George Steinbrenner may clean house, hire Tony La Russa  —  After 12 playoff appearances, four World Championships and some heartbreaking disappointments, it looks like Joe Torre has managed his last game as a Yankee - and his successor may well be Tony La Russa.

Rodriguez's Agent Votes to Opt Out  —  A clubhouse attendant packed the belongings from Alex Rodriguez's locker into cardboard boxes yesterday, in what may have been a sign that Rodriguez did not plan to visit Yankee Stadium anytime soon.  He may never return as a member of the Yankees …

The Great Wedge ...  This is an ode to Eric Wedge.  Monday night in New York, he did absolutely nothing that I, as a fan, agreed with.  Nothing.  He started Paul Byrd when I was sure he should have gone with C.C. Sabathia on short rest.  He played Kelly Shoppach because he's Paul Byrd's personal catcher …

Tigers exercise option on Ivan Rodriguez for 2008  —  DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has exercised its option for the 2008 season on catcher Ivan Rodriguez.  —  "The Tigers are pleased to have Pudge back for the 2008 season," Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said.

Jeters never prosper ...  Hype is a funny thing.  It can rattle your nervous system even when you KNOW the hype is wrong.  Take Derek Jeter.  I know, intellectually, that the whole "Derek Jeter is Captain Clutch, Conqueror of Pressure, Count of Men on Base, Knight of the Round Ball …

Bell leaving Royals to become White Sox's minor-league field coordinator  —  Former Royals manager Buddy Bell sure didn't last long in his new job as a senior advisor to general manager Dayton Moore.  —  Bell plans to leave the Royals at the end of the month to become the minor-league field coordinator for the Chicago White Sox.

Suzyn Waldman Cries On-Air Following Yankees Defeat  —  I understand that Fans get upset when "their" team loses, and sometime cry.  But a broadcaster live on-air?  I think that's unprecedented.  Well that's exactly what Yankees radio announcer Suzyn Waldman did during the postgame show on WFAN last night.

NL Teams Can't Touch the Talent of the AL  —  There is probably one baseball fan, hidden safely away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Colorado, who truly believes that everything — other than the right to play in an exhibition series — is at stake in the upcoming National League …

Fall guy (cont.)  —  Managerial Odds Board  —  1. Mattingly.  Lacks experience but has The Boss in his corner.  Even money.  —  2. Girardi.  NL Manager of the Year with Florida turned down $1.5 million a year from Orioles.  3-1.  —  3. La Russa.  A perfect fit for the old Steinbrenner.

King Kaufman's Sports Daily  —  Baseball playoffs: Sweeps week.  Off days abound thanks to first-round routs.  MLB needs a flexible schedule.  Plus: "Frank TV," more.  —  Thanks to the New York Yankees beating the Cleveland Indians in Game 3 Sunday, there will be at least one more baseball …

Pirates Manager Search — Don't look for Pirates to raid Cleveland  —  There might not be as large an influx of Cleveland Indians personnel into the Pirates' organization as was originally thought.  —  In fact, that influx could begin — and end — with general manager Neal Huntington.

Hamilton recovering from heart attack  —  Veteran Astros radio broadcaster undergoes angioplasty  —  HOUSTON — Longtime Astros radio broadcaster Milo Hamilton had a health scare on Sunday, experiencing chest pains that ultimately led to a heart attack.  —  Hamilton, who was scheduled …

Schill to go Game 2  —  Just the quick news right now...  Terry Francona just announced that Curt Schilling will be pitching in Game 2 against the Indians, with Daisuke Matsuzaka pitching in Game 3.  Josh Beckett will, of course, go in the first game of the series.

Playoff payoff: Phils give Manuel 2-year extension  —  PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies and manager Charlie Manuel agreed to a two-year extension with a club option for 2010 on Tuesday night, keeping around the folksy manager who led the franchise to their first NL East title since 1993.