Top News:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Pitcher to Miss Postseason With Injury — Pedro Martínez has missed much of this season with injuries and illness. He will need four to six weeks to recover from his latest ailment. — The Mets had prepared themselves for the probability that Pedro Martínez …
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Mike Vaccaro / New York Post:
MET FANS, IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT SEEMS — THERE is something you really should ponder if you are a Mets fan, if your teeth are chattering, if your knees are clattering, if you're convinced - in the time-honored way that Mets fans see the Apocalypse lurking around every corner - that the sky is not only falling, but already fallen.
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Pedro's done for playoffs — Tear in left calf ends his season — ATLANTA - The Mets already had resigned themselves to losing Pedro Martinez for the division series. Then came a jolting announcement during last night's game: The ace is lost for the entire postseason.
Scott Van Voorhis / Boston Herald:
Red Sox may sell season naming rights — For sale: The 2007 Boston Red Sox season. — Just be ready to ante up several million. — The Sox may have lost some of their luster on the field after the team's late-season crash landing. — But the franchise's front office is just hitting its stride.
Discussion:
The Griddle
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Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
'Mr. Angel' Has Earned His Wings — Tim Salmon looks back at his lengthy career, which will come to an end Sunday at home. — It is the first day of the last week of his distinguished career. The weekend will come soon, and with it the pomp and circumstance of retirement, the ceremonies and farewells and standing ovations.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Baker reflects on difficult season — Veteran skipper vows to manage somewhere in 2007 — CHICAGO — Dusty Baker said he still doesn't know if he'll be managing the Chicago Cubs next season but he does expect to be managing somewhere in 2007. — Cubs general manager Jim Hendry has yet …
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Clark Spencer / Miami Herald:
Treanor ejected in loss — Matt Treanor was tossed in the first inning and the Marlins went on to assure themselves of their first losing season since 2002. — cspencer@MiamiHerald.com — He contends he didn't swear, and he swears he didn't turn around to eyeball home plate umpire Larry Young …
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Associated Press:
Yanks' Johnson has herniated disc, playoffs in doubt — NEW YORK — Yankees lefty Randy Johnson has a herniated disc in his lower back, an injury that could prevent him from pitching in the playoffs next week. — The injury was discovered during an MRI exam Thursday.
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Notes: Barrett needs time to heal — Catcher will sit out remainder of season with groin injury — CHICAGO — Michael Barrett won't be back this season, but when he returns in 2007, he'll have better protection. — The Cubs catcher has been sidelined since a foul tip caused an intrascrotal hematoma on Sept. 2.
Baseball America:
South Atlantic League Top 20 Prospects List — Subscribers can read scouting reports on all 20 players (Click here to subscribe) — The low Class A South Atlantic League usually has its share of standout teenage prospects, but 2006 was unusual because four of its brightest young talents played …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Bernie Miklasz / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Feeling the heat? Slay the messenger — Memo to Terrell Owens: If you have any of that extra-strength pain medication left over, please ship it to St. Louis. — In mass quantities. — The heat is really on, and so is the hurt. By the time the first 19 Milwaukee hitters had stepped …
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Ichiro says he'll stay in center field — Decision allows team to pursue left or right fielder with power — Ichiro Suzuki in center field next season? — Count on it. — In a meeting in Mike Hargrove's office this week, Ichiro told the manager he is willing to be Seattle's full …
Discussion:
Lookout Landing
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Playoff goal eludes Teixeira yet again — SEATTLE — The first-half numbers Mark Teixeira put up this season ranked as one of the biggest letdowns for Rangers fans, probably right behind the injury to Adam Eaton and the underwhelming year by Brad Wilkerson.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Having swinging time — Padres hitters pummel D-Backs, keep Dodgers one game back — PHOENIX - The Padres are rightly known for their pitching, which leads the National League in ERA. And San Diego's pitchers will get most of the attention should the team clinch a playoff berth - which it can do tonight.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
A Glove story — Gonzo eyes Gold nugget — In a season with enough twists and turns to dizzy Ricky Bobby, the Red Sox defense has been the steadiest working part of their disappointing season. — While a good debate could be held on who is the best defensive player on the Red Sox …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Notes: Saito's record ball goes to Lowe — Both pitchers net milestone numbers in Wednesday's victory — DENVER — Closer Takashi Saito broke Yhency Brazoban's one-year-old franchise rookie record with his 22nd save when he struck out the Rockies' Jeff Salazar on Wednesday night.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Cowher to Big Ben: Run more, puh-lease — By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Bill Cowher delivered a message to his quarterback yesterday, borrowing a line from Forrest Gump: Run, Ben, Run! — Perhaps as a way to help his young quarterback out of a rare funk …
Associated Press:
O'Neil takes turn for the worse — Friends say Negro Leagues icon resting comfortably — KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Negro Leagues icon Buck O'Neil took a turn for the worse late Thursday but was resting comfortably in a Kansas City hospital Friday morning, friends said.