Jeter to Ortiz: Yanks have 'something to play for'  —  Success is apparently its own reward for New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.  —  When asked about Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz's grousing about his chances to be the American League MVP, Jeter noted the Yankees still have "something to play for."

Top NL skipper is...  Dominating Mets' Randolph?  Or Girardi of overachieving Fish?  —  MIAMI — Call it sibling rivalry of the pinstriped variety.  Willie Randolph and Joe Girardi both won World Series rings playing for the Yankees, both coached under likely Hall of Famer Joe Torre …

A Change Of Heart For Fans, Tavarez  —  BOSTON — When the mere mention of his name drew a chorus of boos at Fenway Park earlier this season, Julian Tavarez would glance at the American League East standings posted on The Wall.  —  Tavarez saw the Red Sox sitting atop the list and wondered …

Notes: Fields in line for position switch  —  Hot White Sox prospect has Crede in front of him at third base  —  ANAHEIM — In a strange twist of fate, Josh Fields' locker in the visiting clubhouse at Angel Stadium is situated right next to that of Joe Crede.

San Diego Padres  —  Petco Park  —  Average Ticket Price: $20.83  —  Average Cost of Concessions and Souvenirs: $97.00  —  How expensive is stadium parking?  —  • FREE: 5%  —  • $5-$10: 19%  —  • $10-$15: 40%  —  • $15-$20: 30%  —  • More than $20: 3%

Waiting for Rivera & Martinez to pitch in  —  For the first time in history, the Mets and Yankees have double-digit leads at the same time.  In the middle of September, the Mets are about to clinch the NL East and the Yankees have pulled so far away from the Red Sox that this weekend's Yankee-Red Sox series …

Not a No-Hitter, Just a Pounding  —  The only true suspense at Dolphin Stadium on Monday night ended with a thump, when Cliff Floyd's two-run homer in the second inning halted Aníbal Sánchez's bid for a second consecutive no-hitter.  —  Once that was out of the way …

Gordon Wins Minor League Player Of The Year  —  WICHITA, Kan.—Kansas City Royals fans have salivated over the thought of watching Alex Gordon, the No. 2 overall pick in 2005, play at Kauffman Stadium.  They've dreamed of how he'll turn around the organization, become a mainstay at third base, lead the team to the playoffs.

Q&A: Philip Hughes  —  The top-rated prospect in the Yankees organization, Philip Hughes came into the season with high expectations and exceeded them.  The Yankees' first-round pick in the 2004 draft (23rd overall), the 20-year-old righthander began the year in high Class A Tampa but was promoted to Trenton after five starts.

Beyond Moneyball  —  Why A's Beane succeeds where others have failed  —  It's the man, not the methodology.  —  Moneyball was a superbly written tale, and while the book got it right in that the stunning achievements of the Oakland A's should indeed be attributed to their great general manager Billy Beane …

Fan Value Index 2006  —  Readers rate which parks offer best value, experience  —  Last year SI.com writers analyzed each major league ballpark from a fan's vantage point in order to determine which venues offered the best value and experience.  But this time around we went to the best source: the fans.

Two Steps Back, NL  —  This is part four of a four-part series where we look at which players saw their stock rise and fall the most in each organization.  We finish off today with the National League, and the bad.  —  Arizona Diamondbacks  —  After winning the Double-A Southern League ERA title …

RIZZUTO FIGHTS ON IN LATEST BATTLE  —  PHIL RIZZUTO always has been a battler, the little underdog who made it all the way to the Hall of Fame.  —  The Scooter will turn 89 later this month, and this has been a difficult year for him and Cora.  Rizzuto couldn't make it to Yankee Stadium for Old-Timer's Day.

Moyer serves as a mentor for Hamels  —  PHILADELPHIA — Never mind that Jamie Moyer has the work ethic of a Tour de France contestant, or continues to get hitters out with a fastball that registers slightly faster than Jose Canseco's on the radar gun.  The thing that strikes Cole Hamels …

Notes: Halladay healing nicely  —  Jays ace says he's not experiencing stiffness in right elbow  —  SEATTLE — Breathe easy Blue Jays fans — Roy Halladay is on the mend.  Toronto's ace sat at his locker inside the visitor's clubhouse at Safeco Field, wearing an ice pack on his right elbow prior to Monday's game against Seattle.