By Douglas Holtz-Eakin
The young drop coverage to avoid higher premiums
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz and first baseman Ryan Howard will have MRI exams Monday.
There's one certainty in the Philadelphia Phillies' lineup: Ryan Howard will bat cleanup as usual.
Fresh from pitching against solid Atlanta hitters, Jake Westbrook faced a far trickier test: Guess how much fans paid for box seats to watch the exhibition game.
The Minnesota Twins have had all of two managers over the last quarter-century, so it's a bit startling to see Ron Gardenhire beginning the last year of his contract, his job seemingly on the line after back-to-back seasons of more than 95 losses.
If there is one thing that Dan Haren has almost always been able to call himself, it's a West Coast guy. Haren was born in California, went to high school and college there and has spent the majority of his 10-year major league career with teams housed either in the state or not far from it.
Jayson Werth didn't see this success as a leadoff hitter coming. How could he? With the Philadelphia Phillies his job was at the other end of the spectrum.
Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins apologized to manager Charlie Manuel and returned to the lineup Friday night, a day after the former NL MVP was benched in the middle of a game for failing to hustle.
Hunter Pence hopes this sequel has a better ending.
Baseball's haves picked up more players from the have-nots at Tuesday's trade deadline, when Ryan Dempster was dealt from the Chicago Cubs to the Texas Rangers and Shane Victorino, Hunter Pence and Jonathan Broxton all wound up on new teams.
A fan unconcerned that the Philadelphia Phillies were playing in Washington walked around the team's ballpark Tuesday afternoon with a sign that read: "Will play outfield for food."
Shane Victorino will hear an unfamiliar sound at Chavez Ravine: cheers.
Slugger Jim Thome is headed to the Baltimore Orioles, whose struggling offense is in dire need of some punch.
Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay is expected to miss six to eight weeks because of a strained right shoulder, the latest major setback for the five-time NL East champions.
Cole Hamels earned a five-game suspension for the way he welcomed Bryce Harper to the big leagues.
A year ago, it was the Philadelphia Phillies, and then the rest of the National League. Everyone was picking Roy Halladay and Co. to win the pennant.
"People don't understand Jimmy Rollins knocks in 75-90 runs in the leadoff spot," Manuel said. "Jimmy so far in his career produces more runs in the leadoff hole than Ben."
"Howard is the only guy in our lineup capable of knocking in 130-150 runs," Manuel said.
