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.

Phillies' Howard, Yankees' Jeter win Hank Aaron Award  —  ST. LOUIS — Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard and New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter were honored Wednesday with the Hank Aaron Award, which is presented annually to the top offensive performer in each league.

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 …

Weather a bigger factor as season lengthens  —  ST. LOUIS — Baseball is playing Russian roulette with the calendar, if not October weather.  —  Just check The Weather Channel.  —  Wednesday night's postponement of Game 4 at Busch Stadium after a 1-hour, 51-minute wait is a good example of what can happen this time of the year.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.