Morning Papers

Pedro's Groovin' For Mets' Opener March 9 New York Post (registration required): "When Pedro Martinez finished his most extensive bullpen session of camp yesterday at Tradition Field, he gave fist bumps to pitching coach Rick Peterson, bullpen coach Guy Conti and COO Jeff Wilpon." Tom in wings as Pedro gels March 9 New York Daily News: "Tom Glavine's schedule has been altered to get him ready for Opening Day. Still, Pedro Martinez would not rule out making the April 3 start against the Nationals, promising he would give Glavine the proper notice in case the southpaw's schedule needed to be shuffled again." Floyd having problems with kidneys March 9 Newsday: "The memory that haunts Cliff Floyd most about his dad's battle with kidney disease is how rapidly he was transformed by the illness. Now the Mets' outfielder is worried that the same thing could be happening to him." In Every Language, Thumbs-Up Is the Same March 9 New York Times (registration required): "During Yusaku Iriki's bullpen session Sunday, as his off-speed pitches danced and fluttered around the plate as if controlled by a marionette, Rick Peterson, the Mets' pitching coach, repeatedly flashed him a thumbs-up." Mets see future in Hernandez March 9 Newark Star-Ledger (registration required): "Anderson Hernandez didn't know why. He just wasn't in the lineup for Licey of the Dominican League that day." New colors in twilight March 9 Newsday: "It explains why Mike Piazza, 37 and just about at the end of a Hall of Fame baseball career, decided to give it a go with the San Diego Padres. It also explains why he was in uniform last night, wearing the colors of Italy, his grandfather's homeland." Graffanino drawing interest March 9 Providence Journal (registration required): "But with enough trade interest, the Sox are expected to move Graffanino to another team. To date, according to multiple sources, the Texas Rangers, New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and Florida Marlins have shown interest. The Baltimore Orioles might also be interested if second baseman Brian Roberts experiences any problems in his comeback from shoulder surgery." USA drops one to Canada, eh? March 9 New York Daily News: "The baseball world was tilted on its axis when Canada, featuring a starting pitcher who has never been above Class A, raced to an eight-run lead and held on for an 8-6 victory at Chase Field, leaving Team USA with a 1-1 record, embarrassment and the sound of boos ringing in their ears." Cuban Player Has Moments Made for History March 9 New York Times (registration required): "The strategy of avoiding Gourriel and trying to subdue the rest of the Cubans failed. Pinch-hitter Yoandy Garlobo's two-out single drove in the tie-breaking run and Frederich Cepeda followed with another single as Cuba stopped Panama, 8-6." Venezuela Wins, but Manager Fields Plenty of Bad Hops March 9 New York Times (registration required): "They howled at Sojo without even knowing what he had said a couple of hours earlier, during batting practice before Venezuela's 6-0 victory over Italy." Beltran, Pudge, Lopez homer for Puerto Rico March 9 Newsday: "Team Puerto Rico defeated the Netherlands, 8-3, last night with a barrage of home runs from Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran, Tigers catcher Ivan Rodriguez and Orioles cartcher/first baseman Javy Lopez." Boomer To Barry: Come Clean March 9 Hartford Courant (registration required): "Meanwhile, Red Sox pitcher David Wells, a good friend of Giambi's, urged Bonds to go the same route. 'Be a man and come out and say that he did [use steroids],' Wells said in an interview in Fort Myers. " Giambi won't add juice to new scandal March 9 New York Daily News: "On the cover of 'Game of Shadows,' the latest book to rock baseball during this never-ending steroids scandal, Jason Giambi is pictured holding on Barry Bonds at first base in an interleague game between the Yankees and Giants in 2002."