The Yankees will have home-field advantage due to the American League’s victory in the all-Star game back in July.

Baseballs fans were aTwitter with excitement and championship predictions:

1. 
   OMGITSYELL (Philadelphia) Phillies VS. Yankees, bring on the crazinesss 26 Oct 2009 from TwitterBerry
2. 
   DwightfromJerz (Undisclosed) Yankees vs the defending champion Phillies in the World Series starting Wednesday. I got the Yankees in 6. 26 Oct 2009 from web
3. 
   DeanoFlash (VA) NY vs Philly, more flame to the fire baby. #Yankees #Phillies I’m lovin this postseason!! epic 26 Oct 2009 from web
4. 
   debis1 (Undisclosed) yankees vs. phillies. love ‘em both. going for yankees. what a series it will be: two power teams in two homer-friendly parks. 26 Oct 2009 from web
5. 
   NewMomJD (Bronx, New York) @berlin_girl I hope we can still be twitter friends after the Yankees SWEEP the Phillies in the world series, lol!!! 26 Oct 2009 from Power Twitter in reply to berlin_girl

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According to the New York Post, ESPN assistant Brooke Hundley slept with Phillips multiple times after she met him in July, and then “taunted” his wife by phone, text message and letter after Phillips broke off the relationship.

The majority of tweeters reacted to the twisted plot with disdain for Phillips:

1. 
   salty_birdie (Houston, Texas) Steve Phillips is definitely a case of not being able to teach old dogs new tricks…idiot. Guys get stupid for young tail… 21 Oct 2009 from web
2. 
   JPSESQ (Undisclosed) So happy that Steve Phillips has been suspended. I’m not passing judgment on his morals, but his baseball analysis is HORRIBLE! 21 Oct 2009 from web
3. 
   DanWetzel (Undisclosed) Steve Phillips never was a very good judge of talent 21 Oct 2009 from web
4. 
   jessespector (New York) Nothing quite like reading blog comments on a Steve Phillips story to destroy your faith in humanity all over again. 21 Oct 2009 from web
5. 
   HecklingSociety (New York City) Thanks, Steve Phillips! You’ve given miserable Met fans who hate you a reason to smile. 21 Oct 2009 from web

– this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Others criticized ESPN’s handling of the situation, especially with respect to fellow analyst Harold Reynolds’ 2006 sexual harassment termination:

1. 
   cariboubarbie (Undisclosed) If Steve Phillips isn’t being fired 4 having sex with 22-year-old staffer, I conclude Harold Reynolds fired for being black. #mlb #baseball 21 Oct 2009 from web
2. 
   MrsWaterClown (Seattle, Wash.) @williamfleitch How does Steve Phillips still have a job after what happened to Harold Reynolds? #espn 21 Oct 2009 from web in reply to williamfleitch
3. 
   AngelosTzelepis (Saratoga Springs, NY) Funny how ESPN is quick to jump on any scandal for 24/7 commentary, but I don’t see any links about the Steve Phillips story on the site… 21 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   danno2530 (Undisclosed) Also, if Harold Reynolds is fired for a hug, how does Steve Phillips keep his job over this? Not to mention he’s a much worse broadcaster. 21 Oct 2009 from Echofon

– this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

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The family’s purchase of the team, headed by Tom Ricketts, only has one obstacle left: bankruptcy court. The family should assume its role as owner by the end of the month.

For Cubs fans on twitter, the news comes as another glimmer of hope for next year:

1. 
   Hawkluver (Moline, Illinois) @TouchByAM Oh my God!!! Bless you Ricketts family for buying Cubs! God Bless u! Please live clean so jinx can b removed! 06 Oct 2009 from web in reply to TouchByAM
2. 
   jet_flyer70 (Undisclosed) Sale of Cubs to Ricketts family is finally approved. Hopefully this will help bring us a champioinship! 06 Oct 2009 from web
3. 
   dougleavy (Colorado) THANK GOD!!! MLB approved the sale of the Cubs to the Ricketts family. Tribune was a total joke of an owner!!! 06 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

Yet some still recognize the work that needs to be done before the Cubs can return to championship caliber, even to the point of pesimism:

1. 
   duey23 (North Aurora, Illinois) @Aisle424 Congrats Mr. Ricketts you now own the contract to Milton Bradley…..enjoy! 06 Oct 2009 from HootSuite in reply to Aisle424
2. 
   Matt_WGEM (Quincy, Illinois) MLB approves sale of Cubs. I bet Ricketts family having second thoughts after this year’s team self-imploded. They now own Milton Bradley 06 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   nichols120 (Burlington, IA) And they still won’t win a World Series RT @foxnewsradio: MLB owners unanimously approve Tribune sale of Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family 06 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
4. 
   teammktgreport (Chicagoland, IL) Suburban kids expected to dress up as Soriano’s contract to scare Tom Ricketts on Halloween. 06 Oct 2009 from web

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Tied 4-4 going into the 10th inning, the Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge drove in a run, giving Detroit the lead for the time being. In the bottom of the 10th, Twins first baseman Michael Cuddyer answered with a lead-off triple, eventually tying the game 5-5.

The game, which lasted over four and a half hours, received a lot of attention from baseball fans on Twitter – ‘Detroit’, ‘Tigers’ and ‘Go Twins’ all became trending topics.

1. 
   andrewbronson This Twins vs Tigers game is crazy! There have been so many awesome plays. 07 Oct 2009 from web
2. 
   ZaneSafrit Aha. Twins-Tigers moving into the 12th. Baseball worth watching. 07 Oct 2009 from HootSuite
3. 
   EliseMichelle This game is going to give me a heart attack. #twins #tigers 07 Oct 2009 from UberTwitter
4. 
   Liquidslap Man this Tigers game is epic as hell 07 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
5. 
   ccBaxlash Looks like the #twins#tigers will play 164. 07 Oct 2009 from web
6. 
   clayhebert Tigers – Twins is a nailbiter. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, turn on TBS. One game playoff. 5-5 top of 12th inning!! 07 Oct 2009 from Tweetie

With the bases loaded in the 12th inning, Inge would come up to bat again hitting a ground ball to Twins second baseman Nick Punto, who saved a run by forcing the runner out at home. Two outs, bases still loaded.

The next at bat – with a full count, it was the Twins 8th pitcher of the game, Bobby Keppel, who recorded a big strike-out against Tigers catcher Gerald Laird. Keppel preserved the tie and gave the Twins another shot to win.

With two men on, the Twins’ Alexi Casilla hit a ground ball hit into right field allowing the winning run to score. The Twins comeback would be completed in front of a home crowd of over 54,000, in a stadium which was not supposed to see any post season action.

1. 
   Dooflegna CASILLA PUTS ONE THROUGH TO SCORE GOGO FROM SECOND, TWINS WIN IN 163, WE’RE GOING TO THE POST SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #TWINSTERRITORY 07 Oct 2009 from web
2. 
   tigerslive It’s over. Casilla singles in Gomez. No play at the plate. One-out single to right. 6-5 Twins, on the way to NY. Tigers finish 2nd. 07 Oct 2009 from web
3. 
   twinsmvb The Twins got their first win of the season in game 3 on a walkoff by Alexi Casilla. 160 games later… #Twins 07 Oct 2009 from Tweetie
4. 
   VVSports The Twins walk off with a 6-5 win in the bottom of the 12th. Alexi Casilla singled to right as Carlos Gomez scored from second. 07 Oct 2009 from web
5. 
   joebronk I love Alexi Casilla, I love Carlos Gomez, I love the Metrodome, I love the Twins and I love Twitter 07 Oct 2009 from web

The Twins begin their post-season tomorrow in New York, facing the Yankees in a best of five series. For now, the Minnesota faithful are happy, but users on Twitter seem to think the honeymoon will end soon:

1. 
   goldenacorn93 Yay the Twins won!!!! Now we get to go to the playoffs and lose to the Yankees!! 07 Oct 2009 from txt
2. 
   cpollak21 Congrats Twins, you have won the right to lose to the Yankees in 3 07 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   abbysimon Sad loss for the Tigers…good luck Twins, you have to play the Yankees tomorrow! 07 Oct 2009 from TwitterBerry
4. 
   tsantos RT @gruber: Congratulations to the Minnesota Twins for winning the honor of losing to the Yankees. 07 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
5. 
   Skye_Rocket Twins win! w00t. We get to get smushed by the Yankees! 07 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck
6. 
   krumble Woke up in time to follow the end of the Tigers/Twins game. It was a pretty incredible game. Now I hope the Yankees crush them. 07 Oct 2009 from web

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Last year, the Twins faced a similar fate, but lost to the White Sox in Chicago, 1-0.

Despite losing three starters to injuries, including All-Star first baseman Justin Morneau, the Twins have rallied to won their last 16 of 20 games and tie the best record in the AL Central. The Tigers, on the other hand, have won only 10 of their last 20 games.

“It feels good to come back… But it won’t mean anything if we don’t win Tuesday,” said Twins center fielder Denard Span, according to USA Today.

Most Twins fans on Twitter aren’t making predictions. Many just hope they don’t suffer the same heartbreak as last year:

1. bryanmonroe (Chicago, IL) One Game Playoff, Part 2. Do it for the ‘Dome. #Twins 04 Oct 2009 from web
2. 
   elemnt311 (Undisclosed) 162 games wasnt enough? o well GO TWINS 05 Oct 2009 from web
3. 
   geolytle (Cairo, NE) 162 games played…now its down to a one game playoff! Go Twins! 05 Oct 2009 from web
4. 
   Raines13 (North Manchester, IN) Looking forward to Tigers-Twins tomorrow night. 162-game season and it all comes down to nine innings. 05 Oct 2009 from web
5. 
   twinsbuzztap (Minneapolis, MN) Minnesota Twins (Official Site) >> Winner goes on, loser goes home http://bit.ly/lDBq2 06 Oct 2009 from buzztap
6. 
   johnclarson4 (Minneapolis, MN) Ready for round 2 at the dome tomorrow. Go twins! 06 Oct 2009 from TwitterBerry
7. 
   vtuss (Undisclosed) Greetings from Minnesota, where our pennant races are just like our Senate races: They take a little longer to complete. #twins #game163 06 Oct 2009 from web

– this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

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To cap a regular season that started in heartbreak with the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart, Ervin Santana threw a complete game shut out for his eighth win, Bobby Abreu went 3 for 5 and was just a homer away from the cycle.

The Angels now try their hand in the postseason, with hopes of winning their second World Series title and first since the “Rally Monkey” season of 2002.

LA tweeters were ecstatic for their team.

1. 
   SexyDan23 (Los Angeles) ANGELS POPPN’ CHAMPAGNE…OHHHHH..POPPN’ CHAMPAGNE! 29 Sep 2009 from mobile web
2. 
   lucylou0789 (Los Angeles) just fell in love with the Angels! 29 Sep 2009 from txt
3. 
   EdwinSantos (Los Angeles) The California…er, the Anaheim…I mean, the Los Angeles Angels clinched the American League West Championship! Woo-hoo!!!! Yaaaaayyyy!! 29 Sep 2009 from web
4. 
   BigTree33 (Los Angeles) Angels baby!!! Let’s go all the way this year! Bring on the red sox! 29 Sep 2009 from TwitterBerry

– this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

The most touching moment of the night though was when the entire Angels team went out onto the field to honor fallen teammate, Nick Adenhart.

1. 
   MLBgrrl (Los Angeles) Okay, the tribute to Adenhart totally make me cry. This is a special Angels team!! 29 Sep 2009 from Tweetie
2. 
   laaabaseball @mrfabuloso (Los Angeles) Sorry I am just glad that the #Angels got to playoffs its very emotional, after the tragedy this year. 29 Sep 2009 from web
3. 
   Sarah_Speirs (Los Angeles) RT @angelsbaseball: The #Angels walk out as a team 2 Adenhart photo on the CF – 1 of the most moving things I’ve ever seen on a ball field. 29 Sep 2009 from UberTwitter

– this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

Yet some twitter users expressed frustration with the fact the Angels poured celebratory alcohol on his jersey since the car he was riding in on April 9, 2009 was struck by another driver who was under the influence.

1. 
   JHornberg (Los Angeles) Considering Nick Adenhart was killed by a drunken driver, coating his jersey with champagne in celebration is just idiotic. #angels #mlb 29 Sep 2009 from web
2. 
   chrisdecuisine (Los Angeles) ugh very, very weirded out by the Angels celebrating wining the division and pouring beer on Nick Adenhart’s jersey. 29 Sep 2009 from web

– this quote was brought to you by quoteurl

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The San Diego Padres-Houston Astros baseball game was delayed Thursday after a swarm of bees descended on the field. The game was stopped for 45 minutes as a uniformed bee keeper–they have these guys on retainer?–attended to the unusual act of nature.

Padres-Astros game delayed by bee swarm

Tweets on this are swarming in–sorry, I couldn’t resist–as this is a story buzzing in the Twitterverse. Much love to the beekeeper:

1. 
   AmyKNelson what’s more shocking, that the Padres game is being delayed by swarming bees, or that Petco had some dude on call in full bee-fighting gear? 02 Jul 2009 from web
2. 
   Rhodes21 Astros-Padres game delayed in 9th inning because of bees. Bees?!?! Baseball players are such wimps. Let me see bees stop Bill Guerin! 02 Jul 2009 from web
3. 
   seandkennedy RT @RL_Bynum The beekeeper should be credited with a save: The Astros-Padres game has resumed. #MLB 02 Jul 2009 from web
4. 
   rockyb61 @PTIShow You have to show the Astros/Padres BEE delay – totally surreal, especially when the beekeeper came out and totalled 2000+ bees. 02 Jul 2009 from web in reply to PTIShow
5. 
   lore942009 just came from padres vs astros base ball game in petco stadium in san diego don´t know who won cuz we had 2 leave early so it was awsome:D 02 Jul 2009 from web

How about the tweet from someone at the game who had to leave due to the swarm? Another reason SoCal is good place to visit, not to live.

What do you think of the swarming bees? Have you had to leave a sporting event for an unusual reason? Send us your tweets @BTsports.

Jon Kerr is a co-editor of Breaking Tweets Sports. You can follow him on Twitter at @enlightnedmedia.

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Sam Fuld and Cubs hope July is better than June

As June turns into July, there are absolutes to the cadance of every baseball season. The Red Sox will be one of the best teams–Tuesday night notwithstanding…holy Dewey Evans!–another ‘roider will roll up on a heckler, and the Cubs will be making news for every other reason except for winning a World Series. Can someone get Ron Santo a Mars bar, please?

Just completing a 12-14 month, the Cubs enter July with a laundry list of ailments not even Michael Jackson’s doctor could prescribe medication for. I am not a, ahem, licensed physician trained to protect the best interests of my patients. No, I am a blogger, trained to spout off on sports topics rattling around in my brain. Today, it’s what ills the Cubs. Here are 5 ideas that if implemented, can get the Cubs back on track-

1. Aramis Ramirez chops wood like Joe Mauer. Great piece by Tom Verducci in last week’s Sports Illustrated on Twins catcher Joe Mauer. It appears Mauer’s therapy from baseball life is simple– retreating to a log cabin in the upper woods of Minnesota, riding a tractor and listening to hooting owls at night. Missing the first month of the season, Mauer is hitting over .400 since May. Now, I would be stunned of A-Ram spends his downtime sniffing the morning scent of freshly cut grass, but if helps him come off the DL firing, hand him an axe.

2. Jeff Samardijza finds an out pitch. Just back from his Des Moines exile, the bonus baby was supposed to be working on a 3rd pitch to compliment a fastball and change up. If he can get guys out this time up, he becomes a 7th inning option, or if Carlos Marmol continues to struggle, an 8th inning guy. Either way, taking endess bus trips through back roads in Iowa vs sleeping in luxury hotels should motivate Samardijza to figure it out.

3. Milton Bradley hits like Milton Bradley. You know I had to get a Bradley reference in this post, for no other reason than SEO. His keyword is killing it right now on Google! Honestly, Bradley’s lifetime numbers are worthy of the $10 million per year contract the Cubs gave him–.370 OBP, .452 SLG, .821 OPS. I perfect number two guy once A-Ram comes back. Bradley’s clubhouse confrontation with Lou Pinella may be a blessing, if it means his teammates will start paying attention to the mercurial, moody guy. If it makes him hit better, Soriano should take him out to Cold Stone Creamery after every home game, where they can look deeply into each other’s eyes and talk about life, loves and, well, what else is there?

4. Starting pitching doesn’t need to get better, just deeper. Although the Cubs starters are amongst the best in MLB in terms of quality starts, this is deceiving. Quality starts if one of the biggest crock stats in the game, drummed up by entrepreneurial agents like Scott Boras to get fatter contracts for clients. Ryan Dempster goes 6 innings, gives up 7 hits and 3 earned runs. This is considered quality? Yes, in the mediocrity soaked world of professional sports. It’s not the 7 hits or 3 runs that are the problem, but the 6 innings. An extra inning thrown consistenly by Cubs starters means less exposure to the abyss that is their bullpen. Eventually someone from the Marmol, Samardijza, Guzman mix will rise up and seize the 8th inning. The more often they have a lead to protect in the 8th, the more margin for error they give to Kevin Gregg, who can be effective when handed a 2 or 3-run save opportunity in the 9th.

5. This is more of a suggestion for fans–dieting. If you can’t stomach what you’re watching, then take the lead from one Cubs fan and eat less.

These are obviously not sure-fire cures. Although the Cubs are having a bad month, they aren’t suffering as much as this ball boy:

You want a piece of me, Milton? Huh?

What is your idea for fixing the Cubs? Is A-Ram’s return the answer? Send us your tweets @BTsports.

Jon Kerr is a co-editor of Breaking Tweets Sports. You can follow him on Twitter at @enlightnedmedia.

Other sources: SBNation, AOL, BleacherReport

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Chicago White Sox pitcher Johnny Danks ensured a long slumber by throwing seven innings of shutout baseball Wednesday afternoon at Wrigley Field as the Sox rolled over the lifeless North Siders 4-1, per The Chicago Tribune.

The Sox got all the runs they would need early on a solo home run by Alexei Ramirez in the first inning and a Chris Getz broken-bat triple in the second.

The Sox (@whitesoxbuzztap) later added a run in the seventh with a suicide-squeeze off the bat of Scott Podsednik, plating Getz.

Cubs and Sox fans were treated to a nice day inside the Friendly Confines:

(Twitpic by @blipsman posted June 17th, 2009)

The Cubs, after squandering several opportunities to score, finally pushed a run across in the eighth on a ground ball out from Alfonso Soriano.

The Cubs (@chicago_cubs) have lost five out of their last six games scoring only 10 runs during the stretch while the Sox have won their last three outings.

Sox fans rejoice while Cubs fans recoil on Twitter:

1. 
   cubsjunkie Oh well, not surprising. #Cubs will go out there and get it done tomorrow. 17 Jun 2009 from TwitterBerry
2. 
   KatharinaDawn Remember — this year’s Crosstown Classic isn’t about who wins. It’s about who fails less. #cubsfail #whitesoxfail #longestsummerever 17 Jun 2009 from TwitterFox
3. 
   dat_cubfan_dave Now the REAL fun begins: Hoping Brewers, Cards and Reds lose so #Cubs don’t slip further behind. Go Indians, Tigers and Braves. Sigh. 17 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   rsternquist Johnny Danks was so good for the White Sox today. Sorry Cubs fans. 17 Jun 2009 from twidroid
5. 
   drezac @djakes I haven’t watched a game since May 31st, when they lost. This year’s bragging rights are kind of moot. #cubs 18 Jun 2009 from Tweetie in reply to djakes
6. 
   MCapp22 Watching the encore showing of today’s Crosstown Classic White Sox vs. Cubs game. Sox win! Lots of bummed out Cub fans on the El today. 18 Jun 2009 from web

Which team is better– the Cubs or the White Sox? Who will win Thursday’s game? Will either make the playoffs? Comment below or on Twitter @BTsports!

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After playing 17 games in 17 days, the Colorado Rockies returned to the diamond tonight after a day off Monday hoping to extend their current 11-game winning streak. However, the 12-4 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, punctuated by Gabe Kapler and B.J. Upton’s combined 7 RBIs ended the quest to reach .500. The Rays may be on to something themselves having won six in a row.

Susnset over the Colorado Rockies...Team and Mountains (@MontanaOne)

Despite the cooling off, feelings in Denver were positive:

1. 
   MLBFanHouse Rays just set new record with 11th extra-base hit. The Magic of Coors. Can’t win forever, Rockies. 17 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
2. 
   coletrain23 At the Rockies game. Need a comeback to keep winstreak alive. 17 Jun 2009 from Twitterrific
3. 
   TrufanColorado no rally but hey, it had to end sooner than later, we’ll start a new steak tomorrow! go rockies 17 Jun 2009 from web
4. 
   paulk_ Well here’s to hoping for a little Coors Field magic, but I’m not going to hope too much. It was another great run #Rockies! 17 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck
5. 
   DanValles @Sportschix Do you think the Rockies have a 9 run bottom of the 9th 2 out rally in them? ha ha I think the Rays might be safe w/ this lead 17 Jun 2009 from TweetDeck in reply to Sportschix

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