Top News:
Chicago Tribune:
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 …
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Mike Downey / Chicago Tribune:
Too many problems for 1 guy to create — Many baseball teams have a big boss (George Steinbrenner, Jerry Reinsdorf) who owns a percentage of the club and then a general manager who makes manpower decisions, with no one else in between. — The Cubs have a team president 'twixt the two.
Byron / GROTA:
Bloodbath: The Transcript — I'm transcribing this afternoon's developments for posterity. This is a transcript of what MacPhail said at today's news conference. I will clean it up later, but it is being rushed to readers for the sake of immediacy. — Update: 7:06 p.m. I have added …
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
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.
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Associated Press:
Orioles held hitless in five-inning game — BOSTON (AP) - Devern Hansack hopes he made a lasting impression on the Boston Red Sox in the final game of the season. — Hansack pitched no-hit ball for five innings before Sunday's game was called because of rain, giving Boston a 9-0 win over Baltimore …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
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 …
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ESPN:
Report: Marlins to dismiss Girardi, name successor — Despite a season that far exceeded expectations, the Florida Marlins will move quickly this week to dismiss manager Joe Girardi and name a successor, a source familiar with the Marlins situation told ESPN Insider's Jerry Crasnick.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Clemens, Pettitte deny Grimsley report — Houston pitchers say they've never used illegal substances — ATLANTA — Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens heard the rumors months ago, when the infamous affidavit was posted online for the public to view. — They had heard that their names …
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Padres wrap up NL West title — Friars edge D-Backs, head home for NLDS vs. Cardinals — PHOENIX — The Padres claimed back-to-back National League West titles for the first time in franchise history when they beat the Diamondbacks, 7-6, on Sunday in front of 48,946 at Chase Field …
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
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.
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Norman Chad / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
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.
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Manuel to meet with Gillick this week — Phils skipper to discuss future with club's general manager — MIAMI — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel leaned back and rubbed the remaining bit of white hair on his scalp. Despite reluctantly giving his final postgame press conference of the season …
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Lind's blast lifts Jays over Yanks — Two-run shot ends Toronto's 2006 season on high note — NEW YORK — For the last time this season, John Gibbons tossed his hat onto a clubhouse desk and leaned back in his chair. The Blue Jays' skipper sported a grin as he discussed Toronto's final contest …
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
Walker defends Sox power strategy — Hitting coach puzzled by negativity surrounding homers — MINNEAPOLIS — Ask Greg Walker if he is ready for the offseason to begin, and the affable White Sox hitting coach will offer up a resigned smile with his response. — "It's disappointing that it's beginning so soon," Walker said.
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Futures game — Can Rangers change their prospects? — The Rangers truly believed they could be a playoff team this year. So the disappointment at failing is every bit as real as if everyone else had thought so, too. — "It's always disappointing when you don't accomplish the things …
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