Braves, Wickman agree to one-year deal  —  Veteran closer set to return for 2007 season  —  WASHINGTON — Braves general manager John Schuerholz rolled the dice and entered this season without a proven closer.  He won't have to realize the damaging effects of such a gamble next season.

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 …

Yanks win ninth straight AL East title  —  Bombers fall to Jays, but clinch division with Red Sox loss  —  TORONTO — Time to pop the corks.  The Yankees are American League East champions once again.  —  New York wrapped up its ninth consecutive division title on Wednesday night …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

Notes: Lind wins third Webster Award  —  Outfielder only third Jays player to be three-time recipient  —  TORONTO — Adam Lind figured a trip to Toronto might be in store for him this month.  The 23-year-old outfielder just didn't expect it to be as a September callup, though.

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 …

Nats Continue To Line Up Their Affiliates  —  While they continue to search for a home for their top minor league affiliate, the Washington Nationals announced yesterday that they have extended their player development contract with the Class A Potomac Nationals for four years.

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 …

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.