Astros have a very bad day, and that's being kind  —  Manny Acta was the guy they wanted.  The Astros liked everything about him.  His presence and personality.  How he forged relationships with players.  His ability to run a game.  —  I said from the beginning that there was no right answer in this search for a new manager.

La Russa's back — with McGwire  —  Tony La Russa this morning will announce his return as Cardinals manager along with the surprise addition of Mark McGwire, the former home run king, who will end an eight-year, self-imposed exile from the game to become the team's hitting coach.

George Steinbrenner will attend Series opener  —  George Steinbrenner will “absolutely” be  —  at Yankee Stadium for Game 1 of the World Series Wednesday night, Hal Steinbrenner said last night.  —  “I think all these players are doing this for him,” Hal said.  “We want to win this whole thing for him.

Opinion: I'm Rooting for the Phillies to Fail  —  I am not rooting for the Yankees, I just can't root for the Phillies.  —  The two teams will compete in the World Series, starting Wednesday night, thus putting a perfect and painful finish on top of what has been one of the worst seasons in Mets history.

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.

Yankees invite Chapman to Game 6 … Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman will be at ALCS Game 6 at Yankee Stadium as a guest of the Yankees, sources said.  —  The invitation is a not-do-subtle way of gaining an advantage in talks for the talented left-handed pitcher.

10 worst World Series games ever  —  It's that time of year again - the Fall Classic is upon us.  I have a lot of fun researching World Series related stuff.  Two years ago, I wrote a series of articles on the best games in the history of baseball's annual finale.

Which Angels will be back next year?  —  Seven Halos will test the free agent market.  —  Recommend  —  NEW YORK As the visitors' clubhouse at Yankee Stadium slowly emptied following the Angels' Game 6 loss, injured right-hander Scot Shields was “trying not to” think about who might …

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.

Angle tearing it up in Fall League  —  Orioles prospect records fifth straight multi-hit game  —  The fact that Matt Angle has logged five straight multi-hit games for the Arizona Fall League's Phoenix Desert Dogs came as news to Matt Angle.  —  “Really?” the Orioles outfield prospect asked after Saturday's three-hit night.