Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
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.
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Amalie Benjamin / Boston Globe:
Sweet nothings — Matsuzaka, Red Sox blank Rays in opener — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - There is time for David Ortiz. In between at-bats, in between trips to the cage, the designated hitter has time to observe the game, and his teammates. His opposition. And that was where he saw the differences.
Fred Goodall / Associated Press:
Dice-K pitches Red Sox by Rays in Game 1 — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)—Daisuke Matsuzaka's brilliant escape act bewildered Tampa Bay and put the Boston Red Sox on top in the AL championship series. — Matsuzaka took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning and worked out of trouble all game …
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:Pregame notes — ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — First pitch is in roughly two hours.
George A. King III / New York Post:
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.
Amy K. Nelson / ESPN:
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 …
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Ken Gurnick / MLB.com:
Dodgers leave Philly down 0-2 in NLCS — Manny homers, but starter Billingsley exits after 2 1/3 innings — PHILADELPHIA — Before the Dodgers went down in order in the first inning, Russell Martin had to pull himself out of the dirt after being flipped by a 94-mph fastball under the chin …
Associated Press:
Philadelphia takes control — PHILADELPHIA — There are so many big hitters in Philadelphia's potent lineup, no one ever expected it would be pitcher Brett Myers who put the Phillies in control of the NL championship series with his bat. — Myers did better at the plate than on the mound …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Architect of Phillies, Gillick Will Listen to Anyone's Plans — PHILADELPHIA — Pat Gillick learns by listening. In his first dinner with his staff in Philadelphia, in 2005, Gillick took the time to hear a trade proposal from the waiter. As the new general manager, and perhaps …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Offseason could be busy one for Cubs — Rotation decisions, more left-handed hitting at top of agenda — CHICAGO — The Cubs will continue to focus on the team rather than finding a new owner this offseason. — General manager Jim Hendry said it's business as usual for him and his staff …
Jason Parks / Baseball Time in Arlington:
Rangers Fall Instructional League Report: Part II — Tim Murphy: Yet another player that I will struggle to remain objective about (see a developing pattern here?), Murphy has a very mature approach to the game of baseball. He is extremely focused and possesses the ability to disregard …
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
James Barron / New York Times:
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 …
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
Yanks mull coach switches — ST. PETERSBURG - The Yankees haven't held their organizational meetings yet, but a change in Joe Girardi's coaching staff could come before the team's brass meets later this month in Tampa. — According to a source, Brian Cashman has been asking some players …
