Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Howard's end: Slugger NLCS MVP — Two homers, eight RBIs help Phils reach World Series — PHILADELPHIA — For the first time in nine playoff games, Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard did not to get a hit or an RBI on Wednesday night. — He did pick up another trophy, though.
Discussion:
Circling The Bases
RELATED:
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Back for seconds: Phillies in Fall Classic — Phils can become NL's first repeat champs since 1975-75 — PHILADELPHIA — Jayson Werth held a cigar in one hand and a beer in the other as he soaked in the champagne that had been poured on him and the atmosphere that had surrounded …
Mel Antonen / USA Today:
Rollins' belief in Phils' ability to win contagious — PHILADELPHIA — In the spring of 2007, Jimmy Rollins had played six full seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies without making a playoff appearance. — But that didn't stop him from being courageous.
Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:Phillies beat Dodgers 10-4, return to World Series
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Seth Livingstone / USA Today:After early missteps, GM Colletti oversees revival of Dodgers
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Phillies Nation, Hardball Times, True Blue LA, Dodger Thoughts, Yahoo! Sports and Babes Love Baseball
Corey Brock / MLB.com:Padres could soon hire new GM
Discussion:
San Diego Union-Tribune, DRaysBay, FanGraphs Baseball, Yahoo! Sports, MLB and MLB Rumors
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Former ump says go to video — ANAHEIM, Calif. - Don Denkinger is living a quiet, peaceful retirement these days, playing golf in the Arizona sun. But just like any former major league umpire, he still follows the game. And as one, in particular, whose career was defined by a bad call …
RELATED:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Replay for the World Series could work — Don Denkinger, an umpire who had one of the most famous blown calls in history, tells Bob Klapisch: It's time to go to replay. — Here's the thing: Eventually, expanded use of replay is going to happen. It's as inevitable as a Democrat or Republican winning the next presidential election.
David Waldstein / New York Times:
Mattingly Has Preliminary Interview With Indians — PHILADELPHIA — Don Mattingly, the Dodgers' hitting coach, had a preliminary telephone interview with the Cleveland Indians for their vacant managerial position, and could meet with them after the Dodgers' season ends.
RELATED:
Matthew Leach / MLB.com:
Dodgers' nucleus will be back in 2010 — Starting rotation likely to be fortified around young stars — PHILADELPHIA — Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti felt little consolation Wednesday night following his team's defeat in the National League Championship Series …
Discussion:
ESPN
T.J. Simers / Los Angeles Times:Squandering everything, just to end up the same as in '08
Discussion:
USA Today
Steve Pagliuca / WEEI Online Audio and Video Archive:
AUDIO & VIDEO ON DEMAND — WEEI » Audio & Video On Demand » Theo Epstein, Red Sox GM — THEO EPSTEIN, RED SOX GM — PODCAST — Get Adobe Flash Player to see this content. — Theo joins D&C to talk JD Drew, Jason Bay and the post season
RELATED:
Rob Bradford / Full Count:
Theo speaks on offseason, Drew, and philosophies — Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein joined the Dennis & Callahan Show Thursday morning and touched on his team's approach to the offseason, the value of J.D. Drew, the future of Daniel Bard as a closer. and some of the organization's philosophies.
Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Torre gets earful at Springsteen show — Phils fans have fun with LA manager at Tuesday concert — PHILADELPHIA — Backstage before his Tuesday night concert at the Spectrum, Bruce Springsteen was telling Joe Torre how his “Working on a Dream” tour won't end until after Thanksgiving, so he'll miss the World Series.
RELATED:
David O'Brien / Atlanta Braves with David O'Brien:
Wren's plan for Braves: Get better — As we begin typing, the Phillies are two outs from returning to the World Series, this time for a likely Amtrak series against the New York Yankees, who with a win against the Angels on Thursday can wrap up their first AL pennant since 2003 …
Discussion:
Bottom9 Baseball
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Braves Rumors: Soriano, Gonzalez, Hudson — David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Braves GM Frank Wren yesterday. Hot stove highlights: — Wren considers the Braves' biggest needs to be the bullpen and the offense. — O'Brien is certain the Braves won't try …
Discussion:
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Sabathia and Lee Facing Possible Stadium Rematch — ANAHEIM, Calif. — When the new Yankee Stadium opened on April 16, the starting pitchers were C. C. Sabathia for the Yankees and Cliff Lee for the Cleveland Indians. Now, there is a good chance the same pitchers could meet at the same stadium for Game 1 of the World Series.
RELATED:
Peter Botte / NY Daily News:
Burnett tries to pitch Yanks into Series — ANAHEIM - A.J. Burnett didn't come to the Yankees to be a cream-pie throwing sideshow. — He accepted $82.5 million to complete a formidable 1-2 punch atop the starting rotation with fellow free-agent signing CC Sabathia and to pitch the Yankees …
RELATED:
Richard Deitsch / Sports Illustrated:
Fox adds Guillen to broadcast booth … Baseball fans, get ready for a bleeping interesting analyst. SI.com has learned that Ozzie Guillen, the colorful and occasionally profanity-laden manager of the White Sox, has been hired by Fox Sports to serve as a pre- and postgame analyst for the network's World Series coverage.
Jose De Jesus Ortiz / Houston Chronicle:
Astros meet with Acta, Mills for second interview — The Astros began their second round of interviews with former Nationals manager Manny Acta and Boston Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills, both called back Wednesday from the initial list of 10. — Owner Drayton McLane would only concede …
RELATED:
Philly.com:
Greasing poles in case of a Phillies victory — City workers have greased poles along South Broad Street in an effort to deter revellers from climbing them during any wild celebrations that might follow a possible Phillies victory tonight. — Street lights, signs, bus shelters and even trees …
Pat Eaton-Robb / Associated Press:
ESPN's Steve Phillips confesses affair, takes leave — HARTFORD, Conn. — ESPN baseball analyst Steve Phillips acknowledged having an affair with an assistant at the cable network and has taken a leave of absence during the playoffs. — Phillips said Wednesday in a statement released …
