Top News:
Fox Sports:
No doubt: Tigers are World Series-bound — It's over. Not in the mathematical sense, but in the less anal-retentive environs of reality, the ALCS is over. — On Friday, the Oakland A's needed a strong outing from hobbled No. 2 man Rich Harden, and, most important, they needed to take one from the Detroit Tigers.
Discussion:
Cutoff Man
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Wayne Drehs / ESPN:
Chavez: 'We've run into a better team' … DETROIT — They stand in the quiet locker room and tell you this series isn't over. They tell you they came here to win and that they're not just going to provide a doormat for the Tigers to march their way to their first World Series in 22 years.
Discussion:
Cutoff Man
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.
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.
Discussion:
Blogging Baseball
Janie Mccauley / Associated Press:
ALSC: Detroit takes a 3-game lead — DETROIT (AP) — The Big Hurt has been a big bust in the AL championship series. — Same with Nick Swisher and Marco Scutaro. — Frank Thomas and Swisher were the top home-run hitters for the Oakland Athletics this season.
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 …
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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. — Taguchi's second at-bat of the 2006 postseason ended with his second home run of the 2006 postseason …
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.
Discussion:
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 …
Discussion:
GROTA
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
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.
Discussion:
Dodger Thoughts
Bruce Regal / Baseball Analysts:
Replacing the Wild Card: The "Challenge Round" — There seems to be a pretty general consensus among sabermetric folks that baseball's current system of post-season eligibility and play is seriously flawed. Rich Lederer's post here the other day is one indication, an on-going discussion …
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Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
A meeting of the minds — Belichick hits it off with La Russa
A meeting of the minds — Belichick hits it off with La Russa
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Jay / The Futility Infielder:
Bringing in the Lefty — One facet that I highlighted in my NLCS preview at Baseball Prospectus was the vulnerability of the Mets' two big sluggers, Carlos Beltran and Carlos Delgado, to lefthanded pitching. Last night, with Jeff Weaver beginning to falter in the sixth inning …
Sports Illustrated:
Crosstown successes (cont.) — Boss refused Torre's offer — During a phone call that might have saved Torre's job, Torre apologized to Steinbrenner for the Yankees' pathetic postseason showing and told Steinbrenner that if he didn't trust him, he could fire him, which turned out to be Torre's best strategy of the year.
Associated Press:
Floyd available for pinch hitting for Mets — NEW YORK (AP) - Mets left fielder Cliff Floyd wasn't in the starting lineup for Game 2 of the NL championship series Friday night after reinjuring his left Achilles tendon in the opener against St. Louis. — Floyd, who hobbled off after two innings …
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