Top News:
ESPN:
Police report: Owens hospitalized after suicide attempt — Terrell Owens will address the media at a 3:30 p.m. ET news conference outside the Cowboys' practice facility after an internal police report indicated he tried to kill himself by overdosing on prescription pain medication …
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Associated Press:
Report: T.O. attempted suicide — Police report says wideout tried to overdose himself — DALLAS (AP) — Flamboyant Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens tried to kill himself by overdosing on pain medication, even putting two more pills into his mouth after a friend intervened, according to a police report obtained Wednesday.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Red Sox, Beckett take on Rays — Tampa Bay (60-97) at Boston (84-74), 7:05 p.m. ET — Josh Beckett will make his final start of 2006 on Wednesday night and it's a significant one for the right-hander. — This is the first time Beckett has made it through an entire season without being shut down by an injury.
Discussion:
The Feeding the Monster Blog
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Sports Illustrated:
Requiem for a champion — A month ago when the Red Sox collapsed, the baseball world cried out in a mix of horror and glee that could have been heard in Siberia. This week, the defending World Series champion White Sox were eliminated from playoff contention.
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Notes: Multiple tiebreaker scenarios — Astros, Cardinals and Reds could all finish tied atop Central — PITTSBURGH — Most of the talk involving a possible tie in the National League Central division has revolved around the Astros and Cardinals, who would meet for a one-game "play in" on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park.
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Phil Sheridan / Philadelphia Inquirer:
No alternative: It's time to give up on hapless Burrell. — WASHINGTON - Pat Burrell is an easy target. That doesn't mean you hold your fire, not when a playoff berth is at stake. — So this column will adhere to the credo I picked up from a fictional CIA operative in a book so long ago, the title eludes me:
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Bob Herzog / Newsday:
Pedro's Game 1 status depends on Game 158 — ATLANTA — The final act of genuine drama in the Mets' runaway regular-season success story of 2006 comes tonight when Pedro Martinez, injured calf and all, tries once again to allay the fears of the organization and its fans that he is ready …
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Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Notes: Maroth off playoff roster — Leyland makes tough decision to hold out left-hander — DETROIT — Manager Jim Leyland hesitated for a couple seconds when asked whether making cuts from a postseason roster is as difficult as making cuts in Spring Training. This is why.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Baseball America:
Talent Fills HWB Rosters — The minor league season officially ended a little over a week ago in San Bernadino, Calf., where high Class A Inland Empire toppled Visalia for the California League title. — That was the final postseason series to come to an end, and now it's time for prospect season to begin.
altoonamirror.com:
Spikes, Pirates tie knot — UNIVERSITY PARK — There's a beautiful new minor league ballpark here, but really, there was no reason for baseball fans in Blair County to go see it in 2006. — There will be in 2007 and beyond. — The worst-kept secret in the minors revealed itself Monday …
Discussion:
Nationals Farm Authority
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Nate Silver / Baseball Prospectus:
Lies, Damned Lies — Playoff Hurlers — While it's evident that there is nothing like a Diamondbacks-style Randy Johnson-Curt Schilling thunder-and-lightning duo among this year's potential playoff teams, it's unclear just which starting staff is the best of a relatively weak lot.
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Lee could be back if the price is right — ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Rangers can't say Carlos Lee has failed to meet expectations. — Lee has been the hitter they were hoping for when they traded for him July 28. He hasn't had as big an impact with the Rangers falling out of the playoff race.
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Young tries to keep road streak intact — San Diego (85-72) at St. Louis (80-76), 5:10 p.m. PT — One of Major League Baseball's most remarkable streaks goes back on the line when Chris Young takes on the Cardinals' Anthony Reyes in the finale of a three-game series at Busch Stadium on Wednesday night.
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
Bernie Miklasz / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
La Russa is making inexplicable decisions — October has arrived early. To the Cardinals, the final days of the regular season suddenly feel like the postseason. The tension is extreme, the pressure intense. The infield dirt is quicksand. The outfield walls are closing in. — Baseball Heaven?
Doug Tucker / Associated Press:
Buck O'Neil remains hospitalized in weakened condition — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Buck O'Neil has been hospitalized because of extreme fatigue, and friends are becoming increasingly worried about the 94-year-old former Negro Leagues player. — O'Neil spent about three days in the hospital in August …
