Top News:
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
True grit — Sox halfway to another title after edging Rockies at Fenway — BOSTON — There was no hitting barrage or pitching masterpiece for the Red Sox in Thursday night's Game 2 of the World Series, nor did there need to be. What carried this night was crisp execution in both facets at times when it was needed most.
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Dan Lamothe / Yahoo! Sports:
I believe that's called a 'pitching clinic' — Like my man Hannibal Smith always said: "I love it when a plan comes together." — More than anything else, that describes Game 2 of the World Series for the Boston Red Sox, who followed a blueprint last night that has worked countless times this season to perfection.
Discussion:
Red Sox Monster
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Opening rout may not carry to Game 2 — Losers of Game 1 blowouts often complete Series turnaround — BOSTON — The Red Sox shouldn't be too overconfident, and the Rockies shouldn't be too frantic. — For the history of opening-game blowouts doesn't necessarily mean that the winner will go on to take the World Series.
Discussion:
The Baseball Files
Jeff Horrigan / Boston Herald:
Red Sox halfway home — Schilling, bullpen brilliant in tense win … If Curt Schilling [stats] pitched his final home game at Fenway Park [map] last night, he has only himself to blame. — Of course, neither he nor anyone else in New England will complain about the way he went …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
Dallas Morning News:
Rangers shouldn't close door on Gagne — Former closer has fallen on hard times since trade to Boston, but hints he'd welcome return in '08 — BOSTON - One look at Eric Gagne - or his stats since he made landfall in New England - and it's easy to decide this hasn't worked out.
Bryan Hoch / MLB.com:
Yanks could name manager by Friday — Club meets Thursday after interviewing three candidates — NEW YORK — The Yankees could have a new manager by the end of the week, with Don Mattingly believed to be the front-running candidate. — After inviting Joe Girardi, Mattingly and Tony Pena …
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
RELATED:
New York Post:
CASH'S CALL — YANK GM TO DECIDE NEXT SKIPPER — By GEORGE KING in Tampa, Fla., and JOEL SHERMAN in Boston — Brian Cashman is deciding a job right now, and it is his as much as that of Yankees manager. — His superiors, notably Hank and Hal Steinbrenner and team president Randy Levine …
Discussion:
MY BASEBALL BIAS
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Girardi may be up for Dodgers job … Joe Girardi might have an opportunity to manage in the majors in 2008 — even if he doesn't get the Yankees' job. — Officials familiar with Girardi's job prospects said Thursday if the Yankees do not hire him to succeed Joe Torre …
Discussion:
FanHouse
ESPN:
Report: Negotiations between Hunter, Twins silent — Twins free agent All-Star outfielder Torii Hunter hasn't had any contract offers from Minnesota since the regular season ended, according to a media report. "I'm kind of disappointed, but what can you do?" Hunter told the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
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MLB.com:
Snelling claimed off waivers by Tampa Bay; Robertson outrighted — OAKLAND — The Oakland A's today announced that outfielder Chris Snelling was claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The A's also sent right-handed pitcher Connor Robertson outright to Triple-A Sacramento.
Discussion:
Catfish Stew
RELATED:
Ken Mandel / MLB.com:
LaMar lands scouting gig with Phillies — Position has former Rays GM working with Lakey, Gillick — PHILADELPHIA — Chuck LaMar, who most notably served as Tampa Bay Devil Rays general manager, has joined the Phillies' as a director of professional scouting.
Rocky Mountain News:
Carrie Underwood a controversial choice for national anthem — BOSTON - Major League Baseball threw the Rockies a curve. — Country singer Carrie Underwood was selected by MLB to sing the national anthem before Game 3 of the World Series at Coors Field on Saturday, the first Series game played in Colorado.
Mitchel Lichtman / Hardball Times:
Speed and defense — Part I — In this two-part article, I am going to look at two things. Part I examines the relationship between speed, as estimated by my own rough version of Bill James' speed score, and defense, as measured by Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR).
Discussion:
THE BOOK
Richie Rich / Home Run Derby:
Joe Buck called Chris Myers "Jub-Jub" — Remember last week, when Joe Buck told Conan O'Brien that he would say "Jub-Jub" during a World Series telecast for him after Conan offered to give $1,000 to Buck's favorite charity? — It didn't take Buck very long to do it.
RELATED:
Dave Studeman / Hardball Times:
2007 Net Win Shares Value — Greetings from the bowels of the Hardball Times publishing house! Yes, our army of writers, editors, typesetters and elves are working overtime to make sure the 2008 Hardball Times Annual is on your doorstep the first week of December.
