Twins GM Ryan leaving post after 12 years on job  —  MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan has resigned yet will stay with the team as a senior adviser.  —  The GM the past 13 years, Ryan said his resignation was effective Sept. 30.  He will be replaced by Bill Smith.

Smoltz admits 'We're not as good as them'  —  New York — If an epitaph were written for this Braves season, it should include something like this: "In close games they played hard, but not very well."  —  The Braves were on the wrong side of another close one Wednesday …

The Marlins attendance woes  —  The Web is all a titter about the true attendance of yesterday's game.  I could link to all of them but I won't since this will do. … OMG someone counted them.  The sad part is that the count is probably pretty accurate.  If you don't believe it, take a look for yourselves.

Baseball on HGH: 'We're doing everything we can'  —  Major League Baseball, furious at the continued criticism of its drug-testing policy, is convinced the program is the strongest in U.S. sports despite there being no practical test for human growth hormone.

Open letter from President Coonelly  —  New club president addresses Pirates fans  —  Dear Pirates fans:  —  Today I was officially announced as the new president of the Pittsburgh Pirates by chairman of the board Bob Nutting.  —  It is a humbling experience and a true honor to be selected …

As Yankees Look to Cash in Now, Stars Await in 2008  —  No matter how their season ends, the Yankees will have little time to savor victory or dwell on defeat.  They have major personnel decisions to make in the immediate aftermath of the season.  —  Actually, they have already decided on the basics …

Is a Third N.Y. Baseball Team Feasible?  —  The Business of Sport  —  Imagine a baseball playoff race involving the Yankees, the Mets, and another team anchored in northern New Jersey.  The Mets or Yanks would battle with the third team, sort of like the Dodgers and Giants of the Golden Era of New York baseball a half-century ago.

Lowe misses start with a hurt hand  —  The season that Derek Lowe felt was long grew even longer Wednesday, his start pushed back by a contusion in his pitching hand.  —  Lowe was hurt playing catch with Jonathan Broxton during pregame warmups Tuesday, as a ball missed his glove and struck …

Joe Torre brushes back Jays' A-Rod video game  —  TORONTO - Alex Rodriguez and the Blue Jays have a heated history this season, with A-Rod getting plunked twice in retaliation for his infamous "Ha!" play, when he distracted Toronto fielders from an infield pop.

Diamondbacks hitters break loose  —  Reynolds, Snyder hit back-to-back home runs in 2nd inning for Arizona  —  SAN FRANCISCO - Blame it on the chilly conditions or the Giants' tough starting pitchers, but AT&T Park largely had been an offensive black hole for the Diamondbacks this season.

Mussina sharp as Yankees win seventh in a row  —  TORONTO - When Joe Torre ambled out to the mound last night, Mike Mussina thought the manager was going to ask how he felt about pitching to lefty Lyle Overbay with two runners on base.  Torre stood close to his righthander and spoke quietly until …

Let's Kill The Phills!  —  first off i really like to draw mr met.  i feel that this definitely much more expressive than my earlier take on him.  i am hoping to do much more during the playoffs and moving onto next year!  (he might even get his own blog who knows.)  —  anyways :)

Bloggin' Tigers baseball  —  •Blogger: Ian Casselberry of Bless You Boys, a Detroit Tigers Blog (www.blessyouboys.com)  —  What's the origin of the name "Bless You Boys"?  —  The slogan became a rallying cry during the 1984 season, in which the Tigers started with a 35-5 record on their way to a World Series championship.

Notes: Evans to interview for GM  —  Former Dodgers general manager to meet with club Thursday  —  HOUSTON — The Astros will conclude their first round of general manager interviews on Thursday when they meet with two candidates — assistant GM Ricky Bennett and Dan Evans …