World Series: Cardinals vs. Tigers: Cardinals Win the World Series  —  This may have been most difficult column for me to write.  Ever.  First off, congratulations to the St. Louis Cardinals on their first World Series championship since 1982.  —  Tonight, Jeff Weaver threw how Detroit Tigers fans …

With this title, La Russa changes his legacy  —  ST. LOUIS - It's about the players.  It's always about the players, except when it's about the manager, too.  —  The Cardinals' Tony La Russa, who is as controversial as he is successful, rarely avoids scrutiny.  But this time, he is the focus for all the right reasons.

Two names on early list are Black, Oquendo  —  Looking to make their first managerial hire since 1994, the Padres have targeted Angels pitching coach Bud Black and Cardinals third-base coach Jose Oquendo among as many as eight candidates.  —  Black, a San Diego State alum …

Joe Niekro remembered for sense of humor  —  HOUSTON - Quick with a joke or a smile, Joe Niekro was the life of the Houston Astros' clubhouse for more than a decade.  He also became their most successful pitcher, earning a franchise-record 144 victories in 11 seasons.

Eck yeah!  Sparkplug wins MVP  —  Scrappy Eckstein caps brilliant Fall Classic with two more RBIs  —  ST. LOUIS — The trophy was almost as big he was.  And the yellow Corvette he also won was probably just a tad too flashy for David Eckstein, the Most Valuable Player of the 102nd World Series.

Cardinals were better than their numbers indicated  —  Statistical analysts like my colleagues at Baseball Prospectus tend to downplay the nature of streakiness in baseball.  A 95-win team on Tuesday is a 95-win team on Wednesday, and a .300 hitter today is a .300 hitter tomorrow.

Mookie's at home in sea of red  —  ST. LOUIS — That was a very familiar figure in the Cardinals' dugout before Game 4 in some very unfamiliar gear.  Mookie Wilson was wearing a Cardinals sweatshirt and ski cap, nearly 20 years to the day since he established himself as a Met forever.

Pitchers rule day in Rising Stars Showcase  —  Heavy-hitting AFL quieted by some of game's top pitching prospects  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — All it takes is a short memory to recall the days when the Arizona Fall League was considered a hitters' haven.  —  Last season comes to mind.

Sox wait for Crede's surgery decision  —  Front office hopes for decision on his back surgery soon  —  Ken Williams spent most of October finalizing budgets for 2007.  Now the White Sox general manager and his staff are awaiting word on whether standout third baseman Joe Crede will undergo back surgery.

Cano wants to play  —  Robinson Cano caught Game 4 of the World Series on television the other night, but he wasn't exactly fascinated.  —  "I'm not interested," he said Friday.  "I'd rather spend time with my family than watch the games.  We should be playing in the World Series right now."

Who's next in '07?  Maybe the Mets  —  Mets would be eighth different Series champion in eight years  —  Seven new, different World Series champions in a dizzying, dazzling row.  —  That's what the bold, new century has brought us, starting with the dynastic New York Yankees …

Cook on a tear after skid in AFL  —  Scorpions outfielder ignites his bat with homer  —  It may have taken longer than expected, but David Cook is starting to heat up.  He started off the AFL season hitless in his first 13 at-bats before ending his slide with a homer.