.

"He wasn't the most talented player, but he worked real hard," said his oldest son, Norman Duane Larker, who goes by Duane.

Larker's hard work paid off in 1960 when he was voted to the National League All-Star team.

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Leading Off

Monday, March 19, 2007

While Vijay Singh was exorcising past demons at a course that has given him fits, Tiger Woods was struggling mightily. Woods fired a 6-over 76, his highest score in a regular PGA Tour event since a 76 in the third round of the Memorial four years ago. It was all smiles for Singh, however, who won at Bay Hill for the first time in 15 years.

Defending champion Johnson wins race

Jimmie Johnson had the car to beat Sunday, but it took a late-race charge to catch and pass Tony Stewart three laps from the end for the defending NASCAR Nextel Cup champion to earn a victory in the race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

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M's Notebook | Bloomquist nabs notice with baserunning skills

Monday, March 19, 2007

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Add a delayed steal of home plate to the latest list of achievements for this spring's one-man Mariners wrecking crew.

Willie Bloomquist pulled that feat off in the eighth inning of Seattle's 9-5 exhibition win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. It was the second steal of the game and seventh of the spring for Bloomquist, who broke for the plate just as catcher Damian Miller threw to second in an attempt to nab Tony Torcato.

Bloomquist slid home safely ahead of the relay back to the plate and finished 2 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored, raising his batting average to .452 and his on-base percentage to .500. Both are among the best in the Cactus League. His 12 runs, 19 hits and seven consecutive steals are also tops on his team — including the theft of home.

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MAJOR LEAGUE REPORT: Bonds goes home for three-day break

Monday, March 19, 2007

Barry Bonds went home for a three-day spring break in the middle of spring training.

Bonds will return from his excused absence Tuesday, the day after the San Francisco Giants' only scheduled day off of the spring.

Nearly all of the players who did not make the trip to Tucson on Saturday were given the day off. With the entire team off today, manager Bruce Bochy gave the slugger Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals off as well.

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Reds closer to having a closer

Monday, March 19, 2007

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Reds aren't going to make any announcement, but the feeling in camp is that they've found their closer.

The question about Dustin Hermanson was whether his back was sound. Through three outings, several bullpen sessions and one very tough play at first, his back has been fine.

If Hermanson can be what he was in the 2005 - when he saved 34 games and had a 2.04 ERA with the Chicago White Sox - one of the biggest questions about the Reds will be answered.

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Righetti optimistic about pen

Monday, March 19, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Two weeks away from opening day, only Steve Kline and Armando Benitez have chairs in the San Francisco Giants' bullpen — and Benitez could be traded before then.

But instead of seeing a situation in flux, pitching coach Dave Righetti sees optimism among the club's many relief choices.

"We'll have some interesting meetings," said Righetti, who believes the Giants can form a solid bullpen without exploring the trade market. "I always think we can get it done. That's just me."

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Giants 6, Royals 5 BY JOSH DUBOW

Monday, March 19, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -Alex Gordon showed off his tremendous potential at the plate before making a rookie mistake in the field that cost the Kansas City Royals a game.

Gordon hit his first home run in a Royals uniform and had a throwing error at third base that allowed the winning run to score in the San Francisco Giants' 6-5 victory Sunday.

Gordon led off the second inning with a shot off Noah Lowry, the first of what the Royals expect will be many more in his career.

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Adam LaRoche was born to play ball

Sunday, March 18, 2007

"I remember back when I was in the fourth grade and the teacher asked the class what we wanted to do when we grew up," LaRoche said. "I told her I wanted to be a major-league baseball player.

"She asked me what I wanted to do in case baseball didn't work. I told her I hadn't thought about it because I knew baseball was going to work out for me. I was going to play in the major leagues and nothing was going to stop me."

And that is exactly how LaRoche's life has turned out.

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Air Force Jazz Ensemble performs Wednesday

Sunday, March 18, 2007

ELKO — While the armed forces are fighting overseas, Elko is about to witness some military maneuvers of a different kind.The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West Commanders’ Jazz Ensemble will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Elko Convention Center. Tickets are available at the Elko Daily Free Press, which sponsors the event. It is suggested that ticket holders be seated by 6:45 p.m. since it will be opened to the general public at 6:50. For additional in...

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Bonds given 3-day spring break

Sunday, March 18, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Barry Bonds went home for a three-day spring break in the middle of spring training.

Bonds will return from his excused absence on Tuesday, the day after the San Francisco Giants' only scheduled day off of the spring.

Nearly all of the players who did not make the trip to Tucson on Saturday were given the day off. With the entire team off on Monday, manager Bruce Bochy gave the slugger Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals off as well.

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Co-ed Naked Lacrosse and what to make of the 2007 Giants?

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Because he can, the Fool reaches back to beat a deceased horse with renewed fervor.

Minor league NASCAR in Spanish?

Red Wings vs. Avalanche, Chapter 137?

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Free Will Astrology 3/7/07

Sunday, March 18, 2007

(March 21-April 19): "Dear Rob: As an experiment, I've been trying to soften myself — to see what it's like to stand in a room and not always take the lead, not assume that no one else knows what they're doing except me. It's had an interesting effect so far: People seem more eager to play nice and offer me their good energy. But I don't know if I'm willing to give up my take-charge instincts for much longer. Do I have to resign myself to either being strong or...

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I'm betting on the imminent arrival of at least two of the following climaxes: (1) You'll culminate a task or goal you've been working on for months. (2) You'll remember an important intention you'd forgotten for a long time. (3) You'll graduate from a crash course you've been taking since October 2006. (4) You'll be reunited with a lost sheep or forsaken dream that's ready for another chance.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): If given three wishes by a fairy godmother, as in the heroes of old fairy tales, you probably wouldn't ask for the ability to fly or the power to turn invisible or the gift of a golden carriage pulled by eight white horses crowned with white ostrich feathers. But what would you choose? Something like "I wish I could solve my relationship problems"? Or maybe "I wish I could find my direction in life," or "I wish I had enough money to do the th...

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Giants expect big ticket sales this season

Sunday, March 18, 2007

As Barry Bonds attempts to break baseball's all-time home run record this season, he'll have lots of company at AT&T Park.

San Francisco Giants executives said they will sell 80,000 tickets during the first week that individual game tickets are on sale to the general public. That puts the club on pace to sell 3 million tickets for the 2007 campaign before Opening Day on April 3.

San Francisco is aiming to draw at least 3 million fans for the eighth straight season since opening AT&T Park in 2000. If the Giants reach that mark, the team will become just the fourth club in the Major Leagues to do so.

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Rehab puts stroke victim back in the swing of things

Sunday, March 18, 2007

If anyone told John Ross in early January that he would throw out the first pitch at a Cactus League spring training game this month, he wouldnt have believed them.

If anyone told Ross he would be able to walk and use his left hand and arm two months after suffering a stroke that left him partially paralyzed, he would have doubted that, too.

Ross, 57, suffered a stroke on Jan. 8 and was unable to use his left arm and leg for weeks. He lost his pulse while in the hospitals emergency room, was confined to a wheelchair and had impaired speech.

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Surprise Stadium takes baseball fans online

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Spring training fans will get a little closer to the players at Surprise Stadium Tuesday as the city launches its wireless broadband Internet service.

The stadium, home to the Kansas City Royals and the Texas Rangers, now offers WiFi to fans. It is the first step in bringing a WiFi network to the entire city and can be purchased by the hour, week or month.

Scottsdale-based WildFire Broadband is providing the service and is in negotiations to service rest of the city.

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Unlikely ballpark for A's advances

Sunday, March 18, 2007

San Jose's apparently futile but never-ending bid to land a Major League Baseball team inched forward late Wednesday when a divided city planning commission approved an environmental review of the downtown site that's been proposed for a ballpark.

The commission's 4-2 vote could be the last-ever public action on the ballpark plan that otherwise died last year. That's when Oakland A's owner Lew Wolff declared he wouldn't attempt to move to San Jose and started buying land in Fremont for a new stadium and adjoining residential and retail development.

Appeal possible

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Floyd has USC hoops in the pink

Sunday, March 18, 2007

The school's football teams have won their fair share of games lately ? with players picking up two of the past three Heisman trophies ? and even a recent Rose Bowl, we're told. The baseball squads have won so many College World Series titles, the late Rod Dedeaux was the unofficial mayor of Omaha. The women volleyballers won two national titles in the past five years, and I hear the men's water polo team kicks butt.

But hoops at Troy?

Let's just say Jack Nicholson hasn't been spotted at courtside.

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WSVN-TV - Sports - Bonds hits another homer, Benitez looking good

Sunday, March 18, 2007

With Barry Bonds hitting homers and a healthy Armando Benitez throwing strikes, the San Francisco Giants are starting to get excited about the season.

Bonds hit his fourth home run of spring training Friday and Benitez pitched his third scoreless inning, sending San Francisco to an 11-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"We worked today how it could go," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We're getting ready for the year now."

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Giants Feeling Good About Themselves

Saturday, March 17, 2007

With Barry Bonds hitting homers and a healthy Armando Benitez throwing strikes, the San Francisco Giants are starting to get excited about the season.

Bonds hit his fourth home run of spring training Friday and Benitez pitched his third scoreless inning, sending San Francisco to an 11-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies in Scottsdale, Ariz.

With the Rockies hoping to showcase Kim for a potential trade, the Giants battered the right-hander for eight runs in 4 2/3 innings. That drove Kim's spring ERA up to 9.00 in 13 innings.

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Return to San Fran a fresh start for Ortiz

Saturday, March 17, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. ? The memories from Russ Ortiz's final moment in his first stint with the San Francisco Giants are still painful.

After walking off the mound with the game ball and his team eight outs from the 2002 World Series title, Ortiz could only watch as the bullpen blew a five-run lead in a crushing defeat.

The team hasn't won a playoff series since, extending the World Series drought to more than a half-century.

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Rox option four players to minors

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Scottsdale, Ariz. - Few young Rockies have enjoyed a better spring training than infielder Omar Quintanilla.

His glovework has been golden and after going 2-for-4 Friday in an 11-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants, his batting average is .333.

Trouble is, he has no place to go. Troy Tulowitzki and Clint Barmes rank ahead of him at shortstop, and only one of those players will make the roster. At second base, Kaz Matsui and Jamey Carroll are locks. So Quintanilla was optioned to the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Friday afternoon.

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Bonds Homers, Benitez Throws Strikes BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Barry Bonds is in a groove at the plate and Armando Benitez looks healthy on the mound. No wonder the San Francisco Giants are starting to get excited about the season.

Bonds hit his fourth home run of spring training Friday and Benitez pitched his third scoreless inning, sending San Francisco to an 11-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies in Scottsdale, Ariz.

"We worked today how it could go," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "We're getting ready for the year now."

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Cubs fever spreads throughout Arizona

Saturday, March 17, 2007

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Weaver throws well in Ms loss

Saturday, March 17, 2007

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Veteran right-hander Jeff Weaver pitched four strong innings for the Seattle Mariners, but the San Francisco Giants prevailed 5-3 in an exhibition game on Thursday night.

Weaver, who signed a one-year contract for $8.325 million as a free agent with the Mariners in January after helping the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series, left with the score tied at 2.

Afterward, Weaver said he feels hes on cruise control with his new team.

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Barry Bonds hits another homer, Armando Benitez looking good for Giants

Saturday, March 17, 2007

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Bonds has long history with Kim

Saturday, March 17, 2007

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Barry Bonds' latest home run off Byung-Hyun Kim wasn't nearly as memorable as his previous one.

Bonds connected off Kim in their first matchup since the San Francisco star passed Babe Ruth with his 715th homer last May, helping the Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 11-7 Friday.

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