Top News:
Yahoo! Sports:
Bonds among first to file for free agency — NEW YORK (Ticker) - Barry Bonds may not be wearing a San Francisco Giants uniform if and when he finally catches Hank Aaron. — Bonds headlined the list of 59 players that declared themselves free agents on Saturday, the first day of filing.
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Chris Duncan / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
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.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Jordan Bastian / MLB.com:
Joe Niekro passes away at 61 — Brother of Hall of Famer Phil won 221 games in 22 seasons — Joe Niekro recognized the pitch as soon as it left his brother's hand. After all, it was the pitch that their dad taught them when they were just kids growing up together in Ohio.
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
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 …
Discussion:
Ducksnorts
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Brian Borawski / Hardball Times:
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 …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
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Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Cardinals Paint Crown Red — The fans here are patient. They are adoring and savvy and upbeat, too, but mostly patient. They waited nearly a quarter-century for Friday night, through steamy summers and frustrating autumns. They waited until a wind-whipped, frigid night in the heartland …
Sports Illustrated:
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.
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Mike Freeman / CBS SportsLine.com:One of these teams doesn't belong here — that'd be you, Tigers
Discussion:
Cutoff Man
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
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.
Discussion:
6-4-2
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Sam Borden / NY Daily News:
Sheff suitors just tune out Sheff — ST. LOUIS - Gary Sheffield's harsh comments about a potential trade apparently haven't dissuaded teams from inquiring about the Yankees slugger. The Astros and Indians, according to sources, recently have made it known they would be interested …
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Sports Illustrated:
David beats Goliath — Little man Eckstein wins fabled at-bat with Zumaya — ST. LOUIS — Should you ever lose your faith in baseball, or simply the belief that what is possible is limited only by your imagination, just roll the tape of David Eckstein batting against Joel Zumaya …
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Jim Street / Minor League Baseball:
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.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
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Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
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.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Lyle Spencer / MLB.com:
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 …
Ray Sánchez / Newsday:
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."
