Top News:
San Francisco Chronicle:
Cleveland pitcher spent thousands on human growth hormone — Paul Byrd, the veteran pitcher who has helped the Cleveland Indians reach the brink of the World Series, bought nearly $25,000 worth of human growth hormone and syringes from a Florida anti-aging clinic that was targeted …
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Byrd says doctor prescribed HGH — FOXSports.com, Updated 3 minutes ago — LIKE THIS STORY? — Yes, Indians right-hander Paul Byrd admits to taking human-growth hormone. In his upcoming book, "The Free Byrd Project," he even writes about resisting the temptation to use an increased dosage with the hope of throwing harder.
ESPN:
Indians' Byrd: I used HGH under 'doctor's care' — Paul Byrd, who pitched the Cleveland Indians to the brink of the World Series with a victory in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on Tuesday, has admitted taking human growth hormone under a doctor's care.
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Fox Sports:
Dice-K no sure thing for BoSox in Game 7 — LIKE THIS STORY? — When it comes to the ALCS, the Boston Red Sox know a thing or two about survival. — In the 2004 ALCS, of course, they became the first team in baseball history to come back from an 0-3 deficit. This year, they've fought back from down 3-1 to force a Game 7.
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Jerry Crasnick / ESPN:
Drew goes from disappointment to hero in a flash … BOSTON — J.D. Drew is more popular than the Honey Bee Festival in his boyhood home of Hahira, Ga. But his along-for-the-ride demeanor hasn't always resonated with fans in 10 major league seasons. — When you make $14 million and hit 11 homers …
Brad Hamilton / New York Post:
BOSS JR. FIRES A SPITBALL AT 'INGRATE' JOE — Flashing some of his father's famous feistiness, Hank Steinbrenner fired back yesterday after hearing Joe Torre say he was insulted by the team's offer to manage the Yankees for a 13th season. — "Where was Joe's career in '95 when my dad hired him?" said the new Boss.
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New York Times:
The Joe Torre Story: Voices From the Bleachers — To the Sports Editor: — I have never been good at goodbyes. I cried my eyes out, for example, when Johnny Carson left "The Tonight Show." I positively cannot face Sundays now that Tony and Carmela Soprano are not around.
George King / New York Post:
BOSSES READY TO GO TO 'MAT' — STEINBRENNER III PREFER MATTINGLY AT YANKEES' HELM — The Steinbrenner family's top choice to follow Joe Torre will be the first person interviewed for the vacant Yankees' manager's job. — Don Mattingly will meet with Yankees brass this week in Tampa, Fla., to talk about replacing Torre.
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Insulted Torre appears ready to snub Yanks — RYE BROOK, N.Y. — The conversation between Joe Torre and Yogi Berra occurred in midsummer 2007, sprinkled mostly with baseball-related small talk. Suddenly the Yankee manager asked the Yankee legend a telling question. — "How long were you gone?"
La Velle E. Neal III / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Twins: GM expects Liriano to be ready next year — New Twins General Manager Bill Smith said Friday that he expects lefthander Francisco Liriano to contribute next season, based on his successful rehabilitation in Fort Myers, Fla., following Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery.
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MLB Trade Rumors
Chris Isidore / CNNMoney.com:
Agent: A-Rod may leave Yankees — Scott Boras, the agent for star baseball player Alex Rodriguez, says turmoil surrounding search for new manager may keep him from staying in New York. — NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Scott Boras, the agent for star New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez …
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Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Pitching is D-Backs' off-season focus — No one expects the Diamondbacks to win 90 games again while being outscored by their opponents. — The Diamondbacks certainly don't see that happening, but that's because they don't expect to be outscored in 2008.
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Baseball Musings
John Horton / Cleveland Sports News:
Fans fight creeping doom as Game 7 looms … Uh-oh. — That World Series trip that seemed such a lock for the Tribe just a few days ago? Maybe hold off on making those reservations. There's been . . . ummmm . . . some complications. — The Boston Red Sox battered the Indians on Saturday night …
Sports Illustrated:
Torre turns down FOX Sports offer — Richard Deitsch, SI.com — NEW YORK — Joe Torre's next job could have been World Series analyst. — Torre declined an offer from FOX Sports to call the World Series alongside lead announcer Joe Buck and analyst Tim McCarver, SI.com has learned.
Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
La Russa has fans on his side — At the most recent Winter Warm-up, a Cardinals true believer stood up during Tony La Russa's address to the fans and reminded him of a promise La Russa had made. Bedecked in an official jersey, the man said that La Russa wore No. 10 as a pact to bring the 10th world championship to St. Louis.
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Zimmer irate after Yankees string out Torre — BOSTON - Don Zimmer feels bad for his good friend Joe Torre. — Bad enough that he called him Thursday night, after his rejection of an incentive-laden offer left him unemployed as the former manager of the Yankees, and offered to help.
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