Top News:
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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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Cubs hire Piniella — 'Perfect guy' Piniella agrees to $10 million, 3-year contract — No Lou Piniella highlight reel would be complete without a shot of the fiery manager picking up a base and hurling it into the outfield. — That's the kind of intensity that made Piniella …
Discussion:
Knuckle Curve
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 …
Rick Gano / Associated Press:
Piniella to manage Cubs — CHICAGO (AP) — Lou Piniella feels refreshed after a season broadcasting games instead of managing them. He'll need the extra energy for his next assignment, one of the most challenging in the major leagues. — Piniella agreed Monday to a three-year contract …
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
ESPN:
Report: Piniella agrees to manage Cubs
Report: Piniella agrees to manage Cubs
Discussion:
DRays Bay, Baseball Analysts, Baseball Diamond News, The Peoria Northsider Report, Cub Town, Newsday, Mariners Morsels and 6-4-2
NY Daily News:
Rest assured, Glavine ready — Met works up new routine for tonight's start — ST. LOUIS - The advantage for the Mets seems obvious enough, as last night's rainout allows them to use their best pitcher on his regular four days' rest. Especially since their best pitcher happens to be 40 years old …
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Trach takes another beating — ST. LOUIS - Before Steve Trachsel tried to return to a mound last night to test his bruised right thigh, the Game 3 starter and loser defended himself from allegations his awful performance - and not an injury - prompted him to leave his first career NLCS start.
Discussion:
Metsblog.com
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.
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press: Game 5 of NLCS postponed; Mets, Cardinals to play Tuesday night
Susan Slusser / San Francisco Chronicle:
Beane fires Macha over player issues — Two days after the A's were eliminated from the postseason, Ken Macha was fired as the team's manager, because of what general manager Billy Beane described as "a disconnect on several levels.'' — While Beane was careful not to spell that disconnect out …
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Associated Press:
HOMEMLBNEWS STORYA's fire manager Ken Macha
HOMEMLBNEWS STORYA's fire manager Ken Macha
Discussion:
The Musings and Prophecies …
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.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
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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.
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.
Discussion:
Balls, Sticks, & Stuff
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Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
D.R. police issue warrant for Uribe — Despite Juan Uribe's claims of innocence through his agent Sunday night, a warrant was issued for his arrest Monday and authorities in the Dominican Republic were seeking him in conjunction with an alleged shooting of two men that took place Friday night.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
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Brian Costello / New York Post:
EL DUQUE EYEING SERIES — With the Mets' pitching prospects looking dim, the team received some good news last night before the Mets' 12-5 victory in Game 4 of the NLCS. — Injured starter Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez pitched a bullpen session about 1 1/2 hours before the game and said …
Discussion:
LoneStar Mets
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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Mailbag: Spiezio a possibility to return? — Beat writer Mike Scarr answers Angels fans' questions — The Hot Stove League is about to kick into gear and Angels fans are curious about who might be coming to the rescue. — I was disappointed when the Angels let Scott Spiezio get away.
MLB.com:
MLB Properties, Reebok to offer fans customized footwear — New Reebok platform marks first time licensed, customized shoes sold online — Major League Baseball Properties is joining with licensee Reebok International, the MLB Authentic Collection official supplier of footwear …
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
St. Claire back for 2007 season — Nationals decide to retain pitching coach for another year — ST. LOUIS — The Nationals have decided to retain Randy St. Claire as their pitching coach for the 2007 season. The news comes almost a month after the club told Frank Robinson that he would not be back as manager.
Discussion:
Oleanders and Morning Glories