Top News:
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals Could Try to Hire Girardi — Joe Girardi, fired yesterday as the manager of the Florida Marlins despite a season in which he became a leading candidate for the National League's manager of the year award, could become a prime target of the Washington Nationals, sources close to the situation said yesterday.
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Now it's official: Girardi a candidate — Nationals showing interest as well in ex-Marlins skipper — Seconds after the Florida Marlins fired Joe Girardi on Tuesday, the Cubs had a new name topping their wish list to replace Dusty Baker as manager. — ''Joe will be a candidate …
Ray Sánchez / Newsday:
Always a gamer, Hernandez says, 'I think I can do it' — Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez, who has enjoyed so many memorable Octobers, had his injured right calf in a bucket of ice on the eve of his latest postseason start. — "Hopefully I can pitch," he told Newsday last night. "My plan is to go out there.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
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ESPN:
El Duque off Mets' roster; Maine to start Game 1 — First Pedro Martinez, now Orlando Hernandez. — The Mets lost a second starting pitcher as the postseason starts as El Duque was left off the roster with a torn calf muscle. John Maine will get the start for New York in Game 1 Wednesday afternoon against the Dodgers.
Newsday:Wallace Matthews — An idea that never gets old: Stockpile pitching
Discussion:
Always Amazin'
ESPN:
Showalter won't manage Rangers in 2007 — The Texas Rangers parted ways with manager Buck Showalter, Dallas media outlets reported Wednesday. — The Rangers did not make the postseason in his four years at the helm. Texas lost the finale 3-2 Sunday at Seattle to finish 80-82 …
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T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Showalter dismissed by Rangers — Decision comes after annual meeting with owner Hicks — Buck Showalter is out as manager of the Rangers, a club source confirmed Wednesday morning. — Bench coach Don Wakamatsu is likely the leading candidate to replace him, although hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo could get consideration as well.
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
No one talking after Rangers meeting — Management remains mum on the future of Showalter — The sound of silence was deafening again Tuesday as the Rangers' top management troika met at the estate of owner Tom Hicks to discuss the future of manager Buck Showalter.
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
5-star effort by Yankee captain — NEW YORK — Think David Ortiz would like to have some of those comments back? You know . . . when he said Derek Jeter was not his idea of MVP material? — Ballots have already been cast (that's the rule with the Most Valuable Player award), but Jeter made his case once again last night.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
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Los Angeles Times:
He is gripped by an ex-Dodger fear factor — I Have a couple of concerns here, although I don't believe any of them are big enough to keep our guys from winning the World Series. — First, they have to get out of this dump still healthy. Shea Stadium is two years younger than Dodger Stadium …
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Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Moving From Red Sox Nation to the Dodgers' Galaxy — Derek Lowe walked into an interview room at Shea Stadium yesterday, placed his glove over a folding chair, tested the microphone and formally introduced himself. — Then he issued what should have been an obvious disclaimer.
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John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
State of the Mariners: Young M's must play like veterans in 2007 — We turn today to legendary Mariners fan Jimi Hendrix as we examine the sunken ship that was Seattle baseball in 2006. — In the words of the late, great guitarist, the Mariners' season was like watching "the sunrise from the bottom of the sea."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Analysis: Creativity, confidence keys heading into 2007 — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — On the penultimate day of spring training, in the visitors' clubhouse at Fort Myers, Fla., shortstop Jack Wilson put forth the most accurate prediction of the year regarding the Pirates …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Beimel's status in jeopardy — Left-handed reliever injured in freak accident in hotel room — NEW YORK — Reliever Joe Beimel suffered a bloody gash to his pitching hand in a freak hotel accident Tuesday morning, leaving him in stitches and the Dodgers bullpen roster spots in limbo …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
Billy Wagner / New York Post:
GAME 1 IS A MUST WIN! — Billy Wagner, the Mets' fire-balling lefty closer, offers his exclusive insights to Post readers throughout the Amazin's post-season run. — AM I excited to be in New York on a winner? Does a one-legged duck swim in circles? — This town is the greatest.
Art Thiel / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Now it's Lincoln on the hot seat — Perhaps you read Saturday that Mariners chairman and CEO Howard Lincoln told reporters his controversial decision to continue with general manager Bill Bavasi and manager Mike Hargrove, despite the club's three consecutive last-place finishes, meant that they were on his "hot seat."
Discussion:
U.S.S. Mariner
