Morning Jolt: Papelbon to lose closer job?
Tuesday, July 13
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Jonathan Papelbon's ERA is nearly a half-run higher than his career average, and baseball's second half may mean Daniel Bard challenging for the closer role in Boston. There's no question that Papelbon has not been himself this year. His 3.50 ERA is much higher than his career 2.02 mark, while his 2.58 strikeout-to-walk ratio is far worse than his career 4.24. On the other side of the equation, Bard has been nothing short of lights-out for the Red Sox in 2010. In fact, with a 1.90 ERA and 0.82 WHIP (best among AL relievers), Bard has been one of the top relief pitchers in baseball this year. (NESN.com)Comment
Spiller 'not going to rush' signing
When asked if he felt it was important that he sign before training camp, C.J. Spiller put a skip in the hearts of Bills fans. "I let my agent handle all of that. We're not going to rush. We're going to make sure we cross our T's and dot our I's, however long the process takes. I just have to be patient. I can't get antsy about the situation. I've talked to a lot of veteran guys. My teammates aren't concerned about me holding out. They know that I want to be there, but at the end of the day it's a business. You have to do what's best for your family. It was good to get that support from veteran guys already -- before negotiations have heated up." (Sporting News)Comment
Hawks could turn to Turco or Theodore
Stan Bowman may or may not make his feelings known on the Sharks' signing of Niklas Hjalmarsson, but the outcome may affect who plays goal for Chicago. Do the Hawks have enough cap space to match the offer sheet for Hjalmarsson and sign restricted free-agent goalie Antti Niemi and enough players to fill out a roster? ... Niemi has filed for arbitration and his contract demands could be more than what the Hawks believe are reasonable for someone with one year of NHL experience, even though he won the Stanley Cup. It's possible the Hawks will let Niemi go to his arbitration hearing and hope for a favorable reward. Something to remember is veteran goalies Marty Turco and Jose Theodore remain unsigned as free agents and could interest the Hawks if Niemi can't be re-signed for a number that fits into the budget. (Daily Herald)Comment
Must-See Photo
The Spanish national team celebrates its World Cup victory at a parade in Madrid. (Daniel Sastre Huertas/Getty Images)
Must-See Video
This slugger doesn't seem very satisfied with the work of the home plate umpire.
See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.
Game To Watch
MLB All-Star Game, 8 p.m. ET, Fox
SI Vault: World Cup
This Day in Sports
- 1930 -- First-ever soccer World Cup competition began in Uruguay.
- 1934 -- Babe Ruth hits HR No. 700 (against Detroit).
- 1979 -- California's Nolan Ryan and Boston's Steve Renko each lose no-hitters in ninth.
- 1985 -- Yankees retire uniform numbers of Roger Maris (9) and Elston Howard (32).
