Umps report verbal abuse by Halos  —  Scioscia denies staff acted improperly after Wednesday's loss  —  BOSTON — Manager Mike Scioscia denied accusations by umpire Rick Reed that his coaches acted unprofessionally following a controversy-filled 9-8 loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday night at Fenway Park.

So, here's a little news for you  —  I was hoping to keep this quiet another day or two so I could compose my thoughts.  But that's not possible these days.  —  So here it is: I'm leaving The Journal News after nearly 10 years and going to work for The Boston Globe.

September 17: Postgame notes  —  First things first, Juan Miranda (right) is going to New York.  —  I guess there could be more moves in the next few days, but for now, he's the only call-up from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees clubhouse.  Austin Jackson said he hadn't heard anything definitive …

Win streak has Atlanta thinking big  —  Braves sweep Mets, welcome Phils for crucial weekend set  —  ATLANTA — While there might be some pessimists and realists who are simply looking at what might have been, the Braves have put their past behind them and provided hope for the immediate future …

Reassessing three underachievers and notes around the majors … For most teams, it is time to turn the page on this season.  In a few cases, it has been that way for months.  But one major advantage to being eliminated early is that there is plenty of extra time to assess one's needs …

In hindsight, Phillies lucky they didn't get Soriano  —  THE CHICAGO Cubs, it appears, have a severe case of buyer's remorse.  When they signed free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano before the 2007 season, they thought they were getting a 40-40 player for their $136 million investment.

Chicago Cubs clubhouse bizarre after 7-4 loss to Milwaukee Brewers  —  Players, manager contribute to peculiar scene  —  Cubs starter Randy Wells reacts after giving up a grand slam to Milwaukee's Jody Gerut in the fourth inning.  (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune / September 17, 2009)

Already great, Hanley is getting better  —  Marlins star has a chance to be best shortstop of all time  —  MIAMI — He has started back-to-back All-Star Games, put up early numbers comparable to some of the best ever at his position, is a popular No.1 pick in fantasy leagues and is having the season of his life.

Texas Rangers can take a last thrill ride, if they stand tall  —  When you've scored one more run than a dead man in 37 innings and were nearly no-hit by a last-place team, in effect, playing the most lifeless baseball of an inspiring, improbable season at the worst possible time, it's safe to assume you must be dead men walking.

Offseason Outlook: New York Mets  —  Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Mets.  Their commitments for 2010:  —  C - Omir Santos - $400K  —  C - Josh Thole - $400K  —  1B - Daniel Murphy - $401K  —  2B - Luis Castillo - $6MM  —  SS - Jose Reyes - $9MM  —  3B - David Wright - $10MM

Dodgers-Giants rivalry not what it used to be  —  Many who witnessed the outright disdain between the teams in the 1950s and '60s say the climate of the current rivalry falls disappointingly short of the old days.  —  Arnold Hano grew up across the street from the Polo Grounds …

Crow, Royals Agree To $3 Million Deal  —  Aaron Crow, the 12th overall pick in the 2009 draft, and the Royals have agreed to terms on a three-year major league contract that includes a $1.5 million bonus and $3 million in guaranteed money.  If he spends the duration of the deal …

Astros look to next year, plan to build on younger core  —  The Astros, like a famous explorer, will head to Florida this spring seeking to turn back the calendar, beginning with the rotation  —  Wandy Rodriguez, the top Astros pitcher this season, looked into his past and started pointing around …

In His Book, Fritz Peterson Discusses Pranks, Teammates and Swapping Wives  —  On a cool late-season evening before a Yankees game earlier this week, across the street from the old and abandoned stadium, Fritz Peterson sat behind a table on a sidewalk filled with passing fans and flattened cigarette butts.

Ex-Chicago Cub Shawon Dunston sends handwritten letter to Bankruptcy Court seeking college tuition money  —  But former shortstop said it was just a formality  —  Cubs shortstop Shawon Dunston flies through the air after foecing San Diego's Bip Roberts while turning a double play in the third inning.