Morning Papers

Theme for Martínez Could Be From 'Rocky' April 7 New York Times (registration required): "On its own, the fastball that rammed into Jose Guillen's upper arm in the fifth inning last night was merely an errant pitch, one that got away from Pedro Martínez... He charged the mound, igniting a skirmish that cleared the dugouts and bullpens and marred the rest of the Mets' 10-5 victory against the Nationals." Mashin' Mets Fight Back April 7 New York Post (registration required): "Ultimately, although both benches cleared, there was no melee and there were no ejections at that point. And, ultimately, the Mets triumphed with a 10-5 win, thanks to key homers from Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran." Beltran bites back at boo birds April 7 New York Daily News: "Carlos Beltran insists the booing from the Shea Stadium faithful does not bother him, but his actions - or desired inaction - may speak louder than words." Beltran bites back at boo birds April 7 New York Daily News: "Carlos Beltran insists the booing from the Shea Stadium faithful does not bother him, but his actions - or desired inaction - may speak louder than words." WFAN scores with 'Sandman' April 7 Newsday columnist Neil Best: "This week's manufactured bizarro-controversy - soundtrack by Metallica - from the babble factory at WFAN is the handiwork of masters at work. And it is an example of why Mike Francesa and Chris Russo have lasted so long and make so darn much money." A familiar look April 7 Miami Herald (registration required): "Just 15 months after turning down a lucrative, multiyear deal with the New York Mets to sign one with the Marlins, Delgado finds himself starting for the Mets anyway, having been traded to New York last Thanksgiving, the opening day of Fire Sale II." New Amazin' ballpark to be blast from past & future marvel, too April 7 New York Daily News: "The Mets' new stadium will be 'the realization of a longtime dream' - a deeply personal dream - team owner Fred Wilpon declared yesterday as he unveiled plans for the back-to-the-future ballpark." Sportsnet N.Y. Inks Dish Deal April 7 New York Post (registration required): "SportsNet New York, the Mets' new cable network, late yesterday finalized deals that immediately cleared two cable systems and Dish Network, one of the nation's two major satellite providers." As Soriano Lingered, Robinson Fumed April 7 New York Times (registration required): "It took only two games for Alfonso Soriano's habit of sometimes not running out balls to infuriate Nationals Manager Frank Robinson."