Mariners add experienced coaches  —  Stottlemyre, Riggleman, Charlton, Rodriguez tabbed  —  The coaching staff Mariners manager John McLaren inherited from Mike Hargrove last July lacked experience.  —  But McLaren's new staff is loaded with Major League service time.

Rocky first impression for Sox  —  Little did anyone know they'd be looking at a World Series preview back in the middle of June when the Colorado Rockies visited Fenway Park [map] for the first time ever.  The Sox held a pretty sizable lead in the AL East, while the Rockies were mired in fourth place in the NL West.

Joe Girardi first to interview  —  Just got back from spending the day outside Legends Field.  Joe Girardi was in as the first candidate to interview for the managerial job.  He met with 10-12 people from the baseball side of the Yankees organization, then met for about an hour with George …

Mailbag: Can Murphy be the man in left?  —  Rangers beat writer T.R. Sullivan answers your questions  —  Of the young players acquired this season, David Murphy has my attention.  Do you believe Murphy can be the everyday left fielder now and in the future?

Jaguar Fans Are Inappropriate, Funny  —  What you're about to see occurred in the stands during the Jags first drive of the second half:  —  First off, bravo good sir.  Now that is how to properly utilize a gameday give-a-way.  They kept showing these four dudes, so I guess the comedian …

Fenway-Wrigley kinship  —  Lesson for Cubs?  Red Sox try to adhere to vintage look while maximizing cash  —  BOSTON — The Red Sox advertise Fenway Park as the "most beloved" park in baseball, a mighty bold statement in the eyes of many Cubs fans.  —  But comparing Fenway to Wrigley Field …

Sanity restored with La Russa's return  —  It's official.  Sanity has been restored at New Busch Stadium.  Tony La Russa, the most successful manager of his baseball era, will direct the Cardinals again in 2008.  —  La Russa's return will keep Dave Duncan in charge of the pitching staff …

Yankees' Levine Cries Foul on Criticism  —  For most of the past 34 years, George Steinbrenner could be reliably blamed for hiring and firing Yankee managers because you knew he was in charge.  But the end of the Joe Torre era last week shoved the Steinbrenner sons onto a stage they had never …

Mitchell denies leaking HGH info on Byrd  —  CLEVELAND (AP) — Baseball investigator George Mitchell, also a director for the AL champion Boston Red Sox, denied Monday providing information for a story that Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd used human growth hormone.

Three years later, Backman still trying to get to the bigs  —  "It seems like everywhere Wally goes, good things happen."  —  PRINEVILLE, Ore. — In this blue-collar town of 9,090 residents, two pizzerias, Boss Hogg's Smokes and the Dixon Saddle Shop ("Saddle Repairs While You Wait!") …

Lone Fan Welcomes Tribe Home  —  CLEVELAND — The Indians returned home to Cleveland early Monday morning after sharing hugs and tears in Boston after the 11-2 loss that will send the Red Sox to the World Series.  —  One lone fan was at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport at about 4 a.m. to greet the team.

Indians finish off a complete collapse … BOSTON — The e-mails didn't wait for the inevitable Sunday collapse, arriving late Saturday night after the Cleveland Indians were stomped into the Fenway Park ground 12-2 in Game 6.  The tone was not anger but resignation that their team …