Sources: Mets GM Minaya to get 4-year extension … Omar Minaya will receive a four-year extension to continue as general manager of the New York Mets, sources said on Tuesday.  The deal is all but done, but it is not known when the extension will be formally announced.

Sox to retire Pesky's number Friday  —  The Red Sox will retire Johnny Pesky's number on Friday night, putting his No. 6 on the upper deck facade alongside those of teammates Ted Williams (9) and Bobby Doerr (1).  —  “I appreciate this.  This is very flattering to me,” Pesky said.

Hank rips MLB playoff system in Sporting News  —  Many people have been impressed with the Dodgers' recent turnaround, one which will likely land Joe Torre's club in the postseason next week.  Just don't count Hank Steinbrenner among them.  —  Steinbrenner, the Yankees' co-chairman …

Gary Sheffield suspended four games, still vows revenge vs. Indians  —  Gary Sheffield, Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona and two other Indians were suspended Monday by Major League Baseball for the brawl that began in Friday night's Tigers-Indians game when Sheffield charged Carmona.

postGame: Mets 6 Cubs 2  —  The Mets (87-70) defeated the Cubs (95-61) by the score of 6 to 2 in Shea Stadium tonight.  —  For a recap, boxscore, and stats, click here.  —  Johan Santana, Jose Reyes and David Wright are arguably the three biggest stars on the Mets …

Sabathia will go on short rest again  —  Interim manager Dale Sveum told us this afternoon that left-hander CC Sabathia will start Wednesday night on short rest for the second consecutive time.  Sabathia pitched Saturday in Cincinnati on only three days of rest.

Yankee fans steal pieces of Stadium  —  New York City police say they arrested more than a dozen people for stealing pieces of Yankee Stadium during the 85-year-old ballpark's final game.  Police say 18 fans were charged with possessing stolen property.  Officers were out in force …

Latino Sox fans lost in lineup shuffle  —  Felipe Gomez, a Jamaica Plain barber, still wears his Red Sox cap, the bill crisp across his brow.  He still roots for his adopted hometown team, and he always looks forward to visits from such players as David Ortiz when they are in need of a haircut.

Lane Kiffin just called...  Just got a call from a Raiders source... err... actually, it was the Raiders head coach.  Not speaking off-the-record.  Not yelling.  —  Yep, Lane Kiffin got in touch with me just now to offer his personal apologies for the incident John Herrera initiated with me yesterday.

Carp's career in doubt?  —  Disabled Cardinals ace Chris Carpenter is suffering from career-threatening compression and scarring of a series of nerves feeding his right shoulder, according to sources familiar with his situation.  —  Less than a week after undergoing three days of exams administered …

ROCKET'S SAD STARE  —  ACE CLEMENS ‘HEARTBROKEN’ BY VIDEO SNUB  —  By F. CARTER SMITH in Piney Point Village, Texas, and ERIC LENKOWITZ in NY  —  Estranged former Yankee Roger Clemens was “heartbroken” when his former team left him out of Sunday night's Stadium-farewell festivities …

Gameday Live 157: Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays  —  Good evening Yankee fans.  Welcome to another night on the blog.  The Yankees are looking to stave off elimination for one more night.  —  Yankees (85-71) vs. Toronto (83-73): First pitch: 7:05  —  Starters: Mike Mussina (18-9, 3:57 ERA) …

The East Contracts  —  The Phillies lose and the Mets win as the lead in the NL East is down to 1 1/2 games.  Remember, the Mets hold the tie-breaker against the Phillies, so if the two teams finished tied and ahead of the other wild card contenders, then the Mets win the division and Philadelphia gets the Wild Card.

Today: Pirates-Brewers, 9-23-08; Moss' knee injury ends season  —  MILWAUKEE — The Pirates can continue their Tour of Broken Dreams, having basically ended the St. Louis Cardinals' season with that sweep at PNC and, really, having foiled the Houston Astros, too, just by taking one of those games this past weekend.

MLB, union work toward Alvarez settlement  —  Ending grievance will clear way for Pirates, top pick to sign  —  Major League Baseball and its players' union were negotiating last night to settle a grievance that would clear the way for the Pirates and first-round draft pick Pedro Alvarez to sign a revised contract.

Psychologists put Mets fans on the couch  —  As the Mets teeter toward another September disaster, mental health pros have a message for the bumbling players and their white-knuckled fans: Have fun and enjoy the ride.  —  That may be tough to do, given last season's debacle, but dwelling on the past makes things worse, experts agree.