Alex Rodriguez needs a ring to make things complete  —  The Yankees third baseman puts up the numbers every season, but until he wins a championship it will leave a void in his career.  —  By Bill Shaikin, SUNDAY REPORT  —  Alex Rodriguez had a few moments to spare before the New York Yankees took …

Girardi is as delusional as ever  —  Another day, another couple of games mercifully knocked off the schedule for the Yankees, who'd like nothing more than a fast, under-the-radar exit to 2009.  But it won't be that easy for the $200 million Bombers, who are doing the equivalent of a September perp walk.

Niese cruises, Mets shut out Braves to earn split  —  Rookie Jonathon Niese threw eight scoreless innings as the Mets beat the Braves, 5-0, to earn a doubleheader split.  (Newsday / J. Conrad Williams Jr. / September 13, 2008)  —  When you combine what happened to the Mets last September …

Sox game delayed due to rain  —  The start of today's game between the White Sox and Detroit Tigers is being delayed by rain.  The teams plan to play a straight doubleheader when the rain subsides, rather than the split doubleheader that was originally planned.

Astros-Cubs games moved to Miller Park due to Hurricane Ike  —  MILWAUKEE — With Hurricane Ike causing severe weather conditions throughout the Gulf Coast, Major League Baseball has moved two games between the Astros and Cubs to Miller Park.  The series will include a single game tomorrow …

Fire Away  —  Tim Lincecum threw 138 pitches against San Diego last night.  —  Let me make this as clear as I possibly can.  —  That is utterly, completely, and colossally reckless, stupid, arrogant, and just plain lazy.  Send in all the nasty emails calling me a geek who's never played you like.

Gameday Live 149: Rays at Yankees  —  Stephen Haynes here to provide updates and shoot the breeze with ya.  —  You know when a group can extract something more in the way of moral than anything tangible from an actual victory?  When it's a fourth-place team that has a comeback win …

Phils may join offseason pursuit of CC  —  Brewers lefty credits Manuel with believing in him early on  —  PHILADELPHIA — Could there be a red-pinstriped No. 52 jersey waiting for CC Sabathia next season?  —  Go ahead and dream, Phillies fans.  At this point, anything is possible.

Stone to Sox TV, Jackson offered radio  —  Team looking to swap broadcast analysts  —  First it was “Hawk and Wimpy.”  Then “Hawk and D.J.”  —  Beginning in 2009 it will be “Hawk and Stoney.”  —  The White Sox announced Saturday that Steve Stone has signed a six-year deal …

Knight gets another day on the hill  —  Brandon Knight is expected to get a spot start on Wednesday in Washington, the Daily News has learned.  The void was created because Friday's rainout pushed Johan Santana to Saturday's matinee and prevents him from starting that game in D.C.