Top News:
Pete Caldera / NorthJersey.com:
Steinbrenner says he'll call the shots from now on — If Johan Santana was a free agent this year, you can bet Hank Steinbrenner would not have taken ‘no’ for an answer. — The Yankees only have a bittersweet 16 games remaining in their lost 2008 season, but their course for '09 is about to begin.
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Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Hank riding to the rescue of the Yankees — This should provide comfort to Yankee fans. — “I'm going to be reviewing the entire organization,” Hank Steinbrenner told the AP in Tampa today. “We're going to do everything we can to win next year. We're not going to wait. Do everything we can that makes sense.
George A. King III / New York Post:
HANK: CASH MAY LOSE POWER — If Brian Cashman wants to return to the Yankees as general manager, he might not have the total power George Steinbrenner gave him in 2005 when he signed a three-year deal worth $5.4 million. — “If Brian stays on as GM, that doesn't mean he won't be the No. 1 guy,” Hank Steinbrenner said yesterday.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Newsday:
Mets' surging Delgado has decent shot to be MVP — So what chance does Carlos Delgado really have of winning the National League MVP award this year? To answer that question, it's important to look beyond the Hudson River to get a better handle on how voters outside New York view Delgado's candidacy.
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Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
It's time for Mets to give Manuel an extension — For the past three months, Jerry Manuel has done right by the Mets. — Now it's time for the Mets to do right by him. — Asked to unite a divided clubhouse, energize a dispirited roster and somehow coax a season of accomplishment …
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Tickets for Final Games At Yankee Stadium Running As High As $18,300 — It seems that more than a few people wish to send off Yankee Stadium, or if not, profit on the secondary ticket market. — After 26 World Championships and more than 7,000 baseball games, the final countdown …
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Juan Gonzalez / NY Daily News:
Yanks land deal ain't fair ball — In January 2007, the city assessed land under the new Yankee Stadium at 10 times the market value of virtually all other land in the South Bronx neighborhood. — The assessment - not including the new ballpark - worked out to a fair market value of $275 per square foot.
Discussion:
ShysterBall
Mike Puma / New York Post:
WAGNER: I'VE PLAYED MY LAST DAY AS MET — The competitor in Billy Wagner would love to say he'll return late next season and help the Mets win a championship. But Wagner isn't about to make a hollow guarantee. He knows he's done with the Mets. — A day after Tommy John surgery …
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
Phils gain on East, Wild Card leaders — Moyer notches 14th victory; Howard belts 43rd home run — PHILADELPHIA — Jamie Moyer demanded the ball and Ryan Howard made one vanish. — With that, the Phillies made progress on the National League Wild Card side of a two-pronged playoff attack …
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Mike Puma / New York Post:
BERNIE TO ATTEND STADIUM CLOSING CEREMONY — Before construction crews literally bring down the house, the return of a Yankees icon figures to serve the same purpose. — Bernie Williams told The Post last night he plans to be at Yankee Stadium as part of the pregame festivities on Sept. 21 …
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Dominant Angels may already have eye on adding Sabathia … As if the Angels' pitching rotation isn't stellar enough, several baseball people say they believe that they may try to pull off the coup of the winter by signing CC Sabathia, the perfect Brewer and best free-agent pitcher in at least a decade.
Scott Merkin / MLB.com:
White Sox miss chance to extend lead — South Siders glad to end season series against Toronto — CHICAGO — The Blue Jays finished off three wins in four games this week at U.S. Cellular Field on Thursday night with a 6-4 victory before 27,170 at U.S. Cellular Field.
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus
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John Klima / Daily Breeze:
Commentary: Ramirez will hurt more than he helps — Manny Ramirez is the worst baseball player I have ever seen. — I am not kidding. — A ticket-selling novelty slogan is a great excuse for a player you do not want to settle your fate with his legs, arm, glove or mind.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Neil Best / Newsday:
YES network OK with criticism over Yanks — 'Disgraceful? “An embarrassment?” — The Yankees? On the YES Network? — If any evidence beyond the standings is necessary that this Yankees September is unlike any other this millennium, Michael Kay supplied it Monday night when he hammered the Bronx Duds.
John Hickey / Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Beltre appears set for surgery — M's third baseman likely to have left thumb and shoulder fixed — ANAHEIM, Calif. — All signs point to Adrian Beltre needing to take himself off the field for thumb and shoulder surgery in the next few days. — Beltre doesn't have to be told this.
Jeremy Sandler / Posted Sports:
Jays Notebook: Boston flight a “drag” for several Toronto rookies, Carlson clowns around — Practical jokes meant a lack of practical travel wear for Toronto Blue Jays rookies as they made their way to Boston on Thursday night. — In a time-honoured tradition of baseball hazing …
