What a performance by Derek Holland!  —  With his Texas Rangers trailing two games to one in the World Series, the 25-year-old lefty took a two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts into the ninth inning against a powerful Cardinals lineup.  —  After a one-out walk to Rafael Furcal …

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.

Expert poring over long-lost Philadelphia A's records  —  While Moneyball might be box-office magic, the baseball team at the heart of that hit movie desperately needs to pull a rabbit out of its green-and-gold hat.  —  Fifty-eight years after they abandoned Philadelphia, the Oakland A's are a mess.

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.

Inside the Phillies: Slot for Phillies closer could be wide open  —  It's long forgotten, because the decision Charlie Manuel and Rich Dubee made at the end of spring training had little consequence in an ultimately disappointing season that was not the bullpen's fault.

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 …

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.

Some of baseball's best teams fell short of title  —  By next week, the St. Louis Cardinals or Texas Rangers will go down in the baseball history books as 2011 World Series champions.  What neither will go down as: a particularly great team, at least from a historical standpoint.

Hamilton, in lineup, could have sports hernia  —  ARLINGTON — Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton could be dealing with a sports hernia rather than a strained left groin muscle.  If so, he could require surgery after the season, although he would have enough time to get ready for Spring Training.