Top News:
Mike Jensen / Philly.com:
McCarver outspoken about L.A.'s dread man — Be sure of this much: When Manny Ramirez walks to the plate for the first time tomorrow night for the Dodgers, Fox analyst and former Phillie Tim McCarver won't pull his punches. Never has, never will. — “It's extraordinary …
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The Big Lead, Fox Sports, MLB FanHouse, Boston Globe, LA Times Sports Blog and Awful Announcing
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ESPN.com:
McCarver: In Boston, Manny's act was ‘despicable’ — Manny Ramirez has been nearly unstoppable since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 1. Tim McCarver, who will call the National League Championship Series on Fox television, is among those who have noticed.
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Remembering When Philly Was, Briefly, a Winner — PHILADELPHIA — If you could relive the happiest moment of your childhood, where would you go? I'm lucky, I suppose, because I never have to think twice. — It was Oct. 8, 1983, a quarter of a century ago Wednesday.
MLB.com:
Cubs exercise 2009 club option for right-handed pitcher Rich Harden — CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs today announced the team has exercised the 2009 club contract option for right-handed pitcher Rich Harden. — Harden, who turns 27 on November 30, combined to go 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA …
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Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs pick up Harden's '09 option — Led Major League pitchers with .183 batting average against — CHICAGO — The Cubs took care of one offseason project Wednesday and picked up the $7 million option for pitcher Rich Harden for 2009. — If the Cubs had not picked up the option …
From Sun-Times / Chicago Sun Times:
No surgery for Harden; Cubs pick up option for 2009 — Rich Harden will not need surgery on his right shoulder, and the Cubs exercised the $7 million club option on the right-hander for 2009. — Harden went 10-2 with a 2.07 ERA for Oakland and the Cubs this season.
Ian Browne / MLB.com:
Mull it over, Skip: Rotation yet to be set — Francona debating who would be best to take ball in Game 1 — BOSTON — Though this is the third time Terry Francona has been to the American League Championship Series in his five years as manager of the Red Sox, it's the first time he's …
Discussion:
Vegas Watch
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Larry Stone / Seattle Times:
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.
Discussion:
Mets Blog, Lookout Landing, Dodger Thoughts, Bleeding Blue and Teal, Rain Delay and LA Times Sports Blog
Jon Heyman / Sports Illustrated:
Examining baseball's final four (cont.) — Philadelphia Phillies — This Phillies team has major stars, including the last two MVPs in Jimmy Rollins and Ryan Howard, and starting pitcher Cole Hamels, whose changeup has been devastating. But the thing that stands out about these players …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, Sliding Into Home, iYankees, MetsBlog.com, River Avenue Blues and Pinstripes, Pa.
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yanks decide against a Stadium swan song — Yankee 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.
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog, Bronx Banter, NJ.com, Yankee Stadium Insider Blog, iYankees and Scott Proctor's Arm
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Paul Hoynes / Plain Dealer:
CLEVELAND INDIANS — Baseball News, Schedule, Pictures, and More — Shapiro: Hafner may need surgery, starting pitching a prime need for 2009 — Travis Hafner's right shoulder, which ruined his 2008 season, might need arthroscopic surgery. — GM Mark Shapiro said Wednesday …
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Union may play role in where Sabathia goes — CC Sabathia told reporters this past week that his experience with the Brewers opened up his world. That no longer was he married to the idea of using his impending free agency to relocate his job near his West Coast home.
Paul Schwartz / New York Post:
RENTAL CAR TROUBLE FOR BURRESS — The Giants shouldn't feel bad. They weren't alone in having a hard time getting in touch with Plaxico Burress. — He also has dodged calls from Khoury Alternative Claims Management, a San Antonio-based third-party administrator trying to catch …
Pablo S. Torre / Sports Illustrated:
How the economy is affecting sports fans … If you're a typical sports fan — you know, the kind who worries about gas prices, tuition and the trade deadline — New York's new stadiums might look as if they belong behind a boutique window. — In the Bronx looms the skeleton of Yankee Stadium 2.0 …
Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
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 …
Discussion:
Baseball Musings
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