In managerial game, they play by different rules  —  ST. LOUIS — Perhaps we need to redefine what "winning" is.  —  "I beg your pardon?" said Tony La Russa when an inquisitor casually referred to the firing of Oakland A's manager Ken Macha.  —  I mean, the great skipper looked stunned.

St. Louis 4, NY Mets 2  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — A big swing by Albert Pujols and another playoff gem from a rejuvenated Jeff Weaver put the St. Louis Cardinals on the cusp of the World Series.  —  Pujols' homer helped the Cardinals get to Tom Glavine at last, and Weaver shut down the New York Mets …

TBS to broadcast division series, LCS games … NEW YORK — More of playoff baseball is headed to cable.  —  Major League Baseball announced an agreement with Turner Sports on Tuesday that gives the network exclusive rights to a league championship series.

Surly Pujols mirrors Bonds at his worst  —  As he made another hasty and all-too-predictable retreat out of the Cardinals' clubhouse early Monday night, Albert Pujols snatched a crisp white game jersey off a locker stall hook, tossed it over his broad shoulders then slipped out the back door barely uttering a word.

Arrest warrant issued for Sox's Uribe  —  Lawyer says shortstop wasn't at place where shooting happened  —  An arrest warrant was issued Monday for White Sox shortstop Juan Uribe in connection with a shooting Friday night that wounded two men in the Dominican Republic.

Giants will talk to Black about job  —  PITCHING COACH HAS HISTORY WITH TEAM; TRAINER CONTE QUITS  —  The Giants are moving to the next phase in their search for a manager, and Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Bud Black will be part of the process.  —  Giants General Manager Brian Sabean called …

Pitching coach retained by Nats  —  ST. LOUIS — The Washington Nationals' new manager will inherit at least one key member of Frank Robinson's old staff: Randy St. Claire.  —  General manager Jim Bowden announced yesterday the well-respected pitching coach will return for his fifth season …

Trachsel ready, but no shoo-in to pitch Game 7  —  ST. LOUIS — Steve Trachsel said his bruised right thigh was much improved yesterday and, for the second consecutive day, he played catch.  This time, though, with heavy rains falling, he did so indoors.  —  The right-hander …

Mets already planning for 2007  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Mets general manager Omar Minaya walked into Dominic's, an Italian restaurant in the Hill section of St. Louis along with Jeff Wilpon, Tony Bernazard and some of their top staff following the Game 5 rainout in the NL championship series.

Where Did the Mets Come From?  —  Since playing in the World Series six years ago, the New York Mets have been a perennial disappointment, going 377-431 over the next five years and not returning to the postseason until this season, as a combination of homegrown stars and bigmoney free agents cruised to the National League East title.

Yankees pitcher Lidle mourned at service  —  COVINA, Calif. —Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle was remembered as "a loving husband and an awesome father" Tuesday at a memorial attended by family, friends and teammates of the avid yet inexperienced pilot who was killed during an aerial tour of New York City.

Selig on labor talks: "No news is good news"  —  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Baseball players and owners appear to be making steady progress toward a new labor agreement in quiet negotiations that have been held with no public discussion.  —  Several player agents have said in recent days that the sides …

Littlefield has high hopes for '07  —  General manager sat down with MLB.com to answer questions  —  As he has for the past five seasons, Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield has graciously agreed to continue to meet with MLB.com periodically throughout the Hot Stove months to provide insights on his club.