Top News:
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, Over the Monster and FenwayNationWorld
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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 …
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Chicago Sun Times, Over the Monster, River Avenue Blues, HardballTalk, baseballmusings.com, The Big Lead, Bats, Sox #1 Fan dot com, NESN.com, Washington Post, joy of sox, MLB Rumors, SOX & Dawgs, MLB Daily Dish, Baseball Nation, Deadspin, The Mighty Quinn Media Machine and Associated Press
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 …
John Zaremba / Boston Herald:
Sox owner John Henry injured on yacht — Red Sox owner John Henry was seen leaving his yacht this evening wearing a neck brace, but walking on his own power after falling on his boat, witnesses and a first responder tell the Herald. — The Red Sox [team stats] confirmed tonight that Henry had a …
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Report: Red Sox pitchers drank beer during games on their off days
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings
Steve Silva / The Buzz:
Terry Francona reportedly could be out as Red Sox manager
Discussion:
Baseball Nerd, Boston Globe and NESN.com
Daryl Van Schouwen / Chicago Sun Times:
Francona wants out of Boston; White Sox are logical landing spot
Discussion:
Boston Globe, Full Count, WEEI, NESN.com, Over the Monster, Baseball Nation and HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Post-mortem leaves question of Francona's future unanswered
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
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, Yahoo! Sports, Halos Heaven and 6-4-2
Stephen Hawkins / Globe and Mail:
Rays shell Rangers in ALDS opener — Matt Moore dominated in his second major league start, pitching seven innings of two-hit ball as the improbable Tampa Bay Rays opened the real playoffs with a 9-0 victory over the defending AL champion Texas Rangers on Friday.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
JSOnline:
Greinke to start Game 2, Marcum in Game 3 — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — The Brewers just announced that right-hander Zack Greinke will start Game 2 of the NLDS on Saturday against Arizona and right-hander Shaun Marcum will go in Game 3 on Tuesday in Phoenix.
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports and Brew Crew Ball
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
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
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:
HardballTalk, True Blue LA, MLB Rumors 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, Bats and Brew Crew Ball
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.
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Blanton in bullpen as NLDS roster finalized — PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies finalized their roster for the National League Division Series on Friday, choosing Joe Blanton over David Herndon for the final spot in the bullpen. — It seemed to be the only tough decision they had to make.
Discussion:
The Good Phight
