Top News:
Jim Street / MLB.com:
'Mad Dog' ties 'Kitty's' record — Maddux's 16th selection headlines NL Gold Glovers — The glitter associated with the St. Louis Cardinals' first World Series championship in 24 years became a little brighter on Friday when the National League Gold Glove Awards were announced …
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue, Luck O' The Redbirds, Can't Stop The Bleeding, FishStripes, Baseball Musings and Purple Row
RELATED ITEMS:
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Andruw proves golden once again — Veteran center fielder wins ninth straight Gold Glove — ATLANTA — Last year it seemed Andruw Jones was garnering a different postseason award on a daily basis. With little surprise, his only such honor this year is the same one he's annually garnered since he was 21 years old.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Beltran takes home first Gold Glove — Mets center fielder made just two errors in 372 chances in '06 — NEW YORK — Carlos Beltran has often been named as one of baseball's top defensive outfielders. The next time he patrols the Shea Stadium outfield, he'll have some serious hardware to back up that reputation.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
NY Daily News:
Sheff's lookin' cooked — Moose is near pact — While the Yankees were getting a head start yesterday on plotting Gary Sheffield's path out of New York, they were also close to finalizing a deal that would keep Mike Mussina in pinstripes for the next two seasons.
RELATED ITEMS:
Ed Price / New Jersey Online:
Matsuzaka tampering charged — NEW YORK — At least three teams have attempted under-the-table negotiations to obtain Japanese ace Daisuke Matsuzaka, a Japanese newspaper reported. Major League Baseball said yesterday that nothing has been brought to its attention.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers decline Gagne's 2007 option — Injured closer becomes free agent, can sign with any club — LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers declined a $12 million option on reliever Eric Gagne for 2007 on Friday and instead paid a $1 million buyout, an expected move that grants the injured Gagne free agency …
RELATED ITEMS:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Kasten eyes end to search — Manager may be named soon; Johnson to have more surgery — WASHINGTON — The Nationals held a luncheon with Washington beat writers on Friday, and team president Stan Kasten said he is hoping the franchise will name a manager within the next two weeks.
Discussion:
District of Baseball
RELATED ITEMS:
Mark Zuckerman / Washington Times:
Kasten defends managerial search — The Washington Nationals likely will name their new manager within the next two weeks, according to team president Stan Kasten, who insisted the search to replace Frank Robinson has proceeded as planned despite perception around baseball to the contrary.
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Carroll disappointed by Glove snub — The inequity was alarming. In a year when he barely missed a single groundball, Rockies second baseman Jamey Carroll failed Friday to catch his first Gold Glove. — Despite committing just three errors at second base, two on the Barry Bonds' shift …
Leslie Miller / Associated Press:
Wind blew Lidle's plane off course — Investigators say the plane may have stalled after attempting a sharp U-turn. — WASHINGTON - A light wind was cited by federal investigators yesterday for blowing a small airplane carrying Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle off course and into a New York City high-rise on Oct. 11.
Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
K-Rod wins Rolaids Relief Man Award — Angels hurler honored as American League's best reliever — ANAHEIM — Francisco Rodriguez hauled in his second piece of hardware for 2006 by winning the Rolaids Relief Man Award for the American League. — Already named Fireman of the Year by The Sporting News …
RELATED ITEMS:
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Giants open talks with Bonds — San Francisco has yet to make offer, but slugger in no hurry — The Giants have opened preliminary discussions with Barry Bonds, a baseball source close to the talks said Friday. — The Giants can exclusively negotiate with the left-handed slugger …
Marc Jimenez / MLB.com:
Cook adds two homers to AFL totals — White Sox prospects continue fall, winter seasons — David Cook continues to be hot and cold during his stay in the Arizona Fall League. The Ohio native ended last week on a high note, going 8-for-20 with two homers, three RBIs and five runs scored.
Discussion:
South Side Sox
Associated Press:
Martinez: Retirement possible if shoulder doesn't heal — SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Pedro Martinez says if his right shoulder doesn't return to full strength, he would consider retiring. — Martinez missed the latter part of the season for the New York Mets with a calf injury …
Dave Campbell / Associated Press:
Liriano to have major elbow surgery, miss next season — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Francisco Liriano and the Minnesota Twins were afraid of this: His left elbow needs major surgery, and the pitching sensation is expected to miss the 2007 season. — Liriano found out Friday that he requires Tommy John surgery …
RELATED ITEMS:
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Steelers Notebook: Parker thrives in home games — By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — Willie Parker has as many 100-yard games as he did last season after seven games. And he is tied for fourth in rushing in the American Football Conference with 564 yards.
