TODAY ON PITCH3R - Baseball STORIES

Argentina's kosher wine club

www.cnn.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:10:45 UTC

CNN's Brian Byrnes looks at Argentina's blossoming kosher wine business.

Freshman Kevin Ware joins No. 4 Louisville, could play against Memphis

Associated Press — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:42:54 UTC

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Kevin Ware joined practice with No. 4 Louisville for the first time this week. The short-handed Cardinals are expecting him to contribute immediately Coach Rick Pitino said the 6-foot-3 guard could receive playing time as the backup point guard when the Cardinals (9-0) face Memphis...

Mariners expected to sign Japanese shortstop Munenori Kawasaki

seattletimes.nwsource.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:30:05 UTC

While the baseball world waits anxiously to see where superstar pitcher Yu Darvish lands, the Mariners are on the verge of acquiring a different Japanese player. Shortstop Munenori Kawasaki doesn't have the high profile of Darvish, a potential ace pitcher who could fetch close to (or more than) $100...

Signs point toward Toronto as winner of rights to Darvish

rangersblog.dallasnews.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 01:07:58 UTC

The growing consensus among officials with several major-league clubs is Toronto will surpass the Texas Rangers and win the negotiating rights to Japanese righthander Yu Darvish. Without having direct knowledge of the offers, the officials believe Toronto came in with a bid similar to what Boston offered...

Rock Hall of Fame taps Beastie Boys

JIM FARBER — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:46:38 UTC

They include The Beastie Boys, who brought a rock-tinged, snot-nosed, Lower East Side, sensibility to Bronx hip-hop, helping it cross-over to the mainstream in the '80s. Then there's Laura Nyro, who employed an unprecedented mix of Spanish Harlem soul and Broadway sophistication to create some of the...

Cubs 'not major players' for Fielder

hardballtalk.nbcsports.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:44:55 UTC

HBT: Contrary to recent reports, one writer says the Chicago Cubs are not willing to spend the money it would take to land Prince Fielder.

"The Artist" in the lead with most Golden Globe noms.

www.reuters.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:26:00 UTC

Dec. 15 - "The Artist," "The Descendants" and "The Help" lead the pack as nominations for the Golden Globes are announced in Beverly Hills. John Russell reports.

DeMarco: Now or never for some Hall hopefuls

nbcsports.msnbc.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:23:56 UTC

DeMarco: With the mother of all Hall of Fame first-time-eligible classes looming - Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, Piazza in 2013 - this is a crucial year for fringy and/or long-time-on-the-ballot types.

Red Sox want Varitek to stick around

By JIMMY GOLEN — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:22:04 UTC

Two days after signing free agent Kelly Shoppach - giving the Red Sox a full complement of three catchers who are expected to be on the major league squad - general manager Ben Cherington said the team is still talking to the captain and longtime backstop about remaining with the ballclub "in some way."...

Dodgers honor Angels' Scioscia with bobblehead

newsok.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:16:11 UTC

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Mike Scioscia can be forgiven for getting a big head over this: The Los Angeles Dodgers are honoring the manager of the rival Angels with his own bobblehead night. The Dodgers said Thursday that fans will get the Scioscia bobbleheads when he brings the Angels to Chavez Ravine for...

Henry hopes for another 10 years as Red Sox owner

newsok.com — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:16:09 UTC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - John Henry and his partners are approaching their 10th anniversary as owners of the Boston Red Sox. Read more on NewsOK.com

Duquette on team's wants, Wada, Scott, Bergesen, Roberts and more

By Dan Connolly — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:05:00 UTC

Here's what Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette had to say today on a variety of topics:

Dodgers honor Angels manager Mike Scioscia with bobblehead for his playing days in LA blue

Associated Press — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:03:48 UTC

LOS ANGELES - Mike Scioscia can be forgiven for getting a big head over this: The Los Angeles Dodgers are honoring the manager of the rival Angels with his own bobblehead night. The Dodgers said Thursday that fans will get the Scioscia bobbleheads when he brings the Angels to Chavez Ravine for an interleague...

New Orioles pitcher Wada begins transition from Japan

By , The Baltimore Sun — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:31:00 UTC

Left-hander will make jump from Japanese MVP to possible top-of-rotation starter in majors The Orioles' new starting pitcher, Tsuyoshi Wada, likely won't made his Camden Yards debut until the first full week of April, and it won't be known for several months how well he'll make the transition from...

Willingham gets 3-year-deal from Twins, likely to replace Cuddyer

www.cbssports.com — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:15:00 UTC

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins welcomed Josh Willingham to the team on Thursday, a move that had many bracing for a wave goodbye to Michael Cuddyer. Willingham agreed to a $21 million, three-year contract, giving the Twins a player with strikingly similar offensive numbers to...

Jonah Hill reacts to Golden Globe nod

www.cnn.com — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:03:57 UTC

Showbiz Tonight's A.J. Hammer talks to Jonah Hill about his Golden Globe nomination for his role in "Moneyball."

Tigers announce exhibition game at Triple-A Toledo

newsok.com — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:01:36 UTC

DETROIT (AP) - The Detroit Tigers will play an exhibition game in Toledo, Ohio, against their Triple-A affiliate next year. The Tigers say they'll take on the Toledo Mud Hens on April 4 at Fifth Third Field. Read more on NewsOK.com

Phillies sign lefty Willis, plan to use as reliever

www.cbssports.com — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:48:00 UTC

The 30-year-old Willis was the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year with Florida and finished second in Cy Young Award voting in 2005. He was 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA for Cincinnati last year. The deal was announced Thursday, and includes $400,000 in performance bonuses, including $25,000 for 30...

Shoppach could mean end for Varitek in Boston

newsok.com — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:46:45 UTC

BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Red Sox want Jason Varitek back. It might not be as a player, though. Two days after signing free agent Kelly Shoppach - giving the Red Sox a full complement of three catchers who are expected to be on the major league squad - general manager Ben Cherington said the team...

Japanese LHP Wada makes excellent 1st impression

newsok.com — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:46:41 UTC

BALTIMORE (AP) - Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada put on a near-flawless performance during his introduction as the newest member of the Baltimore Orioles starting rotation. Wada arrived at Thursday's news conference wearing a black suit, white shirt and orange tie - an ideal representation of the...