Top News:
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Nationals dismiss five coaches — Pitching coach St. Claire to return to Acta's staff in 2009 — WASHINGTON — The Nationals informed all of manager Manny Acta's coaches, except for pitching coach Randy St. Claire, on Sunday morning that they will not be back for the 2009 season.
Discussion:
Associated Press, The Nationals Enquirer, Fire Jim Bowden, MissChatter and We've Got Heart
RELATED:
Chico Harlan / Washington Post:
Breaking News: All of Acta's Assistants Gone, Except St. Claire — Up here in the press box, where the Nats are losing 8-3 in the bottom of the eighth, we just got word on one of the major offseason decisions: Washington will be bringing only one of its assistant coaches, Randy St. Claire, back for next season.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Mets Say Goodbye to Season and to Shea — The Mets have tried distancing themselves from last year's epic collapse, but they cannot help themselves. For the second consecutive season, they were bounced from postseason contention by the Florida Marlins on the final day of the season …
Discussion:
The Mets Are Better Than Sex
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Mets say goodbye to Shea, playoffs with crushing loss — Mets collapse, the sequel. — Doomed by a dreadful bullpen that failed them again Sunday, the New York Mets completed their second consecutive September slide with a 4-2 loss to Florida that knocked them out of playoff contention in the final game at Shea Stadium.
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Taking the Helms — Wes Helms pinch hits to get a right-handed bat against Scott Schoeneweis and Helms takes him deep over the leftfield wall. That was the only batter for Scott, and he leaves to boos. The Brewers are coming to bat in the bottom of the eighth with a chance to win the Wild Card by taking the lead.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
George A. King III / New York Post:
GM TELLS STEINBRENNERS HE WANTS TO RETURN — BOSTON - While Brian Cashman remained mum about his future, the buzz smothering the Yankees' universe yesterday focused on the GM telling the Steinbrenner family he wants to return. — An announcement could come as soon as tomorrow.
Discussion:
Pinstriped Scranton, The LoHud Yankees Blog, NY Daily News, SOX & Dawgs, YFSF, Scott Proctor's Arm and Sliding Into Home
RELATED:
Mike Lupica / NY Daily News:What are the Yankees going to do now? — We talk a lot …
Discussion:
BASEBALL HOT CORNER
Associated Press:
Hamels set to start Game 1 of NLDS for Phillies … PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Phillies ace Cole Hamels will pitch Game 1 of the division series when the NL East champions open Wednesday at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers or Milwaukee Brewers. — Hamels went 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA this season …
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Brewers beat Cubs 3-1, clinch playoff spot — MILWAUKEE - CC Sabathia and Ryan Braun put the Milwaukee Brewers in the playoffs for the first time since 1982 — with big help from the New York Mets. — Making his third consecutive start on three days' rest, Sabathia pitched a four-hitter …
RELATED:
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Holliday irked that injury could affect contract talks — PHOENIX — Matt Holliday took umbrage Saturday with the characterization that his back injury might influence future contract talks with the Rockies. — Holliday has missed three games in a week because of a stiff back.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Chicago Sun Times:
White Sox beat Indians, force game Monday — FROM SUN-TIMES STAFF REPORTS — The White Sox beat the Cleveland Indians 5-1 today and will host the Detroit Tigers on Monday with the AL Central Division crown on the line. — The Minnesota Twins lead the Kansas City Royals.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Toronto Sun:
The A.J. saga is just beginning and — BALTIMORE — Baseball's silly season is off to a rousing start. — The will-he-or-won't-he saga concerning Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett is officially off and running following a report that the Jays were willing to offer him an additional $30 million US …
John Lowe / Detroit Free Press:
Inge will be Tigers' third baseman in '09; Guillen will move to left field — Brandon Inge will be the Tigers' everyday third baseman next season, and Carlos Guillen will move from third base to left field, manager Jim Leyland said Saturday. — The moves appear to have been triggered …
