Time to close curtain on this act  —  TORONTO — In 2011, when Manny Ramírez will be 39 years old, he will start to receive the first installment in 16 years of deferred payments.  The checks that year will total slightly less than $2 million, and by the year 2026 …

Notes: Teixeira chases DiMaggio  —  First baseman returned to form with 20 homers in second half  —  ARLINGTON — For Mark Teixeira, the countdown to DiMaggio is down to one.  —  The Rangers' young first baseman entered Friday night's game against Cleveland with 135 career home runs as his fourth Major League season winds down.

Notes: Schneider finishing strong  —  Catcher's adjustments lead to hot streak to close out season  —  NEW YORK — Brian Schneider's remaining at-bats of the 2006 season might not change his final statistics much, but they can still be important.  —  Having corrected flaws in his stance …

Girardi's days likely numbered  —  Manager reportedly will be dismissed at season's end  —  PHILADELPHIA — It's been a year of surprises for the Florida Marlins.  So, in an ironic way, it's strangely fitting that this startling season has produced a fallout between management and manager.

Cutoff men  —  Bombers' brass vow to punish fans who scalp  —  Furious that fans are reselling their tickets online, the Yankees have started revoking the contracts of season-ticket holders and banning them from buying playoff seats this year.  —  The team has fired off at least eight letters …

Guillen rips effort in loss  —  Manager doesn't mince words as Sox tumble to Mariners  —  CHICAGO — When the Detroit Tigers finished off a three-game series victory Wednesday night at U.S. Cellular Field, all but ending the White Sox hopes of repeating their 2005 World Series title …

Colletti Sees Ethier in L.A. Future  —  Andre Ethier was back in the starting lineup Friday, but the rookie left fielder openly expressed doubts about whether he would be back with the Dodgers in 2007.  —  A prolonged September slump in which he is batting .128 with no home runs and one run batted …

A's walk-off win gives Zito lasting image  —  Scutaro's heroics put Oakland in position to clinch AL West  —  OAKLAND — Barry Zito wore the satisfied, bemused look of a man who knows he's about to attend one hell of a party.  —  Thanks to Bobby Kielty, Jay Payton, Marco Scutaro and a host of lesser heroes, he is.

Cards Notebook: Eckstein returns; Edmonds on the way?  —  Eckstein returns; Edmonds on the way?  —  David Eckstein's name appeared among the starters on the Cardinals' lineup card Friday night for the first time since Aug. 18, when he suffered a strained left side.

No News on Martínez, and Mets Say That's Good  —  Pedro Martínez provided encouraging signs for the Mets when he pitched against the Florida Marlins on Thursday.  In his second start since missing a month with an injury to his right calf, Martínez's command was present.

Notes: Jenkins speaks out  —  Bobblehead winners chosen; Rottino caught in numbers game  —  MILWAUKEE — Longtime Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins said was "hurt pretty bad" by the organization's decision in August to begin playing him off the bench, and he hinted that he expects to play elsewhere in 2007.

Who will be the next Esteban Loaiza?  —  Say hello to the "Esteban Loaizas of 2006."  —  The scout who coined that phrase wasn't talking about the top of this year's free-agent pitching market — left-hander Barry Zito and righty Jason Schmidt.  —  He wasn't talking about potential free agents …