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.
RELATED:
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:
Over the Monster, FenwayNationWorld, baseballmusings.com, The Big Lead, Sox #1 Fan dot com and Washington Post
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
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 …
Aaron Gleeman / HardballTalk:
Report: Red Sox pitchers drank beer during games on their off days
Discussion:
Al's Ramblings and Sports Illustrated
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
As Francona departs, who is next?
Discussion:
Fox Sports and joy of sox
Steve Silva / The Buzz:
Terry Francona reportedly could be out as Red Sox manager
Discussion:
Fenway West, Boston Globe and Baseball Nerd
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Post-mortem leaves question of Francona's future unanswered
Discussion:
The Soxaholix
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
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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:
Baseball Nation and ESPN
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
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Marc Topkin / St. Petersburg Times:
Tampa Bay Rays pick rookie Matt Moore to start Game 1 of AL Division Series
Discussion:
DRaysBay, baseballmusings.com, Sports Illustrated, Bats and Brew Crew Ball
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:
Los Angeles Times, MLB Daily Dish, Halos Heaven, 6-4-2, baseballmusings.com and 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:
Brew Crew Ball and 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:
AZ Snake Pit
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
