Red Sox bench coach was skipper in Minors for 11 years  —  HOUSTON — Astros general manager Ed Wade's respect for Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona runs deep, so it wasn't surprising that the club leaned on Francona heavily for advice and wound up tabbing someone from his staff to lead the Astros into the future.

Insider Intel: 2009 World Series  —  Joe Girardi's decision-making could be the ultimate key in the Fall Classic  —  STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME Become an Insider Today  —  It's geographically unbalanced, but otherwise, Philadelphia Phillies versus New York Yankees is about as good a World Series matchup …

Jamie McCourt Pulls Divorce Trigger  —  Frank McCourt — owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers — is heading to divorce court courtesy of his wife Jamie.  —  TMZ has obtained legal docs in which Jamie McCourt has officially petitioned to end her marriage of 30 years, citing “irreconcilable differences.”

Gary Matthews Jr. wants out of Anaheim  —  While three Angels headed for free agency — Vladimir Guerrero, Bobby Abreu and Chone Figgins — have expressed publicly a desire to return to Anaheim, one player who has two years remaining on his contract has no desire to return to the Angels in 2010.

Stars and Stats Align for the Yankees  —  As the World Series gets under way in New York, we asked an astrologer, a statistician, a Las Vegas oddsmaker, a computer, a former major-league manager and a baseball analyst to predict the outcome of the series.  The Yankees are favored from Las Vegas to Mars, but not in Philadelphia.

Hinske, Bruney on Yankees roster; Guzman, Cervelli off  —  Emphasizing extra pitching and a power bat to pinch-hit, the Yankees will submit a World Series roster that will add Brian Bruney and Eric Hinske and remove Francisco Cervelli and Freddy Guzman, The Post has learned.

The Mashers and the Mashed  —  As we approach the first game of the 105th World Series tonight, baseball fans everywhere are having a familiar conversation about who the National League team will use as a designated hitter, which in a few days will segue into a conversation …

Robert MacLeod  —  It was an arduous hunt for sure - more than a year in the making - but Paul Beeston has finally found the best man to head up the Toronto Blue Jays.  —  Himself.  —  The 64-year-old confirmed yesterday what many had been anticipating for months - that he has decided …

My World Series Ghost  —  For years, I have waited for this moment: the Phillies and the Yankees going toe-to-toe in the World Series.  Of course, I would have loved to actually still be wearing the uniform, but this is the next best thing.  —  I grew up a Phillies fan …

Pedro to start Game 2 for Phillies  —  Charlie Manuel announced on a radio show this morning that Pedro Martinez will be his Game 2 starter, a move which should make for terrific theater and unbelievable amounts of second-guessing if it doesn't work out.  —  Even though Cole Hamels is struggling …