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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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.
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 …
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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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 …
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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.
Tom Timmermann / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
David Eckstein: 'Cute little kid' or 'man of iron?' — In the World Series, no one may have stood out more for the Cardinals than their shortest player. — David Eckstein, the Cardinals 5-foot-7 shortstop who was playing with a sore shoulder he hurt in the National League Championship Series …
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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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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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Yahoo! Sports:
Alfonso Soriano: Mets not Expected to Pursue — Update: A source familiar with the Mets' thinking believes that the team will not pursue Soriano or Barry Zito, both of whom are free agents, or Manny Ramirez in a trade, the NY Post reports. — Recommendation: The Mets' agenda this offseason still …
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Jim Street / MLB.com:
Hochevar-Pelfrey faceoff foiled again — Shoulder discomfort sidelines Hochevar ahead of AFL showcase — SURPRISE, Ariz. — Whenever tall, lanky and talented right-handers Luke Hochevar and Mike Pelfrey are scheduled to share the same mound in the same game, something goes awry.
Discussion:
The Catbird …
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 …
Sports Illustrated:
Extra mustard — Defining clutch, when to deal your ace, rainout rules — ST. LOUIS — At the taxi stand outside of Lambert Airport on Tuesday, I met a tall man with a strong New Jersey accent and wearing a Tigers cap. He and his wife were going downtown and asked if I wanted to share a cab.
