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:
Philliesflow, Amazin' Avenue, Luck O' The Redbirds, Can't Stop The Bleeding, FishStripes, Baseball Musings and Purple Row
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Jan Hubbard / Dallas Star-Telegram:
RANGERS NOTES — Rangers close in on decision time — The Rangers have scheduled their final interview for the vacant manager's position. — Oakland third base coach Ron Washington will return Sunday for a second interview, and will meet with owner Tom Hicks, general manager Jon Daniels and assistant GM Thad Levine.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Rangers prepare to bid for star Japanese pitcher — Matsuzaka might not be cheap with Yankees, Red Sox in running — No tiptoeing for the Rangers around the pool of Asian talent. The Rangers are preparing to take a big plunge. — According to two sources close to the situation …
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Notes: Rangers to interview Washington — Oakland's third-base coach will meet front office this weekend — ARLINGTON — Oakland third-base coach Ron Washington is scheduled to interview with Rangers owner Tom Hicks this weekend, and that's expected to be the last meeting before the club selects a new manager next week.
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.
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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.
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
YANKS' PLANS: KEEP MOOSE, DEAL SHEFF — The Yankees intend to sign Mike Mussina to a two-year contract and trade Gary Sheffield, sooner rather than later on both moves, to initiate an offseason plan in which they will emphasize upgrading their rotation, bullpen, catching and - if possible - farm system.
Andrew Baggarly / Contra Costa Times:
Bonds' act was a big problem for the Giants — The prevailing opinion is that the Giants will seek to re-sign Barry Bonds, who needs 22 home runs to break the all-time record, but sources said the club is weighing many factors. — Money is only one factor.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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NY Daily News:
Bonds brings cheap thrills — Barry Bonds has been out of baseball for a week, and you'd think we would all feel much better about life by now. Nobody is currently paying him to hit homers or act surly. The Players Association has erased him from its active rolls. — But things are never that simple.
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 …
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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
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Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Howard's homers power MLB in win — TOKYO — Ryan Howard spent his morning and early afternoon on Saturday playing the part of a Tokyo tourist. Along with his mother, sister and several other MLB stars, Howard saw the historic Kannon Temple, did some shopping on Nakamise Street and took a cruise through the Sumida River.
Discussion:
The Griddle
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 …
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