ARLINGTON, Texas  • The Texas Rangers could only wish for Albert Pujols to not show up Saturday night.  —  Two days after his absence generated debate, the Cardinals first baseman and man of influence silenced a Rangers Park crowd of 51,462 and stunned the American League champions …

Farrell was seen as Sox manager, and still could be  —  When the Red Sox and Terry Francona parted ways, Blue Jays manager John Farrell was the preferred candidate to manage the team, according to a major league source.  —  There is conflicting information on how deep the Red Sox are at this point …

Griffey receives Historic Achievement Award  —  ARLINGTON — Ken Griffey Jr., whose superior performance and effervescent demeanor thrilled legions of fans throughout his 22-year career, received the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award, which recognizes achievements and contributions of historical significance.

Angels may be interested in Omar Minaya for general manager  —  Add Omar Minaya's name to the growing list of candidates who will interview for the Angels' vacant general manager post.  —  Minaya, the former GM of the Montreal Expos, held the same post with the New York Mets from 2005 to 2010.

Pujols certainly will hit the jackpot  —  Let's try to be rational for a moment, even though the history of baseball's free-agent market is practically a case study in irrationality.  —  Let's assume the owners finally figure out that signing free agents into their late 30s almost never is a good idea.

Baseball Needs Its Own ‘9-9-9’ Plan  —  This fall, millions of Americans have been flipping channels to stay abreast of two distinct forms of competition: Major League Baseball's 2011 postseason and the Republican presidential debates.  —  The baseball competition has come down to a World Series between …