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 and Bobby Doerr.  —  “I appreciate this.  This is very flattering to me,” Pesky said.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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.

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) …

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.

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.

Hitting coach revolving door continues to spin for Padres  —  Wally Joyner, a member of two Padres teams that reached the playoffs, has stepped down as the club's hitting coach.  Joyner gave his resignation letter to General Manager Kevin Towers on Monday.  —  “It bothers me a lot …

Prospectus Today  —  Fixing It  —  Barring an apocalyptic turn of events—winning the rest of their games, the last four against the Red Sox, who would have to lose out all the way through a one-game playoff—the Yankees will miss the 2008 playoffs.  It will be the first time in the Division Series era …

Homestretch at Shea Starts With Loss  —  There is angst, apprehension and despair filling Shea Stadium.  The Mets have tried not to look back at last September, because it was so excruciating.  But do they think they can look ahead without feeling the same uneasiness that enveloped them a year ago?