Top News:
Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe:
Epstein revels in success — In big markets such as Boston and New York the general manager's job is judged by whether you make it to the World Series. — Yankees GM Brian Cashman is home trying to find a manager and figure out the future of his team. He failed this season.
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Tim Kurkjian / ESPN:
Starting Ortiz at Coors a big question for Boston … The Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies. One team has one of the richest traditions in baseball history, and the other has been around for only 15 seasons. One team made a terrific comeback to win the ALCS, while the other made a miracle comeback to make the playoffs.
William C. Rhoden / New York Times:
Are the Red Sox Ready to Become the Yankees? — Terry Francona, the even-tempered Boston Red Sox manager, was asked Friday about the departure of the Yankees' Joe Torre, whom he considers a colleague and a friend. — "It's unbelievable," Francona said of Torre's decision to reject …
Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
Red Sox rip Indians 11-2, win AL pennant — BOSTON (AP) — Daisuke Matsuzaka, Dustin Pedroia and these Boston Red Sox are taking a sweet streak into the World Series, too. — Boston charged to its third straight win, completing yet another October comeback by overpowering …
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Jimmy Golen / Associated Press:
Red Sox rout Tribe to reach World Series — BOSTON —Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima stood on the Fenway Park mound, posing for pictures with Boston general manager Theo Epstein, a Japanese flag and the American League championship trophy. — This is what these Red Sox rookies came halfway around …
Mike Fitzpatrick / Yahoo! Sports:
Rockies await Red Sox in World Series — Fenway franks and Rocky Mountains. Ski slopes and baked beans. Not a bad setting for the final act of October. — Just don't expect Matt Holliday and the Colorado Rockies to be intimidated by the Green Monster.
Steve Buckley / Boston Herald:
No doubt, Dustin delivers — Undersized Pedroia stands tall in clincher … Nice try by the Red Sox [team stats] to invoke the spirit of the 2004 team by bringing in Kevin Millar to throw out the first pitch for Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
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The Soxaholix
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.
George King / New York Post:
STEINBRENNERS OPTING TO TALK WITH A-ROD — The Yankees are making plans for a face-to-face meeting with Alex Rodriguez in the hope they can persuade their All World third baseman and cleanup hitter to stay in The Bronx and not opt out of his contract to become a free agent.
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Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Rivera, Posada, A-Rod may leave — So who's staying, who's bolting? That's the question Yankee fans are asking, now that Joe Torre has been escorted out of the building. If the most successful Yankee manager of the last 50 years couldn't get a long-term commitment, what does that mean …
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 …
Discussion:
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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.
Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Agent expects Marlins to keep Willis — MIAMI BEACH — Dontrelle Willis expects to return to the Marlins rotation next year, the pitcher's agent said Sunday after talking to the team's front office. — Matt Sosnick, Willis' agent, said he spoke to baseball operations president Larry Beinfest …
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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.
