Top News:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rolen surprised, irked by being left on bench — NEW YORK — A slow-growing fissure between Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and his Gold Glove third baseman threatened to rupture Friday when Scott Rolen was benched in favor of Scott Spiezio in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series at Shea Stadium.
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Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cards stun Mets on Taguchi's homer — Reserve outfielder evens NLCS with long ball in ninth — NEW YORK — Maybe it's time for So Taguchi to get some more playing time. Then again, maybe he's a perfect fit for tactical deployments like the one he received on Friday night.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Vaunted Mets bullpen lets Game 2 slip away — NEW YORK (AP) — Just as they planned all postseason, the New York Mets built a late cushion and handed it to their vaunted bullpen. — Turns out, that plan was far from foolproof. — Guillermo Mota coughed up a two-run advantage …
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
Cardinals 9, Mets 6 — NEW YORK (AP) — Super subs So Taguchi and Scott Spiezio saved St. Louis on a night when Mets closer Billy Wagner wobbled, allowing the Cardinals to head home with a split in the NL championship series. — Taguchi hit a tiebreaking homer off Billy Wagner leading off …
Ben Walker / Associated Press:
Tigers 3, Athletics 0 — DETROIT (AP) — Kenny Rogers took off his cap, waved it to the crowd and twirled around for all to see. And that sent a real chill to the fans packing Comerica Park. — Because of him, they can really start dreaming about seeing their Detroit Tigers in the World Series.
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WCBS-TV:
A-Rod OK After Plane Skids Off Calif. Runway — Agent Scott Boras Confirms; No Injuries Reported — (CBS/AP) BURBANK, Calif. A private jet, carrying Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez and six others, overran a runway at Bob Hope Airport on Friday and was brought to a halt by an arresting system.
Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
A likely new twist to Cubs' list — Padres' Bochy expected to join managerial derby — Just when it appeared the Cubs' managerial search was winding down, a new candidate is expected to land on general manager Jim Hendry's interview list — possibly by today.
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Chicago Tribune
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Chris De Luca / Chicago Sun Times:
Skippers scorecard — Lou Piniella: Veteran manager is still …
Skippers scorecard — Lou Piniella: Veteran manager is still …
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GROTA
Associated Press:
Selig ponders postseason changes — Baseball might consider reward for division winners — While the first round of the playoffs is likely to stay a best-of-five series, Wild Card teams might find a tougher road next season, commissioner Bud Selig said Friday.
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Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Negotiations continue for Biggio's return — Veteran's agent confident deal for 2007 will happen soon — HOUSTON — While it's a foregone conclusion that Craig Biggio will be wearing an Astros uniform next year, the club is still in negotiations with the second baseman's agent, Barry Axelrod …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Anderson undergoes elbow surgery — Vet has bone chips removed, expected to need three weeks — LOS ANGELES — Dodgers outfielder Marlon Anderson underwent arthroscopic surgery this week to remove bone chips from his right elbow. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training.
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Dodger Thoughts
Associated Press:
Former Phillie Johnny Callison dies at 67 … PHILADELPHIA // Johnny Callison, the strong-armed outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies who won the 1964 All-Star game with a ninth-inning homer, died at 67. — He died Thursday at Abington Hospital following an illness, Phillies spokesman Larry Shenk said Friday.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Roger Sackaroff / Fox Sports:
How to fix the Yankees for 2007 — Much has been written about the Yankees' failure to advance in this year's postseason. Combined with recent failures since their last World Series title in 2000, the Yankees faithful have offered a multitude of excuses as to why a team that is so successful during …
Discussion:
FIRE JOE MORGAN
Dawn Klemish / MLB.com:
Rays re-sign utilityman Norton — Second-half surge helped switch-hitter enjoy career season — ST. PETERSBURG — Greg Norton came into the 2006 season not knowing what to expect after spending the last four years on three different teams. On Friday, Norton breathed a little easier …
Discussion:
DRays Bay