Top News:
ESPN:
Calf injury could keep El Duque from Game 1 start — NEW YORK — Already missing Pedro Martinez, the New York Mets suddenly might have to replace pitcher Orlando Hernandez in Game 1 of the playoffs because of a calf injury, too. — El Duque felt discomfort in his right calf while he was jogging …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue
RELATED ITEMS:
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
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.
Tim Marchman / New York Sun:
For Mets, the Perfect Villain — There could be no better team cast as the villain in the Mets' season than the Los Angeles Dodgers. Historical precedent, from their theft of Brooklyn's birthright to the nauseating sanctimoniousness of the Lasorda/Hershisher axis that brought down the 1988 Mets, works against them.
David Lennon / Los Angeles Times:
Mets Seem to Think It Will Be All Right — Left-handers have given them problems, so the Dodgers' plan to start Kuo shouldn't come as a surprise. But apparently, it's news to New York. — NEW YORK — The New York Mets seemed almost indifferent when asked about their potential playoff foes on the final day of the regular season.
Associated Press:
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Differences lead to Girardi's dismissal — Rookie manager, replaced by Gonzalez, had success — MIAMI — When the Marlins signed Joe Girardi to a three-year contract on Oct. 19, 2005, the hard-nosed former catcher said he was "born to manage." — There is no disputing Girardi …
Discussion:
The Catbird …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Yankee Lineup Leaves Tigers Little Room for Error — Todd Jones threw 45 pitches Sunday, all in vain. He retreated to the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse at Comerica Park and took off his spikes. All around him were T-shirts and caps, placed neatly at each locker, billing the Tigers as champions of the American League Central.
RELATED ITEMS:
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
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 …
Discussion:
Surviving Grady, Keep Your Sox On In Brooklyn, The LoHud Yankees Blog and Singapore Sox Fan
RELATED ITEMS:
David Heuschkel / Hartford Courant:
Jackson, Wallace Won't Return — BOSTON — The Red Sox said Monday the contracts of hitting coach Ron Jackson and pitching coach Dave Wallace will not be renewed for next season as part of a mutual agreement between the team and the two coaches. — It shouldn't take long for the Red Sox to name their successors.
T.J. Quinn / NY Daily News:
Second course — Apple back on track for another Subway ride — The last sounds before pandemonium were a hard pock of wood on leather, half a stadium gasping, the other half screaming, and then the faint pop of white leather falling into black leather. — Mike Piazza's swat in Game 5 …
RELATED ITEMS:
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:Fans of Yankees and Mets Cast a Wary Eye at the Other Side
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
San Diego Union-Tribune:
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.
RELATED ITEMS:
Bob Herzog / Greenwich Time:
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.
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
RELATED ITEMS:
Associated Press:
Indians pick up options on Westbrook, Blake — CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians quickly took care of some business following a disappointing season by exercising contract options for 2007 on steady starter Jake Westbrook and utilityman Casey Blake on Tuesday.
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Birds take gamble with Reyes — On his way to the ballpark Sunday morning, rookie Anthony Reyes had no idea he was about to be part of a calculated wager by manager Tony La Russa that would set up the club's pitching for the postseason. — Or chance bankrupting it for a few days.
ESPN:
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.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
Larry Stewart / Los Angeles Times:
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 …
