Yankee Stadium goes out on a whimper as planned finale axed  —  Fan cheers during a game at Yankee Stadium.  (amNewYork photo/ RJ Mickelson / September 17, 2008)  —  The Yankees have scratched plans to host one final farewell to the stadium, disappointing New Yorkers who were counting on a last visit to the House that Ruth Built.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.

RIVERA HAS SHOULDER SURGERY  —  CAN THROW IN THREE MONTHS  —  Yankees closer Mariano Rivera had surgery Tuesday on his right shoulder and is expected to resume throwing in three months, a month ahead of spring training.  —  Mets medical director Dr. David Altchek operated at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

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 …

Padres file grievance against Greene  —  Team tries recoup part of salary after self-inflicted injury  —  SAN DIEGO — Pitcher Heath Bell, the Padres' player union representative, said Tuesday he hopes the grievance filed against Khalil Greene won't affect the relationship between the shortstop and the organization.

Where Could Prince Land?  —  By Tim Dierkes [October 7 at 4:47pm CST]  —  Prince Fielder will be an intriguing name if he hits the trade market.  Many teams will not be able to afford Mark Teixeira, while Ryan Howard is apparently unavailable.  So three years of Prince at a reasonable price looks pretty good.

Royals skipper answers fans' questions during Web chat  —  Trey Hillman: Thanks for joining me today.  Let's get started.  —  jarret223: Trey, what are your expectations for this upcoming season?  —  Hillman: Same as every year.  As a manager, we want to show marked improvement on what we showed in 2008.

Cubs' Carlos Marmol injured in car accident  —  SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic - Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol suffered minor injuries in a car accident early Tuesday in the Dominican Republic.  —  A truck hit a car carrying Marmol, a cousin and a friend in his hometown of Bonao near 2 a.m …