MacPhail resigns as Cubs president  —  John McDonough will serve as interim president  —  Andy MacPhail resigned as president of the Cubs on Sunday.  —  MacPhail will remain with the team to ensure a smooth transition to a new president and to complete his assignment representing Major League Baseball …

Clemens comes under steroid scrutiny  —  Somewhere, Barry Bonds is smirking.  —  Roger Clemens' late-career surge bears similarities to Bonds'.  But while Bonds' alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs has been well-documented, Clemens largely has escaped scrutiny …

Gonzo, Counsell overwhelmed by fans  —  Departing D-Backs cheered at every point in season finale  —  PHOENIX — They came and cheered.  And then they did it some more.  And when they were done with that, they cheered again.  —  A regular-season record paid crowd of 48,946 shoehorned their way into Chase Field on Sunday.

Opponent Is Set, and Mets Look Inward  —  Several hours before the Mets knew they would be playing the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of the National League division series that begins Wednesday, David Wright said that the team sitting in the other dugout would not really matter.

Red Sox tab Papelbon as starter  —  BOSTON (AP) — Jonathan Papelbon will be a starter, Trot Nixon might be an opponent and Theo Epstein is a realist.  —  Injuries and poor play in the second half of the season kept the Boston Red Sox out of the playoffs for the first time in Epstein's four years as general manager.

Sources: Girardi to be let go on Tuesday  —  Braves' Gonzalez would be leading candidate to take over  —  MIAMI — The season finale came and went Sunday afternoon for the Marlins, and there was still no definitive word on Joe Girardi's managerial future.  —  Following an emotional finish …

Mauer wins AL batting title on final day  —  NEW YORK — Joe Mauer became the first catcher to win the American League batting title, going 2-for-4 for the Minnesota Twins on the final day of the regular season to hold off the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter.  —  Mauer doubled and singled …

Nats' Robinson Bids a Fond Farewell  —  Frank Robinson first donned a major league uniform on April 17, 1956, a skinny 20-year-old rookie outfielder for the Cincinnati Reds.  Among baseball men of a certain age and mien, the act of putting on that uniform is a cherished rite, never to be taken for granted.

Does Clinching Early Help?  —  Drive a nail home and clinch it so faithfully that you can wake up in the night and think of your work with satisfaction, a work at which you would not be ashamed to invoke the Muse.  —Henry David "Clyde" Thoreau  —  New York is abuzz with the prospect …

Salmon can't get it done in swan song  —  Fans show appreciation for Mr. Angel, despite tough day  —  ANAHEIM — It was Tim Salmon's day, but the Angels provided the storyline and it did not have a happy ending.  —  In a year they not only had the talent to repeat, but the experience …

The Couch Slouch: Ask A-Rod: N.Y. fans are jerks  —  Here's the good news for Alex Rodriguez: He's the best player in baseball playing in the greatest city in the world.  Here's the bad news for Alex Rodriguez: If the Yankees lose this postseason and he plays poorly, they'll run his two-time MVP butt out of town in a New York minute.

Martinez shelved until next summer  —  Rotator cuff surgery will keep right-hander out eight months  —  WASHINGTON — The full impact of the Mets' signing of Pedro Martinez two winters ago has been substantial, though it still can't be measured.  The impact of Martinez's latest injury …