A sports brand dream team gets into concessions game  —  In a precedent-setting venture by two of the leading brands and families in sports, the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys have jointly launched a concessions company, which borrowed $100 million several weeks ago, sources close to the teams said.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry signs 4-year contract extension  —  ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jim Hendry, architect of the Cubs' back-to-back Central Division champions, isn't going anywhere, at least not soon.  Club Chairman Crane Kenney worked around the stalled sale of the franchise to give Hendry …

Magnificent 7: Rays amaze, top Sox  —  Garza's gem helps Tampa Bay shock Nation, reach Fall Classic  —  ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays are headed to the World Series.  —  Led by American League Championship Series MVP Matt Garza, the Rays defeated the Red Sox, 3-1, Sunday night in Game 7 at Tropicana Field.

Agent: Peavy won't be pitching for Mets, Yankees  —  It appears increasingly likely that the Padres will trade Jake Peavy.  But neither the Yankees nor the Mets rank among the favorites to land the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner.  —  Peavy, armed with a no-trade clause …

BoSox's Lowell has surgery to repair tear in hip … BOSTON (AP) — Boston Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell has had surgery on his right hip.  —  Red Sox spokesman John Blake said Lowell was awake after his surgery Monday.  Blake said last year's World Series MVP wanted to surgery …

Joba's blood alcohol well above legal limit  —  Yankees star Joba Chamberlain's blood alcohol content was well above Nebraska's legal limit when he was busted for drunk driving, prosecutors charged Monday.  —  Chamberlain, who failed a Breathalyzer test when he was pulled over early Saturday …

The top prizes of '08  —  Scott Boras is still two weeks from what he calls, “setting up my little Popsicle stand” at baseball's general manager meetings, which will be held at the St. Regis Resort Monarch Beach in Dana Point, Calif., once home to the AIG bail-out party and new home to the Manny Ramirez coming-out party.

Macha has been interviewed  —  St. Petersburg, Fla. - A very reliable source familiar with the situation just told me that Ken Macha has interviewed for the Brewers' managerial opening.  If you read my earlier blog, I ranked Macha among the front-runners for the job.

Rays in 6  —  After covering the Phillies in the NLCS, and watching them dispatch the Dodgers in five games, I planned to pick them to win the World Series.  —  But after seeing the Rays bounce back to eliminate the Red Sox, especially with last night's Game 7 win, I changed my mind.

Kerrigan hired as Pirates pitching coach  —  PITTSBURGH (AP)—Joe Kerrigan, a former pitching coach with the Red Sox, Phillies and Expos, will succeed Jeff Andrews in the same job with the Pittsburgh Pirates.  —  Kerrigan was Boston's pitching coach from 1997-2001, during the time Pedro Martinez won two AL Cy Young Awards.