Top News:
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.
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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.
Adam Kilgore / Boston Globe:Sox upbeat — The Red Sox came off the field after an optional workout …
Discussion:
The Joy of Sox
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.
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes
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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 …
Jim Molony / MLB.com:
Clemens content staying on sidelines — Right-hander not working with Astros, mum on legal woes — HOUSTON — Roger Clemens said Wednesday that reports claiming he was upset at not being included in the farewell ceremony at Yankee Stadium couldn't be further from the truth.
Discussion:
MLB FanHouse
Troy E. Renck / Denver Post:
Phillies advance to World Series — Philadelphia claims first pennant since 1993 — LOS ANGELES — They were straight out of central casting, these Dodgers. As if their remarkable U-turn over the last two months wasn't enough, they were asked to pull it off again.
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John Nadel / Associated Press:
Phillies advance to World Series — Philadelphia beats Dodgers, 5-1, to capture National League title — LOS ANGELES - Jimmy Rollins got the Phillies rollin' with a leadoff homer and they kept right on going. Next stop, the World Series. — Rollins homered in the first inning …
David Pinto / Baseball Musings:
Playoffs Today — The Phillies play triple match point tonight as they face the Dodgers at 8:22 PM EDT, 5:22 PM PDT. Phillies ace Cole Hamels takes the hill against Chad Billingsley, Mr. No Brushback. A win gives the Phillies six days off before the World Series.
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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Bill Ladson / MLB.com:
Sources: Nats interested in Randolph — Washington wants former Mets manager to be bench coach — WASHINGTON — The Nationals are seriously interested in hiring Willie Randolph as a bench coach, according to baseball sources. The news about Washington's interest in Randolph was first reported by Newsday in New York.
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Sources: Agent says Pettitte wants to throw for Yanks in '09 … As the New York Yankees began a round of scouting meetings this week to discuss the future of the team, they know that veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte intends to pitch in 2009, and his intention is to pitch for them.
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.
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.
Associated Press:
Yanks start to regroup in organizational meetings — TAMPA, Fla. — The New York Yankees will sort through their offseason plans when organizational meetings begin Thursday at the team's spring training complex. — Co-chairmen Hank and Hal Steinbrenner were to participate in the sessions along …
Discussion:
Sliding Into Home
Cliff Corcoran / Sports Illustrated:
Why Phillies have edge in Game 5 — Breaking down Game 5 of the National League Championship Series. All stats for starting pitchers are for this postseason only. — Phillies at Dodgers — Series: NLCS, Game 5; Phillies lead 3-1 — TV: Fox — Starters: Cole Hamels (2-0, 1.20 ERA) vs. Chad Billingsley (1-1, 8.00)
Discussion:
Associated Press
