Morning Jolt: Phils to bolster rotation with Oswalt?
Wednesday, July 21
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Phils to bolster rotation with Oswalt?
Ruben Amaro Jr. "hinted" Tuesday he may move to fill Kyle Kendrick's spot in the rotation -- whether by big-name trade or J.A. Happ, who recorded only 44 pitches Tuesday at Class AAA Lehigh Valley. The quick hook would suggest that the Phils are lining him up to pitch Saturday -- if they can't make a trade. Baseball officials familiar with the Phillies' thinking say the club would still like to add a high-end starter that it could control beyond this season. Houston's Roy Oswalt and Arizona's Dan Haren are two available pitchers that fit that description. Interestingly, Oswalt is scheduled to pitch on Saturday. (CSNPhilly.com)Comment
Operating in a "unique situation," Brett Favre has no deadline to return, and, apparently the blessing of both his coach and teammates to make his own timetable. The fact that [Brad] Childress did not set a deadline in his latest dealings with Favre is not a surprise given how he has handled the situation this offseason. Childress has made it clear that Favre is operating under a different set of rules, and many of the veteran's teammates said at the end of last season they were all right with him skipping the Mankato portion of camp. The Vikings' first practice of camp will be July 30 and their last practice in Mankato will be Aug. 12. Favre, if he does return, might not play until the third preseason game on Aug. 28 against Seattle; the Vikings open the season on Sept. 9 in New Orleans. (Minneapolis Star Tribune)Comment
Will Modano choose retirement?
Mike Modano, who hasn't yet laced up his skates, will wait until skating before making any decision. Modano said he plans to hit the ice Aug. 5 and that he won't make a decision before that time. He confirmed his options for continuing his 20-season NHL career are Detroit, San Jose and Minnesota. The Wings have offered Modano, 40, a one-year contract worth $1.25 million and have a bit of wiggle room to inflate that if needed. The Wings hope the twin lures of playing near his hometown of Westland and between Dan Cleary and Jiri Hudler will pull him to Detroit. (Detroit Free Press)Comment
Must-See Photo
It's nice to see that, despite Baltimore's struggles this season, the First Lady is not too proud to wear an Orioles jersey. The O's rewarded that loyalty with an overtime win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday. (Getty)
Must-See Video
Hidden ball tricks sometimes work at the youth level. But as Australia found out the hard way, they can work at the world championship level, too.
Game To Watch
Stephen Strasburg takes the mound as the Nationals battle the Reds (7:10 p.m. ET)
SI Vault: More Hammer
This Day in Sports
- 1973 -- Hank Aaron hits his 700th career home run.
- 1975 -- Mets infielder Joe Torre hits into four straight double plays.
- 1988 -- Red Sox suspend Jim Rice for pushing manager Joe Morgan after Morgan pinch-hit for Rice.
- 1989 -- Mike Tyson KOs Carl Williams in 1:33 to retain the IBF/WBA/WBC Heavyweight title.
- 1991 -- Gaylord Perry, Ferguson Jenkins, Rod Carew, Tony Lazzeri, Bill Veeck elected to HoF.
- 1996 -- Wayne Gretzky signs two-year deal with New York Rangers.
