Top News:
Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
Angels seething after being squeezed out of the playoffs … BOSTON — Torii Hunter sat in his chair, mad as hell. John Lackey said he wanted to throw somebody through a wall. Other players privately said they were more than upset, they were angry. — And it's understandable.
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Mike DiGiovanna / Los Angeles Times:
Red Sox send Angels home again — Boston wins, 3-2, scoring winning run with two out in ninth inning. Angels eliminated in division series by Red Sox for the third time in five seasons. — BOSTON — Manager Mike Scioscia broke out his little-ball attack at the worst possible time Monday night …
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse, The Bottom Line, Orange County Register, Projo Sox Blog, Barstool Sports, Bronx Banter, The Halo Is Lit, Deadspin and YFSF
New York Post:
TEIXEIRA PERFECT FIT FOR BOMBERS — BOSTON - On paper, few free agents this offseason will match skill set to needs of a team nearly as well as Mark Teixeira does with the Yankees. — After Jason Giambi's walrus-on-skates act, the Yanks crave a first baseman who is more than a non-throwing statue.
John Harper / NY Daily News:
Don't blame Mike Scioscia for calling bunt that squeezes Angels out of playoffs — BOSTON - You have to think it's a decision that will haunt Mike Scioscia all winter, and maybe longer. A manager can't be more wrong than when a call for a suicide squeeze likely costs him a game, and in this case, a playoff series.
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Postseason Insider: Beckett says his OK, others think differently — Red Sox right-hander Josh Beckett said he felt fine physically, even if the results were not as strong as he has become expected to produce in the postseason. Red Sox officials agreed. — Scouts, however …
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David Just / MLB.com:
Guillen quick to give Rays their due — White Sox management praises upstart franchise for success — CHICAGO — There's no bigger fan of the Rays organization than White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. — After playing the final season of his career with Tampa Bay in 2000, Guillen watched the club's development with great interest.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:Manny Looking For Five Years, $85 Million?
Discussion:
River Avenue Blues, Dom D's Mets Fan Blog, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Kranepool Society
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
The old days weren't this good — We are spoiled. The Red Sox are in the playoffs, and it seems as if some Boston folk are holding back on their enthusiasm until the World Series. — Take a moment to smell the autumn air, you citizens of Red Sox Nation.
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Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Furcal is Dodgers' return man — LOS ANGELES - There was a day in mid-September, not that long ago, when Rafael Furcal had enough of the pain, enough of the setbacks and rehabilitation and complications. — The Los Angeles Dodgers were in Colorado. Angel Berroa was the regular shortstop.
Discussion:
Blue Notes
David Leon Moore / USA Today:Notes: Ramirez says he's pulling for his ‘boys’ in Boston
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com:
Jocketty: Reds won't re-sign Patterson — Team will visit some of own free agents before market opens — CINCINNATI — Corey Patterson's return to the Reds in 2009 already seemed unlikely as this season closed. Now, it's official. — Patterson, one of nine Reds headed to free agency, won't be re-signed by the club.
Red Sox Monster:
Jonathan Papelbon turns Craig Sager's pumpkin suit into fizzy goodness — OK, I have to admit it. I did enjoy Craig Sager's orange suit getting ripped by Jonathan Papelbon with a good stream or three of postgame bubbly a little too much. — On the upside, though, it looks like I'm not the only one.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Padres part ways with Bard, Estes — Both veterans clear waivers and elect for free agency — SAN DIEGO — Following a 99-loss season, the Padres started the process of reshaping their roster on Monday when they parted ways with catcher Josh Bard and left-handed pitcher Shawn Estes.
Bill Chastain / MLB.com:
Rays clinch, punch ticket to ALCS — Upton powers early lead with pair of solo shots vs. White Sox — CHICAGO — Next on the Rays' agenda: The American League Championship Series. — The Rays bleached the blackout at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday night by taking a 6-2 win over the White Sox …
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Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Moose call on next year still on hold — Most baseball insiders believe that Mike Mussina is ready to take his 270 wins and ride off into the sunset. — Of course, the only opinion that matters is Mussina's, and the pitcher hasn't spent much time thinking about his future since the Yankees' season ended nine days ago.
