Top News:
Ben Shpigel / New York Times:
Randolph Goes With Plan B as Mets' A-Minus Squad Wins — It took until 2:30 a.m. yesterday for a cleaning crew to scrub and polish and vacuum the Mets' clubhouse until not a trace of the celebratory detritus remained. — There were no corks or cigar wrappers lying around, no alcohol stains, funky odors or broken glass.
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Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
A sparring session — Towers's remarks set off Mirabelli — Doug Mirabelli defended himself yesterday from what he termed an ``assassination directly at my character for unprovoked reasons" by Padres general manager Kevin Towers, who was quoted in Monday's San Diego Union-Tribune …
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Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Hansack's finish earns start — Devern Hansack feared the worst when Ben Cherington approached him in the Hadlock Field clubhouse immediately after he pitched eight strong innings to lead the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs past Akron for the Eastern League championship.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Powerful bats back super Perez — Rookie one-hits Atlanta in first appearance as starter — WASHINGTON — For the first time in a long time, the Nationals have solid starters in their Minor League system. One of them is already in the big leagues. Right-hander Beltran Perez …
Discussion:
Nats Triple Play
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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Notes: Soriano's top feat is off the field — Slugger grateful to have won over the Washington fans — WASHINGTON — Left fielder Alfonso Soriano finds himself in a 2-for-25 slump that has dropped his batting average to .285, but he's not worried about it. He believes he will get out of it because he is comfortable at the plate.
ESPN:
Giambi, Torre get tough with A-Rod — The Yankees' magic number to clinch the AL East is 1. Fitting, because the defending AL MVP seems to be all alone in the Bronx Bombers' clubhouse. — In a story in this week's Sports Illustrated, Alex Rodriguez is portrayed as a loner on the AL's best team …
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Michael Morrissey / New York Post:
CURBING HIS ENTHUSIASM — PEDRO DITCHES CLINCH PARTY; — EYES SERIES WIN — When Pedro Martinez was spotted wearing goggles during the sixth inning on Monday night, it seemed like the Met ace would be the center of attention in a wet and wild division-clinching celebration.
Discussion:
The Eddie Kranepool Society
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Bob Klapisch / ESPN:
Pedro remains key to Mets' hopes in October — NEW YORK — The party at Shea was still raging out on the field, with the Mets and family members celebrating the franchise's first Eastern Division title since 1988. Hundreds of fans hung around to savor the moment on Monday night, too …
Evan Grant / Dallas Morning News:
Volquez adds to Rangers' questions in 9-7 loss — ARLINGTON - When the season ends 10 days from now, Rangers management will take a deep sigh and then gather to discuss the Herculean task of once again finding the bulk of a starting rotation for 2007. — It's not certain that Edinson Volquez's name …
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Angels' Moreno: Expect Changes — Before team's 5-2 win over Kansas City, owner vows to do `something major' to improve the chances of making a serious run at a championship next season. — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It won't rival Babe Ruth's Called Shot during the 1932 World Series …
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Maury Brown / Baseball Prospectus:
The Ledger Domain — Are the Marlins the Biggest Overachievers of All Time? — friendly — Contact — There's always a reason games aren't played on paper. For one, it would make for pretty boring television. But to my way of thinking, perhaps the biggest reason may be that it keeps …
Owen Perkins / MLB.com:
Notes: GM marks seventh anniversary — Rockies putting up big numbers; Holliday joins century club — DENVER — Dan O'Dowd celebrated the seventh anniversary of his joining the Rockies as general manager Wednesday, though to call it a "celebration" is something of an overstatement.
Discussion:
Bad Altitude
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Braves, Wickman agree to one-year deal — Veteran closer set to return for 2007 season — WASHINGTON — Braves general manager John Schuerholz won't enter a second consecutive offseason in search of a closer. Bob Wickman has agreed to come back to serve in that role for the 2007 season.
CBC News:
WHAT WENT WRONG? — Teams that coulda been a contender... In the Acadamy-Award-winning film, Terry was a prizefighter who felt his brother Charley kept him from being a contender. This year in Major League Baseball, there are many teams that fit right into Terry's boxing boots.
Discussion:
The Baseball Files
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Bonser faces off vs. Schilling — Minnesota (89-61) at Boston (81-70), 6:05 p.m .CT — When the Twins faced the Red Sox for the first time this season back in the middle of June, they looked at it as a critical series. — The Twins knew they had to start winning those types of series …
Bob Dutton / Kansas City Star:
Greinke back for final weeks — Quick quiz: Let's say it works out as the Royals hope, and their rotation in the not-too-distant future includes Zack Greinke, Luke Hochevar, Tyler Lumsden and perhaps Billy Buckner. — Take a guess which of those prospects is the youngest.
