Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
On the edge of elimination — CLEVELAND - Fenway Park and "Sweet Caroline" can't save them now. — A global network of fans, a $143 million payroll, a front office of stat geeks, and a savvy collection of marketing persons and television executives can't help the Boston Red Sox at this hour.
RELATED:
Bob Ryan / Boston Globe:
Nothing odd here, and nothing even — CLEVELAND - Is this the time to remember that somebody or other once said, "Momentum is tomorrow's starting pitcher"? — Is this the time to remind people that baseball teams have been coming back from 3-1 deficits in seven-game series for more than 80 years?
Howard Ulman / Associated Press:
Wakefield wilts in Game 4 loss to Tribe — CLEVELAND —Casey Blake hit Tim Wakefield's pitch over the left-field fence — eerily similar to the drive Aaron Boone hit exactly four years earlier. — Another playoff loss for Wakefield and the Red Sox. — Instead of sending Josh Beckett …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
White-knuckle time — Sox on edge as Wakefield can't stave off third straight loss — CLEVELAND - The idea was to pass "Go" and win a trip to Blake Street in Denver for a rendezvous with the Colorado Rockies in the 103d World Series. Instead, the Red Sox have stumbled into Bleak House in Cleveland …
Discussion:
Yanksfan vs Soxfan
Bill Madden / NY Daily News:
Yankee silence doesn't bode well for Joe Torre — Eight days after the Yankees were ousted from the postseason, nine days after George Steinbrenner was quoted as saying that Joe Torre's job was on the line if the Bombers were eliminated, the Yankee high command has still not made a decision on who will manage the team next season.
Discussion:
NorthJersey.com, New York Post, NJ.com, Bronx Banter, The LoHud Yankees Blog and WasWatching.com
RELATED:
George King / New York Post:
'GATOR' FATE UNCLEAR — Though several Yankees officials insist decisions haven't been made about next year's coaching staff, speculation is growing that Ron Guidry won't be asked back for a third year as the pitching coach. — GM Brian Cashman says a coaching staff can't be constructed until …
Associated Press:
Torre still in limbo after 2nd day of Yank meetings — TAMPA, Fla. — Still no decision on Joe Torre. — The New York Yankees manager remained in limbo Wednesday after a second day of meetings by team hierarchy failed to reach a conclusion. — "All we're worried about is the process …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Pinstripe Alley, River Ave. Blues, The Yankee Despiser, New Jersey Online and Fox Sports
Chicagosports / Hardball:
Novoa claimed by Orioles — CLEVELAND — The Baltimore Orioles continue to corner the market on Cubs cast-offs, claiming reliever Roberto Novoa on waivers on Tuesday. — Novoa, who didn't pitch in 2007 after injuring his right shoulder in an off-season automobile crash in the Dominican Republic …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
More On Free Agent Draft Pick Compensation — I've always felt that my knowledge of Type A/B free agents and the accompanying draft pick compensation was lacking. I'll try to do a better job this year keeping up with the vagaries of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Discussion:
Cardinals Diaspora
NY Daily News:
George Mitchell's plan surprises MLB union — A lawyer for the MLB Players Association said yesterday that George Mitchell never told the union before last week that he was willing to show players evidence of doping allegations against them, although Mitchell told the Daily News in July that he would …
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
Tim Dierkes / MLB Trade Rumors:
Duchscherer To The Rotation? — According to Buster Olney, the A's are thinking about moving 30 year-old Justin Duchscherer to the starting rotation. Duke hasn't started a big league game since 2003 (he started 20 in the minors that year). His 2007 season ended in July as he opted for surgery on his arthritic hip.
Joe Posnanski:
Wahoo ... The Indians are one game away from the World Series, there's mayhem and excitement and so much to write about. But for some reason, I'm motivated tonight to write about Chief Wahoo. I wouldn't blame you for skipping this one ... not many people seem to agree with me about how it's past …
Discussion:
FanHouse
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Red Sox acquire Gagne — LIKE THIS STORY? — The Red Sox scored one of the biggest coups at the non-waiver trade deadline Tuesday, acquiring right-hander Eric Gagne from the Rangers. — Gagne, 31, waived his no-trade clause to Boston in exchange for financial considerations.
Bill Simmons / ESPN:
There's only one October diary — Over the last 10 years, my beloved Red Sox are 24-3 when I write a running diary of one of their big games. All right, I made that number up. But with things looking increasingly bleak for the spiritless Sox after Game 3, I couldn't resist breaking out the diary for Game 4 in Cleveland.
