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5:40 PM ET, October 4, 2012

Ballbug

 Top News: 
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Extra Bases  —  It's official: Red Sox fire Bobby Valentine  —  The Red Sox have fired Bobby Valentine after the franchise's worst season in decades.  The Sox were 69-93 and finished in last place in the American League East.  —  Not since 1934 have the Red Sox fired a manager after only one season.
RELATED:
Boston Herald:
Bitter end for Bobby V, Sox  —  Outgoing manager maintains open-mouth policy right 'til end  —  NEW YORK — As Bobby Valentine rode off into the sunset of his Red Sox [team stats] managerial career last night, he also stayed true to his shoot-from-the-hip reputation.
Associated Press:
Miguel Cabrera wins Triple Crown  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera became the first player in 45 years to win baseball's Triple Crown on Wednesday night, joining an elite list that includes Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig.  —  Cabrera
RELATED:
Dave Skretta / Globe and Mail:
With Triple Crown in sight, Cabrera in lineup for Tigers' regular-season finale
Associated Press:
With Triple Crown in sight, Cabrera exits in 4th
Discussion: ESPN and Bless You Boys
Fox Sports:
O's GM connected to former tormentor  —  Friday in Texas, the Baltimore Orioles will play their first postseason game in 15 years.  The 2012 season has been one of rebirth for the franchise, a fresh start after 14 consecutive years with a losing record.  —  But there's a link between …
RELATED:
Peter Abraham / Boston Globe:
Game 162: Red Sox at Yankees
MLB.com:
Kemp slated for shoulder surgery  —  LOS ANGELES — Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp said he will have surgery on his injured left shoulder Friday.  —  Kemp said Dr. Neal ElAttrache isn't sure of the extent of damage caused when he slammed into the wall at Coors Field on Aug. 27.
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
RELATED:
Mark Saxon / ESPN:
Kemp to have shoulder surgery; out indefinitely
Discussion: MLB, True Blue LA and Associated Press
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
O's will send Johnson or Saunders to face Rangers  —  ST. PETERSBURG — Hours after their 4-1 loss to the Rays on Wednesday, the Orioles had not named a starter for Friday's American League Wild Card matchup against the Rangers, with Steve Johnson and Joe Saunders the two options for the organization's first playoff game in 15 years.
La Velle E. Neal III / Twins Insider:
Coaching shakeup: Stelmaszek, Liddle fired.  Vavra reassigned.  —  Twins coaching shakeup: Stelmaszek, Liddle fired.  Vavra reassigned.  —  The Twins have started the offseason by shaking up their coaching staff.  Bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek and third base coach Steve Liddle have been let go …
Discussion: HardballTalk and Twinkie Town
Michael Baron / Metsblog:
Alderson spoke to David Wright's agents, intends to work quickly on a new deal  —  Today on WFAN, Sandy Alderson spoke with Mike Francesa and said he has talked with David Wright and his agents since the conclusion of the season yesterday, and said while there are no guarantees of a resolution …
Discussion: Mets Merized Online
AJ Cassavell / Associated Press:
A's Neshek, wife mourn death of newborn son  —  Pat Neshek posted a 1.37 ERA in 24 appearances for the A's this season.  —  The newborn son of A's reliever Pat Neshek died of unknown causes Wednesday just 23 hours after he was born.  —  Neshek revealed the horrific tragedy on Twitter, saying, “Please pray for my family.
Discussion: Athletics Nation
Brian McTaggart / MLB.com:
New horizons await Astros in move to AL West  —  Before '13 campaign, club aims to build around core through free agency  —  HOUSTON — After playing their first 51 years in the National League, the Astros will embark on a brave new frontier when they move to the American League West in 2013.
Discussion: The Crawfish Boxes
Associated Press:
Braves bench C Brian McCann for wild-card game  —  ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have benched catcher Brian McCann for Friday's wild-card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  Manager Fredi Gonzalez made the announcement Thursday before a workout at Turner Field.
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
Kevin Reichard / Ballpark Digest:
Digital Domain pulls out of ballpark naming deal  —  Digital Domain Park, the spring home of the New York Mets and the regular-season home of the St. Lucie Mets (High Class A; Florida State League), will have a new name after a bankruptcy filing from the naming-rights holder.
Discussion: Metsblog and Mets Merized Online
Gordon Wittenmyer / Chicago Sun Times:
Theo Epstein's major remodeling of Cubs raises red flags  —  A year ago, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts stood in the Cubs' dugout on the last day of the season and said his big-market club did not need to consider rebuilding.  —  “The fact is, you get the right players on the team …
Cash Kruth / MLB.com:
Sandberg among three new Phillies coaches  —  Hall of Famer, joined by Henderson and Nichols, managed past six years in Minors  —  The Phillies retained three coaches and promoted three others — including Hall of Famer and former Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg — to their coaching staff on Thursday.
Discussion: The Good Phight
Associated Press:
Teddy finally wins Presidents Race at Nats game  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Teddy wins!  Teddy wins!  —  For the first time, the Teddy Roosevelt mascot won the Presidents Race in the middle of the fourth inning at Nationals Park — a pursuit that drew attention even from a White House spokesman and Sen. John McCain.
Discussion: Yahoo! Sports
RELATED:
Associated Press:
Nationals down Phillies, wrap up home-field advantage
 
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 More News: 
Associated Press:
Mariners fire Chris Chambliss
Discussion: Lookout Landing
Associated Press:
Curt Schilling's sock could be for sale
Discussion: Associated Press and Boston Herald
Dave Hyde / Boston Herald:
As Ozzie Guillen dangles, all questions again point to the Marlins' owner
Discussion: MLB Daily Dish
Matthew Pouliot / HardballTalk:
Craig Kimbrel first in history to fan half his batters faced
Discussion: baseballmusings.com
 Earlier Picks: 
Associated Press:
Miller Strong in Debut, Leads Cards Over Reds 1-0
Discussion: Talking Chop and Minor League Ball
Associated Press:
Longoria Hits 3 HRs, Rays Drop O's to Wild Card
Discussion: Boston Herald, Camden Chat and TSN.ca
Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com:
Towers: We're not far from being a contender
Colin Wyers / Baseball Prospectus:
Mariners to Move Safeco Fences In
 

 
From WeSmirch:

Eileen Reslen / Page Six:
Christine Quinn alleges ‘abusive’ husband Christian Richard threw dog poop at her, peed on her floor in violent outburst

Tom Bryant / The Mirror:
Paul O'Grady's beloved dog nuzzled star's shoulder as devoted husband battled to save him

TMZ.com:
LEO DICAPRIO NOT ENGAGED TO GIRLFRIEND ... Despite Ring Speculation

 
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