Top News:
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Perez will go 4th — Mets may only carry 11 pitchers — Oliver Perez is expected to start Game 4, Willie Randolph announced yesterday. The southpaw will follow Tom Glavine, John Maine (Game 2) and Steve Trachsel (Game 3) in the NLCS rotation. — The Mets had considered adding Dave Williams …
Discussion:
Shea Faithful
RELATED ITEMS:
Tim Brown / Los Angeles Times:
Teams Tend to Injuries — NEW YORK — The New York Mets are down Pedro Martinez and Orlando Hernandez, the St. Louis Cardinals are short Mark Mulder and Jason Isringhausen, and a handful of others entering the National League Championship Series are endeavoring to simply stay upright and productive.
Adam Rubin / NY Mets Blog:
Transcript: Willie on Cliff, Carlos, Etc. — Q. Can you just update us on Cliff's status and when and if you've made a decision. — WILLIE RANDOLPH: He had a nice little workout, swung the bat well in BP, and we're going to just wait until tomorrow to decide when he comes in.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Cardinals' Eckstein Perfects the Art of Small-Ball Guile — David Eckstein laying down a squeeze bunt in the sixth inning Sunday night. Eckstein's bunt scored Scott Spiezio from third in the Cardinals' 6-2 victory. — To prepare fully for the St. Louis Cardinals, the Mets …
Discussion:
FIRE JOE MORGAN
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Steinbrenner Takes Another Day to Decide on Torre — If George Steinbrenner had acted on his impulse after the Yankees' swift playoff exit Saturday, Joe Torre would already be a former Yankees manager. But Steinbrenner took a second day to contemplate Torre's fate, which could only be an encouraging sign for Torre.
RELATED ITEMS:
ESPN:
In-demand Piniella rules out Nationals job — Lou Piniella will not entertain offers to manage the Washington Nationals, saying the job of guiding that rebuilding team should go to a younger skipper. — Piniella met with Washington general manager Jim Bowden, but ruled himself out as a candidate …
Discussion:
GROTA
Associated Press:
Twins pick up $12 million option on Hunter for '07 — MINNEAPOLIS — Torii Hunter will be back with the Minnesota Twins for at least one more year. — The Twins said Tuesday they picked up Hunter's $12 million option. — Hunter, 31, a five-time Gold Glove winner in center field, was a big part of the Twins' AL Central title.
Discussion:
Nick & Nick's Twins Blog, A Large Regular, 6-4-2, High and Tight, MLB Trade Rumors and Camden Chat
RELATED ITEMS:
StarTribune.com:
Twins pick up Hunter's $12 million option — The Twins have picked up the $12 million option on Torii Hunter's contract for 2007, which will tie a club record for a one-year salary. — Hunter, and his agent, Larry Reynolds, were notifed of the move Tuesday morning.
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Patient Tigers put away A's in Game 1 — Detroit raps 11 hits en route to ALCS-opening victory — OAKLAND — Work the count. Wear down the pitcher. Get guys on base, hit them along and get them in. — On most nights of the season, it's the "Moneyball" variation that the A's have ridden …
RELATED ITEMS:
Baseball America:
Harrington Signs Deal With The Cubs — After six years, five draft selections and three independent league teams, Matt Harrington is finally headed to affiliated baseball. — Harrington, the seventh overall pick in the 2000 draft, signed a minor league contract with the Cubs …
Richard Sandomir / New York Times:
White Sox Have New Start Time: 7-Eleven — It is not easy to conjure $500,000 out of the ether, but the Chicago White Sox have discovered a way. Their financial trick was really quite simple. — They changed their evening game times at U.S. Cellular Field.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Reyes vs. Molina: A Game Within Games — If the National League Championship Series is reduced to a 90-foot race, the Mets should win by five-hundredths of a second. — This is the amount of time that José Reyes is working with when he tries to steal second base against Yadier Molina.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Nomar is TSN Comeback Player of '06 — First baseman honored by peers after rebound season — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers first baseman Nomar Garciaparra has been named winner of The Sporting News National League Comeback Player of the Year in voting by fellow National League players.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
MLB unveils roster for Japan tour — Philadelphia's Howard highlights collection of stars — Not all Major Leaguers will have their bats and gloves packed up in November. A star-studded crew, led by Phillies slugger Ryan Howard, will go on a six-game tour of Japan.
Mark Irwin / The Sun:
Nazty — VILE ... Croatia fans make human swastika — CROATIA could be kicked out of Euro 2008 if fans abuse England's black players tomorrow. — Soccer chiefs fear trouble after 200 of their supporters formed a human swastika at a friendly in Italy. — UEFA's William Gaillard warned: "We won't tolerate racism.
