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.

NUMBER OF REASONS AMAZIN' COLLAPSE WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN  —  SEVENTEEN.  —  There's the number.  Ruminate over it.  Stew over it.  Agonize over it one more time.  Seventeen: It used to be such a happy number in Mets' lore.  That was Keith Hernandez's number, the first old number that should be retired in the new ballpark.

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 …

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.

Owings traded to Reds to complete Dunn deal … PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks sent pitcher Micah Owings to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday to complete the August trade for slugger Adam Dunn.  —  The Diamondbacks said Owings would be in his new Reds uniform Friday night when Cincinnati visits Arizona.

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 …

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 …

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 …

Finger injury knocks Gorzelanny out for season … PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny will miss the rest of the season because of an injury to his left middle finger.  —  Gorzelanny left his start against the Houston Astros in the third inning Wednesday night with an irritation in his finger.

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.

Fading Rockies could be bold in offseason  —  A year ago Sunday, the Rockies began their great run, which concluded with sweeps of Philadelphia in the National League Division Series and Arizona in the NL Championship Series, giving the Rockies 20 wins in 21 games and the first pennant in franchise history.

Do new parks bring wins?  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Say what you want about Tropicana Field, but it's mid-September and the upstart Tampa Bay Rays lead the American League East.  —  Not the hallowed Yankees, with their $209-million payroll.  —  Not the $133-million Red Sox, with their annoying “nation.”

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.

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.

Alex Rodriguez, Clutch Hitter  —  Does clutch hitting exist, and if so, does Alex Rodriguez excel at it?  —  The answers for most New York Yankees beat writers are apparently yes and no, respectively.  Since Mr. Rodriguez's arrival in the Bronx in 2004, his struggles in crucial game situations …

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.