Zito readies money pitch  —  OAKLAND - New York baseball fans might want to try a little experiment when they tune into tonight's Game 1 of the ALCS between the A's and Tigers.  Watch Oakland lefthander Barry Zito and try to envision him in Mets threads or Yankees pinstripes.

Girardi gets warm welcome  —  Hendry pleased with interview at Wrigley; Padres' Bochy could be dark-horse candidate  —  Less than a week after he was fired by the Florida Marlins, Joe Girardi was back home Monday, making the rounds at Wrigley Field during an extensive interview with the Cubs for their vacant managerial job.

Yankees' 'sad failure' is George's doing … The Boss?  George Steinbrenner is The Boss like Mariah Carey is Mrs. Derek Jeter.  Those days are long gone, like the last glow of a cigarette butt.  —  Only Steinbrenner, the imperialistic owner of the New York Yankees, can issue a statement chiding …

Ticket cost on the rise next season  —  Though the worst team in the National League West, the Rockies' improvement produced their first season-ticket price increase since 2000.  —  Season-ticket holders were informed of the raise through a letter written by team president Keli McGregor.

If It's the Hard Way, It's the Mets' Way  —  Go back in time, to 2000, the last time the Mets played in the National League Championship Series, and examine their recipe for postseason success.  —  A competent, though modest, lineup.  A meager bullpen.  A modicum of team speed.

Cardinals-Mets: Position analysis  —  CATCHER EDGE: METS  —  Paul Lo Duca is reputed as a winner, and he finally won, defeating his old team, the Dodgers, in the first round.  Here's the chance for a grinder who handles a bat well and handles a pitching staff even better.

Will the Rox give center attention?  —  Beat reporter Thomas Harding answers fans questions … What are the chances next year of Jeff Baker and Brad Hawpe both starting in the outfield along with Matt Holliday?  Is either one capable of filling the center-field need?

Mailbag: Who will lead off in 2007?  —  Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers Braves fans' questions  —  With the Braves needing a leadoff hitter who can play left field, what are the odds they could acquire Carl Crawford?  —  It certainly seems the Braves' biggest offseason need is to locate …

Twins hope Liriano can heal in Florida without surgery  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Francisco Liriano is off to Florida, and the Minnesota Twins are hoping his left elbow will heal there during the offseason.  —  The Twins will send Liriano to their spring training and minor league facility in Fort Myers …