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.

Agent: Sheffield seeks multiyear deal  —  Unhappy about speculation Yanks will pick up option, trade him  —  NEW YORK — Gary Sheffield will be perfectly happy to play first base for the Yankees in 2007.  —  As long as he also does so in 2008 and 2009, that is.

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.

Busch Stadium radar gun readings a little slow on Zumaya  —  ST. LOUIS — The Detroit Tigers didn't accuse St. Louis pitcher Chris Carpenter of anything, but they sure did find the radar gun readings at Busch Stadium a little strange Tuesday night.  —  A few Tigers noticed …

Nippon Ham earns Japanese crown  —  Club caps title run with 4-1 victory over Chunichi Dragons  —  SAPPORO, Japan — There wasn't much hope for the Chunichi Dragons to get the Japan Series back to Nagoya — not with the way the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters were playing.

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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.

Body of missing Devil Rays minor leaguer found in Va. rapids  —  INDEPENDENCE, Va. (AP) — The body of a Tampa Bay Devil Rays minor league pitcher missing after his canoe capsized over the weekend was found Thursday.  —  Erik Walker was last seen Saturday with a female companion …

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.