Top News:
NY Daily News:
Terry Francona saw lack of intangibles in Red Sox collapse, not lack of ‘Moneyball’ statistics — Terry Francona didn't talk about OPS numbers on Friday after he was fired in Boston. He didn't talk about Pythagorean winning percentages or range factors or runs created or win shares.
Discussion:
BBTF's Baseball Primer …
RELATED:
Robneyer / Baseball Nation:
Rumor: Theo Epstein Leaving Red Sox For Cubs — What do you think? Is this just a terribly irresponsible rumor? Or the precursor for a Beantown bombshell? — @Joelsherman1 — Joel Sherman I am shocked, but in last 36 hrs every exec talk to says believe #Redsox will give permssion and Theo will go to #Cubs to be GM
Discussion:
HardballTalk, Projo Sox Blog, baseballmusings.com and Over the Monster
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:
New Jersey Online, NoMaas.org and Boston Globe
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:
ESPN, Dan Shaughnessy Watch and Deadspin
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, Yahoo! Sports and LA Times Sports Blog
Alex Speier / Full Count:
Red Sox, Terry Francona part ways after eight years
Discussion:
Fenway West and HardballTalk
Matt Gelb / Boston Herald:
Ryan Howard and Phillies rock Cardinals — PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard dropped the black, 34-ounce Marucci bat with his right hand and watched with an entire city. Howard gazed because this ball, a Kyle Lohse changeup, sailed deep into the crisp Philadelphia night and landed in the first row of the second deck.
Discussion:
Lookout Landing, Viva El Birdos and Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Todd Zolecki / MLB.com:
Blanton in bullpen as NLDS roster finalized
Discussion:
Phillies Nation and The Good Phight
Pete Caldera / Boston Herald:
Robinson Cano drives in 6 runs to back Ivan Nova's gem as Yankees win — NEW YORK — Barely a few steps off the mound, Ivan Nova grandly waved his cap in response to a standing ovation at Yankee Stadium. — Where ace CC Sabathia left off in Friday's division series opener against the Tigers …
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley
RELATED:
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Rain suspends ALDS opener in Bronx
Discussion:
Baseball Prospectus and Baseball Nation
Mike Fitzpatrick / Associated Press:
Tigers-Yankees playoff opener suspended by rain
Discussion:
Pinstripe Alley, TSN.ca and Bless You Boys
Andrew Marchand / ESPN:
Andy Pettitte to toss first pitch Sunday — NEW YORK — Andy Pettitte will be on the Yankee Stadium mound for Game 2 on Sunday. — Instead of being in his customary role as the Yankees' postseason stopper, Pettitte will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. — “It is exciting,” Pettitte said.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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 …
Discussion:
The Big Lead
Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports:
Angels embark on wide-open GM search — Blessed with a committed (and willful) owner and a decorated and authoritative manager, the Los Angeles Angels set out this weekend to identify the person who would take Arte Moreno's money, fit it into Mike Scioscia's philosophy …
Discussion:
Fox Sports and MLB Rumors
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.
