Top News:
Associated Press:
Cubs, skipper Baker part ways after 66-96 season — CHICAGO — Dusty Baker is out as the Chicago Cubs' manager following a last-place finish and a failure to take the team to the World Series in his four years. — The Cubs made the announcement Monday, a day after team president Andy MacPhail resigned …
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MLB.com:
Giants decide not to renew Felipe Alou's contract — SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants have decided to not renew manager Felipe Alou's contract for the 2007 season, team Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Sabean announced today. The club has extended an offer …
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs part ways with Baker — Manager not offered extension following 2006 campaign — CHICAGO — Dusty Baker, whose Cubs teams went from first to worst in his four-year tenure, won't be back. — Team officials said on Monday that Baker would not be offered a contract extension …
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:
Giants cut ties with Alou after 4 seasons as manager — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Nobody in the Giants' front office is blaming Felipe Alou for San Francisco's failures the past two seasons. Owner Peter Magowan is willing to take the heat for that. — The club cut ties with Alou on Monday …
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 …
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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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Rany Jazayerli / Baseball Prospectus:
Tigers versus Yankees — On the morning of August 8th, the Detroit Tigers were the toast of baseball, a full 40 games over .500 at 76-36, leading the AL Central by ten games, leading the Twins by 10.5 games, leading every other team in the majors by at least eight games.
Joe Sheehan / Baseball Prospectus:
Bright Weekend, Dark Day — Notes from the last weekend of the regular season, from one very depressed man, idly hitting buttons looking for some baseball... - The best story, to me, was the disparity among managers in the importance placed on the difference between winning the division or the wild card.
Discussion:
SBG, The World's …
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Looking at the Division Series matchups — Two weeks ago, a Subway Series appeared all but inevitable. — No longer. — The Mets are less threatening without injured right-hander Pedro Martinez. The Yankees, unsure of left-hander Randy Johnson's ability to pitch with a herniated disk …
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.
Discussion:
Mariner Minors
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 …
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Dejan Kovacevic Chat Transcript 10/02/06 — Pedro_Cerrano: Should I order my 2007 playoff tickets now? — Dejan Kovacevic: As long as they come fully refundable, and as long as you have that kind of disposable cash, yeah, go nuts. ... Welcome, one and all, to our final chat of the season.
Discussion:
The Parrot
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Johnson in line for Game 3 — Feels no abnormal stiffness on day after bullpen session — NEW YORK — Yankees left-hander Randy Johnson continues to pass tests in his quest to pitch with a herniated disc in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
Discussion:
YanksBlog.com
