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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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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Andrew Marchand / New York Post:
SPOILED ROTTEN — JASON LEADS CHORUS OF A-ROD BASHERS — Last night the Yankees tried to play down a Sports Illustrated cover story on Alex Rodriguez that is filled with tantalizing quotes from Yankees criticizing A-Rod. — The long article presents the $252 million dollar man as a disconnected …
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 …
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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
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Don't expect Pedro at 100% — Pedro Martinez threw a bullpen session on Monday in preparation for his start tomorrow night and said he felt no ill effects from his start Friday in Pittsburgh. However for the first time, he sounded like he isn't sure what to expect from himself in the postseason.
Jim Reeves / Dallas Star-Telegram:
Firing Buck would be folly — ARLINGTON - Dropped by The Ballpark on Tuesday night, probably for the last time this season. Just to say goodbye to another year, to hopes dashed again...and to Buck Showalter. — You know, just in case. — I don't think Showalter will be fired, and I know he shouldn't be.
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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 …
Discussion:
Gaslamp Ball
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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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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
Chris Jenkins / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Peavy, Duncan have early spat — LOS ANGELES - Considering what came later, the verbal flare-up between Padres pitcher Jake Peavy and Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Mariano Duncan was just the first of many incendiary moments. It was a bit of gamesmanship, perhaps, in a game that certainly needed none.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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.
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
System works for Minnesota — There are unlikely success stories in baseball this year, and the Detroit Tigers would rank near the top of the list. But what about the Minnesota Twins? How many of us saw this coming? Yet again. — When will we learn? The Twins have a system.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch
Michael Clancy / Newsday:
Need playoff tickets? Go online, not on line — This fall signals the end of waiting in line for post-season baseball tickets and the dawn of going online for playoff seats. — As the Mets and Yankees move closer to a Subway Series, both organizations are switching to primarily Web-based lotteries …
