Top News:
Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Source: Josh Beckett has oblique injury — Sox ace may be in hole — The Red Sox [team stats] could be facing a Tom Brady [stats]-like blow to their postseason plans. — Just as the Patriots [team stats] are trying to make it work this season without the injured Brady as their quarterback …
RELATED:
Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Josh Beckett on hold 'til Game 3 — Ace waits with oblique injury — Late last night at Fenway Park [map], after the Red Sox [team stats] had closed out the regular season with a 4-3 victory over the Yankees, manager Terry Francona confirmed what the Herald had reported earlier in the evening.
Discussion:
Keep Your Sox On
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Francona on Beckett — The following is Terry Francona answering questions tonight about Josh Beckett's right oblique strain and his playoff availability: — Q: Oblique injuries can be tricky. How confident are you Josh will pitch Game 3? — A: I don't think we would slot him in.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Mussina's 20th Victory May Be His Last — BOSTON — Mike Mussina is not a dreamer. He knows he has just spun a season unlikely to repeat itself. He is too much of a realist to believe that finally winning 20 games — as he did Sunday on the last day of his 18th season in the majors …
Discussion:
matsuifan.com
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Marlins play spoiler again, knocking Mets from playoffs — NEW YORK — Shea good-bye to the playoffs. — Talk about a spoiler sequel, the Florida Marlins pulled off a double play Sunday. They knocked the Mets out of the post-season for the second straight year and ruined the celebration for the last game at Shea Stadium.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Despite collapse, Mets retain Manuel — NEW YORK — The Mets have decided to bring back Jerry Manuel as manager despite the disappointing end to their season, SI.com has learned. — Manuel is expected to be approached to hammer out a new contract in the next day or two.
Discussion:
Associated Press, Ya Gotta Believe, Mets Fever, Baseball Musings and The LoHud Mets Blog
RELATED:
Anthony DiComo / MLB.com:
Wilpon extracts positives from season — Citing injuries, CEO says club performed beyond expectations — NEW YORK — Despite all the expectations, the what-ifs and the could-have-beens, Mets CEO Jeff Wilpon managed to muster a few positives Sunday on the final day of his team's 2008 season.
NY Daily News:
Sources: Jerry Manuel to return as Mets manager in 2009 — The Mets have several major decisions to make after falling short of the playoffs on the season's final day for the second straight year, but Jerry Manuel will return as manager in 2009 and beyond, the Daily News has learned.
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Lincecum among stats race winners — Righty's 13-strikeout game caps magnificent 265-whiff season — San Francisco's Tim Lincecum capped his incredible season with a career-high-tying 13 strikeouts on Sunday, bringing his Major League-leading total to 265 during a day that saw most, but not all, statistical races decided.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
MLB.com:
Division Series broadcast schedule announced — TBS to Televise All Division Series Games; ESPN Radio Will Provide National Coverage — The following is the national broadcast schedule for the potential tie-breaker game that will determine the American League Central title and the American League …
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.
RELATED:
Chico Harlan / Washington Post:Breaking News: All of Acta's Assistants Gone, Except St. Claire
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Rangers to settle coaching situation — ANAHEIM — Rangers manager Ron Washington is planning to meet with general manager Jon Daniels on Monday in Arlington, Texas, to discuss the coaching staff. — Some changes could be announced as early as Monday. The rundown of things on the docket is thus:
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
RELATED:
Alyson Footer / MLB.com:
Hampton interested in Houston return — Veteran southpaw won 22 games with Astros in 1999 — HOUSTON — It's been nine years since Mike Hampton last threw a pitch for the Astros, but his ties to select players in the organization have remained strong over the years.
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
That might be it for the Moose — It's not official yet. But I think we just saw Mike Mussina pitch his last major league game. — After Mussina did a television interview after the game, he was the last player into the clubhouse and his teammates were waiting all together in the room to give him a standing ovation.
Discussion:
River Ave. Blues
