Top News:
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Yanks facing elimination with Wright in Game 4 … DETROIT — Jack Nicholson might not be the only big-name, highly-compensated star appearing in "The Departed" this weekend. — Just a few days ago, geniuses from every market and medium expected the New York Yankees to be doing lots of things other than playing baseball this weekend.
RELATED ITEMS:
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Another Yanks' loss could lead to big changes — DETROIT - Not that anything is at stake Saturday, but if the Yankees lose, they could fire manager Joe Torre, trade third baseman Alex Rodriguez and kidnap Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, just for starters.
Discussion:
Cutoff Man
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Last licks for A-Rod — May be goner if Yankees fall — DETROIT - Will Alex Rodriguez ever seem totally comfortable playing in New York? That question will continue to be raised for as long as the third baseman's postseason struggles continue, and A-Rod's subpar showing in the first three games …
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Rodriguez, Batting Cleanup, Fails to Repeat Success Against Rogers — The scenes featuring Alex Rodriguez and his meager performances in October have become painful experiences for the Yankees. The high-priced Yankees are close to vanishing early from another postseason, a $200 million team in need of a life preserver.
Discussion:
Pride of the Yankees
Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Yankees face gloom, doom — Torre's warning: End is near — DETROIT - Joe Torre broke the sullen silence of a deflated clubhouse last night when he stepped in front of the Yankees and held what he could only hope would not be his final meeting of the season. — Torre was not angry.
NY Daily News:
A beautiful day for Mr. Rogers — Ex-neighbor torments Yankees — DETROIT - We'll know soon enough what fate awaits this $200million Yankee superteam that, for all its money and might, nevertheless has played itself onto the brink of elimination in the first round of the playoffs …
Tim Brown / Los Angeles Times:
Beimel Cut Hand in a Bar, Not Hotel — NEW YORK — Dodgers left-hander Joe Beimel said Thursday he was in a New York bar early Tuesday morning when he cut his pitching hand on a broken glass and not in his hotel room, as he had told team officials. — "I realize nothing good happens …
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
RELATED ITEMS:
Associated Press:
Former Negro Leaguer O'Neil dies — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Buck O'Neil, baseball's charismatic Negro Leagues ambassador who barnstormed with Satchel Paige and inexplicably fell one vote shy of the Hall of Fame, died Friday night. He was 94. — Bob Kendrick, marketing director …
Discussion:
SBG, The World's …
RELATED ITEMS:
Richard Goldstein / New York Times:
Buck O'Neil, Negro Leagues Pioneer, Is Dead at 94 — Buck O'Neil, a star first baseman and manager in the Negro leagues and a pioneering scout and coach in the major leagues who devoted the final decade of his life to chronicling the lost world of black baseball, died last night in Kansas City, Mo. He was 94.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Sam Mellinger / Kansas City Star:
Buck O'Neil dies VIDEO — Beloved Negro Leagues icon and Kansas City legend Buck O'Neil died Friday night. O'Neil was 94. — He spent his life playing, coaching and finally promoting baseball. He was a batting champion, a three-time All-Star, and a wildly successful manager …
John Nadel / Associated Press:
Garciaparra has torn quadriceps — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra has a tear in his left quadriceps and won't be in the lineup for Game 3 of their NL playoff series Saturday when Los Angeles tries to avoid getting swept by the New York Mets.
RELATED ITEMS:
Claire Smith / Philly.com:
'Hells Bells' silenced for record-setting closer — In a perfect world, Trevor Hoffman, the near-perfect reliever, would be reveling in the postseason spotlight this week. — October has yet to work out well for San Diego or the premier reliever in the history of the game.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nats interview Girardi, Piniella — Sources confirm meetings with club's top candidates — WASHINGTON — Having a meeting with left fielder Alfonso Soriano wasn't the only thing that kept the Nationals busy this week. According to baseball sources, the team met with Joe Girardi …
Discussion:
District of Baseball
RELATED ITEMS:
Josh Suchon / Contra Costa Times:
Beane just glad it was a short series — A's notebook — OAKLAND — Billy Beane described the division series as "five hands of blackjack" and didn't look like a man who had just been dealt a 20 for three straight hands. — As the wild celebration continued in the A's clubhouse late Friday afternoon …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
'These Guys' Are Nearly as Good as Those Guys — Although they didn't demonstrate it yesterday in their 4-3 loss to Detroit, the Yankees have an awesome offense. Bobby Cox, the venerable Atlanta manager, who does not engage in hyperbole, has called the Yankees' lineup the best in baseball history.
Discussion:
Hot Foot
Associated Press:
Nomar reinjures quadriceps, Game 3 status uncertain — NEW YORK — Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra left Thursday night's NL playoff game against the New York Mets in the sixth inning after reinjuring his left quadriceps. — His status for Game 3 Saturday was uncertain.
Discussion:
Dodger Hill
RELATED ITEMS:
