Top News:
Sports Illustrated:
Closer Look — Thirty-eight years later, history is repeated in Series — ST. LOUIS — The question was inevitable. What did Curtis Granderson know about Curt Flood's famous World Series slip in 1968? "Uh...I was nowhere even close to being born," the 25-year-old Tigers centerfielder …
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Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:
Gritty little Eckstein comes up big for Cards — ST. LOUIS — Forget catching a Tiger by the tail. How about catching a David Eckstein by the tail? — That has been one of the most difficult tasks for opponents for years, and it was never in evidence like it was in Game 4 of the World Series.
Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Cardinals shortstop leading the charge … ST. LOUIS — David Eckstein is so small, frail and innocent-looking, Madonna might try to adopt him any day now. — Then you see him gritting his teeth through the aches and pains, fouling off tough pitches and laying out for balls in the hole …
Mark Pesavento / Yahoo! Sports:
Life of the party — ST. LOUIS - In a clubhouse filled with a Cy Young Award winner (Chris Carpenter), the best player on the planet (Albert Pujols), an eight-time Gold Glove center fielder (Jim Edmonds) and arguably the best third baseman in the National League (Scott Rolen) …
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Tigers' Series title hopes on the ropes — Detroit must regroup quickly to stave off elimination — ST. LOUIS — These two teams have been here before — 38 years ago — with the Cardinals leading the Tigers three games to one in the World Series. And the record shows how that one turned out.
Discussion:
The Baseball Files
Associated Press:Opening the Flood-gates — Just like in '68 Series, a slip in the outfield proves big
Discussion:
Sports Scope
Sam Donnellon / Philly.com:Eckstein small in stature, but comes up big again
Discussion:
FIRE JOE MORGAN
CBC News:
Bonds plans to become free agent — Barry Bonds plans to test the free agent market — and soon. — The agent for the San Francisco Giants slugger said Friday that no negotiations have taken place about keeping his client with the team, and that Bonds will file for free agency …
Discussion:
The Baseball Files
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Associated Press:
Dodgers hire former Giants trainer — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former San Francisco Giants trainer Stan Conte was hired Friday by the Los Angeles Dodgers as director of medical services and head athletic trainer. — Stan Johnston, who spent the last seven seasons as the Dodgers' head athletic trainer …
Tim Leonard / MLB.com:
Evans continues to elevate his game — Angels prospect playing well in Arizona Fall League — Jeremy Bonderman has shown that being traded for Jeff Weaver can help your career. The young right-hander was a key member of the Detroit staff that has the Tigers in the World Series.
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Tim Leonard / MLB.com:
D'Antona to play in AFL's All-Star Game — Prospect's early struggles not a cause of concern for D-backs — James D'Antona had a strong 2006 campaign for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. He played mostly at first and third base while cracking 17 home runs with 67 RBIs and a .310 batting average.
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
MLB.com:
Cubs add three to Major League coaching staff — The Chicago Cubs today announced that the club has added Mike Quade as third base coach, Matt Sinatro as first base coach and Lester Strode as bullpen coach. — Quade, 49, will also serve as the club's outfield and base running instructor.
Discussion:
The Cub Reporter
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Associated Press:
Cubs add three to coaching staff — The Cubs added three coaches to new manager Lou Piniella's staff Friday. Mike Quade will be the third base coach, Matt Sinatro the first base coach and Lester Strode the bullpen coach. — Piniella last week hired former Tigers manager Alan Trammell …
Discussion:
GROTA
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Skaalen named new hitting coach — Brewers hope veteran instructor can cure team's hitting woes — MILWAUKEE — The Brewers did not stray far in their search for a new hitting coach. — The team promoted from within, naming Minor League hitting coordinator Jim Skaalen to the Major League staff on Friday.
Metstradamus / The Musings and Prophecies …:
Divine Plan? — Are you there, God? It's me, Metstradamus. — Twenty years ago tonight, the Mets won their last World Series championship thanks in part to Mets icon Mookie Wilson and his ground ball though the legs of Bill Buckner. — Twenty years to the day later …
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Jim Baumbach / Newsday:
Yanks waiting on Sheffield decision — The Yankees have not yet officially picked up Gary Sheffield's $13 million 2007 option, although they "probably will" in due time, a person familiar with the situation told Newsday. — Multiple reports this morning, stemming from a story …
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Grant / McCovey Chronicles:
Bochy — I can understand a lack of enthusiasm with Bruce Bochy. He's about as exciting as Warriors preseason basketball on the radio. Trust me on that one, as that's how I avoided listening to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver. But the end of the world? Absolutely not.
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Mark Hale / New York Post:
SOURCE: METS NOT GUNNING FOR BIG 3 — Two big names - Barry Zito and Alfonso Soriano - will be free agents this fall, and a third big name, Manny Ramirez, could available in a trade. But right now, according to a source familiar with the situation, the Mets are not interested in pursuing any of them.
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Uribe said to be in the clear soon in homeland shooting — Sources close to Juan Uribe said Thursday that the White Sox shortstop is expected to be cleared by the end of the weekend in a shooting investigation. — Uribe has maintained his innocence since he first was named in the shooting …
Discussion:
Ben Maller's Sports …
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Redsfest is back in town — Meet players and play games during the two-day extravaganza — CINCINNATI — It's been a couple of years, but Reds fans once again have a place to heat up their Hot Stove talk and passion for baseball this winter. — Yes, RedsFest is back.
Rocky Mountain News:
Ringolsby: Selig properly followed his basic instinct — ST. LOUIS - Back in the days when George Steinbrenner made it a part of every October to fire his manager - and, of course, steal headlines from the World Series - Major League Baseball instituted a rule that no major announcements could be made during the Series.
