New York Yankees DH Hideki Matsui becomes first Japanese-born Series MVP  —  NEW YORK — Hideki Matsui has the most curious habit at the plate.  He never takes a practice swing once he steps into the batter's box.  —  He saves all those meaty cuts for when he needs them.  —  Matsui

Dodgers' Padilla accidently shot by instructor in Nicaragua  —  MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Vicente Padilla (FSY) is recovering from a bullet wound in his leg after a target shooting instructor accidentally shot him.  —  Dr. Eduardo Reguera said Padilla …

Manuel entertains press before Game 6  —  NEW YORK — Phillies manager Charlie Manuel humored the press tonight in his pregame chat.  The primary topic was Ryan Howard and feelings.  First, Manuel was asked if he considered dropping Howard in the lineup.  In a word, no.

Wells: Knock Utley down  —  Chase Utley needs to kiss the Yankee Stadium dirt tonight.  —  Enough is enough, already.  I would never advocate throwing at somebody's head, but there comes a time when you've got to make an insanely hot hitter like Utley squirm.

If New York Yankees need him, A.J. Burnett says he'll be available in relief  —  A.J. Burnett plans to be available out of the bullpen for the final two games of the Series, having thrown only 53 pitches on Monday night.  Burnett has made four career relief appearances, the last coming in 2008 with the Blue Jays.

Phils weigh contract extension for Lee  —  NEW YORK - The Phillies have not yet decided whether to offer a contract extension to pitcher Cliff Lee this off-season, but they have discussed the possibility internally.  —  “Clearly, it's on our minds, but we haven't made a decision if we will yet,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said.

Riggins says Snyder is ‘a bad guy’  —  There's been no harsher critic of the Redskins this fall than John Riggins, from his YouTube laceration of the Skins' front office to his hour-long skewering of the franchise on a WTOP town-hall program with Frank Herzog.

Lady Gaga Sees Herself In Yankees Star Mariano Rivera  —  'I do feel like I have to top myself.  But I feel like I'm Rivera.  I'm a closer,' singer and Yankee fan says.  —  By Eric Ditzian, with reporting by Sway Calloway  —  The New York Yankees are nine innings away from winning the World Series.

Beckett, Sox to discuss hurler's future soon  —  Right-hander currently under club control through 2010  —  BOSTON — When ace Josh Beckett arrives at Spring Training in February, he will be gearing up for his fifth season with the Red Sox.  Will it be his last?

Cards release Brad Thompson; move Thurston to Memphis roster  —  ST. LOUIS — In an attempt to cleanup their 40-man roster for the offseason, the St. Louis Cardinals made a series of moves this morning that included releasing reliever Brad Thompson.  —  The roster moves started last night …

Richardson an all-star in Arizona  —  We interrupt this World Series coverage — don't worry, it'll end soon enough — for some actual Red Sox news.  —  Lefty Dustin Richardson, who pitched three games in the majors, was named to the all-star game in the Arizona Fall League.  It will be played on Saturday.

Cubs owners hear Mesa's pitch  —  The family that took control of the Chicago Cubs came to Mesa on Tuesday as business and political leaders from across the state urged the team to keep its spring training operations here.  —  The Ricketts family met 100 people at the Red Mountain Ranch Country Club …

A primer on tomorrow's hearing.  —  What's happening?  —  Tomorrow, the McCourts square off for the first time in Los Angeles County Superior Court.  The court will hear arguments from Jamie as to why she should be reinstated to her position as Dodgers CEO.