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.

The 2008 Red Sox As Bond Villains  —  From Gary Shelton of The St. Pete Times (via Deadspin): … I know what you're thinking.  And faster than you can say “Muppet Part One, Muppet Part Two,” I'm on it....  In fact, I've got the entire Sox 25-man playoff roster, the manager and three bonus Sox.

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.

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 …

Report: Japan to ban amateurs from going to MLB  —  Established Japanese professional players have been coming to Major League Baseball for several years.  However, Japan's 12 pro baseball teams are trying to make it so the country's amateur players don't follow suit.

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 …

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.

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.

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.