Top News:
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Cardinals secure first title since 1982 — Weaver pitches gem, and Eckstein plays pivotal role yet again — ST. LOUIS — It didn't take 80-plus years. It only felt that way. — The Cardinals won their first World Series championship since 1982 on Friday night, topping …
Discussion:
The Baseball Desert
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Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
St. Louis 4, Detroit 2 — ST. LOUIS (AP) — The St. Louis Cardinals barely got to the postseason, much less the World Series, and then they had to survive rain and cold as much as the bumbling Detroit Tigers. — They'll take it, though. — They beat the Tigers 4-2 on Friday night behind …
Jose de Jesus Ortiz / Baseball:
Is Kenny Rogers scared? Are the Tigers choking? — Do you get it? The Tigers are on the brink of elimination, but they just refuse to start the supposed best starter of the postseason. No wonder Jim Leyland got testy on Wednesday when he was asked if he'd start Kenny Rogers in Game 5.
Associated Press:
Giants hire Bochy — Longtime Padres manager signs three-year deal — SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Bruce Bochy had no intention of leaving a winning situation with the San Diego Padres — until the division rival Giants came calling. — On Friday, Bochy concluded a whirlwind week with his introduction as San Francisco's manager.
Discussion:
Only Baseball Matters
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Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Bonds to file for free agency — Slugger plans to put in paperwork after the World Series — ST. LOUIS — Barry Bonds will file for free agency as soon as the period opens at midnight a day after the end of the World Series, his agent said on Friday when reached via telephone in Los Angeles.
Associated Press:
Agent says Bonds will file for free agency quickly — SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds plans to file for free agency the first day he can, and no negotiations have taken place with the Giants about keeping the slugger in San Francisco. — With the St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series on Friday …
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
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) …
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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
Rich Draper / MLB.com:
Dodgers hire Conte as head trainer — Veteran physical therapist spent 15 years with San Francisco — LOS ANGELES — Stan Conte, who spent 15 years with San Francisco and the last seven as head trainer/physical therapist, was named on Friday as the director of medical services and head athletic trainer of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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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
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Stephen Ellsesser / search.japantimes.co.jp:
Fighters clinch Japan Series championship — SAPPORO — Hokkaido didn't have to wait long for its first Japan Series championship. — Three years after the Nippon Ham Fighters packed their bags for the northern island, they became Japan Series champions, clinching the title with a 4-1 victory …
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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.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Franco to coach MLB All-Stars — Mets veteran will act as hitting instructor for Japan series — PHOENIX — Even at the age of 47, Julio Franco is still an active baseball player. But over the next couple of weeks, the right-handed hitting reserve of the New York Mets will get a feel …
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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