Report: Yankees to pick up $13M option on Sheffield  —  NEW YORK — Gary Sheffield was told Wednesday that the New York Yankees will pick up his $13 million option for next season, according to a newspaper report.  —  Sheffield said he was hoping to test the free-agent market …

Ryan Howard, Derek Jeter win 2006 Hank Aaron Award presented by CENTURY 21  —  Annual award recognizes the most outstanding offensive performers in each league  —  Baseball Commissioner Allan H.  (Bud) Selig announced today that Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies and Derek Jeter …

World Series Prospectus  —  Game Three  —  The phrase "must win game" is a bit overwrought when it comes to Game Three of a seven-game series.  But this was a must-win game for the Cardinals.  —  And win the Cardinals did.  Chris Carpenter made it look easy, using just 82 pitches to get through his eight innings.

Washout aids pitchers  —  Jeff Suppan is fond of saying he lives in the moment.  —  Wednesday night, he learned that his next moment has been extended at least another 24 hours.  —  When Major League Baseball postponed Game 4 of the World Series at 9:20 p.m., it also extended the wait …

Scuffling buddies: Dibble huge fan of Lou  —  Former closer cites Piniella's passion, love of the game  —  ST. LOUIS — Mention Lou Piniella and Rob Dibble in the same sentence, and ''The Scuffle'' immediately comes to mind.  It was one of those caught-on-tape moments that helped shape Piniella's public image — good or bad.

Acta pleased after Nationals interview  —  Mets third-base coach says team in great position for future  —  Mets third-base coach Manny Acta said he was pleased with his interview with the Nationals on Tuesday and hopes they give him the chance to manage the team for 2007 and beyond.

Giants start clock on Bochy  —  TEAM HAS ONE WEEK TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH PADRES MANAGER  —  The Giants and Bruce Bochy have determined that their interest in each other is genuine.  —  So Giants General Manager Brian Sabean on Wednesday called Kevin Towers, his Padres counterpart …

Sportswriters ask MLB to put St. Louis All-Star Game on hold  —  The Baseball Writers' Association of America moved Wednesday to request that Major League Baseball withhold awarding the 2009 All-Star Game to the Cardinals until significant improvements are made to a press facility …

Remy, Roberts in Red Sox Hall  —  Former players to be enshrined in club's Hall of Fame  —  BOSTON — One former Red Sox player has become a broadcast icon for the club while another has become a symbol for arguably the greatest comeback in sports history.

Musial tosses gutter ball over Garagiola split  —  Although it was quickly overshadowed by Chris Carpenter's pitching effort, Cardinal fans were wondering what happened to Stan Musial, who had been scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 Tuesday night.

Big league conspiracy  —  Collusion deal nets $12M  —  ST. LOUIS - It turns out that the labor negotiations that produced a new collective bargaining agreement between the baseball owners and players nearly two months ahead of the Dec. 19 expiration of the old one weren't entirely devoid of acrimonious, hot-button issues.

Glum Pujols darkens baseball's spotlight  —  Cards slugger could take a page from Sosa  —  ST. LOUIS — Try to imagine how much fun Sammy Sosa would have had if he'd only had the opportunity to play in a World Series with the Cubs.  —  Now picture the exact opposite of Sosa …