Top News:
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Red Sox clinch AL East crown — BOSTON (AP) — Jonathan Papelbon danced barefoot in the infield. Daisuke Matsuzaka smiled and bowed to a group surrounding him. And the sound system played "Don't Stop Believin'." — Ecstatic fans joined in to savor Boston's first division title in 12 years …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
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O'Ryan Johnson / Boston Herald:
Sox fans hang around Fenway to savor clinch — Red Sox fans stuck around Fenway Park [map] after last night's victory to watch and celebrate as the Yankees blessedly crumbled to surrender the American League East crown to the hometown team for the first time in 12 years.
Discussion:
Boston Globe
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Red Sox Win the East — After a double and a passed ball in the bottom of the tenth, the Yankees intentionally load the bases. Ramirez strikes out Millar, but Mora drops a bunt to third and the winning run scores as the Orioles take the Yankees 10-9. — That loss settles a number of things in the AL East.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Daniel Malloy / Boston Globe:
Buchholz won't pitch this season — After consulting with pitching coach John Farrell and general manager Theo Epstein, Terry Francona announced this afternoon that Clay Buchholz, the rookie sensation who pitched a no-hitter Sept. 1, will not pitch for the remainder of the season and will not be on the postseason roster.
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Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Theo: "Last resort" to shut down Buchholz — Theo Epstein just met in the dugout with reporters and said that shutting down rookie Clay Buchholz was "obviously not a first choice, obviously not a second choice, but a last choice. Ultimately, the decision with the medical staff was something we have to do.
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Rob Maaddi / Associated Press:
Hamels pitches Phillies into 1st place — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jimmy Rollins was reminded of his bold preseason prediction countless times, especially when it seemed the Philadelphia Phillies were going nowhere. — Many snickered. Others criticized. Few outside the locker room believed.
Discussion:
Federal Baseball
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Jeré Longman / New York Times:
Rollins Has Been Doing More Than Backing Up His Words — It was an innocuous remark, really, but the Mets wasted no time twisting Jimmy Rollins's words into motivational origami. — The Phillies would be the team to beat in the National League East this season, Rollins predicted last winter.
Chris Duncan / Associated Press:
Cecil Cooper to return as Astros manager — HOUSTON (AP) — With Bud Selig's blessing, the Houston Astros picked Cecil Cooper as their full-time manager. — The 57-year-old Cooper received a guaranteed contract through the 2009 season on Friday, a month after he was chosen as interim manager to replace the fired Phil Garner.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
RELATED:
ESPN.com:
Cooper gets permanent post as Astros' skipper — The Houston Astros announced on Friday that interim manager Cecil Cooper will be given the job on a permanent basis. — Cooper, who joined the Astros as bench coach at the start of the 2005 season, had served as interim manager since Phil Garner was fired Aug. 27.
Greg / Faith and Fear in Flushing:
C'mon — What Else Are We Gonna Do? — I can't tell you with any great conviction that there's any good reason to invest your faith in our team this weekend. Of course I can't. I was at the same game Thursday night that you were or watched. There was nothing about the Mets' performance …
RELATED:
Roger Rubin / NY Daily News:Mets drop into NL East tie, but Randolph guarantees title
Discussion:
New York Post
Dave Hyde / Sun-Sentinel:
Brace for departure of Marlins' star duo — Miguel Cabrera or Dontrelle Willis? Who goes this winter? Who stays? Can we start a pool on whether both will be traded? — Yes, it looks serious this time. And before you raise a voice in protest, understand you don't have a voice. Nor do I.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
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Barry Svrluga / Nationals Journal:
Nationals pick up 2009 option on Manny Acta — So this is fitting given our story this morning and our discussion today. — The Nationals announced that they have picked up the 2009 option on Manager Manny Acta's contract. He has, as we discussed, a two-year deal with two one-year, club options.
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Cubs Clinch — Trevor Hoffman strikes out Rickie Weeks in the ninth, and the Padres defeat the Brewers 6-3. That ends Milwaukee's season as the Chicago Cubs win the NL Central title, the second National League team to claim a playoff spot. Congratulations to the Cubs on a great comeback season.
Discussion:
The Griddle
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Are Pirates' players pulling for Tracy? — If the Pirates are in some win-one-for-the-skipper mode to save manager Jim Tracy's job, it is becoming increasingly difficult to detect. — It was one thing for starter John Van Benschoten to get chased with four runs in two innings yesterday at PNC Park.
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout
Arnie Stapleton / Associated Press:
Arizona in playoffs, Rockies' run ends — DENVER (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks lined up for their usual postgame handshakes. No wild celebration here. — They had clinched a playoff berth with a 4-2 victory over Colorado and didn't even know it. — The manual scoreboard at Coors Field …
Discussion:
6-4-2
Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Trade winds blow true — Padres' deals pay off nicely as former no-names keep team in playoff chase — MILWAUKEE - You wonder if other front offices will finally figure it out. — Trading with the Padres is risky. Maybe even foolish. — For some four years running …
