Top News:
Associated Press:
Steinbrenner feels good about health, postseason — NEW YORK — George Steinbrenner says he's fit and feeling fine. And for those who don't believe him, the New York Yankees owner invites them to join him at the gym. — "No, I did not have a stroke. I am not ill. I work out daily," …
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NY Daily News:
Giambi's still needling — Time to get off A-Rod's case — The money quote, from Jason Giambi, is right there on the cover of Sports Illustrated, like a fastball under Alex Rodriguez's chin. — "Alex doesn't know who he is," Giambi says of A-Rod, the SI cover boy.
Bob Klapisch / ESPN:
Pressure on A-Rod will be intense in October — It was in January 2005 when George Steinbrenner opened the door to his Legends Field offices and invited Alex Rodriguez in for a chat. This wasn't a conversation as much as it was a job review — actually it was a history lesson, and the Boss did all the talking.
Mark Feinsand / MLB.com:
Abreu's long postseason drought ends — Veteran slugger waited nine years to return to playoffs — NEW YORK — Bobby Abreu made it to the postseason as a rookie in 1997 with the Astros, but Houston was swept out of the first round by Atlanta. — Nine years later, Abreu finally has another shot at October.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Associated Press:
Yankees' top minor league team to move to Scranton — SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) — The New York Yankees reached an agreement Thursday to make the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons their Triple-A affiliate, after ending their relationship with the Columbus Clippers earlier this year.
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David Ginsburg / Houston Chronicle:
Orioles protesters walk out on team — BALTIMORE — Nearly a thousand disgruntled Orioles fans walked out of Baltimore's game against Detroit en masse on Thursday, culminating a demonstration aimed at team owner Peter Angelos. — A majority of the protesters wore black T-shirts that read …
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Fans protest, miss comeback win — Around 1,000 stage walkout opposing team's ownership — BALTIMORE — They'll never know what they missed. — A vocal segment of the Camden Yards crowd spent the early innings cheering loudly and the middle innings filing around the stadium Thursday …
Discussion:
Oriole Magic
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Twins look to sweep Sox — Minnesota (90-61) at Boston (81-71), 6:05 p.m. CT — Fenway Park hasn't always been the kindest ballpark to the Twins, but that certainly hasn't been the case this series. — The Twins enter the finale of their three-game set with the Red Sox having the opportunity to pull off a series sweep.
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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Mark Newman / MLB.com:
Relive all the magic with Clinch Time — Download playoff-assuring games for free at MLB.com — The first celebration scene happens on the field, where giddy players release all of that pent-up emotion from a marathon Major League Baseball season and pile on top of each other after clinching a championship.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Freel out for season with broken thumb — Milton also done, will undergo season-ending surgery — CINCINNATI — Another Reds player is done for the remainder of the season. — Tests performed on Thursday revealed that outfielder Ryan Freel suffered a hairline fracture of his left thumb.
Discussion:
Red Hot Mama
Kelly Thesier / MLB.com:
Notes: Radke feels good in 'pen session — Punto likely to remain third baseman; no rest for regulars — BOSTON — The news on Brad Radke's possible return to the mound changes by the day. But judging by Thursday's news, things appear to be on the right path.
Discussion:
Twins Without Spin
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Why Santana isn't the AL MVP … Johan Santana is the most talented, most charismatic, most dominating pitcher in this hemisphere. And that's something we should all be able to agree on, except perhaps for certain members of Roy Halladay's immediate family.
MLB.com:
Braves exercise 2007 contract option on John Smoltz — Veteran right-hander to return for 19th season in 2007 — ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves announced today that they have exercised the option on the contract of right-handed pitcher John Smoltz for the 2007 season.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Team, Duffy disagree on winter ball — By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette — LOS ANGELES — The Pirates have told Chris Duffy they would like for him to play winter ball, but Duffy has responded that he has no wish to do so. — Potential for another rift between the team and its starting center fielder?
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
