Yankee Fan Giuliani Backing Red Sox  —  BOSTON (AP) — Sounds like a baseball flip-flop.  Rudy Giuliani, a lifelong New York Yankees fan, said Tuesday he's pulling for their most hated rivals, the Boston Red Sox, to win the World Series over the Colorado Rockies.

Yankees interview Girardi  —  Joe Girardi was named the National League Manager of the Year in 2006.  Ironically, the honor came a few weeks after the Florida Marlins had fired him in the wake of personality conflicts with owner Jeffrey Loria and general manager Larry Beinfest.

Some things up in the air  —  Once he gets to Denver, Francona faces decisions  —  The Red Sox will send their ace, Josh Beckett, to the mound tomorrow night at Fenway Park for Game 1 of the World Series, but how the rotation sets up from there remained classified information yesterday as the Sox wrapped up an optional workout.

Mitchell investigation raises questions  —  LIKE THIS STORY?  —  When I interviewed Paul Byrd about his use of human growth hormone, he had a question of his own for me.  —  "Isn't George Mitchell with the Red Sox?"  —  Yes, I replied, he is.  —  And the mere fact that Byrd raised …

What Will A-Rod Get?  —  The Yankees have ten days beyond the World Series to sign Alex Rodriguez to an extension, so there is a decent chance that this will get settled very soon.  (I think that the Yankees and A-Rod will part ways, but I will not be surprised if he stays.)

Torre's turnaround  —  Yankees had discussed $4.5M offer for Torre in spring  —  Also in this column:  —  Joe Torre spins a great story.  In fact, he's an even better public speaker and broadcaster than in-game strategist.  Torre's so persuasive, in fact, that after his emotional hour …

Myth Of The Closer  —  The 2007 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies should lay to rest one of the great myths of modern baseball: that a dominant "closer"—a high-priced pitching ace who enters a game in the final inning to nail down a victory—is a must-have for success.

Rockies Place Their Faith in God, and One Another  —  As a Jewish player who attended a Catholic high school and a Lutheran university, Jason Hirsh knows what being a religious minority feels like.  So last December, when he was traded to the Colorado Rockies, Hirsh wondered if what he had heard about his new organization was true.

Mailbag: Will Mets be motivated in '08?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions … Will the Mets be able to use the disaster of 2007 as a motivating tool in 2008, or will it cause them to play too tight and not as well as they can?  — James M., Jersey City, N.J.

Stressed management is part of the game now  —  Fifteen major league teams have replaced GMs in last two years, including, just last week, the Angels.  Increased pressure, responsibilities are key factors.  —  It wasn't really a titillating revelation, merely Bill Stoneman's way to describe the 24/7 …