Top News:
Jaylon Thompson / USA Today:
Braves take first game of NLCS rematch with 3-2 home victory against Dodgers — ATLANTA - In some circles, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves were always on a National League Championship Series collision course. The storyline wrote itself considering the Braves needed to avenge a disappointing collapse in the NLCS last year.
Discussion:
Sports Illustrated, MLB Baseball News …, Los Angeles Times, New York Post, Talking Chop and True Blue LA
RELATED:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
‘Play hard, party hard’: Dodgers bulldog Max Scherzer is greedy for another World Series ring — ATLANTA — Mad Max was made for Hollywood. — His eyes, one blue, one brown, burn with rage when he pitches. — The sinews in his neck stretched tight, he ferociously rips off his jersey …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Dodgers beat rival Giants in winner-take-all Game 5 NLDS thriller to advance to NLCS — SAN FRANCISCO — It was a 24-round heavyweight prize fight in spikes, a tape-measure finish after a six-month marathon, and by the end of the night, the Los Angeles Dodgers were the last ones standing.
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, AZ Snake Pit, New York Post and MLB Baseball News …
Scott Boeck / USA Today:
Umpire calls Wilmer Flores out on questionable check swing strike three to end NLDS Game 5 — Did Wilmer Flores swing? — It will be a question asked for years to come and debated for a lifetime. — With a runner on first and two outs in the winner-take-all game, the San Francisco Giants …
Discussion:
New York Post and Associated Press
Rick Hummel / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Arenado should have the right to sign off on new Cardinals manager — This isn't the first time the Cardinals have made a managerial change after a postseason appearance. In fact, they made one after their first postseason in 1926 when, after guiding his team to the World Series title …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
ESPN:
Mike Shildt fired as St. Louis Cardinals manager over ‘philosophical differences’ — Despite a team-record 17-game winning streak that carried the St. Louis Cardinals to an MLB wild-card berth, Mike Shildt was fired as manager Thursday. — Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak cited …
Discussion:
Talking Chop and MLB Trade Rumors
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
Clutch homers from Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa power Astros past Red Sox in Game 1 of ALCS — HOUSTON — The ball had not yet cleared the scoreboard down the left field line at Minute Maid Park, nor had it settled in fair territory, but Carlos Correa knew. — As his drive off Boston Red …
Discussion:
MLB.com and MLB Baseball News …
Murray Chass / New York Times:
How the Yanks Landed Bernie Williams — Manny Batista, a scout for the Texas Rangers, knew a highly regarded 16-year-old outfielder was absent from the sandlots of Puerto Rico that summer, but he didn't know what had happened to him. Doug Melvin, now Batista's boss as the Rangers' general manager …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
ESPN:
Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa to return as manager for 2022 season, source says — Tony La Russa will return to manage the Chicago White Sox for the 2022 season, a source told ESPN on Thursday. — White Sox stars Tim Anderson and Jose Abreu had both publicly lobbied …
Discussion:
Associated Press and MLB Baseball News …
James Wagner / New York Times:
With Boone's Status Unclear, Yankees Begin Coaching Changes — Two hitting coaches and the third-base coach will not return after the team's early playoff exit. Manager Aaron Boone's contract expires after the season. — After a seesaw season that ended with a disappointing one-game playoff loss …
Discussion:
The Athletic
New York Times:
N.F.L.'s Top Lawyer Had Cozy Relationship With Washington Team President — Jeff Pash, the league's general counsel, brokered penalties, discussed a cheerleading scandal and received perks in emails with the former president of the Washington Football Team.
Discussion:
New York Post, The Athletic, ProFootballTalk and Sports Illustrated
Robert Salonga / Mercury News:
Ex-Valley Christian coach gets six-year prison sentence for sexually abusing girl athletes — ‘Psychological enslavement’: Allison Brown and Tracey Walker confront Greg Marshall in court, as he voices remorse and asks judge to “please find God in me” in plea for leniency
