Top News:
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Mound of trouble — ST. LOUIS — While the Mets were hustling out of rain-swept Busch Stadium on Monday afternoon, general manager Omar Minaya lingered in manager Willie Randolph's office, working his cellphone for dinner reservations. It was an unexpected break in the NL Championship Series …
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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.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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.
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?
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.
Discussion:
Deadspin, Baseball Crank, Pending Pinstripes, Pride of the Yankees, The Sports Frog, Yanksfan vs Soxfan and GROTA
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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 …
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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Greg / Faith and Fear in Flushing:
The Best Fans In Baseball — Watching the middle of this Championship Series has been slightly odder for me than it would be if it were taking place anywhere else in the National League. The ridiculously retentive reader will recall that my midsummer jaunt in 2006 was to the very same Busch Stadium we focus on now.
Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
N.Y. coach ready to manage — ST. LOUIS — Albert Pujols was rushing out of the St. Louis Cardinals' clubhouse Monday afternoon after Game 5 of the National League Championship Series was postponed, trying to escape without being swarmed by reporters. — Then he heard the name "Manny Acta," and he had to stop.
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
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Associated Press:Howe, Lopes, Jimy Williams fill out Phils' coaching staff
Discussion:
The GYS Network
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
Larry Stewart / Los Angeles Times:
Lyons to Keep Part-Time Dodgers Job — Steve Lyons, fired by Fox for on-air comments the network deemed inappropriate, will keep his job as a part-time television commentator for the Dodgers. — The team, in a statement issued Monday, said Lyons would undergo diversity training and that he was given probationary guidelines.
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Kat O'Brien / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Managerial interviews start today — ST. LOUIS — The Rangers' managerial search moves into the next phase today, as Oakland Athletics third base coach Ron Washington becomes the first of five candidates to interview for the job. — A couple of twists were added to the hunt Monday.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Bochy to interview for San Francisco job — With Padres' OK, manager to talk with GM Sabean today or tomorrow — ST. LOUIS - For the second consecutive autumn, an upper-level member of the Padres' management team will interview with a National League West rival less than six weeks after San Diego won the West.
Neil Best / Newsday:
So far, SNY's on-site show a hit — The Mets' victory Sunday ensured that the playoff circus will be back in town tomorrow, and that its most unusual sideshow will return to Gate A outside Shea Stadium. — Clearly, SNY's pre- and postgame shows have gotten an energy jolt from Gary Cohen …
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
