Top News:
Joe Strauss / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Rain, Plot Thicken: Pujols, Rolen are story of day — A daylong rain postponed Monday's Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, allowing Cardinals starting pitcher Jeff Weaver and New York Mets 40-something lefthander Tom Glavine to return tonight on regular rather than short rest.
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Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Rain Lets Glavine's Role as Ace Soak In — Tom Glavine woke up Monday morning to see rain pelting the windows of his hotel room. He knew. Another 24 hours before he would throw a meaningful pitch, another 24 hours of putting his mind through spin cycle.
Associated Press:
La Russa: Pujols' hamstring limiting his power stroke — ST. LOUIS — If it appears that Albert Pujols jogs to first base on occasion, there's a good reason. — The St. Louis Cardinals' star has been nursing a right hamstring injury for several weeks and is under orders to run under control.
Gene Wojciechowski / ESPN:
Source: Piniella expects Cubs to go hard after A-Rod … CHICAGO — Lou Piniella, who will be formally introduced as the new Chicago Cubs manager Tuesday afternoon, wants to acquire embattled — and possibly available — New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
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Chicago Sun Times:
Hendry: 'Lou is the perfect guy' — Piniella, Cubs agree on three-year deal worth $10M-$12M — After two weeks of pink slips and resignation letters littering the landscape at Wrigley Field, the last-place Cubs are relieved to finally be announcing some good news today …
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Girardi at Top of Nats' Short List; St. Claire Will Stay — While former Florida manager Joe Girardi continues to look like the front-runner for the vacant job with the Washington Nationals — particularly in light of the fact that Girardi's other primary suitor, the Chicago Cubs …
Marcus Hayes / Philly.com:
Gillick hints he wants to move Burrell — With free agency looming in 2 weeks the Phillies have begun to compile their wish list. It appears to be headed by possible free agents Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez, big righthanded bats who could replace Pat Burrell in the order and hit behind lefty MVP candidate Ryan Howard.
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Jim Salisbury / Philly.com:
Phils manage to send Manuel clear message — The team's three new coaches have a wealth of experience. — ST. LOUIS - If Pat Gillick's lukewarm endorsement on the final day of the regular season wasn't enough to make you believe that Charlie Manuel's seat will he hotter than a waffle iron come April …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phils add three new coaches — Howe, Lopes and Williams to assist Manuel in 2007 — PHILADELPHIA — Manager Charlie Manuel sought to add seasoned, experienced citizens to his coaching staff, perhaps someone like an Art Howe, Jimy Williams or Davey Lopes. — How about all three?
NY Daily News:
Mets reign over Mother Nature — Weather or not, she's on their side — ST. LOUIS - Mother Nature got hooked on the Mets this season because of the promotions. There was Beach Towel Night on June 17, and Senior Stroll Day on June 22, and then who could resist Growth Chart Day on Aug. 20?
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David Lennon / Newsday:
A Game 1 could go to Duque — ST. LOUIS — If the Mets do advance to the World Series, Orlando Hernandez seems likely to be their starting pitcher for Game 1 Saturday in Detroit. — Before last night's rainout, the logical choice would have been Tom Glavine.
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
Sox land pitching coach — Farrell leaves Indians to guide staff — John Farrell, the 44-year-old credited with much of the success for the talented young arms in the Cleveland Indians organization, will get a chance to do the same for the Red Sox. Farrell was named the team's pitching coach yesterday.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Red Sox hire Farrell to be pitching coach — John Farrell said his longstanding relationship with Terry Francona was at the forefront of his decision to accept the job as Red Sox pitching coach and leave a front-office position in Cleveland that a few baseball observers felt would have led to a general managing job in the near future.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Gerry Callahan / Boston Herald:
Shame on Fox frauds for Lyons firing — Even if Steve Lyons meant it the way his bosses at Fox allegedly took it - Watch your wallet around the Spanish-speaking guy - it would have been just another crude joke on a network that cranks them out the way Spike TV cranks out car crashes.
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Dave Newhouse / Contra Costa Times:
Baker 'interested' in A's vacancy but won't call Beane — If hired, it would be a homecoming for the former Giants manager — The A's need a new manager, and former Giants skipper Dusty Baker says he'd "be interested." — "In the Bay Area, oh, yeah. It would be nice for me and my family."
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
NLCS First pitch, Oct. 17 — OVERHEARD — The Mets are expecting the Rockies to ask for permission to talk with Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter, left, about Colorado's open hitting coach job. Carter has managed the Mets' Single-A St. Lucie (Fla.) affiliate to back-to-back first-place finishes.
Discussion:
Purple Row