Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Reyes ignites New York with leadoff homer … NEW YORK — It shouldn't be possible for one October swing of the bat to change a game, change the course of postseason events, change the fate of so many lives. — It shouldn't be possible. But it happens. Ask Kirk Gibson. Ask Scott Podsednik.
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Lee Jenkins / New York Times:
Spring Throw-In Blossoms Into a Bona Fide Starter in Fall — John Maine's support group held another meeting at Shea Stadium yesterday, featuring pep talks, massages and standing ovations. — Maine was greeted at the mound by Paul Lo Duca, Carlos Delgado and the pitching coach Rick Peterson, ready with their inspirational words.
Bernie Miklasz / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:Redbirds learn about mean streets of New York
Discussion:
Viva El Birdos
Toni Ginnetti / Chicago Sun Times:
Lou next to step up to the fate — It's a familiar line, but Cubs say Piniella is 'all about winning' — Except for the ivy and Wrigley Field, the past is over for the Cubs in the eyes of the team's new guiding hands. — The message from general manager Jim Hendry and new manager Lou Piniella …
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Chicago Tribune:
1. "The Cubs have a lot of talent." — Not only is this wrong, it is the substance you find on a matador's shoes. Every team has some talent. You can't become a major-leaguer without having some talent. Tampa Bay had several players of above-average talent.
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Rothschild takes blame for poor results — But sees better days ahead in return as Cubs pitching coach — The hiring of manager Lou Piniella on Tuesday overshadowed Larry Rothschild's return to the Cubs for two more seasons. — But as Piniella pointed out repeatedly …
Discussion:
The View From The Bleachers
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Call to Perez the playoffs' worst-case scenario — NEW YORK — Willie Randolph made the announcement after the game: "Oliver Perez is pitching, and because I like him." — Thus it becomes official: Perez, whose 3-13 record and 6.55 ERA makes him statistically the worst pitcher ever to draw …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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NY Daily News:
Perez is last man standing — Oliver gets Willie's call — Oliver Perez will be starting tonight for the Mets on three days' rest. That isn't a problem, he says, and he's probably right. The big gulp in this Game 7 - winner goes to Detroit, loser goes 'Oh, no' - is that Oliver Perez is starting tonight.
Discussion:
Sports Scope
David Lennon / Newsday:Good, but can be better — Minaya's happy with direction …
Discussion:
the metropolitans
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Agent: Matthews will explore his options — Center fielder expected to be hot commodity on free agent market — If the Rangers want to re-sign center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., they will have to get in the line. — It is expected to be a long line. — Matthews' representative …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Dallas Star-Telegram:
Rangers to meet with second candidate — The Rangers are moving on to No. 2 of five planned interviews for their managerial opening, as John Russell is scheduled to interview today. — Russell, 45, managed the Philadelphia Phillies' Triple A affiliate, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, this season.
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nats' List of Managerial Candidates Appears to Be Growing — The Washington Nationals' search for a manager is likely to continue into November because there are still potential managers involved in the playoffs with whom the team would like to speak, according to sources with knowledge of the search.
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MLB.com:
Major League Baseball extends Pepsi partnership and welcomes Frito-Lay as "Official Snack Chip" — Agreements with Major League Baseball Properties and MLB Advanced Media through 2010 — Major League Baseball Properties (MLBP), Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM) …
ESPN:
Aaron doesn't plan to be there if Bonds hits No. 755 — Don't expect Hank Aaron to be in the stands if Barry Bonds matches his record 755 home runs. — "First, I don't like to fly," Aaron told the Oakland Tribune this week. "And if I come, there's going to be some controversy.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
USA Today:
Granderson in demand by family, Tigers fans — DETROIT — Detroit Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson, walking downtown for lunch, can't take more than three full strides before his cellphone starts vibrating again. — He shuts it off, cringing at the volume of messages that'll be waiting.
Josh Suchon / Contra Costa Times:
Busy offseason doesn't appear in store for A's — Other than replacing Zito, handling players' contracts is primary focus — OAKLAND - Even with the search for a new manager, comparatively speaking, this shouldn't be a super busy offseason for the A's. It's not like they're trading away …
