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.

Tribe tabs Acta to be new manager  —  Veteran becomes 40th skipper in franchise's history  —  NEW YORK — The Indians hoped to select and announce their new manager after the World Series.  —  Manny Acta sped up their timetable.  —  Acta was the first candidate the Indians brought …

Astros' search goes on without Acta  —  Houston GM Wade confirms offer to Tribe's new skipper  —  HOUSTON — Astros general manager Ed Wade confirmed on Sunday that the team made an offer to Manny Acta to be its next manager before he opted to fill the same position with Cleveland …

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.

McGwire could become next hitting coach  —  Report comes as La Russa ponders his future in St. Louis  —  Tony La Russa was expected to return as the Cardinals' skipper, but he could have a new hitting coach in slugger Mark McGwire.  —  According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, La Russa has signed a multi-year contract to return.

After Six Years, Center Stage Again  —  When they were new stars at an old park, the baseball season rarely ended until they were done playing.  Now the Yankees' core is older, the park is new and the World Series is no longer a birthright.  But the stage is theirs again.

Pennant affirms Pettitte's decision to return to Yankees  —  NEW YORK — New York Yankees starter Andy Pettitte, with champagne dripping off the ceiling and onto his cap, closed his eyes Sunday.  —  He remembers being so close to not returning to the Yankees in spring training.