Top News:
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
Ignore that spin from the brass - he was fired — Terry Francona was fired yesterday. The longtime manager and the Red Sox brass used a lot of polite words and tried to make it sound mutual, but Francona turns out to be the first victim of the greatest collapse in baseball history.
Discussion:
Dan Shaughnessy Watch and Deadspin
RELATED:
Gordon Edes / ESPN:
Departure makes your head spin — Did Terry Francona decide to leave on his own or did ownership help make up his mind? — ESPNBoston.com — BOSTON — It never ceases to amaze how an employee's termination notice can be spun to sound like a winning lottery ticket.
Discussion:
Boston Globe, New Jersey Online and NoMaas.org
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Some random thoughts on the Red Sox — The Red Sox are a Machiavellian bunch. But I actually believe that John Henry fell on his yacht, got hurt and couldn't make the press conference yesterday. Look, if you were going to make up a story, nobody would make up a story about falling on a yacht.
Discussion:
Over the Monster
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Red Sox, Terry Francona part ways after eight years — After eight years, Terry Francona is done as Red Sox manager. (AP) — In the aftermath of a historic nosedive that took the Red Sox from an apparent playoff lock to a team that lost the largest September postseason lead in major league history …
Discussion:
Fenway West and HardballTalk
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
It's official: Francona leaves Red Sox
Discussion:
Fenway West, Surviving Grady, Over the Monster, HardballTalk, FenwayNationWorld and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Sports Illustrated:
My award picks for 2011 season … The wild card races aren't the only ones that went right down to the wire this season. The MVP races in the National and American Leagues, which will be announced on Nov. 22 and 23, respectively, had great suspense. Three players have a real shot at it in the NL and four in the AL.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish and Mike Scioscia's tragic illness
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Tigers-Yankees playoff opener suspended by rain — NEW YORK—The playoff opener between the Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees was suspended because of rain in the second inning Friday night, probably wiping out the ace of each pitching staff for a few days.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys and TSN.ca
RELATED:
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Rain suspends ALDS opener in Bronx — Game 1 tickets honored Saturday; Game 2 tickets good Sunday — NEW YORK — Game 1 of the American League Division Series between the Tigers and Yankees at Yankee Stadium on Friday night was suspended because of rain and will resume on Saturday …
Discussion:
ESPN and Baseball Nation
Associated Press:
Split-Finger Fastball, Once Popular, Is Falling Away — MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — In the 1980s, everyone was doing it. — From Jack Morris and Roger Clemens to practically every pitcher on Roger Craig's staff in San Francisco, the split-finger fastball was the ticket to success on the mound.
Bill Pennington / New York Times:
Voice of Yankees Draws High Ratings and Several Critics — “It is high, it is far. It is gone!” John Sterling, author of more than a few trademark expressions, says: “I never hear any criticism to my face.” — Walking through the crowded hallway just outside the locker rooms …
Sports Illustrated:
Mystical pull of magical numbers … Last Wednesday night may have provided the most gripping and bizarre interval in baseball history. The Boston Red Sox couldn't close out the Baltimore Orioles ?and instead closed out one of the great collapses in modern memory.
Discussion:
Baseball-Reference Blog
Associated Press:
Parker in Diamondbacks Bullpen vs Brewers — MILWAUKEE (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Jarrod Parker made the team's roster for the NL division series against Milwaukee. — Manager Kirk Gibson made the announcement before Game 1 on Saturday. — The Diamondbacks top pitching prospect …
Discussion:
Yahoo! Sports
Chris Jenkins / Globe and Mail:
‘Incognito’ Diamondbacks prepare for Brewers — When it comes to star power, even the Arizona Diamondbacks acknowledge they're no match for the Milwaukee Brewers. — Milwaukee has a pair of MVP candidates in Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, and pulled the surprise of the off-season when they traded for standout starter Zack Greinke.
Discussion:
baseballmusings.com, Yahoo! Sports, Brew Crew Ball, MLB Daily Dish and AZ Snake Pit
