Top News:
Fox Sports:
Francona expected to leave Red Sox — Terry Francona will meet with Red Sox management on Friday morning, and the expected resolution is that he no longer will be the team's manager, major league sources say. — While Francona's departure is not certain, it is the likely outcome …
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Francona, Red Sox meeting this morning; he will be out as manager — What seemed evident yesterday is expected to become final today with the Red Sox and Terry Francona parting ways after eight seasons. — The manager will meet with GM Theo Epstein and ownership at 10 a.m. today …
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
It's official: Francona leaves Red Sox — It's official, the Red Sox have released a statement saying they have parted ways with Terry Francona. — These statements from the Red Sox: — FROM JOHN HENRY, TOM WERNER AND LARRY LUCCHINO ON BEHALF OF THE BOSTON RED SOX:
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
Francona wants out of Boston; White Sox are logical landing spot — TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 5: Manager Terry Francona of the Boston Red Sox looks on during batting practice prior to MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays September 5, 2011 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Full Count, WEEI, Over the Monster, HardballTalk, NESN.com and Baseball Nation
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
As Francona departs, who is next? — Here at Fenway Park for the stakeout. — John Henry and Terry Francona are inside. DeMarlo Hale is here, too. — It's probably just a matter of how they word the press release at this point. — When Theo Epstein last hired a manager …
Steve Silva / The Buzz:
Terry Francona reportedly could be out as Red Sox manager
Discussion:
Baseball Nerd
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Report: Red Sox pitchers drank beer during games on their off days
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Post-mortem leaves question of Francona's future unanswered
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
ESPN:
Terry Francona, Red Sox meet
Discussion:
Boston Globe, LA Times Sports Blog and Associated Press
Sports Illustrated:
Where collapses by Red Sox and Braves rank among worst ever
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer … and FiveThirtyEight
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Dream year ends in tatters
Discussion:
Bats, Yahoo! Sports, NESN.com, The Big Lead, Deadspin, ESPN, Fox Sports, Associated Press and Sports Illustrated
Kevin Baxter / LA Times Sports Blog:
Tony Reagins resigns as Angels general manager — A day after saying the Angels would have to be creative this off-season to address their roster deficiencies, General Manager Tony Reagins abruptly resigned Friday. — He will remain with the ballclub as a special assistant to club chairman Dennis Kuhl.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and Yahoo! Sports
Associated Press:
Braves hire hitting coach Larry Parrish — ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are shaking things up after a September flop cost them a second straight trip to the playoffs. — The first change came Friday: hitting coach Larry Parrish was fired after only one season.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com and ESPN
Bill Plaschke / Los Angeles Times:
Dodgers need to swing for the fences on new deal with Matt Kemp — The Dodgers will probably need to pay close to $200 million to keep the star center fielder in Los Angeles. And they'll need to move quickly. The question is, do they have the resources?
Discussion:
MLB Rumors, HardballTalk, True Blue LA and Los Angeles Times
Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays pick rookie Matt Moore to start Game 1 of AL Division Series — ARLINGTON, Texas — Of course they are. — In picking among three potential starters for today's opening game of the best-of-five AL Division Series, the Rays made the most unconventional and boldest choice …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Sports Illustrated, Brew Crew Ball and Bats
Chris Jenkins / Denver Post:
Diamondbacks coach Baylor faints at Miller Park — MILWAUKEE—Arizona Diamondbacks batting coach Don Baylor was taken to a hospital after fainting at Miller Park on Friday morning. — Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers said Baylor had a “fainting episode” after eating breakfast in the clubhouse …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Maury Brown / The Biz of Baseball:
Analysis: 2011 MLB Playoff Teams By Player Payroll — Baseball is broken. That's what they say. It's only teams with high payrolls that have a shot. Well... With heart-stopping excitement that the baseball gods gave us on the final day of the 2011 MLB season now in the books, the postseason is now set.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Associated Press:
Son of Fallen Fan Throws 1st Pitch of Playoffs — ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — With fans on their feet, many with tears in their eyes, 6-year-old Cooper Stone stood on the pitcher's mound and tossed the ceremonial first pitch of the playoffs to his favorite player, Josh Hamilton.
