Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Why that other team (Rockies) will win in six … BOSTON — The team with the most household names is not going to be the team that wins this World Series. — The team that plays in Ben Affleck's favorite hallowed ballpark is not going to be the team that wins this World Series. — Oh.
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Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Red Sox, Rockies to be closer than expected — LIKE THIS STORY? — BOSTON - I'm tempted to pick the Rockies. — A split at Fenway Park, and the threat of an upset becomes real. A split at Fenway, and the Red Sox might actually be in trouble, considering the disadvantages they will face at Coors Field.
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
A low profile in that high altitude — Do you know this man? He's the starting pitcher for Colorado in Game 1 of the World Series. Give up? It's Jeff Francis. (JIM DAVIS/GLOBE STAFF) — No tradition this time. No storied rival that dates to the beginning of the 20th century.
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:Beckett's run reflects stuff of legend
Discussion:
Peter's Red Sox Forever
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:With blazing fastball and ruthless attitude, Beckett owns October
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:Canada is embracing native son Francis
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Yankees should go with another Joe … The guess here is that Joe Girardi is going to be chosen to be the Yankees' next manager, getting the nod over Don Mattingly and Tony Pena. Here are the reasons why: — 1. Experience in running a game — Girardi and Pena have managed in the big leagues.
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ESPN.com:
Yankees to hire skipper this week? — TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees could hire a new manager by the end of this week. — "It's possible,'' Hank Steinbrenner said Wednesday, adding that the process could extend longer. " We want to get it done as soon as possible.''
NY Daily News:
Hank Steinbrenner says new manager inheriting 'team in transition' — By CHRISTIAN RED in New York and PETER BOTTE in Tampa — Meet the new Boss, same as the old Boss. Well, sort of. — Hank Steinbrenner, displaying some of the bluster that has made his father George famous …
Discussion:
New York Post
Murray Chass / New York Times:
Sounding Like a Chip Off the Old Boss — Perhaps the Yankees have only themselves to blame for this revolting development, this idea of the Red Sox' playing the Colorado Rockies in the World Series. If it weren't for the Yankees, after all, the Red Sox wouldn't be there.
Nate Silver / Baseball Prospectus:
Rockies versus Red Sox — Tonight, the Colorado Rockies will become the fifth franchise in the past 11 years to make its virgin appearance in the World Series, following in the footsteps of the 1997 Marlins, the 2001 Diamondbacks, the 2002 Angels, and the 2005 Astros. The Rockies combine elements from each of those clubs.
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Mike Lupica / NY Daily News:
Yankees should say adios to Alex Rodriguez — The Yankees have about three weeks left to decide how much Alex Rodriguez is worth to them. This is what they should do: Let him go if he wants to go. — By now you know the deal about his deal. The Yankees say that if Rodriguez exercises …
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Joe Capozzi / Palm Beach Post:
Floyd wants to end career playing for Marlins again — Free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd said he is thinking about retiring after 15 seasons. But first he wants to take a swing at ending his career where he had some of his best years - in Florida. — "I would love to come to the Marlins.
Mark Gonzales / Chicago Tribune:
Hit-and-run to join White Sox's arsenal — Guillen will stress small-ball tactics at camp — Spring training won't be dull if White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has his way. — As Guillen talked Tuesday about the additions of third-base coach Jeff Cox and bullpen coach Juan Nieves to his staff …
Adam Rubin / NY Daily News:
Mets set to pass on Rangers' Rudy Jaramillo, stick with HoJo — BOSTON - The Mets are expected to stick with Howard Johnson as hitting coach and intend to pass on pursuing the Rangers' Rudy Jaramillo for that position, GM Omar Minaya said. — Three years ago, Minaya had interviewed Jaramillo …
TwinCities.com:
CHARLEY WALTERS: Twins pitcher Carlos Silva seeks four-year contract — A little birdie says the Twins have offered free-agent pitcher Carlos Silva a three-year deal worth slightly more than $7 million a season. Silva, however, wants at least one more year on a contract.
MLB.com:
Musical performers set for Games One and Two of 2007 World Series — John Williams, Ashanti, James Taylor and Boyz II Men to perform at Fenway Park — Seventeen-time Grammy award winning and five-time Academy award winning American orchestral composer John Williams will lead the Boston Pops …
