Herzog has an idea for weather issue  —  PHILADELPHIA — If you thought this baseball season has lasted too long into wintry weather — Wednesday's resumption of World Series Game 5 was the second-latest by date in history — this is nothing compared to what the potential is for next year.

Don't expect Yankees to meet Teixeira's price  —  This promises to be a fascinating baseball offseason, with huge dollars being committed to huge names.  The free-agency battle that seems to be exciting industry folks the most is not that for the stud starting pitcher CC Sabathia, nor for the wonder that is Manny Ramirez.

Sources: Macha to be named Brewers manager  —  The Milwaukee Brewers are expected to name Ken Macha as their choice to succeed interim manager Dale Sveum, two baseball sources have told ESPN.  The official announcement could come later Thursday.  —  Macha, who managed the Oakland Athletics …

Japan pitcher avoids draft, hopes to pitch in US  —  TOKYO — Junichi Tazawa, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher who wants to play in the major leagues, was passed over by Japan's 12 professional teams in Thursday's amateur draft.  —  Tazawa, whose fastball reaches 97 mph …

Dodgers' Ned Colletti says club hopes to talk to Manny Ramirez's agent soon  —  General manager says re-signing the outfielder is one of the team's top three priorities this off-season.  —  Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti said Wednesday his communication with agent Scott Boras …

Perhaps a storybook ending  —  If this was Pat Burrell's last memory of Philadelphia, and the last memory the city will have of Burrell in a home uniform, then it was a better ending than either the player or the town had a right to expect.  —  “I'm taking in the moment,” Burrell said last night …

Phillies Fan Takes Grey Goose Bottle Flush To Head  —  http://www.youtube.com/watch?  v=MufTb-D4AcE  —  We knew the moronic videos would be flooding YouTube and thankfully we picked this one off before it gets buried into the neverland of World Series celebration videos.  —  This speaks for itself.

Venditte the best from every angle  —  Ambidextrous closer earns MiLBY for Best Short-Season Reliever  —  Pat Venditte has heard it all before.  —  The Yankees prospect made his unassuming professional debut back in June, and within moments, he became the buzz of the baseball universe.

Pres. Bush offers congrats to champion Phillies … WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush has called the president of the Philadelphia Phillies to congratulate the National League team on winning this year's World Series.  —  White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said that Bush talked to David Montgomery …

Phillies fan robs bank to pay for gear  —  Phillies fans are known for their diehard, drastic and often drunken support for their team.  —  Crazed Phanatics paint the team's logo on their lawns or imbibe the same amount of shots as the number on favorite player's jersey.  —  It doesn't matter.

Source: Marlins near trade with KC  —  Florida would receive Nunez in exchange for Jacobs  —  MIAMI — With the World Series now completed, the hot stove season is set to get under way.  —  Already, there is some activity.  —  According to a league source, the Marlins are close to trading …

Jeff Kent opens his checkbook and takes a stand against gay marriage  —  Jeff Kent, who played second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season, has stepped into the emotional world of same-sex marriage, giving $15,000 to backers of the California proposition on Tuesday's ballot that would ban it.