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:
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
A side of intrigue — Oblique injury pushes Beckett back to Game 3 — There was little Josh Beckett couldn't do in last year's postseason. He won game after game after game, dominating in every start, on the way to a World Series title. He was supposed to do it again.
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 …
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:
MetsBlog.com, 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.
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 …
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Associated Press:
Home runs drop to 15-year low … NEW YORK (AP) — Home runs in the major leagues dropped this year to their lowest level since 1993, and Angels center fielder Torii Hunter thinks he might know why. — “I think the steroid testing has something to do with it,” he said.
Discussion:
It is about the money, stupid
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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 …
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 …
RELATED:
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
SEE IT: The 2008 Divison Series Broadcast Schedule — TBS will telecast all Division Series games and ESPN Radio will provide national coverage. Additional coverage of the Division Series games will be provided by XM Radio and MLB.com. — NOTE: Monday will see the White Sox play the Tigers …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Chico Harlan / Washington Post:
More On The Coaching Changes — Lots of handshakes and hugs in the visitors' clubhouse after this afternoon's final game. After the Nats' 8-3 loss (which guaranteed Washington baseball's poorest record), the majority of Manny Acta's coaching staff headed out the door, no longer part of the organization.
RELATED:
Chico Harlan / Washington Post:Breaking News: All of Acta's Assistants Gone, Except St. Claire
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
Washington Post:
A Strained Season Off the Field, Too — Kasten Frustrated by Ownership's Continued Lack of Spending — After the final home game of the Washington Nationals' season, team president Stan Kasten and principal owner Mark Lerner crossed paths in their new stadium's lowest level.
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Keg Party! — Sabathia finishes what he starts — It's over. It's finally over. — After 25 years of stumbling through the baseball wilderness, the Milwaukee Brewers emerged on the other side Sunday into bright daylight. Well, as bright as daylight can be when the roof is closed at Miller Park.
RELATED:
Los Angeles Times:
For Dodgers, getting to the playoffs is only half the battle — I mentioned it to Lowe, but he was too sick to care. — “Been sick for three days,” he said, giving new meaning to pitching on three days' rest, and hoping for the best. — A FEW more tidbits from the sit-down with Ramirez:
