Top News:
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Hernandez expected to miss postseason for Mets; Maine to start Game 1 — NEW YORK (AP) — Orlando Hernandez is expected to miss the entire postseason because of a calf injury, and Mets rookie John Maine will start Game 1 of the playoffs Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Discussion:
The Catbird …
RELATED ITEMS:
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Injuries force Mets to adjust roster — Hernandez sidelined with injury; lefty Perez given spot — NEW YORK — Whatever quality once existed in the Mets' starting rotation has been diminished over the months by injury. Now in baseball desperation, the club that had been favored to win …
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
Newsday:
Wallace Matthews — An idea that never gets old: Stockpile pitching — This is what happens when you hire old men to do young men's jobs. — You pitch 132 innings, little more than half a season, and for no discernible reason, things start to break down.
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Yanks have too much power for Tigers — NEW YORK - Tigers manager Jim Leyland all but conceded the difficulty of beating the Yankees before the Division Series even began, telling the FOX broadcasters: "This will be a great series for second-guessing. I'm going to try some stuff." — FOX Bite
RELATED ITEMS:
Jack Curry / New York Times:Leyland Has a Soft Spot for Those Hated Yanks
Discussion:
The Daily Fungo
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.
RELATED ITEMS:
Mike Berardino / Sun-Sentinel:
Gonzalez expected to click with players — Nineteen times this year they spent half the game in close proximity. — Miguel Cabrera would play third base for the Marlins. Fredi Gonzalez would stand a few yards away, coaching third base for the Atlanta Braves, cracking jokes and maintaining …
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 …
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:Fired ... and hired: Deal was done with Gonzalez by Sept. 27
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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 …
RELATED ITEMS:
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.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Q&A with new Cubs boss: In Hendry he trusts — When Tribune Co. was looking for a new man to put at the top of the Cubs' food chain, no one could have predicted they would turn to a lifelong White Sox fan to try to right the ship. — "I'm a Cubs fan," John McDonough protested. "I grew up a White Sox fan."
RELATED ITEMS:
Larry Mahnken / Hardball Times:
ALDS: Tigers vs. Yankees: Defining Moments — If the Yankees win the World Series this season, 2006 will be remembered for a long time in New York. They overcame devastating injuries, they came back from a moderate deficit in the division and Wild Card races at the All-Star Break …
Jim Bowden / Examiner:
Our offseason agenda is set — WASHINGTON - The season for the Washington Nationals may have ended this past Sunday, but there is no offseason for the front office. Our agenda is set for the winter. — » Atop our list of issues is Alfonso Soriano.
RELATED ITEMS:
Maury Brown / Baseball Prospectus:
The Ledger Domain — Ticket Snub — While we're all getting ready to watch some great postseason baseball, an increasing number of fans who haven't invested in advance ticket packages are finding that the only way that they will be able to see games in person is with the help …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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."
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.
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 …
