Rivera: Torre is a factor in my free-agent future  —  Mariano Rivera ended his surprise appearance at Cleanup Day II by asking the assembled media at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday to make sure to "spend some money" at his Westchester restaurant this winter.  —  "I don't have a job," he joked.

MLB names League Championship Series umpires  —  Randy Marsh, Tim McClelland to serve as crew chiefs  —  Major League Baseball has named the two umpiring crews that will officiate the League Championship Series.  The National League Championship Series will begin on Thursday, October 11th …

50 greatest moments in LCS history  —  Baseball is about the unexpected, the surprise, the drama of one pitch or one at-bat deciding a game or a series.  Let's hope we get many such moments in this year's League Championship Series.  Here are our 50 greatest moments in LCS history (remember …

The Yanks Are in Flux, Starting at the Top  —  For years, George Steinbrenner has vowed to let the young elephants into the tent.  It was his way of saying that someday, his family would take over the Yankees for him.  Now 77 years old and uneasy in public, Steinbrenner is depending more than ever on input from his sons, Hank and Hal.

Rockies activate Taveras, set NLCS rotation  —  Fogg gets Game 3 assignment; Cook remains on DL  —  PHOENIX (AP) — The Colorado Rockies added center fielder Willy Taveras to their postseason roster but chose not to include right-hander Aaron Cook, who threw about 90 pitches in an instructional league game in Tucson on Wednesday.

Waldman defends her on-air tears  —  Suzyn Waldman's teary report from the Yankees' clubhouse late Monday night has been a source of amusement on the radio, on the Internet and in print across the continent.  —  To her, though, there is nothing funny about that.

Alex Rodriguez opts to take his time  —  Alex Rodriguez doesn't have to decide whether to opt out of his contract until Nov. 10, so don't expect any quick resolutions to the two-time AL MVP's situation.  —  Rodriguez is expected to void the final three years and $81 million of his record 10-year, $252million deal.

Thrown A Curve  —  That loud crashing sound you hear is probably baseball's brain trust banging their heads against the nearest brick wall.  —  Obviously, baseball doesn't have a game-fixing problem.  The sport is so honest it hurts.  In the past two weeks, almost all of its mega-market …

Journal: McCutchen adjusting to AFL  —  Former first round-round pick runs into jet lag, dry heat … Send Andrew an email  —  Hey everyone, this is Andrew McCutchen coming from very hot Arizona.  I'm very excited to be out here and to be writing to you about my experiences here.

Manuel happy with new deal  —  Manager could be staying in Philadelphia through 2010  —  PHILADELPHIA — Charlie Manuel smiled like he knew it was coming.  —  He earned this.  —  The Phillies re-introduced their manager Wednesday morning, with a $3 million contract extension that could keep …

Dodgers front office will have busy offseason  —  After what passes for a week of rest and relaxation in the frenetic lives of Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti and his staff, the front office will get back to business this week when the club's scouts and special assistants come to town for meetings.