Top News:
Sports Illustrated:
Tom Verducci: Yankees took the cowardly way out — CLEVELAND — When he was robust and running the New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner never minded a little blood on his hands. He swung his firing axe decisively and often. I was there in Chicago at old Comiskey Park when Dale Berra cried …
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Buster Olney / ESPN:
Torre 'couldn't agree to' proposed contract … As the Yankees' organizational meetings broke up Wednesday afternoon and general manager Brian Cashman prepared to fly back to New York, his cell phone rang. It was Joe Torre calling, to ask whether it would helpful, as his future with the Yankees was decided …
Tyler Kepner / Bats:
Torre Turns Down Yankees' Offer — The Yankees offered Manager Joe Torre a one-year deal with a base salary of $5 million and the chance to make another $3 million in performance bonuses. But after 12 years and 12 postseason appearances (including four World Series titles), Torre turned it down.
Sports Illustrated:
Torre turns down Yankees — Longtime manager declines one-year, $5 million offer — Joe Torre turned down a deal to return as Yankees manager for a 13th season on Thursday. — In a conference call, Yankees president Randy Levine said the club offered him a $5 million contract for 2008 …
George King / New York Post:
TORRE LANDS IN TAMPA — NEW DEAL IMMINENT? — Joe Torre just landed here, in what could be the surest sign that a new deal with the Yankees brass is imminent. — Torre, wearing a dress shirt with sleeves rolled up, departed from Westchester this morning and landed here in a private jet …
Mark Feinsand / Blogging the Bombers:
TORRE IN TAMPA, NEW DEAL [APPEARS IMMINENT] IS DEAD — Joe Torre is now in Tampa, apparently negotiating a new deal to remain as the manager. Torre arrived in Florida today with Brian Cashman and Lonn Trost, and the three of them have now headed to the ballpark to meet with the Steinbrenners.
Leitch / Deadspin:
Here's Your Ex: See, Now This Is Just Being Mean — Imagine you're facing one of the most important moments of your career, a moment in which you must be on top of your game and perform at your peak capacity. Everyone is counting on you; the whole world is watching. Concentration is paramount.
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Associated Press:
Red Sox manager not miffed by Manny — LIKE THIS STORY? — CLEVELAND (AP) - Manny Ramirez's work habits are more important than his words to Boston manager Terry Francona. — With his team facing a 3-1 deficit in the AL Championship Series going into Thursday night's game against Cleveland …
Discussion:
Boston Globe
ESPN:
Game 5 starts: Beckett for Sox, his ex for anthem — Teams have been known to go to extraordinary lengths to get an edge. But the Cleveland Indians swear Thursday night's choice of pre-game singer is not a piece of gamesmanship. — Danielle Peck, a country music singer who also happened …
Jeff Goldberg / Hartford Courant:Red Sox Downplay Report That Beckett Is Hurt
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Willie Wilson / ESPN:
THIS DATE IN POSTSEASON HISTORY: — Yadier Molina's two-run home run in the ninth inning snaps a 1-1 tie and Adam Wainwright strikes out Mets slugger Carlos Beltran with the bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, giving the Cardinals a win over the Mets in Game 7 of the NLCS.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Willis would like Wiley to return — If Dontrelle Willis returns to the Marlins next year, he'd welcome the chance to work with former pitching coach Mark Wiley again. — The Marlins are expected to interview Wiley about their pitching coach vacancy after the World Series.
Discussion:
FishStripes
Jim Street / MLB.com:
Notes: Guillen likely to be a free agent — Rising youngsters Jones, Balentien may replace slugger — Jose Guillen's agent says the Mariners right fielder probably will terminate his contract and become a free agent. — "That's the way it's headed," Adam Katz said during a brief telephone conversation.
Rocky Mountain News:
Hurdle-ing a rocky road — After setbacks in life, Rockies manager has learned to keep things in perspective — He is a reformed alcoholic, a failed former baseball prospect, and a failed husband (twice). All those things are very much a part of who Clint Hurdle is today …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Marty Noble / MLB.com:
Mets' collapse weighs heavily on Green — Missed opportunity at playoffs continues to haunt right fielder — NEW YORK — Survivor's guilt it isn't. The Mets don't qualify as survivors. It is a full-fledged guilt, a guilt that weighs on Shawn Green these days, a heavy and unsettling sense …
