Top News:
ESPN:
Mazzone out after two seasons in Baltimore — Leo Mazzone, who came to the Orioles with a reputation as one of the best pitching coaches in the modern era, was fired Friday after only two seasons in that role. — "I spoke with Leo today and told him I appreciated his efforts here," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said in a statement.
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Spencer Fordin / MLB.com:
Mazzone will not return to O's in 2008 — Pitching coach guided Baltimore's hurlers for past two years — BALTIMORE — The Orioles parted ways with pitching coach Leo Mazzone on Friday, allowing the veteran to pursue other opportunities for next season. — Baltimore will still …
Dan Connolly / Baltimore Sun:
Mazzone will not return in '08 — O's pitching coach fired after two seasons with team — After two years as the Orioles pitching coach, Leo Mazzone has been fired with one year remaining on his deal. — The club made the announcement this afternoon in a news release.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Onslaught — On and on it goes: Ortiz and Ramírez lead Red Sox' rout — Sometime in the last couple of weeks, maybe they've been out of luck, out of sorts, out of whack, out of time, out of money (on second thought, scratch that last one). — But simply out? Not a chance.
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Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
Sox looking superior — In key areas, Indians outclassed … By the middle innings last night at Fenway Park [map], Game 1 of the American League Championship Series between the Red Sox [team stats] and Cleveland Indians was beginning its slow, steady descent into something about as competitive …
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus, Providence Journal, The Joy of Sox, Fire Brand of the …, SOX & Dawgs and Babes Love Baseball
Hal McCoy / Dayton Daily News:
Jocketty considers offer from Reds — Former Cardinals general manager would take front-office job and become Krivsky's boss. — The Cincinnati Reds are pursuing former St. Louis Cardinals General Manager Walt Jocketty, offering him one of the titles currently held by President …
Discussion:
Red Reporter
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Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Garner willing to entertain job offers — Former Astros skipper has not been contacted by Reds — CINCINNATI — If it were the right situation, Phil Garner would like to manage again. — How about the Reds? — Garner, who was dismissed as Astros skipper on Aug. 27 …
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Unbeatable Rockies find yet another way to win … PHOENIX — The names go flying by them now, right out of a Hottest Teams of All Time newsreel. — Boog Powell's 1970 Orioles ... Gabby Hartnett's 1935 Cubs ... . George Brett's 1977 Royals ... Mike Schmidt's 1977 Phillies ... Fred Merkle's 1916 Giants ...
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Bob Baum / Associated Press:
Streaking Rockies beat Arizona 3-2 in 11 — PHOENIX (AP) — Willy Taveras raced toward the gap for a diving catch, then walked to first base to keep the Colorado Rockies streaking toward the World Series. — Jose Valverde walked Taveras on four pitches with the bases loaded in the 11th inning …
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Mitchell report to reveal big names … Mitchell Commission Plans to Name Players — Since former Senator George Mitchell launched his investigation into baseball's steroid past 18 months ago, the big questions have been whether the final report would name names …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Battle Lines Drawn if Rodriguez Opts Out — Alex Rodriguez hit 42 home runs and had 46 stolen bases in 1998, becoming just the third player in the vaunted 40-40 club. He was set up to soak the Seattle Mariners in salary arbitration, except for one detail: against the advice of his agent …
Discussion:
WasWatching.com
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Jack Curry / New York Times:
A Postseason Fixture, Lofton Is Well Traveled Off the Basepaths, Too — Every time Kenny Lofton of the Cleveland Indians sees the persistently played commercial in which a shipping company talks about sending his baseball equipment here, there and everywhere, he said, he looks away from the television.
Discussion:
Lady At The Bat
Jack Curry / New York Times:
Rivera Puts Some Spin on Plans for Future — Mariano Rivera did his best impersonation of a player who was ruminating about leaving the Yankees, even if he probably does not want to bolt from the only team he has ever known. Rivera, the renowned closer, knows that part of the negotiating process is posturing.
