Joba jawed with Sox fan at nudie bar - then arrested  —  Yankees star Joba Chamberlain downed vodka-and-sodas and caroused at a Nebraska strip club in the hours before he was busted for drunken driving, the Daily News has learned.  —  The 23-year-old pitcher went drinking at a bar …

An out they had to take  —  Ramírez's bat would have helped, but . . .  Losses were cut, if only figuratively, by trading Manny Ramírez.  (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)  —  TAMPA - So we are left with one compelling question: If the Red Sox still had Manny Ramírez …

Van Wieren surprises with retirement  —  Braves broadcaster of 33 seasons decides to make exit  —  ATLANTA — Over the past 33 seasons the Braves have annually changed faces and maintained the same familiar sound provided by Pete Van Wieren and Skip Caray.

Jason Varitek question looms  —  This call is tough  —  For the past week or so, whenever reporters asked about his future, Jason Varitek [stats] firmly rebuffed the topic, saying he had other things on which to focus.  —  Sunday night, minutes after the Red Sox [team stats] …

TV Ratings  —  Earlier this morning I was chatting with a friend about how Fox probably wanted a Boston-Los Angeles World Series for high ratings.  I noted, however, that lots of people watch baseball in Florida on television.  You can tell because Rays broadcasts often just get back in time for the first pitch of an inning.

Bowden Treated For Skin Cancer  —  Nats GM Says He Was Wrong To Delay Action  —  In June, Washington Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden went in for a routine checkup and asked his doctor about what looked like an ingrown hair on his forehead.  It sometimes bled, but Bowden didn't think much of it.

Canseco regrets writing ‘Juiced,’ naming names  —  Jose Canseco, whose book about steroids in baseball, “Juiced,” focused attention on the use of performance-enhancing drugs and led to congressional hearings on the subject, now says that he should have never written the book and named names of alleged steroid users.

Extension's GM dandy  —  But Hendry deal may be last big one with high payroll, economic climate  —  General manager Jim Hendry's four-year contract extension could be one of the bigger deals the Cubs make this offseason, given the possible impact that economic concerns and the stalled sale of the team might have on the payroll.

Rising Stars ready to shine bright  —  Eighteen first-round selections playing in third annual AFL showcase  —  The Arizona Fall League is generally considered the circuit in which baseball's elite prospects meet in October and November to hone their already considerable skills.

ProElite, EliteXC out of business … Less than two years following the formation of ProElite, Inc., the group notified employees and fighters Monday it was shutting its doors effective immediately, multiple sources confirmed to SI.com.  —  ProElite was an entertainment and media company founded …

Can Phillies Fans Embrace Optimism?  —  In “The Natural Mind,” his classic 1974 study of drugs and higher consciousness, Dr. Andrew Weil defined two types of paranoia.  Those who exhibit the first feel, when faced with a series of random events, that “the universe is a conspiracy organized for their own benefit.”

Redskins Offered Obstructed View TV  —  Touchdown Redskins!  What, you can't see it?  Just imagine!  —  Whenever people tell me how lucky I am to be able to watch Redskins games from the FedEx Field press box, I attempt to disabuse them of that notion.  The press box has no beer …

Mariners may announce GM Tuesday ... or not  —  There is an expectation, realistic or not, that the next Mariners general manager will be introduced Tuesday.  —  It may happen, but as of Monday night, no decision had been made, and no plans for an announcement were in motion.

Vegas sports books favor Rays in Series  —  LAS VEGAS (AP)—Las Vegas sports books favor the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies and would owe huge payouts if the American League champions prevail.  —  Oddsmakers say enough bettors took the Rays early …