Harden to visit shoulder specialist  —  Cubs await word before deciding on option year  —  Rich Harden will see a shoulder specialist before the Cubs have to make a decision Wednesday on his $7 million option.  —  General manager Jim Hendry said Harden would be examined Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday.

Yanks decide against a Stadium swan song  —  Yankees Stadium is officially closed for business.  —  A Nov. 9 concert was proposed as a final farewell for the House That Ruth Built, but the Yankees, fearing a less-than-memorable lineup, have bagged the celebration.

Zimmer the ultimate common denominator  —  He's always there in the Red Sox October photos - shaking hands with Carlton Fisk as Fisk rounds third after the midnight moonshot off the left-field foul pole; standing in the dugout hanging his head when Bucky Dent hits the pop-fly homer into the net …

Pedroia snapped out of it at key time  —  If there was anyone left who didn't believe Dustin Pedroia would somehow, some way break out of his postseason slump, that person clearly hasn't been paying enough attention to the Red Sox second baseman.  On the heels of his 213-hit …

George Kissell: 1920-2008  —  February 23, 2005 — Cardinals instructor George Kissell addresses the team after the unveiling of a plaque recognizing Kissell's longtime dedication during spring training at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. (CHRIS LEE/P-D)  —  Early one morning several years ago …

Don Mattingly is a big hit with the Dodgers  —  Batting coach, one of the great hitters in New York Yankees history, has been integral in L.A.¡¦s late-season offensive resurgence.  —  The offensive awakening of the Dodgers can be labeled a 3-M production: Manny, Mattingly and Maturity.

Mailbag: Where do Mets go from here?  —  Beat reporter Marty Noble answers Mets fans' questions  —  What's your take on all that has happened?  I've been reading your reports forever, and I saw you weren't available on the last weekend of the season.  I just want to know what you thought …

NLCS: Dodgers Versus Phillies  —  17.0 (1st)  —  This series matches the strength of the Phillies lineup, their power, against the strength of the Dodgers pitching staff, their ability to prevent home runs.  Against the Brewers the Phillies lineup lived up to their season stats.

Mariners to begin GM interviews  —  The Mariners, jump-starting the process of hiring a general manager, will interview five candidates this week, according to industry sources...  The Mariners, jump-starting the process of hiring a general manager, will interview five candidates this week, according to industry sources.

Scherzer taking steps toward '09 in AFL  —  Right-hander strengthening shoulder in effort to make rotation  —  PHOENIX — While the rest of his teammates got started on their offseason vacations, Max Scherzer took the mound Tuesday afternoon in an Arizona Fall League game at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.

Hughes dominates in AFL season debut  —  Pair of Yankees prospects help Javelinas open with win  —  Coming off a second straight season marred by injuries, New York Yankees right-hander Phil Hughes is spending the early portion of his offseason working to regain the form that had him touted …

Cubs fan's loyalty for sale on eBay  —  Bidding will close early next week on eBay item 120313290200 — one heartbroken man's Cubs loyalty.  —  Even before Saturday night's wrenching loss swept the team from contention for a World Series title — for the 100th year in a row — Scot Moore decided he'd had enough.

Phillies Notebook: Seanez could take Happ's place on Phillies' NLCS roster  —  As of yesterday evening, the Phillies were still in the process of finalizing their roster for the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers, which begins tomorrow at 8:22 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.