Ronan Tynan's tongue causes trouble as Yankees sack Irish tenor's appearance  —  Irish tenor Ronan Tynan sings a first-rate “God Bless America,” at Yankee Stadium, but his attempt at telling a joke offended a Jewish doctor who found it to be anti-Semitic.  —  Tynan apologized, telling WNBC …

Homer-happy Phils beat Dodgers 8-6 in NLCS opener  —  LOS ANGELES — Brad Lidge and the Philadelphia Phillies picked up where they left off a year ago against the Dodgers in the NL championship series.  —  Carlos Ruiz and Raul Ibanez hit three-run homers, reliever Ryan Madson got a key …

Good seats still available  —  The Yankees are in the ALCS for the first time since — ahem — 2004.  But Yankee Stadium may not be sold out tonight for Game 1 against the Angels.  That's embarrassing for the business side of the organization.  —  Whether it's the economy or the outrageous ticket prices …

Rays to stay busy during the offseason  —  Key dates, decisions loom for Tampa Bay's front office  —  All that's left to do now is sit back and watch.  —  After a history-making 2008 season, the Rays couldn't recapture that magic to vault them back to the postseason in '09.

Wakefield's surgery set  —  Tim Wakefield is set to undergo surgery on a herniated disc in his back Wednesday, with the possibility of the operation being moved up slightly.  —  Wakefield has said that doctors told him that the procedure would not hinder his preparation for next season.

ALCS Smackdown: Angels vs. Yankees  —  The Los Angeles Angels, champions of the AL West, and the New York Yankees, champions of the AL East, are about ready to step into the ring to battle for the American League Championship, or what some refer to as the heavyweight championship of Major League Baseball.

Florida Marlins Team Report  —  INSIDE PITCH  —  The Marlins finished with the third-best record in franchise history, but the front office deemed the season a “disappointment” for not making the playoffs.  That means sweeping changes could be in store.  —  One of those changes will not be manager Fredi Gonzalez, however.

Major-league catchers developing leadership skills behind the plate … NEW YORK — By day, Haig Nalbantian and Rick Guzzo specialize in finding the most efficient ways to train future business executives.  —  For years, they have consulted some of the nation's largest companies.

Marlins announce Minor League award winners  —  Cristhian Martinez named Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Mike Stanton named Minor League Player of the Year  —  The Florida Marlins today named right-handed pitcher Cristhian Martinez their Minor League Pitcher of the Year and outfielder Michael Stanton …

Pujols' comments surprise Cardinals  —  With the bases loaded in the seventh inning, Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols grounded out to end the inning against the Milwaukee Brewers.  The Cardinals lost 4-3.  (Robert Cohen/P-D)  —  ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

Harper: Inside story on A-Rod  —  In 2005 Alex Rodriguez went into October riding high, coming off a season that would soon earn him the American League MVP award, ready to feast on the Angels and their ace, Bartolo Colon, off whom he had hit four home runs that season.

For one day, Mike & Mad Dog reunite  —  in the ALCS, just like old times, the buildup to tonight's Game 1 will include a nostalgic media touch: a mini-reunion of “Mike and the Mad Dog” on WFAN.  —  Just after 1 p.m., Chris Russo is scheduled to visit Mike Francesa's “Mike'd Up,” …

Saito Remains — For Now — on Red Sox Roster  —  Contrary to a report on Thursday afternoon, there has been no transaction to this point involving Red Sox reliever Takashi Saito, according to a major-league source.  Specifically, as of Thursday afternoon, he has not been assigned outright …

Free agency looms for John Lackey (Cont.)  —  • Pitching guru Rick Peterson may have a couple options.  He has interviewed with the Brewers to become their pitching coach, and his close relationship with Willie Randolph from their days together with the Mets before they got fired together makes that a natural fit.