Cleveland Indians select Manny Acta (who turns down Astros) as new manager: ‘We will grow together’ … CLEVELAND, Ohio — Manny Acta was asked the question last week in Cleveland at the end of a seven-hour interview with GM Mark Shapiro and the rest of the Indians' front office.

Sources: Tony La Russa will return to St. Louis Cardinals in '10  —  ST. LOUIS — Tony La Russa is returning to the St. Louis Cardinals as manager on a multiyear contract, sources told ESPN's Buster Olney, but there will be at least one change to his coaching staff.

Pettitte prefers World Series over postseason resume  —  NEW YORK — For the second time in the American League Championship Series, Andy Pettitte started with a chance to become the winningest postseason pitcher.  It would also give him the most postseason series-clinching wins.

Kikuchi Stays Home  —  Kyodo News and reader Manzino beat me to it, but Yusei Kikuchi is staying in Japan.  I'll have more later in the evening.  —  It's later in the evening, and here's more.  —  This news doesn't come as a surprise, as even though I had been reserving some skepticism …

MLB ANALYST STEVE PHILLIPS FIRED BY ESPN  —  THIS IS BREAKING NEWS...  UPDATE 1: Sources to The Biz of Baseball indicate that Phillips' agent Steve Lefkowitz has said that Phillips is voluntarily admitting himself to an inpatient treatment facility to address his personal issues.

Red Sox' hot stove fired up early  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email the Author  —  Red Sox fans and their followers have had way too much on their hands this October.  —  With no American League Championship Series to attend to, the flame of the hot-stove league has been lit unseasonably early.

Red Sox' hot stove fired up early  —  + Recent Articles + Recent Blog Entries + Email the Author  —  Who could that be?  Top-flight center fielders are a lot harder to find than left fielders, although what happens in contract talks with Jason Bay (or potential alternatives) this offseason may or may not prove that out.

Why he left Saunders in  —  You could almost hear all the Angels fans screaming at their television sets in the top of the fourth inning as Joe Saunders struggled in Game 6 of the ALCS.  —  “Get him out! . . .  Why are you leaving him in?”  —  Well, there was a reason Manager Mike Scioscia left …

Mets Out of Chapman Sweepstakes  —  Bart Hubbuch, in a post to Twitter, says the Mets will not be pursuing free-agent LHP Cuban Defector Aroldis Chapman, who met with the Mets, among other teams, last week.  —  Hubbuch says the Mets made this decision after learning about his $40-$60 million price tag.

Rivera plans pep talk for Hughes  —  NEW YORK - After a dominant regular season, Phil Hughes has struggled this postseason, breaking the bridge to Mariano Rivera on more than one occasion.  —  The Yankees continue to show confidence in him, but Hughes' struggles have not gone unnoticed.