Top News:
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Undaunted, Mets eye two wins at Shea — Players make no excuses for Game 5; remain focused — ST. LOUIS — Perhaps the Mets and their fans can find consolation in a brief history lesson. Twenty years ago this month ... sure, you know the rest. — Like those unforgettable '86 Mets of Straw and Doc …
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Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
Mets ready to respond at home — Team confident it can win two behind boisterous Shea crowd — ST. LOUIS — At difficult moments such as these, it's always helpful to have a positive experience to draw from, to lift sagging spirits. — The Mets, facing a win-or-else predicament …
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
The Mets Are Down to Their Last At-Bats — The Mets can spin their plight any way they choose. They still have two more chances at Shea Stadium. The series is not over yet. They are a better team. — But perception does not always equal reality, and the Mets are facing a harsh one now.
Discussion:
Metsquire
Murray Chass / New York Times:
St. Louis Takes Potency From Met Lineup — The Mets, who like advertising slogans, had an unspoken but acted-out motto this year: score early and score often. It's a simple thought, but the Mets have apparently forgotten it in the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
Newsday:
It's a no go for Trachsel — Willie puts him in pen, meaning he won't start possible Game 7 — ST. LOUIS — Not that it's any big secret at this point, but manager Willie Randolph made it official yesterday: Steve Trachsel is in the bullpen now, as Randolph said, "like everyone else."
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Anthony McCarron / NY Daily News:
Preston is Cards' shark — Bites Mookie's old club — ST. LOUIS - The Mets spent the summer celebrating the 20th anniversary of their accomplishments in the fall of 1986. Now, thanks to Mookie Wilson's stepson, they're on the brink of elimination. — Preston Wilson's RBI double …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
How Bad Was Game 3 Start? Let's Count the Ways — The stench of Steve Trachsel's start in Game 3 of the National League Championship Series won't go away. Not even yesterday's all-day rain, which forced the postponement of Game 5 last night, washed it away.
Phil Rogers / Chicago Tribune:
Trades, free agents next on Cubs' list — Hendry must find players for Piniella — Jim Hendry hired the jockey, and you have to admire Lou Piniella's pedigree and personality, if not his judgment. — But now that Piniella has shown how desperate he was to get back into managing …
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Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:Pressing for answers — Plenty to address for new Cubs manager …
Discussion:
Gonfalon Cubs
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Epstein's signature finally seals deal — Theo Epstein said it and Larry Lucchino seconded it — Epstein finally has a signed contract. — "We have an understanding that I guess was memorialized with a signature," said Epstein yesterday at a gathering at Fenway Park between print media …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Athletics coach first to interview for Rangers — Washington briefs Rangers on career filled with winning, defense — Ron Washington spent almost six hours interviewing with the Rangers hierarchy about the club's managerial opening Tuesday. — But it didn't take him nearly that long to get his message across.
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Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Latest technology enhances playoffs — New Gameday features, pitch tracking a boon to fans — ST. LOUIS — When Tom Glavine threw a pitch to Albert Pujols in the fourth inning on Tuesday night in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series, it was hit over the wall in left and caused pandemonium at Busch Stadium.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Associated Press:
To die for? MLB fans can take team devotion to grave — PHILADELPHIA — In the heat of passion, many crazed baseball fans have said they would die for a championship. But are they willing to take that devotion to the grave? — With a new venture that will put Major League Baseball team logos …
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Tests show no elbow damage for Proctor — Right-hander had heard a clicking sound during September — NEW YORK — Scott Proctor visited a doctor in Tampa this week, concerned about a possible bone chip in his right elbow. — His fears were quelled Wednesday, as an MRI exam, X-rays and a CT scan revealed no damage to his arm.
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Gomes' shoulder improving with rehab — Slugger optimistic as he heals from September surgery — ST. PETERSBURG — Watching Jonny Gomes play in 2006 hurt. — The right shoulder of the Devil Rays' slugger didn't feel right and everybody knew it. So you had to cringe whenever you watched him throw …
Discussion:
Roto Authority Fantasy …
Tom G / Balls, Sticks, & Stuff:
Shopping for Sheff — While the Daily News concluded that Pat Gillick and the Phillies have high interest in acquiring Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano this offseason, Randy Miller of the Bucks County Courier-Times thinks that it is Gary Sheffield who gleams in Gillick's eye. Writes Miller:
Greg / Faith and Fear in Flushing:
Faith in Flushing (Fear Strikes Out) — Great news! We've already done what we need to do tonight and tomorrow night 61* times in 2006. — 1. April 6 and 7. — 2. April 7 and 9. — 3. April 9 and 11. — 4. April 11 and 12. — 5. April 12 and 13. — 6. April 13 and 14.
Discussion:
Deadspin
Paul Lukas / ESPN:
Photo reveals double curse in '86 — If you want to imbue a discussion with an air of gravitas, you start by identifying the main character by his full name: George Herman Ruth. Dwight David Eisenhower. Homer Jay Simpson. — So consider the case of one William Joseph Buckner …
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Eckstein goes to have tests — Cardinals shortstop David Eckstein was taken for an X-ray and a scan of his shoulder late Tuesday night before flying with the team to New York for tonight's Game 6 of the NL Championship Series. — Eckstein sprained his left shoulder while diving for a ground ball …
