Top News:
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Dodgers-Mets: Position analysis — CATCHER EDGE: METS — Russell Martin came on so strong that six weeks after his arrival, the Dodgers felt comfortable enough to deal their crown prince at the position, Dioner Navarro. — Paul Lo Duca is reputed as a winner, but he's never won …
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Keith Law / ESPN:
Mets vulnerable against lefties … The matchup the Mets didn't want has come to pass. The Dodgers bring the NL's other great offense to town, with a lefty who no-hit the Mets for five innings the last time they saw him in the rotation. The Dodgers, on the other hand, probably were hoping to face St. Louis instead of New York.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Delgado sits out finale — WASHINGTON - Carlos Delgado missed his second consecutive game yesterday, hoping a layoff will allow him to recuperate before Wednesday's division series opener. — "I took a bad swing the other day and my chest and my back felt a little weird," said Delgado, who plans to return to the lineup for Game 1.
Tom Singer / MLB.com:
Mets-Dodgers series steeped in history — Club that left Brooklyn comes to Queens to open postseason — NEW YORK — The ghosts will stir to life in the shadow of Ebbets Field, and echoes of the past will reverberate under the La Guardia flight patterns. — Welcome to this corner …
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Robinson honored with ceremony — Hall of Famer gives emotional speech prior to final game — WASHINGTON — Manager Frank Robinson showed his emotions when the Nationals paid tribute to the Hall of Famer before Sunday's season finale against the Mets. The special event came a day after Robinson …
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Dave Sheinin / Washington Post:
Nats' Robinson Bids a Fond Farewell
Nats' Robinson Bids a Fond Farewell
Discussion:
District of Baseball, William F. Yurasko, Ben Maller's Sports … and BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Todd Jacobson / Free Lance-Star:
Beasley, other coaches await word on their status
Beasley, other coaches await word on their status
Discussion:
thurdl sports
Associated Press:
Drug report brings denials from baseball stars — Miguel Tejada is getting an unpleasant sense of deja vu. He says he already was smeared by one scandal and it looks like it's happening again. — The Baltimore Orioles' shortstop was named in a federal agent's affidavit …
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Bill Plaschke / Los Angeles Times:
Don't Be Surprised if 'Rocket' Escapes the Bonds Treatment — SAN FRANCISCO — The news that the drug hounds have finally been unleashed on Roger Clemens sent me to the guy who knows something about being chased. — So, I asked Barry Bonds, do you think Clemens will have his heels nipped …
Deadspin:
A Deeply Regrettable Wrong — Before we get started in on an extremely busy sports day, we have some business to attend to. — As many of you will remember, back in June, a source we thought was reliable leaked to us that one of the names in the infamous Jason Grimsley HGH affidavit was Chris Mihlfeld …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
'We felt we could win this year' — Q&A WITH RANGERS GM JON DANIELS — On Oct. 4, 2005, Jon Daniels was named the Rangers' general manager after John Hart's resignation. Following a season of ups and downs, Daniels talked recently about his first year at the helm.
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers close 2006 season with 3-2 loss
Rangers close 2006 season with 3-2 loss
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Baker: 'I'm gone, I won't be back' — Dusty Baker regards Monday's long-anticipated, will-he-stay-or-will-he-go meeting with Jim Hendry as anticlimactic. — "I'm gone. I won't be back," Baker said Sunday after the Cubs completed a last-place season with an 8-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies.
Baseball America:
California League Top 20 Prospects List — Subscribers can read scouting reports on all 20 players (Click here to subscribe) — A year after Brandon Wood, Stephen Drew and Howie Kendrick headlined a banner class in the high Class A California League, the talent level dipped quite a bit in 2006.
Mike Penner / Los Angeles Times:
A cone of silence may be best bet — If the New York Mets know their baseball history, they will stick to "The playoffs are a crapshoot" and "Anything can happen in a short series" and "Their pitching staff is impressive" when assessing their upcoming division series against the Dodgers.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Bochy not yet set on Game 1 starter — Decision for opener will come down to Peavy or Young — PHOENIX — As the Padres were getting packed for a flight home in anticipation of Tuesday afternoon's playoff opener at PETCO Park against the Cardinals, manager Bruce Bochy said no decision had been made on a Game 1 starter.
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Weeks staying at second — Improved defensive play provides hope for future — thaudricourt@journalsentinel.com — St. Louis - Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Sunday that there were no plans to move Rickie Weeks off second base for the 2007 season.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
A final day for some — SEATTLE — Some of the Rangers' nine free agents surely will not be back next year. — That's not necessarily a huge deal to players who spent less than a season in Texas, such as Carlos Lee, Kip Wells and Jerry Hairston Jr. While any or all of those three could re-sign …