Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Red Sox roar into World Series — The game was played on the 32d anniversary of Carlton Fisk's World Series walkoff homer and though the score indicated little drama, the final play was no less spectacular. — At 11:56 last night, Casey Blake hit a towering shot toward the 420 (foot) …
RELATED:
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 …
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.
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.
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 …
Discussion:
MLB.com, ESPN, Fox Sports, Washington Post, Athletics Nation, Blogging Baseball, One More Dying Quail and Boston Globe
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 …
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.
RELATED:
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Yankees Face One Quandary After Another — The lineup is set: Joe Girardi today, Don Mattingly tomorrow, Tony Peña on Wednesday. — That is the order in which Brian Cashman, general manager of the Yankees, and his aides will interview candidates who are on their initial list to fill …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yankees start interviews Monday with Joe Girardi — Joe Girardi will bat leadoff in the Yankees' managerial search, as the Bombers' front office will welcome him to Legends Field today to begin the interview process. — According to a source familiar with the Yankees' plans …
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 …
Helene Elliott / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers need to take Series notes — Colorado's high rise, built on the backs of the Dodgers, was constructed with a mix that is needed in L.A. — Ned Colletti couldn't bring himself to do more than "glance here and there" as the Rockies romped through the playoffs and into the World Series.
Discussion:
6-4-2
Thomas Stinson / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Super-agent Scott Boras is king of the squeeze play — Baseball's most hated negotiator is bane of teams and many fans, but clients reap rewards — Newport Beach, Calif. — The most reviled man in baseball is nursing a late-afternoon coffee, pondering how a farmer's son with a pharmacy degree copes …
Discussion:
Sabernomics
Camden Chat:
Memo from me to Kevbo: GET OFF MY PLANE — Traitor. — The game's not over, but really I don't know how much I actually care who wins. Boston's up 3-2 going into the 7th. — Kevin Millar threw out the first pitch. Baltimore Oriole Kevin Millar went to Fenway Park to give the Red Sox mojo because he was a 2004 hero.
