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
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog, Bugs & Cranks, ESPN.com, Washington Post, Red Sox Monster and SOX & Dawgs
Dave Cameron / FanGraphs Baseball:
Big Ball > Small Ball — “Pitching wins championships.” — “The difference between good teams and great teams are the little things.” — “Hitting behind the runner, making productive outs, and playing team baseball are the keys to winning.” — If you've ever watched a baseball …
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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 …
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myfoxhouston.com:
Clemens Not Unhappy with Yankees; Lacks Desire to Play Again — Roger Clemens took part in the Wednesday pro-am attached to the Administaff Small Business Classic at the Woodlands Tournament Players Course. It's part of the Houston stop of the Champions Tour and Clemens is on the board of the tournament.
David O'Brien / Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Enough postseason, let's get to Peavy — So I'm getting the distinct impression that most of you on the Braves/MIB blog would like to be done already with this postseason so we can get on to important stuff: the Braves' pursuit of starting pitchers and a power-hitting outfielder.
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St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Cards claim lefty off waivers — The Cardinals picked up another Washington Nationals castoff today, adding lefthanded reliever Charlie Manning to their 40-man roster after claiming him off waivers. — In August, the Cardinals added infielder Felipe Lopez to their roster after the last-place Nationals cut him.
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.”
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:
Discussion:
We've Got Heart, Ken Davidoff's baseball …, River Avenue Blues and 24 Hours From Suicide
Fox Sports:
When Dodgers' season ends, the real game begins — The Dodgers' season could end tonight. Ken Rosenthal says that's when the real fun could begin for free agent Manny Ramirez.
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.
