Top News:
Michael Vega / Boston Globe:
Maddon: Kazmir's Game 5 start is no surprise — Saying he was not a fan of “last-minute changes,” Rays manager Joe Maddon met with the media today at Fenway Park to explain that the sudden switch he made from James Shields to Scott Kazmir as his Game 5 starter Thursday night against the Red Sox was, in fact, a premeditated move.
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Anne Baker / Boston Globe:
Omen? Citgo sign burns in small fire — The flames from the Red Sox' skidding season seem to be spreading. The Citgo sign that looms over Fenway Park caught fire this morning, the plastic partially melting in a small electrical blaze inside the storied sign.
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:
Sox upbeat — The Red Sox came off the field after an optional workout a short while ago, their final act as a team before tomorrow's essential Game 5 at Fenway Park. Terry Francona and starter Daisuke Matsuzaka met with media, neither saying anything that would make headlines.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
How Red Sox could still win ALCS — The Rays look faster, they look healthier, and they look stronger near the end of the arduous baseball season, which is easy to do when you're circling the bases like Jimmie Johnson at the Daytona 500. The obstacles that are in front of the Red Sox are enormous …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Olney On Pettitte, Mussina — By Tim Dierkes [October 15 at 10:52am CST] — Lots of good stuff from ESPN's Buster Olney today. His scoop on the Yankees' free agent starters: — A longtime friend of Andy Pettitte reiterated that the left-hander intends to pitch in 2009 …
ESPN:
Rays pulling tarp off upper-deck seats at the Trop — The nosebleed seats in the upper deck of Tropicana Field will no longer be draped in blue when the Tampa Bay Rays come back home — whether that's for Game 6 of the American League Championship Series or Game 1 of the World Series.
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog, Bugs & Cranks, Washington Post, ESPN.com, Red Sox Monster and SOX & Dawgs
Ian / SOX & Dawgs:
Even Joe Maddon Doesn't Like Craig Sager's Outfits — Before last night's massacre of the Boston Red Sox by the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 4 of the ALCS, the TBS cameras caught Rays skipper Joe Maddon taking a gander at the ridiculous outfit that Craig Sager had on. — Did he really blow him a kiss?
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Tom Krasovic / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Organization feeling out trade offers for Padres staff ace Peavy — Kevin Towers said last month it would be “very, very difficult to trade Jake Peavy” because of the ace pitcher's value to the Padres. Nonetheless, the general manager is open to trade offers for Peavy …
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Paul Pringle / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers tap into anger about their unruly home fans — Dodgers fans cheer for Manny Ramirez after he hits a double in Game 4 of the NL Championship Series against Philadelphia. Team spokesman Charles Steinberg conceded the issue of alcohol-fueled rowdiness “is not solved.”
ESPN:
Rocket not upset with Yanks, lacks desire to play — Roger Clemens said Wednesday that reports he is unhappy with the New York Yankees are untrue. — “The reports were false as many have been over the course,” Clemens told Houston's KRIV-TV about reports he was unhappy the team didn't include …
Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Nats interested in Randolph — The Washington Nationals are interested in hiring Willie Randolph as either Manny Acta's bench coach or third-base coach. (AP Photo) — Here's a duo of National League East events that could happen — without dramatically stretching reality — in the next year:
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George A. King III / New York Post:RANDOLPH OPEN TO COACHING RETURN
Discussion:
New Jersey Online, NJ.com, Hardball, MLB.com, iYankees, NY Daily News, River Avenue Blues and Sliding Into Home
Mandi Illuzzi / Us Weekly:
Source: Madonna and Alex Rodriguez Are “Definitely Romantic” — As Madonna announces her divorce from husband Guy Ritchie, a source close to the singer tells Usmagazine.com she and the New York Yankees slugger “are definitely romantic.” — “Guy is not involved in this equation,” the insider tells Usmagazine.com.
ESPN:
An omen? Fenway's famous Citgo sign catches fire — BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox's season isn't quite up in flames, but a small fire at a landmark near Fenway Park can't be a good omen. — The fire Wednesday melted and blackened some of the plastic panels on the red …
Carrie Muskat / MLB.com:
Cubs prospects learn in Fall League — Hitting coach Sandberg helps educate young Solar Sox — CHICAGO — The Cubs' 2008 season may be over but for young players like Tyler Colvin and Darwin Barney, there's still plenty of baseball to be played. And they're lucky enough to be able to pick Ryne Sandberg's brain a little.
Discussion:
Cubs f/x
John Gonzalez / Philly.com:
A day later, still a hero — LOS ANGELES - On the day after, it was just as hard to process as it had been the night before. Matt Stairs hit a two-run homer, and now the Phils are just one win away from their first World Series in 15 years? That's the kind of thing that figures to completely short-circuit my already addled mind.
