Manny Ramirez made the Dodgers important again  —  He single-handedly made the team a force to be reckoned with.  —  T.J. Simers  —  MANNYWOOD — The Dodgers are finished two weeks ago, Jose Lima still standing as the team's postseason hero over the last 20 years, if it isn't for Manny Ramirez.

Tonight could be end for Varitek  —  Contract expiring; status is in doubt  —  Jason Varitek wouldn't acknowledge it yesterday, but tonight's game at Fenway Park could be the team captain's last in a Red Sox uniform.  Given a contract that expires after this season, and a markedly poor offensive year …

Can the Reds be the 2009 Phillies?  —  There are defining moments in every baseball game, usually a defining moment.  —  As for the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday night in the NLCS, it was the first batter of the game.  —  LA pitcher Chad Billingsley slipped two quick strikes past Jimmy Rollins.

Cubs intent on keeping GM Hendry  —  Team declined Seattle's request to talk to GM  —  The Cubs are intent on keeping general manager Jim Hendry, despite the ongoing uncertainty of their franchise sale.  —  According to major league baseball sources, Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney recently declined …

Tom Tresh dead at 71  —  Tom Tresh, who burst onto the big-league scene in 1962 and won Rookie of the Year honors as a fill-in shortstop for the Yankees after Tony Kubek was called into military service, died Wednesday at his home in Venice, Fla., of a heart attack.  He was 71.

Nationals show interest in Willie Randolph  —  The Washington Nationals are interested in adding former Mets manager Willie Randolph to their coaching staff, Newsday has learned.  —  Washington, which fired five of its coaches following a 59-102 showing in 2008, would like Randolph to serve …

Mientkiewicz, Michaels among targets  —  Pirates' GM would like to retain versatile veteran leaders  —  PITTSBURGH — As general manager Neal Huntington prepares to shape the Pirates' 2009 roster, he said he plans to approach both outfielder Jason Michaels and utility man Doug Mientkiewicz …

Remembering the '93 Phillies and the early days of rap-rock  —  When Carlos Ruiz squeezed his mitt tight around Nomar Garciaparra's pop fly on Wednesday night, it did more than send the Phillies to their first World Series in 15 years.  It also marked the official start of what will be …

Bring Me The Head Of Mr. Met  —  Imagine taking your kids to Disneyland, and watching in horror as someone runs up and yanks the head off of Donald Duck.  Mets fans were traumatized in a similar fashion last night, as Fox News inadvertently broadcast the live decapitation of Mr. Met …

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.