Top News:
MLB.com:
A letter to fans from Frank Coonelly — Dear Pirates Fans: — I am extremely excited to officially announce today that we have hired Neal Huntington as our new General Manager. After a comprehensive search for a baseball executive who can restore the culture of success within the Pirates organization …
RELATED:
Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com:
Pirates hire Huntington as new GM — Exec spent past 10 years within the Indians' organization — PITTSBURGH — Looking for a general manager with a keen eye for evaluating talent and a scouting background, the Pirates announced early Tuesday that Indians advance scout Neal Huntington …
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Will Carroll / Baseball Prospectus:
Huntington's Challenge — Neal Huntington, now officially the Pirates new General Manager, won't have to learn to talk like a Pirate, though he is facing several challenges with his new team. Let's take a quick look at some of the ones he can have the most effect on.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Bob Raissman / NY Daily News:
Keith Hernandez vents frustration over the airwaves — Figuring out how Mets fans are dealing with the frustration of a team living on the edge is not a priority. What about the Mets broadcasters? They can try hiding their frustrations, but what the heck? — Why not just let it out?
RELATED:
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:
Nationals thump Mets, lead over Phillies is 2 — The Nationals are a team of up-and-comers and reclamation projects. There isn't a household name on the roster and they've been out of the playoff picture pretty much since the season started. And now they have become an enormous headache for the Mets at a critical juncture.
Wallace Matthews / Newsday:
These Mets lack a killer instinct — Pity poor Willie Randolph. Try as he might, he can't turn these sleeping dogs into pit bulls. — Right now, he's got three gamers - David Wright, Moises Alou and Paul Lo Duca - and a clubhouse full of Mister Softees who wouldn't have survived …
Bruce Jenkins / San Francisco Chronicle:
From Mays to Bonds, Giants have a storied history of power — (09-24) 21:48 PDT San Francisco — The Giants made the right call on Barry Bonds last week, and when viewed strictly from a baseball standpoint, it came a year too late. It remains to be seen how much the Giants will regret …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Janie McCauley / Associated Press:Padres acquire OF Lane from Astros
Discussion:
Fox Sports, San Diego Union-Tribune, ESPN, Ducksnorts, With Leather and Baseball America
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
In the season's last week, they need to stay on top of things — The playoff-bound Red Sox are home tonight to start the final six games of the regular season, and manager Terry Francona continues to straddle the line between playing for the division title (and the best record in the league) …
RELATED:
Dawn Klemish / MLB.com:
Sox to face A's, Twins in final week — Oakland (75-82) at Boston (92-64), Tuesday, 7:05 p.m. ET — With a postseason berth assured, Red Sox Nation is clamoring for a little more this time around. — Hey, guys, how about a Division championship? — "It's a challenge," starter Tim Wakefield said.
Discussion:
Fox Sports
Peter Abraham / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Breaking news: Clemens scratched again — The Yankees just announced that Roger Clemens (left hamstring) has been scratched from tonight's game and will not pitch in this series. — He has been replaced by LHP Kei Igawa.
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
He's Back — Manny Ramirez returns to the lineup today. He will be hitting second against the A's. — Today's lineup — 1. Dustin Pedroia, 2B — 2. Manny Ramirez, LF — 3. David Ortiz, DH — 4. Mike Lowell, 3B — 5. J.D. Drew, RF — 6. Jason Varitek, C — 7. Coco Crisp, CF
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Pitching coach opts to 'explore options' — Pitching coach Rick Kranitz has left the Marlins because of what sources described as a dispute over his salary for next season. — With a 66-90 record and six games left, the Marlins are headed toward one of the worst finishes in their 15-year history, largely because of poor pitching.
Discussion:
Can't Stop The Bleeding
RELATED:
John Lowe / Detroit Free Press:
Ordonez — amidst batting title race — will undergo MRI on left heel today — Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez said Monday night he will have an MRI exam today on his left heel, which has caused him pain much of the season. — Ordonez said he and the club want to make sure …
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Erstad: Take it and move on — Sox outfielder-first baseman not dwelling on unproductive 2007 — The mind truly is a terrible thing to waste. — In some cases, an even scarier place to visit. — Welcome to the world of White Sox veteran Darin Erstad, where you enter at your own risk.
Discussion:
FanHouse
George Vecsey / New York Times:
East Races Are as Different as N.L. and A.L. — At 6:08 p.m. on my laptop digital clock yesterday, both New York teams had the bases loaded. Alex Rodriguez was at bat in the Bronx while Carlos Delgado was up in Florida, two of the great hitters of this generation.
