Top News:
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Millwood roughed up early in loss — Home finale showcases Rangers' disappointment with season — ARLINGTON — Rangers owner Tom Hicks had enough in the top of the sixth inning while the Cleveland Indians were in the middle of a five-run rally. — Hicks got up from his front-row seat next …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
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Amanda Branam / MLB.com:
Hoffman makes history as Friars sweep — Closer converts save No. 479 to capture all-time record — SAN DIEGO — The final regular-season game of 2006 at PETCO Park is in the books. Closer Trevor Hoffman put it in the record books. — Hoffman calmly set down the Pirates in order …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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Mike Scarr / MLB.com:
Angels refuse to watch A's celebrate — Santana rolls as Halos prevent Oakland from clinching — OAKLAND — The Angels can only begin to dream, but the what-ifs are slowly becoming more plausible. — Such as, what if they continue playing loose and winning baseball, while the A's feel the increasing pressure of the pennant race?
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Hartford Courant:
Angels Could Make Play For A-Rod — These are the words you love to hear if you're a fan, and they came this week from Angels owner Arte Moreno: — "I'll guarantee we're going to do something major. We explored it before, but now we have goals we want to attain and that we will accomplish, whether through free agency or trades."
Discussion:
Off the Facade
Paul Sullivan / Chicago Tribune:
Dempster blows save as Reds rally — 'Ticked off' after 4th blown save in row — CINCINNATI — On Opening Day at Great American Ballpark, President Bush walked into the Cubs' clubhouse and extended his right hand to Dusty Baker. — "This is the year, right?" Bush said as he and Baker shook hands.
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs can't hold on, fall to Reds — Ramirez sets career high with 37th long ball in loss — CINCINNATI — It's been more than a month since Ryan Dempster got his last save, and after Sunday, he may not get another chance the rest of the season. Whether he'll get the opportunity next year is to be determined.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Notes: Ortiz matches Ruth's mark — Big Papi's 53rd homer of season is 32nd hit on the road — TORONTO — Thanks to the heart palpitations that kept him out of the lineup for eight games, David Ortiz will likely run out of time in his quest to join Babe Ruth (60 homers in 1927) and Roger Maris …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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ESPN:
Bucs' Simms has spleen removed after loss to Carolina — Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms had his spleen removed at a Tampa, Fla., hospital after rupturing it in Sunday's 26-24 loss to Carolina, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports. — According to a source close to Simms' family …
Jason Beck / MLB.com:
Tigers top KC, clinch playoff spot — Detroit to play in postseason for first time in 19 years — KANSAS CITY — The "best worst team in baseball," as Matt Anderson put it three years ago, now has a chance to be the best, period. Craig Monroe's three-run homer punctuated a nine-run second inning Sunday …
Eduardo A. Encina / St. Petersburg Times:
Out of limelight, two sluggers keep building their MVP cases — Even though much of the talk about the AL MVP recently has centered around Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, a pair of small-market stars warrant just as much consideration.
Morning Call:
Shopping Place Ads Opinion Sitemap — | The Kid's last encounter with Florida ended in his worst second-half start that didn't include a cut finger. He couldn't command his pitches and couldn't match Dontrelle Willis' zeroes in the Miami heat and humidity, lasting only four innings in a 3-0 loss Sept. 10.
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Todd Zolecki / Philly.com:In the Driver's Seat — After a long uphill battle …
Discussion:
Philling Station
Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Notes: Hudson away for a few games — Second-base defensive whiz dealing with family issues — LOS ANGELES — Second baseman Orlando Hudson left the team Sunday to deal with a family issue in Atlanta, but is expected back in the next few days. — "He had a family issue to deal with …
Discussion:
AZ Snakepit
David Ginsburg / Associated Press:
Gibbons calls foul after plunking wife with ball — BALTIMORE (AP) — The odds of such an occurrence seem insurmountable, yet Jay Gibbons pulled off the unimaginable feat: He hit a foul ball that injured his wife. — The scene occurred in the ninth inning of the Baltimore Orioles' game against Minnesota on Saturday.
Vincent M. Mallozzi / New York Times:
He Has Met the Mets and He Owns Them — Andy Fogel of Suffern, N.Y., and his Mets memorabilia. His wife, Rona, sets limits but admits, "It's better than a mistress." — Even Hollywood has made the pilgrimage to the mecca of Mets memorabilia, a shrine to Andy Fogel's favorite team.
Discussion:
It's Mets For Me
John Branch / New York Times:
For N.F.L., Crowd Noise Has Become a Headache — At most big ballgames, noise is good, and more noise is better. — Skin-baring cheerleaders, cartoonish mascots and maniacal M.C.'s take turns trying to whip fans into a frenzy. Scoreboard messages tease the crowd with fake decibel meters and implore fans to "Raise the Roof!"
Barry Svrluga / Washington Post:
Nationals' Johnson Suffers Broken Leg — Femur Fractured in Collision on Field: Mets 12, Nationals 6 — As soon as Nick Johnson's body slammed off that of Austin Kearns, he rolled limply to the turf, screamed in agony and flung his glove in the air, his expression mixing frustration with pain.
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Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Rockies err in salesmanship — Vinny Castilla was born on July 4, so he knows a little something about celebrations. Today, Castilla will start at third base at Coors Field, bathing in standing ovations during each at-bat as he waves goodbye to Rockies fans.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
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