As expected, Marlins fire Girardi after one year  —  MIAMI — Florida Marlins manager Joe Girardi was fired Tuesday, a move that had been expected after his rift with owner Jeffrey Loria boiled over in an on-field confrontation two months ago.  —  Girardi lost his job even though he's considered …

Master motivator working magic again  —  NEW YORK — If Gary Sheffield had never played for Jim Leyland or won a championship with him in 1997 with the Marlins, he probably would respect Leyland's managing from afar.  —  But because he has played for him, he believes that Leyland's motivational skills win postseason games.

Four ways to pitch to Pujols - ball, ball, ball, ball  —  You want to know how to pitch to Albert Pujols?  It's easy.  You don't.  —  You put him on.  You issue an intentional walk.  You let Pujols pass Go and collect $200 if that's what it takes to keep the ball in the ballpark.

Th-uhh-uhh Yankees Win!  —  Of course the season turned in Boston.  Where else?  It's been a Yankees-Red Sox story line throughout the Joe Torre Era and it has become more intensified since 2003, when Boston clearly closed the gap between the two AL East powers.

Jackson, Wallace out  —  Red Sox part ways with pair of coaches  —  The Red Sox, in the wake of their third-place finish, severed ties with pitching coach Dave Wallace and hitting coach Ron ``Papa Jack" Jackson yesterday, and only two members of Terry Francona's coaching staff …

It should be a tough day for hitters  —  Santana faces off against Zito in battle of Cy Young winners  —  MINNEAPOLIS — For a playoff matchup that was literally thrown together at the eleventh hour, Oakland and Minnesota found a way to super Cy-ize the opener.

Prosecutor, Grimsley's attorney: Story inaccurate  —  The federal prosecutor overseeing an investigation of steroids in baseball and the attorney for former pitcher Jason Grimsley questioned a news report indicating five players, including Roger Clemens, had used illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

He can manage up storm  —  Piniella has credentials to thrive in difficult situation, and Cubs' job likely his if he desires  —  Forget Tom Skilling.  —  Let's blame Monday's weather, like the downfall of the Dusty Baker regime, on the real culprits—Mark Prior, Kerry Wood and Baker's inability …

Playoff Health Report, Divisional Series  —  Why are these called the "Division Series?"  I've never gotten a good answer.  They don't decide divisions.  Those are now all decided and six winners, plus two wild cards, head into the playoffs with questions.

Morgan to Turn Broadcast Doubleheader in N.Y.  —  TV commentator to get a police escort so he can cover playoff games at Shea Stadium and Yankee Stadium on the same day.  —  Joe Morgan will have rare doubleheader duty Wednesday as ESPN's lead baseball commentator works the Dodgers-Mets playoff opener …

Fans of Yankees and Mets Cast a Wary Eye at the Other Side  —  If a 15th Subway Series is nigh, it is time to study anew the passions of Mets and Yankees fans.  Or, to demonstrate scrupulous objectivity, let us also refer to them as Yankees and Mets fans.  —  There is, evidence shows …

Breaking Down The Series  —  Catcher  —  Jorge Posada, Yankees vs. Ivan Rodriguez, Tigers  —  Posada was rejuvenated by coach Tony Pena, throwing out 37.3 percent of base stealers, his best percentage since 1998.  Offensively, he had one of his best years, and this time came on strong at the end …