No shortage of stars and subplots in Philadelphia Phillies-New York Yankees World Series, writes Howard Bryant  —  No shortage of stars, subplots and similarities in Phillies-Yankees Fall Classic … NEW YORK — The Cinderellas of Minnesota and Colorado are long gone, dusted away by bad breaks …

Vladimir Guerrero goes down swinging — and zinging  —  In what might have been his final game as an Angel, the normally keep-to-himself slugger has three hits and twice jaws at home plate umpire Dale Scott over disputed strike calls in 5-2 loss.  —  Angels designated hitter watches …

Don Mattingly, Los Angeles Dodgers ponder coach's next move  —  Don Mattingly was on the short list of managerial candidates in Cleveland, and wasn't hired.  —  But he is speaking with the Los Angeles Dodgers about his future with that organization, and while it would be premature …

Beltran Not an Option for Sox (or Anyone Else)  —  A recent story in the Boston Herald suggested that Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran could be an intriguing contingency plan for the Red Sox this offseason should Boston fail to re-sign left-fielder Jason Bay.

Tigers join Chapman sweepstakes … The Tigers have joined the host of teams expressing interest in Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman, a source tells SI.com.  The team has contacted Chapman's camp in attempts to schedule a meeting later this week or early next week, the source said.

McGwire's return to Cardinals as hitting coach makes sense  —  Mark McGwire was without a hitting-coach portfolio as yet when he offered his first professional assessment in the spring of 2001, McGwire's last year with the Cardinals as a player.  —  Approaching manager Tony La Russa …

Astros claim Bourgeois  —  By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel  —  The Houston Astros have claimed outfielder Jason Bourgeois on waivers from the Brewers.  —  The Brewers placed Bourgeois on waivers to clear him from their 40-man roster and the Astros claimed him.

Inbox: Can Moore replace Johjima in '10?  —  Beat reporter Jim Street answers Mariners fans' questions … Adam Moore did really well in the little amount of playing time he received with the Mariners late in the season.  Now that Kenji Johjima has returned to Japan to finish his career …

Yanks thump Giants in NY ratings  —  The Yankee blew out the Giants in the ratings race in New York Sunday night, but the national contest was much closer, with the Yankees in the lead based on 56 major markets measured in “overnight” ratings.  —  In New York, ALCS Game 6 on Fox averaged 26.4 percent …

Philadelphia fans paying more for Series tickets  —  The Yankees are used to support from many of their fans when they play on the road, but they might find the tables turned this week in the Bronx.  —  Tickets on the secondary ticket market for games in Yankee Stadium so far …

Michael Stanton, Florida Marlins' top prospect, shut down from Arizona Fall League with sore back  —  Right-fielder Michael Stanton's Arizona Fall League season is over.  The Marlins shut him down because of a sore back.  —  “It's nothing major.  It's just a sore back,” said Jim Fleming, the Marlins' player development director.

Steve Phillips Is Fired by ESPN After Affair  —  ESPN fired Steve Phillips on Sunday, less than a week after a newspaper revealed that he had had an affair with a 22-year-old production assistant with the network.  —  “Steve Phillips is no longer working for ESPN,” the network said in a statement.

Halos' offseason holds big decisions  —  Key players to ALCS run eligible for free agency  —  ANAHEIM — When it comes to revealing where they stand on personnel matters, the Angels' decision-makers don't play it close to the vest.  —  They play it inside the vest.  That's where you'll find their hands and cards.

Red Sox confirm Hoyer to take Padres GM job  —  Jed Hoyer, who served as one of general manager Theo Epstein's most trusted and capable assistants during his seven seasons as a member of the Red Sox front office, was named general manager of the San Diego Padres today, the club announced.