Dice-K sparkles as Sox take Game 1  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It's only one game.  So how come it already feels like the Red Sox are going to the World Series?  —  The Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 2-0, in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Tropicana Field last night.

Billingsley plays blame game after rough outing … PHILADELPHIA — If Chad Billingsley is going to be an ace someday, his performance both during and after the game is going to need improvement.  Not only did the 24-year-old right-hander fail to get out of the third inning …

HANK: I'M STILL IN CHARGE HERE!  —  TAMPA - Sitting behind his desk at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Hank Steinbrenner yesterday spit on the notion he has taken a step back in running the Yankees.  —  “There is one very important point here,” Steinbrenner told The Post during an exclusive half-hour session.

Blue Jays are solid behind the dish  —  Plenty of depth available behind starting catcher Barajas  —  Addressing the catching position won't head the list of the Blue Jays' priorities this offseason.  Toronto believes it has a solid option behind the plate in Rod Barajas, and plans on opening the 2009 slate with him as its starter.

Mariners' search for new GM picks up steam  —  Woodfork, Bernazard interviewed with Ng, LaCava said to be on deck  —  It was a busy Thursday in the Mariners general manager derby, just one of many to come.  —  According to major league sources, Peter Woodfork, the assistant general manager …

Canseco ‘Detained’ at Mexican Border For Steroids  —  David Vassegh of KLAC-AM in Los Angeles reports today that Jose Canseco was recently detained at the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego by Federal authorities for alleged possession of steroids.  —  Canseco will appear in Federal Court to address the charge on Tuesday.

Yankees Have Seven Unsold $600,000 Luxury Suites at New Stadium  —  Oct. 10 (Bloomberg) — The New York Yankees have seven luxury suites priced at $600,000 a season left for sale at their new stadium and the club isn't concerned that the economic crisis will hamper its ability to sell them, chief operating officer Lonn Trost said.

Catcher Michael Barrett clears waivers; Padres claim second baseman Travis Denker from Giants  —  SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres today announced that catcher Michael Barrett has elected free agency after clearing outright waivers.  Additionally, the club has claimed second baseman Travis Denker off waivers …

With Stadiums Going, Going, Ashes May Be Gone  —  When they move across the street to their new stadium next year, the Yankees will leave behind the ghosts of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio.  And also Ned Marvin.  —  Mr. Marvin was a lifelong Yankees fan who could remember …

Yanks interested in Peavy  —  Free agency isn't the Yankees' only route toward restocking their starting rotation.  —  If the Padres are rebuilding, then unanimous 2007 NL Cy Young award winnner Jake Peavy might ask to relocate.  And, in the right scenario, the 27-year-old right-hander could switch leagues.