MLB Baseball Business Blog

Texas Rangers Nolan Ryan Says "We Can Win Three In A Row" In World Series

2010-11-01T10:16:00.000-07:00

As reported at Zennie62.com, after making them wait, Texas Rangers Team President and Pitching Legend Nolan Ryan came on The Dan Patrick Show this morning and deadpanned that he thinks the team, currently being clobbered 26 to 9 by the San Francisco Giants, can "win three in a row."

Was Nolan Ryan sending a message to his organization? Certainly. Was he trying to dis the San Francisco Giants? Not at all. Ryan praised the Giants performance, saying they are "by far" playing the best baseball, but Nolan did say he didn't expect the offensive performance he's seen from the Giants thus far.

The full recap of Dan Patrick's interview with Nolan Ryan is here at Zennie62.com.

Dallas Braden gets 2nd Oakland A's perfect game in 42 years (video)

2010-05-09T16:50:00.001-07:00

Dallas Braden

The Oakland Athletics Dallas Braden became the 14th player in Oakland A's history to throw a no-hitter or a perfect game, and just the second A's player to pitch a perfect game - the other being Catfish Hunter in 1968.

Braden led the A's to a 4-0 win against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in Oakland on Mother's Day.

Now lost in all the celebration is what a "perfect game" in baseball is. It's not a "no-hitter"; it's beyond that. It's a game where no player from the opposing team gains a hit or gets on base in any way, even by a walk or a hit batter.

Nothing. Nada. Zip.

Here's the video:

That's what Dallas Braden did today. Braden's the first Oakland A's pitcher to throw a perfect game in 42 years. That's incredible.

Much has been made of Braden's feud with The New York Yankees' Alex Rodriquez, who's behavior has been rather salty since he was dumped by Kate Hudson after she learned A-Rod was allegedly cheating on her.

When the Oakland A's last played the New York Yankees, A-Rod crossed the mound that was manned by Dallas Braden. Braden took offense to the action and said that A-Rod did not understand baseball etiquette and their "would be repercussions" if he did it again, as this video shows:

The Yankees and A's face again July 5th, 6th, and 7th, in Oakland. Oaklander's, let's make those games sellouts!

Angels baseball beats Yankees baseball 5-4: battle of payrolls

2009-10-19T20:48:00.003-07:00

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Angels win was a Money-ball story

The old saying: the more things change the more they stay the same. The Los Angeles Angels beat the New York Yankees 5-4 today in the AL Championship Series. They're back 2 games to one and could make a real game of it with another win.

But don't make the mistake of thinking that it was David beating Goliath, where the New York Yankees monster payroll was clobbered by the miserly fiscal practices of the Angels.

Ha!

The truth is that the 2009 player expeditures for both teams are not far off. The Yankees payroll was between $192 million and $201 million this year; the Angels payroll was at $113 million.

Both teams are part of the top six highest payrolls in Major League Baseball, proving that it takes money to win, even in this post-Moneyball era. This was supposed to be the time when the Internet and sabermetrics created a baseball team that could consistently when with a low payroll.

But the reality in 2009 is the same as it was in 1993 and in 2002 when I created the Oakland Baseball Simworld in partnership with Forio Business Simulations, and 2003 when University of San Francisco Professor Dan Rascher and I founded Sports Business Simulations.

Payroll rules.

Our simulation was and is designed to reflect both the "Moneyball" approach and the more common "Pay-To-Win" strategy, but it's the latter that's hard to beat.

In fact, Smith college Sports Economist Andrew Zimbalist (who's also a member of our simulation advisory board) determined that after 1990 there was a more powerful correlation between higher payrolls and team performance.

I tried for years to make a team "work" in the context of the current Oakland Coliseum using the Oakland Baseball Simworld (which I developed from scratch for the purpose of teaching marketing, business, and sports finance in high school and college classrooms and is based on my work at the City of Oakland). It's hard to achieve the 250 and up score that indicates baseball business success.

The only answer is to build a new stadium. Location aside - Oakland's better - it's the best tonic to turn any Oakland-based baseball team into a winner, including the one currently called The Oakland Athletics.

Meanwhile, the Yankees and Angels will keep being in the hunt for the World Series. Some things never change.

Erin Andrews's Bottom

2009-06-18T21:51:00.001-07:00

Coliseum Stadium Plan For Oakland Athletics Revealed

2009-03-31T13:29:00.001-07:00

The Commissioner of Baseball on Monday announced a new committee devoted to determining the viability of baseball in the East Bay. In his statements Commissioner Bud Selig said that the A's owners have exhausted their efforts in Oakland.

But really, they have not.

Here's an example in this plan for a new Coliseum baseball stadium on the parking lot land of the facility.

The plan, created by architect Frank Dobson and Retail Leasing expert Bob Leste with Oaklander Steve Lowe was first introduced in 2004 and while it was presented to the then-new ownership group and A's Managing Partner Lew Wolff, it went largely ignored by them. Wolff was known to be in love with a concept called a baseball village and needed a lot of land to make that work, hence the Fremont land chase.

But the idea called for hundreds of acres of land, more than the A's organization could afford given the economy and so needing public money turned to Fremont, which turned a deaf ear to their request.

Wolff has not wanted to be in Oakland, but the Mayor's Sports and Entertainment Task Force wants to maintain the A's here in Oakland. To that end, it supports the plan you're about to see in this video.

The plan needs to be upgraded for 2009 and a financing plan developed. It also lacks an economic impact analysis and a job development report. But just eyeballing the plan I can say it can generate about 10,000 construction jobs and 4,000 permanent jobs. It calls for a new stadium, a parking structure, and a retail structure at the Coliseum as well as an enlarged BART bridge. The total cost is about $440 million but we at the task force understand that was a 2004 estimate.

The video shows much of Bob Leste's presentation to the task force last Thursday and the discussion as well as the plan itself.

Barry Bonds Arraignment in San Francisco Federal Court

2009-02-10T13:47:00.001-08:00

From Inside Bay Area: Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds pleaded not guilty to 11 criminal counts as part of an indictment accusing him of lying about steroid use before a 2003 grand jury.

ARod? Steroids? Blame Baseball and The Commissioner

2009-02-10T08:17:00.001-08:00

Alex Rodriguez admitted that he took performance enhancing drugs in 2003, and perhaps between 2001 and 2003 while with the Texas Rangers. But I don't blame him, I blame Baseball and the Commissioner of Baseball for the "Golden Home Run Age."

ARod? Steroids? Blame Baseball and The Commissioner

2009-02-10T08:15:00.001-08:00

2009 Go Cubs Go Chicago Cubs Promotional Video - Miracle On Addison Street

2009-01-04T16:29:00.001-08:00

Emails Between Mark Cuban and SEC Attorney Jeffrey Norris

2008-11-20T16:37:00.001-08:00

Now comes the strange tale of Jeffrey Norris, trial counsel for the SEC in Fort Worth, Texas. His emails to Cuban critical over Cuban's involvement with Loose Change are at the center of Cuban's claim of bias.

read more | digg story

MLB Awards: How Did We Do With Our Predictions?

2008-11-19T20:29:00.001-08:00

Here’s a list of the recently assigned MLB awards and how Baseball Reflections fared in predicting them.AL Rookie of the YearWe at Baseball Reflections were right on with selecting Rays 3B Evan Longoria as the hands down choice. But in all fairness, this wasn’t difficult to predict. No one else even came close to Longoria in 2008.

read more | digg story

Mariners Name Don Wakamatsu Manager

2008-11-19T20:28:00.005-08:00

Don Wakamatsu became the first Asian-American manager in major league baseball history when he was hired Wednesday by the Seattle Mariners.

read more | digg story

A's owner suggests making first round of playoffs one game

2008-11-19T20:28:00.003-08:00

Lew Wolff has a way to shorten baseball's postseason: Make the first round best-of-one.

read more | digg story

BREAKING NEWS: Mussina to retire

2008-11-19T20:28:00.001-08:00

There it is. We all thought we knew what was going to happen, and it turned out to be true. Mike Mussina..coming off one of his best seasons in his career, will be retiring from baseball. Mike never got the championship ring he wanted, or 300 wins, but he had one heck of a career. He is going out on top. Mussina is one of the few FA transactions

read more | digg story

Barry Bonds To Sign With Tampa Bay

2008-08-13T01:12:00.000-07:00

Remove the label of free agent from the home run champions slate. Barry Bonds is the newest member of the Tampa Bay Rays. The AL East leading Rays are expected to add a thunderous jolt of offensive prowess and media frenzy to their lineup with the late season addition of the 42-year old Bonds.

The announcement could come later this morning as the surging Rays begin the second of a three-game set against the Oakland Athletics. As if the questionable timing does not appear peculiar enough, the seven-time MVP might make his American League debut Thursday afternoon at the Coliseum, minutes away from the city in which he established himself as one of the premier sluggers in major league history.

After returning from the Rays 2-1 defeat last night, rumblings were blatantly evident among A's fans on the train system that Bonds was now back, and ready to wreck havoc on AL pitchers en route to a potential World Series run with the surging Rays.

Forbes: Yankees worth $1.3 billion

2008-04-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK (AP)—The New York Yankees’ value increased to $1.306 billion over the past year, according to the annual estimates by Forbes magazine, a rise of 9 percent over the past year.
The New York Mets were second at $824 million and the Boston Red Sox third at $816 million, the magazine said Wednesday. After that, there was a big gap to the Los Angeles Dodgers ($694 million) and the Chicago Cubs ($642 million).

The Yankees were listed by Forbes as having $327 million in revenue last year and a $47.3 million operating loss, up from a $25.2 million loss on revenue of $302 million the previous year. Forbes’ revenue figure is after deducting revenue sharing payments, which the Yankees estimate at about $92 million. The team also paid approximately $24 million in luxury tax, which is reflected in the operating loss.

The Mets had an operating profit of $32.9 million, according to Forbes. Boston, according to Forbes, had a $19.1 million operating loss.

Both New York teams are planning to move into new ballparks in 2009, which should significantly increase their revenues.

At the bottom, the three teams with the lowest values were Florida ($256 million), Tampa Bay ($290 million) and Pittsburgh ($292 million). Forbes estimated the Marlins had an operating profit of $35.6 million, the Rays $29.7 million and the Pirates $17.6 million.

Washington had the highest estimated operating profit at $43.7 million. Forbes said the average operating profit in the majors was $16 million.

Lackluster Start For The Detroit Tigers

2008-04-14T17:54:00.000-07:00

Anchored with a $136 million payroll and an All-Star studded lineup featuring the likes of 25-year old slugger Miguel Cabrera and batting champion Magglio Ordonez, the Tigers have faltered out of the gate to a dismal 2-10 start in the highly competitive American League Central.

Plagued by injuries to left-handed hurler Dontrelle Willis, designated hitter Gary Sheffield, center fielder Curtis Granderson, and relievers Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney, Detroit is winless at home and has been outscored 69-21 through the first two weeks of the season.

Orioles cut injury-riddled Gibbons, eat $11.9 million of his contract

2008-03-30T20:26:00.000-07:00

By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer

BALTIMORE (AP)—Jay Gibbons was released Sunday by the Baltimore Orioles, who lost patience waiting for the oft-injured outfielder to regain the form that enabled him to hit 26 home runs in 2005.

Gibbons batted .189 with no homers and four RBIs in 16 games this spring training after playing in only 84 games last season. Baltimore owes him $11.9 million for the next two seasons as part of a $21.1 million, four-year contract he agreed to in January 2006.

The 31-year-old Gibbons was suspended for 15 days on Dec. 6 by commissioner Bud Selig following a media report that he received a shipment of the human growth hormone after January 2005, when it was banned by baseball. Kansas City outfielder Jose Guillen also was suspended for 15 days.

On Friday, the commissioner’s office and players’ players association put the penalties on hold for 10 days to allow for further negotiations over their drug agreement. If a deal is struck, the suspensions likely would be dropped.

Selig: ‘Chemists out there working’ on possible human growth hormone test

2008-03-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (AP)—Commissioner Bud Selig expressed confidence Sunday night that an agreement can be reached to strengthen baseball’s drug-testing policy.

“There’s negotiations ongoing,” Selig said during Sunday night’s inaugural game at Nationals Park. “I’d rather not comment other than that.”

Selig said “Yes” when asked if was confident of an agreement with the players’ union. He also cited the lack of reliable test for human growth hormone as a significant hurdle to cleaning up the sport.

“It’s not perfect,” Selig said. “It’s going to change. There are chemists out there working.”

President Bush, who threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves, said he thought December’s Mitchell Report on drugs in baseball “was part of the cleansing process.”

“I’m happy with the recognition that it was a problem,” Bush said Sunday night during the ESPN broadcast. “I certainly hope the players continue to work to clean up the sport.”

Washington Nationals open their new stadium by beating Atlanta Braves on Zimmerman’s homer

2008-03-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

By HOWARD FENDRICH, AP Sports Writer

WASHINGTON (AP)—Nationals Park had quite an opening.

Ryan Zimmerman hit a tiebreaking homer off Peter Moylan with two outs in the ninth inning, and the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 3-2 Sunday night in the first regular-season game at the $611 million stadium.

With the dome of the U.S. Capitol lit up against the black night sky beyond left field, and the Washington Monument visible from patches of the upper deck, Zimmerman raised his right fist as he rounded first base. Teammates spilled out of the dugout—it’s along the first-base line now, not the third-base line, like at old RFK Stadium—and greeted the face of the franchise at home plate for celebratory pounds on the back.

Nick Johnson delivered an RBI double in his first at-bat in more than 18 months, Odalis Perez matched Tim Hudson, and Jon Rauch (1-0) earned the victory after blowing a save in the top of the ninth.

All in all, it sent the paid crowd of 39,389 heading away with even more to smile about than the gleaming white-stone-and-glass ballpark.

With President Bush on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, the Nationals had their first victory in a season opener in four tries since moving to the nation’s capital from Montreal.

Gossage elected to Hall of Fame

2008-01-09T21:08:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (Ticker) - Rich Gossage's long wait is over.

Gossage, who helped pioneer the role of the modern closer in the 1970s, was the only player elected Tuesday to baseball's Hall of Fame.

Gossage received nearly 86 percent of the vote from the Baseball Writers' Association - easily surpassing the needed 75 percent for enshrinement - in his ninth year on the ballot.

Nicknamed the "Goose", Gossage recorded 310 saves during a 22-year career from 1972-1994 and was a member of the New York Yankees' 1978 World Series-winning team.

"(He) was one of the greatest relievers in history," said Hall of Fame president Dale Petrovsky.

Gossage becomes the fourth closer to be enshrined in Cooperstown, joining Rollie Fingers, Dennis Eckersley and Bruce Sutter, who was inducted in 2006.

In recent years, Gossage expressed anger over his exclusion but his hopes were raised last year, when he fell only 21 votes shy of election with 71.2 percent.

Chuck Tanner, who managed Gossage for the White Sox from 1972-75 and again in Pittsburgh in 1977 wholly endorsed his election.

Ranking Gossage above Rollie Fingers and Bruce Sutter, two other Hall of Famers he managed, Tanner paid tribute to Gossage's presence on the mound.

"He was always in such command, he could throw 100 miles per hour and he had that intimidating look with the Fu Manchu moustache," Tanner said. "He looked like John Wayne coming out of the corral.

"And the thing about Goose was he never had an easy save. It wasn't uncommon for him to throw two of three innings at a time to get a save. He should have been chosen the first year he was eligible. In my opinion there shouldn't be a Hall of Fame if Goose is not in it."

Former Boston Red Sox slugger Jim Rice again fell short in his 14th year on the ballot, receiving 72.9 percent of the vote and missing by just 14 votes.

Next year will be Rice's final year of eligibility on the writer's ballot. He did improve, however, on last year's total of 63.5 percent.

"Today's results are obviously a disappointment," Rice said. "I believe my accomplishments speak for themselves, and a majority of the voters seem to agree.

"It is tough to come this close, but I remain hopeful for the 2009 results. I appreciate all the kind words from so many players, including Rich Gossage, and I congratulate Goose on his well-deserved election today."

Also failing short Tuesday were outfielder Andre Dawson (65.9 percent) and pitcher Bert Blyleven (61.9 percent).

Mark McGwire, once considered a lock for the Hall of Fame after slugging 563 home runs in a 16-year career with Oakland and St. Louis, received another disappointing total in his second year on the ballot.

McGwire garnered just 23.6 percent of the vote, virtually the same total from last year (23.5).

McGwire, who is eighth on the all-time home run list, set a single-season record 70 in 1998, a mark since broken by Barry Bonds. But he was one of the first players linked to performance-enhancing drugs and many of the baseball writers have held that against him.

McGwire never has admitted to steroid use but also refused to "talk about the past" while appearing before a congressional committee investigating steroid use in baseball in 2005.

During the induction ceremony on July 27, Gossage will be joined by Dick Williams, his former manager with the San Diego Padres, who was inducted by the veteran's committee last month.

Gossage pitched in three World Series and made nine All-Star teams. He ranks only 17th on the all-time saves list and never had more than 33 in a single season.

However, he pitched in an era when saves weren't as common. Also, he often pitched two or even three innings in an appearance, unlike today's closers, who are used primarily in the ninth inning only.

During his prime, Gossage was one of the game's most intimidating pitchers with a fastball that approached 100 miles per hour.

"With a 95-mile-an-hour fastball and an intimidating presence on the mound, he revolutionized the closer's role," said Padres CEO Sandy Alderson in a statement.

"Goose was a vital part of San Diego's first National League pennant and we are happy he has now been recognized as one of baseball's greats."

Gossage pitched more than 100 innings in a season four times, something San Diego's Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader with 524, never has done.

Gossage posted a career record of 124-107 with 1,502 strikeouts and 3.01 ERA.

Next year marks the first year of eligibility for Rickey Henderson, the all-time stolen base leader.

Yankees' Pettitte says he used HGH- Blatantly Disgusting

2007-12-15T21:17:00.000-08:00

'If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize.'
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- Two days after being named in the Mitchell Report on performance-enhancing drug use in baseball, Andy Pettitte admitted to using human growth hormone twice during the 2002 season.
"If what I did was an error in judgment on my part, I apologize," Pettitte said Saturday in a statement released by his agent."I accept responsibility for those two days."

Pettitte was among 89 players -- and 22 current or former Yankees -- to be named in Sen. George Mitchell's long-awaited report on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.

Through agent Randy Hendricks, Pettitte confirmed the anecdote contained in the Mitchell Report, which stated that the left-hander experimented with HGH on two occasions while rehabilitating elbow tendinitis from April 21 to June 14, 2002, when he was on the disabled list and working out in Tampa, Fla.

"I had heard that human growth hormone could promote faster healing for my elbow," Pettitte said. "I felt an obligation to get back to my team as soon as possible. For this reason, and only this reason, for two days I tried human growth hormone."

According to the report, Pettitte called Brian McNamee -- by then, a former Yankees assistant trainer who still worked closely with Pettitte and Roger Clemens -- and asked McNamee to travel to Tampa.

McNamee told the Mitchell investigators that he injected Pettitte with HGH two to four times, obtained from former Mets clubhouse attendant Kirk Radomski. Pettitte paid for McNamee's trip and expenses, but McNamee said there was no separate payment for the HGH.

Pettitte returned from the disabled list on June 14 of that season and made 19 starts through the remainder of the regular season, going 12-4 with a 3.29 ERA.

"Though it was not against baseball rules, I was not comfortable with what I was doing, so I stopped," Pettitte said. "This is it -- two days out of my life; two days out of my entire career, when I was injured and on the disabled list."

Major League Baseball did not ban HGH until the 2005 season. Pettitte said that repeated references in the media to his using steroids have not only been incorrect, but that they were "hurtful to me and my family."
"Everything else written or said about me knowingly using illegal drugs is nonsense, wrong and hurtful," Pettitte said. "I have the utmost respect for baseball and have always tried to live my life in a way that would be honorable. I wasn't looking for an edge; I was looking to heal.

"If I have let down people that care about me, I am sorry, but I hope that you will listen to me carefully and understand that two days of perhaps bad judgment should not ruin a lifetime of hard work and dedication.

"I have tried to do things the right way my entire life, and, again, ask that you put those two days in the proper context. People that know me will know that what I say is true."

Pettitte, 35, finalized a one-year, $16 million contract with the Yankees last week. He was 15-9 with a 4.05 ERA for the Yankees in 2007, his first season back in New York after pitching three years for the Houston Astros.

In a statement released by the club, spokesman Howard Rubenstein said the Yankees were made aware of Pettitte's forthcoming admission late on Saturday.

"We support his coming forward," the team said.

D-backs add Haren, deal Valverde

2007-12-15T21:14:00.000-08:00

Arizona lands A's ace, trades All-Star closer for Burke, Qualls
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

PHOENIX -- Christmas came early for the D-backs this year, as they wound up getting the starting pitcher that was at the top of their list on Friday.
Arizona acquired Dan Haren from the A's in exchange for six prospects in a move that they hope will help them defend their National League West title next season. The D-backs also received pitcher Connor Robertson in the deal.

"I think he's on the short list of very good pitchers out there," D-backs general manager Josh Byrnes said of Haren. "His age [combined] with three years of control factor all that in to us, and he was our No. 1 priority."

In another move, the D-backs dealt closer Jose Valverde to the Astros for pitcher Chad Qualls, infielder/outfielder Chris Burke and pitcher Juan Gutierrez.

Haren, 27, has won at least 14 games in each of the past three seasons for Oakland. Last year, he was 15-9 with a 3.07 ERA, he was 14-13 in 2006 and 14-12 in 2005.

Not only has Haren been effective on the mound, he's cost-effective off it. The right-hander is under contract for $4 million in 2008, $5.5 million in 2009 and there is a club option for 2010 for $6.75 million.

With the market for starting pitchers extremely tight, Haren's name was mentioned often in rumors that swirled around the Winter Meetings last week in Nashville, Tenn.

"Definitely relief," Haren said when asked how he felt after hearing he'd been dealt. "I'm all over the Internet and newspapers, even though I shouldn't be, and I saw my name out there so much. They [the D-backs] were definitely one of the teams that if I did get traded I was hoping I would go to. Like I said, the organization is headed in the right direction."

While there were many suitors for Haren, the D-backs matched up well with the A's because of the amount of well-regarded prospects they had in their system. Parting with pitchers Brett Anderson, Greg Smith and Dana Eveland, along with outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Aaron Cunningham and first baseman Chris Carter, though, was not an easy decision to make.

Arizona officials wrestled over the past week with just how much they were willing to give up for Haren.

"We presented a rare circumstance for them where they [the A's] could get so many good players," Byrnes said. "They understood our desire not to really strip apart our 2008 team, so our interests were fairly aligned. It just took a while to make the trade work because of the magnitude of it, very good prospects going one way and one of the best pitchers in the game coming our way."

Robertson appeared in three games for the A's last year, but had a good year at Triple-A Sacramento, where he was 4-1 with a 4.35 ERA in 31 relief appearances.

The D-backs like Robertson's breaking ball and like his Minor League track record.

Arizona now heads into Spring Training with a rotation of Brandon Webb, Haren, Randy Johnson, Doug Davis and likely Micah Owings in the fifth spot. Webb, Davis and Haren all have a history of throwing 200-plus innings a season, while Johnson when healthy has done likewise.

By trading so many prospects for Haren, the D-backs are clearly banking that he's the guy to help them advance even farther than they did last year when they were swept by the Rockies in the National League Championship Series.

"I don't like to walk guys," Haren said in describing his style on the mound. "I usually try to make the guys swing the bat to get on base. I would probably describe myself as aggressive, and then when a situation comes where I need an out, I will always go to my split-finger. My split-finger is obviously my best pitch. I throw that and a curveball for strikes.

"I pride myself a lot in durability, and the last three years I've gone over 200 innings and it's something I plan on doing for the next couple of years, too. I do a lot of working out in the offseason and I really take a lot of pride in what I do."

It's been a hectic week for Haren. He and his wife, Jessica, welcomed son, Rhett, into the world on Tuesday.

"I've probably slept four hours since she went into labor," he said.

As he heard the rumors about possibly being traded to Arizona, Haren asked around and got good reports on the D-backs organization. Former teammate Barry Zito told Haren he thought he would enjoy it there.

"I'm extremely excited," he said. "Just having spent a couple of Spring Trainings in Phoenix, me and my wife really loved the town. There's just so much to do. The team is obviously on the rise, a lot of young guys, looks like a fun team to be on, looks like a loose clubhouse, which is something I really liked in Oakland."

Gonzalez was regarded as the club's best position player prospect, but he became expendable when Arizona signed Eric Byrnes to a three-year, $30 million deal last August. The D-backs appear to be set in the outfield for the next several years with Byrnes, Chris Young and Justin Upton. The club also could have felt free to deal Gonzalez because of the presence of outfielder Gerardo Parra, who played at Class A Visalia and South Bend last year.

Smith and Anderson were both highly regarded pitching prospects in the organization. Smith, a sixth-round pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, had some injury issues last season, but pitched well in the Arizona Fall League and could have had a chance to pitch for the D-backs at some time during 2008.

Anderson was selected out of high school in the second round of the 2006 First-Year Player Draft and was arguably the organization's best pitching prospect other than Max Scherzer. Anderson, who will turn 20 in February, started last year with South Bend before being promoted to Visalia.

Cunningham, 21, was acquired last summer from the White Sox, and in 31 games for Double-A Mobile, he hit .288 with five homers and 20 RBIs while compiling an .898 OPS.

Eveland, 24, was acquired by the D-backs from the Brewers prior to last season. Scouts rave about the left-hander's stuff and he's always put up good numbers in the Minor Leagues, but he has yet to translate that success to the big league level.

Carter, who will be 21 next week, was picked up during the Winter Meetings from the White Sox in exchange for outfielder Carlos Quentin. Carter hit .291 with 25 homers and 93 RBIs for Class A Kannopolis.

Reason for Lo Duca to pick Nats: 'Getting to play the Mets 18 times'

2007-12-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- Catcher Paul Lo Duca agreed to a $5 million, one-year deal with the Washington Nationals because he felt wanted -- and because there will be plenty of chances to face his old club, the New York Mets

"I'm excited to be part of a team that's young and has a chance to win this division," Lo Duca said Tuesday after passing a physical to make the deal official. "The NL East is wide open."

Asked what his reasons were for choosing the Nationals, Lo Duca said they "wanted me more," and that he wanted to stay in the National League. Then he paused before adding with a smile: "getting to play the Mets 18 times."

Another former member of the Mets was introduced by the Nationals at the team's sales and marketing center: outfielder Lastings Milledge, who came over in the trade that sent catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church to New York.
Lo Duca, a free agent who played for New York the past two seasons, gives the Nationals a veteran to replace Schneider behind the plate.

A four-time All-Star from 2003-06, Lo Duca hit .272 with nine homers and a .311 on-base percentage last season that was the lowest of any Mets regular -- and lower than Schneider's .326. Lo Duca and Schneider each drove in 54 runs.

Lo Duca, who will turn 36 during the first month of the season, and Nationals manager Manny Acta were in New York together in 2006, when Acta was the Mets third-base coach.

In 10 major league seasons with the Dodgers, Marlins and Mets, Lo Duca has batted .288 with 80 homers and 466 RBIs.

"He has never been with a losing team. Ever," Washington general manager Jim Bowden said. "He wins. That's what he does."

The 22-year-old Milledge hit .272 with seven homers and 29 RBIs in 59 games with the Mets in 2007.

"I'm here to win, and anything else is really a failure to me," Milledge said.

Guillen, Gibbons get 15-day suspensions; Ankiel, others not punished

2007-12-08T04:53:00.000-08:00

Guillen is the only player I know who can blatantly cheat the system, receive a 15-game suspension and then be granted a new $12 million per season contract.

ESPN.com news services

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jose Guillen and Jay Gibbons were suspended Thursday for the first 15 days of next season for violating baseball's drug policy. The penalties are an indication how the sport might treat players named in the Mitchell report, which could be released next week.

The pair were linked in media reports to the purchase of human growth hormone. Gary Matthews Jr., Rick Ankiel, Troy Glaus and Scott Schoeneweis also were linked to performance-enhancing drugs, but baseball decided there was "insufficient evidence'' to determine they committed a doping violation. They were accused of receiving the substances before 2005.

Guillen told ESPNdeportes.com's Enrique Rojas that his lawyers will appeal the sanction, but he will not comment further on the case. Guillen instructed the players' association to file a grievance, which would be decided by an arbitrator.

ESPN.com first reported that MLB and the players association were negotiating a 10- to 15-day suspension for Guillen on Wednesday.

Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell was hired by baseball commissioner Bud Selig in March 2006 to investigate drugs in baseball. Several media outlets, including ESPN, have been told it could be issued as soon as next Thursday.

Gibbons, who will not challenge his penalty, accepted responsibility and apologized.

"I am deeply sorry for the mistakes that I have made. I have no excuses and bare sole responsibility for my decisions," the Baltimore outfielder said. "Years ago, I relied on the advice of a doctor, filled a prescription, charged the HGH, which is a medication, to my credit card and had only intended to help speed my recovery from my injuries and surgeries."

Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail said he is glad Gibbons owned up to his actions.

"We completely support the Commissioner's program and his decision with regard to Jay Gibbons' suspension," MacPhail said. "Jay has acknowledged his mistake, and we appreciate his willingness to accept the consequences."

The 15-day penalties match what a second offense would have drawn under 2003-04 rules. Current rules call for a 50-game suspension for a first offense, a 100-game penalty for a second and a lifetime ban for a third.

"Other open investigations should be completed shortly," MLB said in a statement.

The six players whose cases were resolved Thursday met with baseball officials after media reports of their names surfaced in a national drug investigation by the district attorney in Albany, N.Y.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said the club will support Guillen, who earlier Thursday finalized a $36 million, three-year contract with Kansas City.

"We signed Jose knowing that was a possibility," Moore said Thursday. "While my initial reaction is one of disappointment, I am thoroughly convinced that Jose will put this behind him."

The San Francisco Chronicle reported last month that Guillen bought nearly $20,000 worth of steroids and human growth hormone from 2003 through 2005.

Citing business records, the Chronicle reported Guillen bought more than $19,000 worth of drugs from the Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center between May 2002 and June 2005. He played for five teams during that span: the Diamondbacks, Reds, Athletics, Angels and Nationals.

According to the Chronicle report, some prescriptions for Guillen were written by the same Florida dentist whose license was suspended in 2003 for fraud and incompetence. The dentist also reportedly prescribed HGH to Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd.

The Chronicle said Byrd made 13 purchases of HGH between August 2002 and January 2005.
Guillen reportedly had some of the shipments sent to the Oakland Coliseum during the 2003 season, after he was traded to the A's. The anti-aging clinic was raided in February as part of an investigation by the Albany County, N.Y., district attorney.

Gibbons got six shipments of Genotropin (a brand name for synthetic human growth hormone), two shipments of testosterone and two shipments of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) between October 2003 and July 2005, SI.com said on Sept. 9, citing a source in Florida with knowledge of a Signature Pharmacy client list.

The pharmacy is under investigation for illegally distributing prescription medications.

The substances were obtained through South Beach Rejuvenation Center/Modern Therapy, a Miami Beach clinic, and sent through Signature, SI.com said.

Ankiel met with baseball lawyers Sept. 11 following a report by the New York Daily News that he received eight shipments of prescription HGH in 2004, before it was banned by baseball.

"We're obviously pleased," said Scott Boras, the agent for Ankiel and Schoeneweis. "As we had said before with each of these players, they had not violated any baseball rule or any state or federal law."

Glaus received shipments at a Corona, Calif., address that traces to the player, SI.com said, citing a source in Florida with knowledge of a Signature Pharmacy client list. SI.com said its information dealt only with receipt of steroids and not use.

Schoeneweis, the veteran New York Mets reliever and a survivor of testicular cancer, received six steroid shipments from Signature Pharmacy while playing for the Chicago White Sox in 2003 and 2004, ESPN reported.

Matthews was sent HGH in 2004 from a pharmacy being investigated for illegal distribution of performance-enhancing drugs, The Times Union of Albany, N.Y., reported last winter.

Matthews denied using HGH, which was not banned by baseball for players with major league contracts until 2005. His agent, Scott Leventhal, declined comment.

Bonds pleads not guilty on all counts- The Saga Continues

2007-12-08T04:51:00.000-08:00

Home run king released; next court date set for February
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

SAN FRANCISCO -- Barry Lamar Bonds, Major League Baseball's all-time home run leader, pleaded not guilty in federal court on Friday to four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice for allegedly lying about his use of performance-enhancing drugs in testimony given to a grand jury four years ago.

Bonds was released on a $500,000 personal recognizance bond, meaning he won't have to put up that bond unless he violates the conditions of his release, which include committing no crimes, having no contact with court officials and not taking flight from the United States. He was not placed on any travel restrictions.

Bonds, who did not speak to reporters, issued a statement on his Web site on Friday.

"I want to thank my family, friends and fans for their unwavering support. It means everything to me. Despite the charges that have been filed against me, I still have confidence in the judicial system and especially in the judgment of the citizens who will decide this case. And I know that when all of this is over, I will be vindicated because I am innocent."

No date for a trial -- U.S. v. Bonds -- was set. A status hearing instead was scheduled for Feb. 7.

Afterward, in front of the Phillip Burton Federal Building, where the trials of Patty Hearst and those responsible for the Jonestown Massacre were once heard, Bonds' new lead attorney told reporters that his celebrity client was ready for a fight.

"Almost everything we have to say about this case we'll say in court papers, which we will file over the coming months," said Allen Ruby, a high-powered San Francisco Bay Area criminal defense lawyer who joined Bonds' defense team this week. "For today, Barry Bonds is innocent. He has trust and faith in the justice system. He will defend these charges. And we're confident of a good outcome."

The first steps in the long and sometimes tedious litigation process were taken in front of a crowded courtroom No. 10 on the 19th floor of the famous building.

The proceedings took about 20 minutes in two parts. Ruby entered the plea on Bonds' behalf before U.S. Magistrate Judge Maria-Elena James, and that was followed immediately by U.S. District Judge Susan Illston setting the date for the status hearing.

Bonds was accompanied by five other attorneys, including Cristina Arguedas and Michael Rains. Arguedas, another local criminal defense attorney, is also new to the case this week, while Rains has been on it almost since the federal government began its investigation.

Bonds, wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and tie with diagonal stripes, waived his right to a speedy trial and answered a number of perfunctory questions, including his name and age. He appeared somber, but not nervous.

James notified Bonds of his Miranda rights. The only point of contention during the 15-minute arraignment portion of the hearing was travel restrictions sought by assistant U.S. attorney Matt Parrella, who presented the government's brief arguments. The government sought free travel for Bonds within the continental U.S., but surrender of his passport and restrictions on his ability to leave the country.

Ruby argued that those restrictions would inhibit Bonds' ability to continue his profession as a Major League player, something he has said he intends to do in 2008. Under the government's proposal, if Bonds signs with an American League team, he would have had to apply for an exemption each time he was scheduled to play in Toronto.

The judge denied Parrella's motion.
After a short break in the proceedings, Illston asked the attorneys for their opinions on when to start the trial. The government, citing unnamed conflicts of interest between members of Bonds' legal team and some of its prospective witnesses, said that the matter had to be resolved in the coming weeks and sought the status hearing instead.

The government is now required to turn over all its evidence to Bonds and his attorneys in what is called the "discovery" portion of the case. The matter cited would restrict turning over some of that evidence until it is resolved, Parrella said. Ruby didn't object, saying that the government is turning over a good portion of its case almost immediately.

"I'm not exactly sure what the government is referring to," Ruby said afterward. "I don't want to guess at that so we'll just see how it unfolds."

Ruby also told the judge that the defendant is considering filing a motion to dismiss the case, stating that on its face not enough evidence was presented in the indictment for it to move forward.

"As we told the judge in court, there may be defects on the face of the indictment, meaning that if you just read it you can see the defects," Ruby said. "If we conclude that that's the case, there will be a motion to dismiss and a briefing schedule and a hearing date. But we're not quite there yet."

Bonds was excused from the Feb. 7 hearing unless a motion to dismiss is scheduled to be heard on that date.

Both before and afterward, as he entered and left the building, Bonds waved to a crowd of onlookers, signing an autograph in the lobby as he left the elevator after the hearing. He was accompanied by his wife, Liz, who was the only family member in attendance. He didn't stop to speak with reporters.

Bonds, the former Giants slugger with 762 career homers, first appeared before a grand jury investigating the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative on allegations of money laundering and illegally dispensing performance-enhancing drugs on Dec. 4, 2003. He testified under oath and with immunity on numerous occasions that he had never used anabolic steroids, testosterone and human growth hormone or had been administered any of those drugs with a needle during the period from 2000-2002.

The indictment cited the actual grand jury testimony elicited from Bonds, alleging that Bonds committed perjury on 19 occasions.

The investigation into the case against Bonds spanned four years, involved three grand juries and led to the jailing of Greg Anderson, Bonds' former personal trainer, for refusing to testify against Bonds. Anderson, one of five people ultimately charged in the case, previously had served three months in prison and three months under house arrest in a plea bargain arrangement. Victor Conte, BALCO's president and founder, was the only other principal to go to prison.

Anderson was released from a federal prison in Dublin, Calif., on Nov. 15, shortly after the indictment against Bonds was unsealed. It's almost certain that if the case ultimately goes to trial, the government will subpoena Anderson to be a witness.

"I fully expect the government to start ratcheting up the pressure on Greg," Anderson's attorney, Mark Geragos, told The Associated Press. "He will never cooperate with the government. He doesn't trust them."

Friday's hearing occurred four months to the day in San Francisco -- Aug. 7 -- on which Bonds hit his 756th home run to pass Hank Aaron and set Major League Baseball's all-time home run record. Currently a free agent, Bonds played his final game for the Giants on Sept. 26 at AT&T Park. He was told at the end of September that the club would not consider bringing him back for a 16th season as a Giant.

Tigers set to acquire Cabrera, Willis

2007-12-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

Maybin, Miller and four other prospects would go to Florida
By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Marlins and Tigers are on the verge of completing a blockbuster deal that will send Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit for a package of six players.
A source familiar with the negotiations has told MLB.com that the Tigers are parting with outfielder Cameron Maybin and lefty starter Andrew Miller and four prospects for the final two players from the Marlins' 2003 World Series championship squad.

The deal was all but finalized as of late afternoon at the Winter Meetings.

The Tigers swooped into the sweepstakes for Cabrera and Willis on Tuesday and put together a package of players that the Marlins felt too tempting to pass up.

Cabrera and Willis were both rookies on the Marlins '03 title team. Both are eligible for arbitration through the 2009 seasons. Cost has become a concern for Florida, making the two All-Stars expendable.

Cabrera is a four-time All-Star who comes off a season where he batted .320 with 34 home runs and 119 RBIs. The 24-year-old made $7.4 million this past season and he is in line to earn more than $10 million in 2008.

Willis is coming off a 10-15 season with a 5.17 ERA. While the D-Train, who made $6.45 million in 2007, is coming off his worst season, he compiled 205 1/3 innings, marking his third straight 200-plus season.

Maybin and Miller were both first-round Draft picks of the Tigers, Maybin in 2005 and Miller in 2006. Both have tasted the Major Leagues.

Maybin, 20, made his debut in August and appeared in 24 games, hitting .143 with one home run in 49 at-bats. However, he made a rapid rise through the Tigers system, batting .304 with 10 homers in 83 games for Class A Lakeland before making a brief stop at Double-A Erie.

Miller, 22, made 13 starts for Detroit last season, going 5-6 with a 5.69 ERA. In 78 Minor League innings in 2007, he allowed 71 hits and struck out 61 batters. He was drafted out of the University of North Carolina.

Mets get C Schneider, OF Church from Nationals for OF Milledge- Goodbye Lastings

2007-12-01T06:36:00.000-08:00

By MIKE FITZPATRICK, AP Baseball Writer
November 30, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Looking to shuffle their roster after an embarrassing collapse this season, the New York Mets found a new catcher and right fielder Friday.

The price: prized outfield prospect Lastings Milledge.

After holding onto Milledge through years of trade speculation, the Mets finally dealt him to the Washington Nationals for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church.

"I thought we needed to change it up a little," New York general manager Omar Minaya said. "Names like Schneider and Church are not known names, but they give us balance."

In Schneider, the Mets add yet another catcher following their trade for Johnny Estrada last week. Coming off two operations and deficient on defense, Estrada is probably on his way out without ever suiting up for New York.

In Milledge, the Nationals pick up a talented young player they hope can avoid the sort of missteps that marked his Mets career and be a key component of their rebuilding project.

"We're getting a guy who has a chance to be an impact bat in our lineup for years to come," Washington manager Manny Acta said.

Considered one of baseball's best defensive catchers, the 31-year-old Schneider was given a lot of credit this season for holding together a ragtag Nationals rotation. But he struggled at the plate, batting .235 with six homers and 54 RBIs.

"One of my favorite parts of my game is working with a pitching staff," Schneider said.

The 29-year-old Church hit .272 with 15 homers and 70 RBIs, while tying for the team lead with 43 doubles.

"I just love the fact to have a chance to year in and year out go to the playoffs and try to win a championship," he said. "I've never been in that situation before."

New York advanced to Game 7 of the 2006 NL championship series before squandered a big NL East lead this September and missing the playoffs entirely.

For now, the Mets expect Church to be their everyday right fielder next season.

"We have been working on this trade for a while," Minaya said. "I think there's still upside with Church."

Milledge has long been linked to trade speculation as the Mets pursued a top starting pitcher. They're still looking for arms this offseason, but Minaya said teams told him giving up Milledge wouldn't prevent New York from completing other possible deals because the club has enough additional players who are attractive.

"There might have been a higher value up ahead," Minaya said. "I do believe when it's all said and we're getting two good players for him, two players at key positions for us."

Minaya is familiar with both players he gets in the deal from his time as GM of the Montreal Expos, the franchise that moved to Washington before the 2005 season.

Milledge and Acta know each other from Acta's stint as the Mets' third-base coach.

"I can assure you Lastings is a good kid," Acta said. "He came up very young in a tough spot, in New York, and he wasn't prepared to handle that. You can't believe everything you read and you hear. I believe the kid is going to be just fine with us."

Milledge hit .272 with seven homers and 29 RBIs in 184 at-bats with the Mets in 2007. Now, he gets a chance to play every day.

"That's the most important thing to me at this point in my career," Milledge said. "It's a real big relief for me and my family and everybody, because I really didn't get enough time to show what I can do."

Still just 22, Milledge was the Mets' top prospect when he made his major league debut in May 2006. Right away, he showed why he was so highly rated on the field -- but also drew the ire of his team and teammates.

One of the most publicized episodes came in the town that will be his new home. In September 2006, a sign was posted in Milledge's locker in the visiting clubhouse at RFK Stadium that read: "Know your place, Rook. Your teammates."

Milledge earlier had been reprimanded for not running hard on the bases and had arrived late to the clubhouse for a game. He also rankled Mets management by making a rap CD that used offensive language.

"As far as the controversy goes, sometimes you feel like you get a raw end of the deal," Milledge said. "But whether it was or wasn't, it made me a better person, it made me a better ballplayer. It helped me at a young age to play at a big market and have everybody against you at one time."

The Mets acquired Estrada from Milwaukee for reliever Guillermo Mota. They also re-signed Ramon Castro to be their backup catcher again, though he could see more playing time next year.

New York could try to unload Estrada at the winter meetings next week. If it doesn't, the club might decline to offer him a 2008 contract by the Dec. 12 deadline. That would make Estrada a free agent and the Mets wouldn't owe him anything.

Paul Lo Duca was New York's starting catcher the past two seasons but the Mets showed little interest in re-signing him. Yorvit Torrealba appeared set to become the team's No. 1 catcher when he and the Mets reached a preliminary agreement this month on a $14.4 million, three-year contract that was subject to a physical. But that deal fell through and Torrealba re-signed with Colorado.

AP Sports Writers Joseph White and Howard Fendrich in Washington contributed to this report.

As part of plea deal, La Russa gets probation, fine, community service

2007-11-28T17:54:00.000-08:00

La Russa is a fine individual and tremendous manager. In meeting him personally at the Cardinals spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida, I was extremely impressed with his conduct and demeanor.

Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa pleaded guilty to driving under the influence Wednesday, eight months after police found him asleep inside his running sport utility vehicle at a stop light and smelling of alcohol.

La Russa said he had decided to plead guilty to the misdemeanor because it was in the best interest of all concerned.

"I accept full responsibility for my conduct and assure everyone that I have learned a very valuable lesson and that this will never occur again," La Russa said in a statement released by his attorney, David Roth. La Russa did not appear in court to plead guilty.

As part of his plea agreement, La Russa will serve at least six months' probation, pay a $678.50 fine, complete DUI school and any recommended treatment and complete 50 hours of community service, according to state prosecutors.

The Cardinals said their concerns were addressed during the season.

"We addressed this matter with Tony last season and the nature of those discussions will remain private," chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement. "We have been satisfied with Tony's responsible approach to this issue and we respect his decision. With today's news, our ballclub considers the matter closed."

The 63-year-old La Russa was arrested in March in Jupiter, where the Cardinals play spring training games.

He gave two breath samples and was determined to have a blood alcohol content of 0.093 percent, Jupiter police have said. Florida's legal driving limit is 0.08 percent.

Undercover officers first saw La Russa's SUV partially in an intersection around midnight and not moving despite several green lights, police had said. Officers knocked on the vehicle's window and La Russa did not initially respond.

The SUV was in drive and running, with La Russa's foot on the brake, police said. When he eventually woke up, the officers asked him to get out of the SUV.

He was booked in the Palm Beach County jail.

La Russa went to law school in Florida and passed the bar exam, but he no longer practices.

Reports: Free-agent closer Cordero reaches preliminary deal with Reds

2007-11-24T09:59:00.000-08:00

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Free-agent closer Francisco Cordero has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on a four-year, $46 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

The deal, which includes a club option for a fifth year, is subject to Cordero passing a physical exam, ESPN.com reported Friday.
The agreement was first reported by FoxSports.com.

The 32-year-old Cordero was second in the National League with 44 saves last season for Milwaukee and made the NL All-Star team.

Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky didn't immediately return a message seeking comment Friday night. David Weathers led the team with 33 saves last season, but will be 39 next year and has been a setup man for most of his career.

Cordero, speaking Friday on a sports radio program in the Dominican Republic, hinted that he had received a lucrative offer from Cincinnati.

"There still isn't anything concrete," he said. "I would have liked to stay in Milwaukee, but it's not up to me. We will see what happens with the management and the owners of the Brewers, because we are willing to hear their offers."

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he offered Cordero a four-year, $42 million deal with an option for a fifth year.

"I thought we had a chance to keep 'Coco,"' Melvin said. "Our offer was competitive. As important as he was to us, we just felt (the bidding) was getting to be too much."

Pitcher Joe Kennedy, 28, dies in Florida after passing out

2007-11-23T11:52:00.000-08:00

First Daryl Kile of St.Louis, then Cory Lidle of the Yankees, Josh Hancock of the World Champion Cardinals and now Joe Kennedy of the Blue Jays. Is it me, or is something mysterious occurring among relatively young starting pitchers in Major League Baseball over the course of the last several years?

November 23, 2007

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Major league pitcher Joe Kennedy died early Friday morning, a Hillsborough County sheriff's official said. He was 28.

Kennedy passed out at home and was brought to a hospital, Hillsborough County sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said. She had no further details.

Kennedy's agent, Damon Lapa, told ESPN.com that Kennedy died while at home with family in Florida. He did not return phone calls and an e-mail from The Associated Press.

"We were terribly shocked," Blue Jays president Paul Godfrey said. "From what we understand he was in Bradenton ... to be the best man at a wedding today."

Godfrey said he didn't have any particulars on the cause of death.

"When a 28-year-old man dies it's terrible," he said.

The left-hander was 43-61 in seven major league seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays. Kennedy compiled a 43-61 record with a 4.79 ERA, pitching 908 2/3 innings over 222 career appearances.

ESPN.com first reported the news of his death.

Kennedy made his major league debut in June 2001 and made his last appearance in relief on Sept. 29 in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay.

He started the 2007 season with Oakland, appearing in 27 games. Claimed off waivers by Arizona in August, he was released on Aug. 15 after just three appearances. The Blue Jays signed him Aug. 29, and Kennedy got his first win as a Blue Jay on Sept. 21 at the New York Yankees.

"The entire Oakland's A's organization sends our thoughts out to Joe's family," Oakland assistant general manager David Forst told ESPN.com. "He was a valued member of our organization for almost two years, and certainly a guy we loved having around."

AP Writer Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.

Jimmy Rollins edges Holliday in close race for NL MVP

2007-11-22T09:14:00.000-08:00

By ROB MAADDI, AP Baseball Writer
November 21, 2007

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Jimmy Rollins never thought about winning an MVP award until teammate Ryan Howard did it last year.

"Seeing him do it inspired me because the only thing he can do better than me is hit the ball a lot further," Rollins joked.

Howard is nine inches taller and about 80 pounds heavier than Rollins, so he packs a mightier swing. But Rollins' season stood above everyone else's this year.

The switch-hitting shortstop captured the National League MVP award Tuesday, edging Matt Holliday in a close race after leading Philadelphia to its first playoff berth in 14 years with his combination of speed, power and defense.

Rollins, a first-time Gold Glove winner, received 16 of 32 first-place votes and finished with 353 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

"I just wanted to be mentioned with those guys who are MVP candidates every year," Rollins said on a conference call from California. "To win it is a blessing."

Rollins put pressure on himself and his team back in January when he boldly predicted the Phillies were the team to beat in the NL East. Philadelphia won the division on the last day of the season, helped by the New York Mets' historic collapse.

J-Roll made it possible, proving to be the most indispensable player on a team ravaged by injuries. Howard, Chase Utley and several key pitchers spent time on the disabled list. But with Rollins leading the way, the Phillies went 23-17 in games that Howard and Utley missed.

Batting mostly out of the leadoff spot, Rollins finished with a .296 batting average, 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers, 41 steals, 94 RBIs and scored an NL-best 139 runs. He became the first player in major league history to have 30 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers and 30 steals in one season.

No shortstop in the NL ever had more extra-base hits (88) and only Alex Rodriguez had more (91) in 1996 with Seattle. The durable Rollins, who's only 5-foot-7 and 170 pounds, played every game, becoming the first NL shortstop in 34 years to do so.

"He's getting the recognition he deserves," team president David Montgomery said. "He's a complete player. Clearly his offense was spectacular and he's so consistent on defense. He was terrific, and he's a solid person."

Rollins, left off the All-Star team in July, had an outstanding second half. He also had more runs, hits and doubles on the road and an equal amount of RBIs away from home, disproving any thought that his stats were inflated because he plays at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.

Holliday, the left fielder who led Colorado's surprising charge to the World Series, got 11 first-place votes and 336 points. Milwaukee slugger Prince Fielder came in third, with five first-place votes and 284 points.

It was the closest election for NL MVP since Atlanta third baseman Terry Pendleton beat out Pittsburgh's Barry Bonds by 15 points in 1991.

Holliday, the NL championship series MVP, hit .340 with 137 RBIs -- becoming the third player since 1967 to lead a league in both categories. He also had 36 homers and topped the NL in hits (216), total bases (386) and doubles (50).

Voting took place before the postseason, when Holliday and the Rockies completed a three-game sweep of Philadelphia in the first round.

Holliday's performance in the wild-card tiebreaker against San Diego did count, however. He hit a tying triple off career saves leader Trevor Hoffman in the bottom of the 13th inning and scored the winning run on a shallow sacrifice fly with a headfirst dive at the plate. Still, it wasn't enough to catch Rollins.

"I called Matt and congratulated him on having a great season and told him how much he inspired me to play," Rollins said. "You never know which way it's going to go."

Rollins, who turns 29 next week, came through when the Phillies needed him most. Booed in New York all season, he batted .346 with six homers and 15 RBIs against the Mets. That helped the Phillies go 12-6 in the season series, winning the final eight meetings with their division rival.

Philadelphia trailed the first-place Mets by seven games on Sept. 12, but went 13-4 down the stretch to finish one game ahead.

Rollins was particularly proud that he, Fielder and AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, also from the Bay Area, have set an example that might encourage more black kids to play baseball.

"I hope they one day say, I want to be Cy Young or I want to be MVP," Rollins said.

In his second full season in the majors, the 23-year-old Fielder led the league with 50 homers -- becoming the youngest player to reach the plateau.

It was the seventh time a Phillies player took the honor. Besides Rollins and Howard, Mike Schmidt won three times (1980, '81, '86), pitcher Jim Konstanty won in 1950 and outfielder Chuck Klein in 1932.

Rollins and Howard became the 11th pair of teammates to win the NL MVP in consecutive seasons, the first since Jeff Kent (2000) and Bonds (2001) with the San Francisco Giants. The previous NL shortstop to win the prize was Cincinnati's Barry Larkin in 1995.

With Torrealba talks dead, Mets get Estrada from Brewers for Mota

2007-11-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- The New York Mets acquired Johnny Estrada from Milwaukee for reliever Guillermo Mota on Tuesday, moving quickly to plug their hole at catcher after talks with Yorvit Torrealba collapsed.

Estrada batted .278 with 10 homers and 54 RBIs for the Brewers this year. He is eligible for arbitration this winter and can become a free agent after the 2008 season.

"Johnny adds depth to our catching situation," Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. "He's a former All-Star who switch-hits and has hit over .300 three times in his career."

Mota served a 50-game steroids suspension at the beginning of the season and finished 2-2 with a 5.76 ERA in 52 appearances. Often booed at home, the 34-year-old right-hander struck out 47 and walked 18 in 59 1-3 innings.

"We are getting a quality relief pitcher who can pitch out of the back of the pen," Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin said. "We have been looking for a pitcher who can give us multiple innings, and last season Mota showed he could do that, pitching 2.0 innings 13 times."

The trade leaves Paul Lo Duca, New York's starting backstop the past two seasons, looking for a job elsewhere. Last week, the Mets re-signed Ramon Castro to be their backup catcher again, though he could get more playing time now than he did behind Lo Duca.

The 31-year-old Estrada had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Oct. 4 to repair a torn meniscus. He also had a bone spur removed from his right elbow. The operations were performed by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

Estrada threw out only 11 of 84 basestealers (13 percent) in his lone season with the Brewers, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, and he also lacks discipline at the plate. He drew just 12 walks despite getting 442 at-bats, leaving him with a meager .296 on-base percentage.

Torrealba appeared set to become New York's No. 1 catcher when he and the Mets reached a preliminary agreement last week on a $14.4 million, three-year contract that was subject to a physical.

The Mets said Saturday they had ended negotiations with Torrealba, leading to speculation that a medical exam left them with concerns about his throwing shoulder. Torrealba, who helped Colorado reach the World Series this year, missed nearly three months in 2006 with a strained right shoulder.

"I'm just going to say that we couldn't get a deal done," Minaya said Monday.

An All-Star in 2004 with Atlanta, the slow-footed Estrada is a .280 career hitter with 42 homers and 281 RBIs in 589 games spanning seven major league seasons. He has spent his entire career in the National League, also playing for Philadelphia and Arizona.

Estrada made $3.4 million this year. Mota is guaranteed $3.2 million next season, then can become a free agent.

The Mets acquired the 6-foot-6 Mota in August 2006 after he struggled with Cleveland, but he pitched extremely well down the stretch to help New York wrap up an NL East title.

News of his positive test for a performance-enhancing substance surfaced after the season, and Mota said he felt terrible for making a mistake. Knowing he would be suspended for the first 50 games of 2007, the Mets re-signed Mota to a $5 million, two-year contract.

Mota is 28-29 with a 3.91 ERA and seven saves in nine major league seasons with Montreal, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida, Cleveland and the Mets. Since 2002, he ranks fourth among big league relievers with 444 1-3 innings pitched.

Former Twins star Hunter agrees to 5-year contract with Angels

2007-11-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

ESPN.com news services
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Outfielder Torii Hunter and the Los Angeles Angels reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night on a five-year contract thought to be worth $90 million.

"They play the game the right way," Hunter said. "They play hard-nosed baseball."

The agreement is subject to a physical.

The 32-year-old becomes the much-needed hitter the Angels sought to protect Vladimir Guerrero in the batting order. Hunter hit .297 with 28 homers and 107 RBIs for the Minnesota Twins this year and is a seven-time Gold Glove winner.

He finished 15th in AL MVP balloting and was on the AL's All-Star team for the second time in his career.

"We are very excited to have Torii joining our organization," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said in a statement. "Not only is he an outstanding ballplayer but he's also an outstanding human being. He'll impact our ballclub and community in a very positive way."

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals and Washington Nationals were among those interested in Hunter. The newspaper reports that Reagins, the Angels' rookie general manager, called Hunter's agent Larry Reynolds on Tuesday and a deal for Hunter came together quickly.

"You're a little surprised, huh?" Reynolds told the newspaper Wednesday night. "It all happened within the last 24 hours."

Said Reagins: "In the past, we said we're going to pursue every opportunity to make our club better. This was an opportunity. I had the support of some people around me, then I got aggressive."

Hunter will join a talented outfield that includes Gary Matthews Jr., Garret Anderson, Guerrero, Juan Rivera and Reggie Willits.

With Guerrero in right and Anderson in left, the move leaves no space in the starting outfield for Matthews Jr. The Angels said the center fielder, who signed a $50 million, five-year deal as a free agent last offseason, could see time at designated hitter and spell the corner outfielders.

Matthews was sent human growth hormone in 2004 from a pharmacy being investigated for illegal distribution of performance-enhancing drugs, The Times Union of Albany, N.Y., reported last winter. Matthews denied using HGH, which was not banned by baseball for players with major league contracts until 2005.

With Hunter gone, the low-budget Twins' attention turns to two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana. His contract expires after the 2008 season, and other teams think Minnesota will make him available if he doesn't agree to an extension.

Hunter said he also had negotiated seriously with the Rangers, but he thought they were a year or two from contending. The White Sox and Royals also were interested.

Staying with the Twins wasn't a real option.

"Sometimes it's time to move on," Hunter said. "Sometimes your welcome is gone."

Hunter recalled when the Angels eliminated his Twins in the 2002 AL playoffs en route to the World Series title.

"I watched the Angels go to work on us. They play the game the right way," he said. "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em."

Hunter added: "Maybe I can do some damage and get about three rings out of this."

According to the Times, the Angels were also in trade talks with the Florida Marlins for Miguel Cabrera, but it wasn't known Wednesday night whether the Angels would still pursue Cabrera.

Reagins has made a splash on the job even before the agreement with Hunter. On Monday, the Angels traded Orlando Cabrera to the White Sox for pitcher Jon Garland.

For his career, Hunter is a .271 hitter with 192 homers and 711 RBIs in 1,234 games.

Report: Castillo agrees to four-year deal

2007-11-19T09:05:00.000-08:00

The market value for a slightly above average second baseman is mind boggling.

The Associated Press

NEW YORK -- Second baseman Luis Castillo decided to stay with the New York Mets, reaching a preliminary agreement Sunday night on a $25 million, four-year contract, according to the Associated Press.
Castillo must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized, according to AP.

The three-time All-Star hit .296 for the Mets with 10 steals and 20 RBIs, who acquired him from Minnesota on July 30. He batted .304 with 18 RBIs for the Minnesota Twins.

Castillo also won three Gold Gloves and provided steady defense up the middle with shortstop Jose Reyes despite playing on a sore knee that limited his speed. The 32-year-old hit .316 in September, one of the few Mets who came through as the team collapsed and blew a seven-game lead.

Castillo's preliminary agreement came on the same day that two-time Cy Young Award winner Tom Glavine decided to leave the Mets and return to the Atlanta Braves, his original team. Glavine was given an $8 million, one-year contract after turning down a $13 million option to stay with New York and receiving a $3 million buyout.

On a busy weekend, the Mets also broke off talks with free-agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba. The sides had reached a preliminary agreement last week on a $14.4 million, three-year contract that was subject to a physical.

Report: Rivera to re-sign with Yanks

2007-11-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

The linchpin to New York's bullpen is expected to dawn Yankee pinstripes for the next three seasons.

Veteran closer set to accept record deal for reliever
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- Mariano Rivera's icy negotiations with the Yankees may be reaching a thaw, as the future Hall of Fame closer appears primed to remain with the club.
According to a report published Sunday in the New York Post, Rivera is expected to accept the Yankees' three-year, $45 million contract offer early this week. Rivera had spent last week in the Dominican Republic conducting baseball clinics.

The Post reported that Rivera will meet with his representatives on Sunday. According to multiple reports, Rivera may have had interest in a fourth year being added to his contract.

Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner has said the team would hold firm with its offer, which would make Rivera baseball's highest-paid closer, eclipsing Billy Wagner's deal across town with the Mets, where he earns $10.5 million annually.

Rivera, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, has pitched for the Yankees since 1995, compiling an American League-record 443 saves in the regular season. The most dominant postseason pitcher of his generation, Rivera owns a Major League-record 34 more saves in the playoffs, where he has a 0.77 career ERA.

Rivera made 67 relief appearances for the Yankees in 2007, finishing with 30 saves while going 3-4 with a 3.15 ERA. His signing has been earmarked by Yankees general manager Brian Cashman as one of the club's priorities leading into the early offseason months, along with re-signing catcher Jorge Posada.

Hours before he could have discussed financial terms with other clubs, Posada reportedly agreed to a four-year, $52.4 million deal. Posada had a physical last week and an official announcement is expected shortly.

The Yankees are also continuing to hammer out the details of Alex Rodriguez's landmark 10-year, $275 million contract, just weeks after the likely American League MVP delivered word that he had opted out of contract during Game 4 of the World Series.

"It feels great," Steinbrenner told the Post. "There was never any question we wanted to keep all of them. Obviously, they are being paid very well. Alex was the thing nobody expected, and he came through."

Mets close to filling hole at catcher with deal for Yorvit Torrealba

2007-11-15T23:22:00.000-08:00

By MIKE FITZPATRICK, AP Baseball Writer
November 15, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Mets were close to filling their big hole at catcher Thursday night, nearing a contract with free agent Yorvit Torrealba after completing a two-year deal for backup Ramon Castro.

The moves would leave Paul Lo Duca, New York's starting backstop the past two seasons, looking for a job elsewhere.
Torrealba has never been known for his bat, but he was a steady defensive presence for the NL champion Colorado Rockies this season. He and the Mets were closing in on a $14.4 million, three-year contract, according to a person familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

The Mets retained Castro to be their backup again, though now he could get more playing time than he did behind Lo Duca. Castro passed his physical Thursday after agreeing to a $4.6 million, two-year contract negotiated by agents Sam and Seth Levinson.

The 29-year-old Torrealba batted .255 with eight homers and 47 RBIs in 113 games for the Rockies this season. He was roundly praised for a deft touch in expertly handling Colorado's young pitchers.

"We didn't see him a lot last year. Obviously, he was in the World Series and we got a chance to see him a little bit. I like the way he receives the ball," Mets manager Willie Randolph said Thursday night at third baseman David Wright's charity gala.

"There are not a lot of catchers that really throw really above average in the market, so everyone was kind of in the same boat, basically," he added. "It just depends on what you're looking for and what you want for your team. Not too many Johnny Benches, that's for sure."

If the sides agree on terms, Torrealba would have to pass a physical for the deal to be completed. After that, an announcement by the Mets could come as early as this weekend.

Castro filed for free agency after hitting .285 with 11 home runs and 31 RBIs in 144 at-bats during an injury-shortened season. He has spent the past three years with the Mets, serving as the primary backup to Mike Piazza in 2005 and then Lo Duca the past two years.

The 35-year-old Lo Duca, a four-time NL All-Star from 2003-06, also is a free agent. A fiery voice in the clubhouse who provided leadership in New York, he hit .272 with nine homers and 54 RBIs in 119 games this year for the Mets, who collapsed in September and missed the playoffs.

"I'm still not over it. It's been tough," Randolph said. "It's going to take a while for me."

The manager said he thought Lo Duca was looking for a three- or four-year deal.

"Every year, things change," Randolph said. "This year, yes, I thought he brought a lot to this year, but that doesn't mean that you hold onto a guy because of that. Hopefully, you bring other guys in that maybe can pick up that slack. But each year is totally different."

This was the first time in Torrealba's seven-year major league career that he played more than 76 games. He is a .251 career hitter with 30 homers and 173 RBIs in 440 games.

Torrealba got some clutch hits for the Rockies, batting .256 with a home run and eight RBIs during the postseason. He was much more productive all year at hitter-friendly Coors Field, batting .296 with six homers and 34 RBIs at home but only .212 with two home runs and 13 RBIs on the road.

The 31-year-old Castro spent his first six major league seasons with the Florida Marlins. He is a .234 career hitter with 41 homers and 137 RBIs in 398 games. He set a career high for home runs this season.

Castro gets a $250,000 signing bonus, a $1.85 million salary next year and $2.5 million in 2009.

He would earn an extra $125,000 each for 65 and 70 games started at catcher in either season. He also could earn $250,000 bonuses for starting 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 125 and 130 games behind the plate each year.

An announcement from the Mets on Castro's deal was expected soon.

Selig: Baseball revenue climbed to $6.075 billion this year.

2007-11-15T23:21:00.000-08:00

By FRED GOODALL, AP Sports Writer
November 15, 2007

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) -- Baseball revenue climbed to $6.075 billion this year, and commissioner Bud Selig envisions an even rosier financial future.

"As I told the clubs today, we're on a great high here," Selig said Thursday following the conclusion of a two-day meeting in which owners discussed, among other things, ways to speed up games.

"When you look at the final numbers and you see what's happened, it's remarkable. There are times, honestly, when I have to pinch myself to make sure all of this is happening. ... Growth and revenue, growth and profitability; it's just been really, really good."

And with attendance up, and Major League Baseball also making a concerted effort to expose its product to other parts of the world, Selig is confident the game will continue the trend next season, and beyond.

"I'm putting myself on the spot here, but I'm very hopeful to draw 80 million-plus, and I think our revenues will continue to go up," Selig said of 2008, later adding that he's "very proud" of the growth.
"We started at $1.2 billion, and I can remember waking up in `93 and `94 and `95 and thinking how are we ever going to get to $2 billion? So here we are at $6 billion, 75 million. And if we just keep doing our work, stay out of controversies, keep the focus on the field, we'll get to numbers someday that will be stunning. And these are stunning."

The commissioner said there was nothing new to report on talks to have the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres play two exhibition games in Beijing in March, a recommendation that instant replay be used to help umpires with some calls, or George Mitchell's investigation into performance-enhancing drugs in baseball. Selig still expects Mitchell's report to be released before the end of the year.

Owners heard a presentation on pace of games from Jimmie Lee Solomon, executive vice president for baseball operations in the commissioner's office.

Solomon said last week during general managers meetings in Orlando that to speed up games, baseball was considering limiting when a hitter could step out of the batter's box between pitches, restricting the number of times a player could visit the mound, and limiting the number of players allowed to visit the mound.

"Obviously I have a lot of concern about the length of our World Series games, playoff games, regular-season games," Selig said. "We're going to work on that over the course of the winter."

In addition to enforcing existing rules, the commissioner said consideration will be given to adding new rules.

"We just need to speed things up a little bit for everybody's best interest," Selig said.

Indians' Wedge wins AL Manager of the Year award, Diamondbacks' Melvin honored in NL

2007-11-15T23:19:00.000-08:00

By BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer
November 15, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Backups as ballplayers, Bob Melvin and Eric Wedge certainly caught on as managers.

The career .233 hitters were honored Wednesday as managers of the year, having found far more success in the dugout than on the field.

Wedge became the first Cleveland manager to win the AL award, chosen by a wide margin after the Indians and Boston tied for the best record in baseball. Melvin was the first Arizona manager to get the NL prize, picked after leading his young team to the top mark in the league.

There are nearly a dozen former catchers now managing in the majors.

"There's been quite the trend," Wedge said on a conference call. "The catcher has to be aware and knowledgeable of every aspect."
"It's a leadership position. That position demands a great amount of passion for your teammates and the game of baseball," he said.

Wedge and Melvin crossed paths years ago. A month after Colorado took Wedge from Boston in the November 1992 expansion draft, the Red Sox wanted a second-string catcher and signed Melvin as a free agent.

Wedge received 19 of the 28 first-place votes and got 116 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He finished ahead of a pair of former catchers, the Angels' Mike Scioscia (62 points) and ex-Yankees manager Joe Torre (61). Terry Francona of the World Series champion Red Sox got 13.

"There's always challenges and unexpected challenges you go through over the course of six months. I think we were the extreme of that," Wedge said.

Wedge, a no-nonsense guy with a John Wayne calendar in his office, guided the Indians to a 96-66 record. Cleveland made its first playoff appearance since 2001, then lost to the Red Sox in Game 7 of the AL championship series.

Melvin was chosen on 19 of the 30 first-place ballots and got 119 points. Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel (76), Colorado's Clint Hurdle (58), himself a former catcher, and the Cubs' Lou Piniella (25) followed.

Melvin was honored for his steady hand in leading a team that sometimes started six rookies to a 90-72 mark. Back in the playoffs for the first time since 2002, Arizona swept Chicago in the first round before getting swept by Colorado in the NLCS.

"At the beginning, we were cautiously optimistic. We liked the young group," Melvin said on a conference call.

The 39-year-old Wedge played 39 games for Boston and Colorado in the early 1990s. He's done a lot better with the Indians since starting out 68-94 in 2003.

The Indians took over first place for good on Aug. 15 and went a major league-best 31-13 down the stretch. C.C. Sabathia, picked as the AL Cy Young Award winner Tuesday, and Fausto Carmona each won 19 games.

Cleveland rewarded Wedge with a three-year contract extension in July. "I look at this as an organizational award," he said.

The 46-year-old Melvin played 10 years in the majors with seven teams. He managed Seattle from 2003-04, got fired and took over the Diamondbacks in 2005.

A year after Arizona went 76-86 and tied Colorado for last in the NL West, the Diamondbacks surged. They did it despite becoming the first team since the 1906 Chicago White Sox to have a league's best record despite the worst batting average.

Melvin's evenhanded approach meshed well with his young team, which lost stars Randy Johnson and Orlando Hudson to season-ending injuries.

Eric Byrnes and rookie Chris Young led the offense, and Melvin counted on ace Brandon Webb and closer Jose Valverde.

Manuel received seven first-place votes after Philadelphia won the NL East, Hurdle got four first-place votes with the NL champion Rockies and Piniella got two first-place tallies after winning the Central in his first season with Chicago.

"Originally, I thought it was Friday. You try to put it out of your mind, to an extent," Melvin said.

Scioscia got four first-place votes after leading Los Angeles to the AL West title. Torre, since hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers, got the other five first-place votes.

The BBWAA first presented the manager awards in 1983.

The NL Cy Young Award will be announced Thursday. San Diego's Jake Peavy, who led the league with 19 wins and topped the majors in ERA and strikeouts, is the heavy favorite.

San Diego Padres ace Jake Peavy wins NL Cy Young Award in unanimous vote

2007-11-15T23:17:00.000-08:00

By MIKE FITZPATRICK, AP Baseball Writer
November 15, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jake Peavy has been one of the best pitchers in the National League for years. This season, he pulled away from the pack.

The San Diego Padres ace was an unanimous winner of the NL Cy Young Award on Thursday after leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts -- pitching's version of a Triple Crown.

"It was just one of those seasons where kind of everything came together," he said on a conference call.

Peavy received all 32 first-place votes and finished with 160 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Arizona sinkerballer Brandon Webb, last year's winner, was a distant runner-up with 94 points. He was listed second on 31 ballots and third on one.
"Obviously, I was elated. This is as big as it gets as far as individual awards," Peavy said. "Truly amazing. A very humbling day when you think about all my peers that take the mound every fifth day."

Peavy went 19-6 while topping the majors in ERA (2.54) and strikeouts (240) for the Padres, who came within one win of their third consecutive playoff berth. He joined Roger Clemens as the only starting pitchers to win a Cy Young Award without tossing a complete game.

Clemens did it once in each league: 2001 with the New York Yankees (AL) and 2004 with Houston (NL).

"I can definitely get better. Our bullpen's been so stinkin' good around here it's hard to get deep in these games," Peavy said. "I've got a long way to go to be who I want to be."

It was the 12th time an NL pitcher has been an unanimous choice for the honor, the first since Arizona's Randy Johnson in 2002. Peavy became the fourth San Diego pitcher to win the award, joining reliever Mark Davis (1989), Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry (1978) and lefty Randy Jones (1976).

Peavy had a chance to put the Padres in the postseason -- and earn his 20th win -- when he started the wild-card tiebreaker against Colorado. But the 26-year-old right-hander was ineffective at Coors Field, giving up six runs and 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings.

The Rockies rallied for three runs against career saves leader Trevor Hoffman in the 13th and won 9-8, then charged all the way to the World Series.

"That was a tough way to go. We were so close and had grinded it out for so long," Peavy said. "I really thought that this year's team, if we got in the playoffs, could really make some noise."

Brad Penny of the Los Angeles Dodgers finished third in the voting. Cincinnati's Aaron Harang was fourth and Chicago's Carlos Zambrano came in fifth.

Peavy, the National League's starter in the All-Star game, was the front-runner nearly all season. He consistently stymied opponents, allowing only 13 home runs in 34 starts. He gave up 169 hits and 68 walks in 223 1-3 innings.

Selected by San Diego in the 15th round of the 1999 draft, Peavy became the fifth different NL pitcher to take the prize since Johnson won four straight times from 1999-2002.

Webb was 18-10 with a 3.01 ERA and 194 strikeouts, pitching an NL-best 236 1-3 innings. His streak of 42 scoreless innings helped the surprising Diamondbacks finish with the best record in the league (90-72).

Atlanta's Tom Glavine in 1992 was the only other NL pitcher to finish second one year after winning the award.

A two-time All-Star, Peavy also won an ERA title in 2004 and a strikeout crown in 2005. His nasty stuff has made him one of baseball's toughest assignments for years, but this season was his most impressive.

"I don't really feel that I did anything different in '04 or '05, other than just had better luck to help win some games and obviously get some recognition for that," he said.

Peavy earned a $100,000 bonus for winning the award, and the price of San Diego's 2009 club option increased by $3 million to $11 million.

He knows the kind of money he could command on the open market. Still, he said he'd like to work out a contract extension and stay with the Padres, though he doesn't want to negotiate during the season.

"I think it can be distracting," Peavy said. "We're either going to do it this offseason or we'll address the issue next offseason.

"I'm really not worried about it," he added. "The team has given me financial security for the rest of this old Alabama boy's life. ... I just want to be fair to the rest of my peers when I sign something."

The American League MVP will be announced Monday -- with Alex Rodriguez considered a lock -- followed Tuesday by NL MVP, which could be a close race.

Cleveland lefty C.C. Sabathia won the AL Cy Young Award on Tuesday.

A-Rod and New York Yankees have outline of $275 million, 10-year deal

2007-11-15T23:16:00.000-08:00

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer
November 15, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees have agreed to the outline of a record $275 million, 10-year contract, a deal that potentially would allow him to earn millions more if he sets the career home-run record.

The amount of the guaranteed money was revealed by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been finalized. A-Rod and his wife met Wednesday in Tampa, Fla., with brothers Hal and Hank Steinbrenner, but the parameters of the agreement were set in place last weekend.

"The meeting was a final get-together," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said. "He wanted to make sure myself and my brother knew that he was sincere and serious."

The Yankees still must draft the agreement with Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras. Asked whether the only remaining details were putting the deal on paper, Steinbrenner responded: "pretty much so."

Boras wasn't a part of the negotiations, in which Goldman Sachs managing directors John Mallory and Gerald Cardinale conducted shuttle diplomacy.
"They were the go-betweens, initially," Steinbrenner said. "That's how he reached out to us."

The Yankees were notified by Boras on Oct. 28 that Rodriguez was opting out of the final three seasons of his $252 million, 10-year contract -- the previous record -- and becoming a free agent. New York maintained then that it no longer would negotiate with A-Rod because the decision eliminated a $21.3 million subsidy from Texas that was negotiated in the 2004 trade.

About a week later, A-Rod contacted Mallory, a friend who works in private wealth management in Goldman's Los Angeles office. Rodriguez knew the Yankees have a close relationship with the investment bank, which was instrumental in the launch of the team's YES Network.

Mallory called Cardinale, who works in the merchant banking section in New York and helped finance the network. Cardinale in turn got in touch with Yankees president Randy Levine.

A-Rod and the Yankees exchanged proposals via the bankers, and the deal gradually was framed in about a dozen telephone calls.

The sides still are working on putting together a provision that would allow Rodriguez to share revenue created by his pursuit of the career home record held by Barry Bonds, who was indicted Thursday on perjury and obstruction charges. A-Rod has 518 homers, 244 shy of the mark.

"The Yankees have never had a player since Babe Ruth that really had a 100 percent chance" of setting the record, Steinbrenner said. "(Mickey) Mantle should have, but he had too many injuries. It's a historical achievement bonus more than it is an incentive bonus. There is no yearly incentive bonus."

That provision must be drafted carefully because of Major League Rule 3 (b) (5), which states no contract shall be approved "if it contains a bonus for playing, pitching or batting skill or if it provides for the payment of a bonus contingent on the standing of the signing club at the end of the championship season."

Even with that, the commissioner's office allowed the Boston Red Sox in 2003 to give Curt Schilling a provision for a $2 million raise in a season following a World Series championship. Boston won the title the following year.

The Yankees already have been in touch with Major League Baseball, and A-Rod's side contacted the players' association.

"Because he's generating such enormous revenue potential, both to the player and the club, there should be some way for the player and the club to capitalize on that achievement in some fashion," said Gene Orza, the union's chief operating officer. "The devil will be in the details. The minds of men and women in the sport should be able to figure this out."

Steinbrenner said Rodriguez was given bad advice by Boras during the time before the decision to opt out.

"Boras did a lot of good things for Alex through the years, and Alex knows that. I mean, obviously, he's going to look to Scott's advice on everything," Steinbrenner said. "That's not unusual today. It's not like he's the only one. And if an agent gets out of line or makes bad decisions, then that's going to hurt the player. And obviously, that's one of the things that happened here."

Rodriguez still winds up with baseball's largest contract, a fact that got the attention of Schilling.

"None of us are worth that much relative to 'real world' salaries," the pitcher wrote on his Web site. "But if someone in the game was getting a contract that big, I am not sure you could argue it being Alex. On the field this guy is the MVP-in-waiting every year, it seems."

Steinbrenner said he thinks that had Rodriguez tested the free-agent market, he would have gotten a more lucrative contract and cited the interest of the Los Angeles Dodgers, led by new manager Joe Torre, and perhaps other teams.

"There are a few cynics who say, 'Well he really couldn't get this there,"' Steinbrenner said. "Trust me, he would have gotten probably more. He is making a sacrifice to be a Yankee, there's no question. ... He showed what was really in his heart and what he really wanted."

Now that he's staying with the Yankees, will A-Rod get a Yankeeography on YES?

"Well, we'll see," Steinbrenner said, chuckling.

Yankees offer Rivera $45 million for 3 years, by far the most for a relief pitcher

2007-11-14T04:05:00.000-08:00

It's imperative that for the Yankees future they keep their long standing closer.

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer
November 13, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mariano Rivera was offered a $45 million, three-year contract to stay with the New York Yankees. Now, the team is waiting to hear back from its star closer.

"He'd be by $4 million a year the highest-paid relief pitcher," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Tuesday. "To say that's a strong offer would be an understatement."

On Monday, the Yankees retained catcher Jorge Posada when they upped their offer to $52.4 million for four years. Posada is due to take a physical Wednesday, another step toward finalizing that agreement.

Rivera, the next step in the team's offseason plan, was allowed to start discussing money with other teams Tuesday. Steinbrenner confirmed the $45 million offer, which was made several days ago and was first reported by The New York Times.

"The ball's in their court," Steinbrenner said. "If they still want to look for more somewhere else, that's up to them."

Rivera's agent, Fernando Cuza, did not return telephone messages.

Mets closer Billy Wagner is the highest-paid reliever, averaging $10.75 million during his $43 million, four-year contract. Only four pitchers are signed for next year at higher average salaries than the Yankees' proposal to Rivera: Carlos Zambrano ($18.3 million), Barry Zito ($18 million), Jason Schmidt ($15.7 million) and Atlanta's Mike Hampton ($15.1 million).

In addition, the Yankees have a standing $16 million offer to Andy Pettitte, who hasn't decided whether to pitch or retire.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was more guarded in his comments about Rivera than Steinbrenner was.

"He's a free agent and he's fielding offers from other clubs. He's certainly received offers from us," Cashman said.

Posada decided not to test the free-agent market and accepted a deal averaging $13.1 million, the most for a catcher in baseball history. Before Monday, the Yankees had offered a three-year contract to the 36-year-old catcher.

Steinbrenner wasn't concerned that Posada will be 40 when the deal expires.

"He's a catcher, but he can also later on be a DH," Steinbrenner said. "I'm fine with keeping his bat another four years. And as far as the salary is concerned, he was pretty logical. You can't argue with that. He didn't go nuts with what he asked for."

Steinbrenner said it was too early to evaluate the trade market. Florida is dangling third baseman Miguel Cabrera, and teams are waiting for the Minnesota Twins to determine if they can re-sign ace Johan Santana. If not, they might listen to offers for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

"Everybody is just probing, including Brian," Steinbrenner said. "The only probing we've done thus far is on Cabrera. Obviously, there will be an interest in Santana. Everything with Santana and Cabrera is very preliminary right now."

Brewers 3B Braun named NL Rookie of the Year

2007-11-14T04:04:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, Tulowitzki should have been awarded this prestigious award.

NEW YORK (TICKER) -- Ryan Braun's monstrous season at the plate was barely enough to trump Troy Tulowitzki's solid all-around campaign.

The third baseman of the Milwaukee Brewers, Braun won the 2007 National League Rookie of the Year Award on Monday from the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Braun edged Tulowitzki, the Colorado Rockies' shortstop, to become Milwaukee's first Rookie of the Year since shortstop Pat Listach won the American League honor in 1992.

"You don't like to put expectations on players," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said. "But he certainly went well beyond what we anticipated from him in his first year.

"To show you how good Ryan was, in any other year, Troy Tulowitzki would have won hands down."

Braun received 17 first-place votes, 14 second-place votes and one third-place vote for 128 points, just two more than Tulowitzki.

Tulowitzki was first on 15 ballots and second on the other 17 for 126 points. The two-point differential was the closest in the NL since the current points system was adopted in 1980.

Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence was a distant third with 15 third-place votes. He was followed by Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Chris Young, Philadelphia Phillies righthander Kyle Kendrick, Atlanta Braves infielder Yunel Escobar and Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman James Loney.

Braun, who did not make his major-league debut until May 25, led all rookies with a .324 average, 34 home runs and 66 extra-base hits.

"Ryan Braun came to the major leagues and had as much offensive impact as I have seen in my 12 years as a general manager," Melvin said.

The fifth overall pick of the 2005 draft, Braun finished second in RBI (97), runs (91) and total bases (286) and established a rookie record with his NL-leading .634 slugging percentage.

Braun, whose only drawback was his 26 errors, helped the Brewers (83-79) finish over .500 for first time since 1992, and nearly helped them secure their first postseason berth in 25 years.

"Offensively, I've done well," Braun said. "Defensively, I just need to work harder. I have to make my defense as good as my offense. I feel like for two weeks I'll be great, and then I'll find a way to be terrible for two games. It's just a process, and the more experience I have, the better I'll be."

After a slow start, Tulowitzki batted .291 and hit an NL shortstop rookie-record 24 home runs, while driving in 99 runs. He led all rookies in hits (177), runs (104) and doubles (33).

The 23-year-old Tulowitzki didn't get his average over .200 for good until April 28 and had just two homers through June 5.

Unlike Braun, Tulowitzki, who was selected with the seventh overall pick in 2005, excelled in the field. He led all major-league shortstops with a .987 fielding percentage and showed off his cannon arm to a national audience during Colorado's magical postseason run.

"Everybody knows in this locker room I would have much rather had a World Series ring," Tulowitzki said. "I care about the team much more than individual stuff."

Red Sox 2B Pedroia named AL Rookie of the Year

2007-11-14T04:03:00.000-08:00

November 12, 2007
NEW YORK (TICKER) -- The World Series champion Boston Red Sox added to their list of honors Monday, as second baseman Dustin Pedroia was named American League Rookie of the Year.

Pedroia received 24 of the 28 first-place votes in balloting conducted by two writers from each of the 14 American League cities. He also received four second-place votes and 132 total points.

The only player named on all 28 ballots, the diminutive Pedroia led all rookies in batting average at .317, on-base plus slugging at .823, runs scored with 86 and doubles with 39.
"I'm not too big on personal accomplishments, I just want to help my team win," Pedroia said. "There have been some great players to get this award, and it's definitely been such a fun and exciting year for me and my teammates. I'm so happy for the people that have stuck with me through this whole thing."

Tampa Bay Devil Rays outfielder Delmon Young was second with 56 points, including three first-place votes. Kansas City Royals righthander Brian Bannister earned the other first-place vote and finished with third with 36 points.

Boston righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka finished fourth while Los Angels Angels of Anaheim outfielder Reggie Willits was fifth. Boston lefthander Hideki Okajima was sixth, followed by Chicago White Sox third baseman Josh Fields and Kansas City Royals righthander Joakim Soria.

Pedroia, 24, is the sixth Red Sox player to be named as the AL's top rookie and first since Nomar Garciaparra in 1997.

"We're very proud of Dustin for what he has accomplished and how he has conducted himself in a Red Sox uniform," Boston general manager Theo Epstein said. "So it's especially gratifying to see him recognized today with such a prestigious honor."

Pedroia became just the fourth AL player to win the award while playing the majority of his games at second base, joining Minnesota's Rod Carew (1967), Detroit's Lou Whitaker (1978) and Minnesota's Chuck Knoblauch (1991).

Pedroia began the season in a horrible slump, batting just .172 on May 1. The fans were clamoring for popular backup Alex Cora to take Pedroia's spot in the lineup. But Red Sox manager Terry Francona stuck with him, and had his faith was rewarded.

"Everyone has doubted me at every level I've been at, saying I'm too small, I'm not fast enough, my arm is not strong enough," Pedroia said. "But there's a lot of people that have stuck by me and knew deep down that there's something about me that makes me a winning baseball player."

He batted .335 between May 3 and the end of the season, working his way from the No. 9 spot in Boston's lineup all the way to the leadoff hole.

Pedroia won over the fans with his ability to fight through at-bats, tallying 165 hits and 47 walks while only striking out 42 times - ranking him second among all AL players with 12.4 at-bats per strikeout.

Pedroia was at his best during Boston's playoff run, hitting .345 against the Cleveland Indians in the AL Championship Series and clubbing a two-run homer in the decisive Game Seven. He batted .283 in the World Series against the Colorado Rockies and led off Game One with a home run.

"The only thing I cared about was trying to help the team win," Pedroia said. "That was our ultimate goal. We set out to try to win the American League East and try to win the World Series. We accomplished both of those things.

"I think that if you're dedicated into team goals, individual goals will come later."

Youkilis loses goatee for $5,000 donation

2007-11-14T04:01:00.000-08:00

By JIMMY GOLEN, AP Sports Writer
November 13, 2007

BOSTON (AP) -- What's next, Curt Schilling shaving his legs?

The Boston Red Sox continued their odd tradition of post-championship grooming Tuesday when first baseman Kevin Youkilis shaved off his goatee for a $5,000 donation to his charity, youkskids.org. The public haircut came three seasons after outfielder Johnny Damon ditched his caveman look for charity in the Back Bay, with giant TV screens to give the throngs a better view.
Youkilis was shaved by two blonde stylists from a local salon at the Cask 'n Flagon, a bar across the street from Fenway Park. Nine TV cameras captured the moment -- including one that broadcast a live shot ("The shaving is under way, as you can see") -- with their trucks parked outside to beam the images to a grateful nation.

Master of ceremonies Greg Hill of local radio station WAAF compared Youkilis' goatee to other great hair in local lore, including Carl Yastrzemski's sideburns, Larry Bird's mustache and Manny Ramirez's cornrows.

"By far, the most memorable piece of body hair in Boston sports history," Hill said, neglecting to mention Damon's beard, which came off in a charity stunt in 2005 before he left the Red Sox to sign with the rival New York Yankees.

Youkilis said he would re-grow the goatee in the offseason and maybe even cut it off again if the Red Sox win another World Series in 2008. "Hopefully, we'll do this again next year," he said.

Youkilis claimed ignorance about whether third baseman Mike Lowell would re-sign with the team, but he had heard that Josh Beckett finished second in AL Cy Young Award voting to Cleveland's C.C. Sabathia.

"It's disappointing, but Josh has the World Series," Youkilis said. "I'm sure C.C. would rather win the World Series than have the Cy Young."

Red Sox to open World Series title defense in Tokyo with two-game series against Athletics

2007-11-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

By RONALD BLUM, AP Baseball Writer
November 14, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- The Boston Red Sox will open their World Series title defense in Tokyo.

Following months of negotiations, the Red Sox agreed to a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics in Japan on March 25-26, and the commissioner's office announced the trip early Wednesday.
With Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima, the Red Sox figure to be an attractive draw for the games at the Tokyo Dome. The Red Sox and A's also will play exhibition games on March 23-24 against Japanese teams.

After the trip, the teams return to the United States and open the rest of their regular-season schedules with a two-game series at Oakland on April 1-2. That originally was to be a four-game set.

Oakland will be the home team for the games in Japan.

The Japan visit is one of two Asian trips Major League Baseball hopes to make next year. Talks have been under way for months to have the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres play exhibition games in Beijing, most likely on March 14-15, at the ballpark to be used for the 2008 Olympics. That would be Major League Baseball's first trip to China.

If the Beijing games take place, the Dodgers likely would then travel to Arizona for most of their remaining spring training games. Next spring is their last at Vero Beach, Fla., where they first trained in 1949. They switch their training base in 2009 to Glendale, Ariz.

Boston and Oakland will be the third set of teams to open the regular season at the Tokyo Dome, following the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs (2000), and the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004). A scheduled 2003 series between Oakland and Seattle at the Tokyo Dome was canceled because of the threat of war in Iraq.

"Opening our regular season in Japan for the third time is another example of Major League Baseball's commitment to continue the global growth of the game," commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.

Cleveland Indians lefty C.C. Sabathia wins AL Cy Young Award

2007-11-14T03:57:00.000-08:00

By MIKE FITZPATRICK, AP Baseball Writer
November 14, 2007

NEW YORK (AP) -- C.C. Sabathia scanned the stats, comparing himself to Josh Beckett and other top pitchers in the American League.

This time, Sabathia was good enough to beat Boston's ace -- albeit a few weeks later than he hoped.

The big left-hander won the AL Cy Young Award on Tuesday, topping Beckett and two other worthy contenders by a comfortable margin to become the first Cleveland Indians pitcher in 35 years to earn the honor.

Sabathia received 19 of 28 first-place votes and finished with 119 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Beckett, who outpitched Sabathia twice in the playoffs, was second with eight first-place votes and 86 points.

"I did look at a few numbers," Sabathia said on a conference call from his California home. "I definitely thought that Beckett -- it could have went either way. I'm just happy and thankful that it went my way."

It might have gone the other way if October results counted. Voting took place before the postseason, when Sabathia struggled as Beckett put together a string of dominant outings to help Boston win the World Series.

The Red Sox right-hander trounced Sabathia two times in the AL championship series and went 4-0 with a 1.20 ERA in four postseason starts, striking out 35 and walking two. Sabathia was 1-2 with an 8.80 ERA and 13 walks in three playoff outings.

"The first two I can definitely say I was trying to do too much," Sabathia said. "Just trying to make perfect pitches."

John Lackey of the Los Angeles Angels got the other first-place vote and came in third. Cleveland's Fausto Carmona was fourth.

Sabathia went 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA and 209 strikeouts, pitching a major league-high 241 innings. Beckett (20-7) became the only big leaguer to win 20 games since 2005, compiling a 3.27 ERA in 200 2-3 innings. Lackey led the AL in ERA at 3.01, going 19-9 and tossing 224 innings. Carmona was 19-8 with a 3.06 ERA.

"I was surprised. Beckett had a great year and an even better postseason," Sabathia said.

The only other Cleveland pitcher to win the award was Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry in 1972.

Sabathia is the first black pitcher to win a Cy Young Award since Dwight Gooden of the New York Mets in 1985 -- and the first in the AL since Oakland's Vida Blue in 1971.

"That's awesome to be mentioned with him," said Sabathia, adding that he recently attended a meeting designed to foster ideas on how to generate more interest in baseball among inner-city kids.
While the top four Cy Young candidates had similar statistics, Sabathia's stamina apparently set him apart. After being sidelined by injuries the previous two seasons, the 6-foot-7, 290-pounder stayed healthy all year and made 34 starts to Beckett's 30. That helped account for their wide gap in innings pitched.

"I can't really say I was tired in the postseason," Sabathia said. "My arm felt fine."

The 27-year-old Sabathia also walked only 37 batters, giving him a remarkable strikeout-to-walk ratio that took pressure off his defense all season. Beckett was nearly as tough, with 194 strikeouts and 40 walks.

"Being able to go deep in the games I think was the biggest deal in helping me win this," Sabathia said. "I think it was just being able to stay healthy, being able to go out there and take the ball every fifth day."

Sabathia is entering the final season of his contract with the Indians, who are preparing to offer him a long-term deal this winter. Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro would like to have his ace locked up before spring training.

Selected by the Indians in the first round of the 1998 draft, Sabathia has made it clear he'd like to stay in Cleveland -- for the right price.

"This year he crossed the final gates of being a true No. 1," Shapiro said. "C.C. took ownership of what he could control and let go of the things he couldn't control, and that allowed him to really focus pitch to pitch, stay in his delivery and turn into a pitcher instead of just a guy with great potential and a great arm.

"Maybe the most influential leadership he demonstrated this year was how he handled the stretch of five to seven games where he got almost no run support," the GM added. "He never pointed fingers, never felt sorry for himself, stayed a positive, team-oriented guy and continued to contribute and pull for our team's victories, not worrying about his own individual performance."

Beckett gets $100,000 for finishing second, and his 2010 base salary increases $100,000 to $12.1 million. Lackey earns $75,000 for coming in third, and his 2009 base salary goes up $500,000 to $10 million.

AL and NL Manager of the Year will be announced Wednesday and then the NL Cy Young Award on Thursday, with San Diego ace Jake Peavy considered the favorite.

AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.

Phillies ink Romero to three-year pact

2007-11-11T08:22:00.000-08:00

Lefty's strong stretch run rewarded with $12 million deal
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com

PHILADELPHIA -- What began as a hopeful experiment has now become a dedicated commitment. The Phillies signed left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to a three-year contract extension on Saturday night, transforming a pitcher who was unemployed just five months prior into a bullpen mainstay.

"J.C. had an outstanding three months for us this year, particularly down the stretch," assistant general manager Ruben Amaro said in a statement. "He was an integral part of our winning the NL East, and we're very happy we could get him signed before he hit the open market."

The deal is worth $12 million, and includes a club option for 2011 that would bring the total value to $16.75 million.

After losing a roster spot with the Red Sox in June, Romero signed a Minor League contract with the Phillies and immediately flourished. The lefty didn't make an appearance in the Minors, but instead went straight to Philadelphia, where he posted a 1.24 ERA in 51 games. Perhaps more impressive -- and certainly just as useful -- he allowed only five hits to left-handed hitters during that span.

There aren't many lefties who can boast that kind of success, which would have made Romero a hot commodity on the free-agent market -- and the Phillies knew it.

"I'm glad I didn't have to go out and test the free-agent market," Romero said in a statement. "I had a great time with the Phillies and really wanted to come back."

The fact that the Phillies had such a hometown advantage in re-signing Romero came more from good timing than anything else. Romero signed with the Red Sox as a free agent prior to last season, and while he didn't completely struggle -- posting a 3.15 ERA -- his 15 walks in 20 innings were enough to make the Red Sox leery. So when the team needed roster space to activate Mike Timlin, Romero's control issues -- along with the emergence of lefty Hideki Okajima -- made him expendable.

Lucky for the Phillies. Romero remained just as wild in Philadelphia, but became so unhittable that the walks rarely hurt. Opposing batters mustered only a .130 average off him after the trade.

Romero was considered one of the top lefty relievers in baseball at the start of the decade, posting a 1.89 ERA with the Twins in 2002. But struggles in subsequent years plagued his value, until an apparent revitalization with the Phillies.

With Romero, the Phillies secured another important piece at the back end of their bullpen. The team traded for new closer Brad Lidge on Wednesday, shifting Brett Myers back into the rotation. But some concern lingers.
Geoff Geary, who pitched in more games than any reliever other than Antonio Alfonseca last season, was shipped off to Houston in the trade that landed Lidge. And Alfonseca declared for free agency last month, meaning the Phillies still have plenty of bullpen holes to fill.

That's typical of any year, but coming off a down year, it looms larger. The Phillies ranked just 24th in the Majors in ERA last season with a 4.41 ERA. Even under the assumption that the addition of Lidge will cancel out the subtraction of Myers -- and such an assumption remains a leap of faith -- the Phillies haven't yet done anything to shake last summer's incriminating statistics.

That doesn't mean they won't, of course, and -- even more encouraging -- they may not have to. The Phillies won the NL East even with the division's worst bullpen last season, so there's no reason to think they can't do it again. But the signing of Romero is the first step toward ensuring that they won't need to try.

"I'm excited and looking forward to next season and hopefully we come out and defend our NL East title the way I know we can," Romero said. "The nucleus has remained the same, and we added the right pieces. We need to go out and do what everyone expects us to do, which is win a World Series."

Anthony DiComo is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Free agent Hunter halts talks with Twins

2007-11-02T04:04:00.000-07:00

Torii Hunter filed for free agency and told the Twins he didn't want to negotiate with them prior to hitting the open market.

By Joe Christensen, Star Tribune
Last update: October 29, 2007 – 9:35 PM

Torii Hunter filed for free agency Monday, saying he has halted negotiations with the Twins.

Teams have an exclusive 15-day negotiating period with pending free agents before the market officially opens Nov. 13, but Hunter said, "I don't think there's going to be any negotiations."

Asked which side had halted the talks, Hunter said, "I think it was more me telling them."

This doesn't mean that the All-Star center fielder is leaving for sure, but it does suggest he will entertain other offers before resuming talks with the Twins.

With the World Series ending Sunday, Monday was the first day eligible major leaguers could file for free agency, and Hunter and Twins pitcher Carlos Silva were among the 57 players who wasted no time.

During this 15-day window, other teams can discuss potential contract lengths, but they are not supposed to discuss financial terms.

"We want to see what may or may not be some of Torii's options, and the filing is just the start of the process," said Larry Reynolds, Hunter's agent.

Hunter, 32, hit .287 with 28 homers and 107 RBI this year and was selected to his second All-Star Game. He rejected a three-year, $45 million offer from the Twins in late August, and neither side has come forward with a new proposal. Hunter said there have been very few discussions since the season ended.

Now, other teams can talk to Hunter without being penalized for tampering.

He did not rule out a return to the Twins.

"They might want to see what other teams offer and then get back to me," he said.

Twins General Manager Bill Smith said the early free-agent filings came as no surprise.

"That's a formality," Smith said. "They're going to talk to other teams. They've earned that right. ... If I was them, I'd want to get out there and get it filed."

Silva, 28, filed on the same day he fired longtime agent Peter Greenberg, choosing Barry Praver and Scott Shapiro as his new representation.

Greenberg also represents Twins pitcher Johan Santana. Praver represents former Twins pitcher Sidney Ponson, and Shapiro was Carl Pavano's agent when Pavano signed a four-year deal worth almost $40 million with the New York Yankees in December 2004.

Some other notable names who filed included Barry Bonds, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez, Kerry Wood and former Twins players Luis Castillo, Shannon Stewart, Doug Mientkiewicz and Corey Koskie.

Nathan returns

As expected, the Twins said they have picked up closer Joe Nathan's option for 2008.

Nathan will make $6 million after notching 37 saves last season and posting a 1.88 ERA.

"I wish every decision we had to make was as easy as this one," Smith said.

Nathan was aggressive in pursuing a contract extension last offseason, but now that he's one year away from free agency, the righthander will leave it up to the Twins.

"Bill and my agent had discussions, but as far as numbers, they didn't get into that," Nathan said. "We told them in the spring that after the season it was going to be even harder."

Nathan, 32, noted that Hunter might have been more tempted to take the Twins offer had they presented it in spring training, instead of waiting until August.

"I'm definitely not judging what they're doing because obviously they've done some pretty good things there," Nathan said.

As for this winter, Nathan said, "I'm hoping that they can fill some holes and see what they do with Torii and Carlos."

New era dawns with Girardi at helm

2007-11-02T04:03:00.000-07:00

New York's new manager holds court at Yankee Stadium
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- In his first day as a manager at the current Yankee Stadium, the structure he experienced as a player, coach and broadcaster, Joe Girardi was offered a preview of the Yankees' future.
Inspecting the rising structure of the franchise's new home across the street, Girardi saw concrete being poured, foul poles in place, and walked a pathway leading from the dugout to the clubhouse -- and, of course, the manager's office.

It is a tomorrow that now includes Girardi, who was formally introduced on Thursday in a press conference at the Stadium Club of the current facility. Two days after agreeing to terms on a three-year contract, Girardi found himself in New York, grinning as he slipped on the pinstripes once more.

"It's a tremendous time to have this opportunity," Girardi said. "To be a part of the history here, and then to be part of it in the new stadium, it's really neat."

With that, Girardi became the 32nd manager in club history, and as he posed for photographs, he reiterated his excitement for perhaps the biggest challenge of his multifaceted career.

"I can't tell you how honored we are to be putting on this uniform for the third time," Girardi said after donning a jersey with the No. 27 on its back -- appropriate, perhaps, since Girardi will be trying to lead the Yankees to their 27th World Series title.

"This is the place to be. For the Girardis, this place is home."

Choking back emotion at the podium, Girardi opened his introduction with a story about his father, Gerald, whom he said is suffering from Alzheimer's. Gerald Girardi had not spoken in a month, but that changed when a caretaker showed him a photograph of Girardi as the new Yankees manager.

"Oh, yeah," the elder Girardi said.

The 2006 National League Manager of the Year with the Florida Marlins, Girardi beat out internal candidates Don Mattingly and Tony Pena in an interview process that took place last week in Tampa, Fla.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that the decision was not an easy one, but grouped in a trio of potential candidates, Girardi aced every exam sent his way to emerge as the front-runner.

"I wanted someone that understood the complexity of the Yankee organization," Cashman said. "We're a very complex situation, whether you're dealing with the media, the New York fan base, the expectations."

"Whoever hits the ground running, they're not getting caught up to speed and having a learning curve added on," he added. "It wasn't one thing that stands out. There were several things that stood out for me to help me gravitate to Joe Girardi."

Succeeding Joe Torre after a 12-year run at the helm, Girardi inherits a Yankees club prepared for transition, continuing to filter in younger talent while attempting to win its first World Series championship since 2000.

Cashman said that the Yankees are expecting Girardi to carve his own dynasty.

"He's going to be different, because there's only one Joe Torre," Cashman said. "I think Joe Girardi will slowly reveal himself as what he is in the Yankee universe as manager in due time."

Though Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner preached during the interview process that observers should have "patience" with the new manager, saying that he would not necessarily be inheriting the 1996 Yankees, Girardi has objected to that viewpoint.

A key contributor on the 1996 club -- it was his third-inning triple off the Atlanta Braves' Greg Maddux in Game 6 that sent the Yankees to their first World Series title since 1978 -- Girardi said that he expects nothing less than to be playing in the Fall Classic come October.

Girardi won the Yankees over with a prepared, information-based approach during the intensive interview process. Upon receiving the job, Girardi said he received a message from principal owner George Steinbrenner.

"He was very congratulatory," Girardi said. "He said, 'It's great to have you aboard.' I said, 'Well, I can't wait for the season to start.'"

In 2005, Girardi served as Torre's bench coach and catching instructor before receiving his first and only previous managerial opportunity, guiding the Marlins to a 78-victory season and keeping a young club flush with rookies in the Wild Card race until the season's final week.

"It made me more prepared," Girardi said. "I didn't necessarily ever feel tense. Obviously there are tense situations in games where you have to make tough decisions, but you go with the information with your head. It's thought out. I never thought of it that way."

A 15-year Major League veteran who also played for the Chicago Cubs (1989-92 and 2000-02), Colorado Rockies (1993-95) and St. Louis Cardinals (2003), Girardi becomes the 17th Yankees manager to have also played for the club.

A lifetime .267 hitter, Girardi performed on three Yankees World Series championship clubs, winning titles in 1996, '98 and '99. At 43, Girardi becomes the third-youngest manager in the Major Leagues, behind the Washington Nationals' Manny Acta (38) and the Cleveland Indians' Eric Wedge (39).

"The Joe Girardi that I know is a determined individual," Cashman said. "He's got a big heart -- genuine and sincere. He's decisive in what he wants to do, but yet open to a great deal of information to allow him to be in the best position possible to come together with a plan and execute it.

"I know the person and obviously I'm betting on this person."

Girardi is preparing to transition from the broadcast booth to the dugout, having spent the 2007 season as a broadcaster for the YES Network working as an analyst on Yankees broadcasts.

Girardi said he believes that time spent intimately watching the organization, on the field and off of it, will help him in his new assignment.

"I was a part of about 35 games watching the Yankees," Girardi said. "I think, as a club, there's always areas you can improve. The New York Yankees have a chance to go to the World Series.

"They were in a tough playoff with Cleveland, and obviously Cleveland outplayed them during that four-game series. There [are] areas that you have to improve on all over, because you can't be satisfied with where you're at. In my heart, I have feelings of things we have to do."

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Torre is new Dodgers manager- The Saga Continues

2007-11-01T15:57:00.000-07:00

The former Yankees manager signs a three-year deal to replace Grady Little, who resigned Tuesday. News conference is scheduled for Monday.

By Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
2:17 PM PDT, November 1, 2007

It's official: Joe Torre is the new manager of the Dodgers.

Torre and the Dodgers finalized a three-year deal today to replace Grady Little, who resigned Tuesday. The contract is believed to be worth around $4 million a season.

"Having grown up in Brooklyn, I have a great understanding of the history of the Dodger organization and I am committed to bringing a world championship back to Los Angeles," Torre said in a statement released by the team. "I consider it an honor to be a part of this organization, which is one of the most storied franchises in all of sports."

Said General Manager Ned Colletti: "Few managers in the history of the game have accomplished what Joe has delivered. Throughout his career he has demonstrated the ability to turn a vision for success into results on the field and we welcome his passion and leadership. We have tremendous fans and they deserve no less."

A news conference has been scheduled for Monday at Dodger Stadium.

Torre became available Oct. 18, when he parted ways with the New York Yankees after turning down an incentive-laden contract with a base salary of $5 million to return for a 13th season. Torre led the Yankees to the playoffs in every season he managed them and won four World Series titles.

Colletti made it clear Wednesday that Torre was the organization's top choice.

"When you look at his resume and what he's done and the market he's done it in, certainly, you have to start from there," Colletti said.

Torre was said to be negotiating for the right to appoint his own coaches, among them Don Mattingly. He also wanted assurance that he would have input on player personnel moves, which could lead to the free-agent pursuit of Alex Rodriguez.

Torre is taking the place of Little, who managed the team for two seasons. The Dodgers won the National League wild card in Little's first season in 2006, but were 82-80 and finished fourth in the NL West last season.

The Dodgers were able to expedite the hiring of Torre by receiving permission from Commissioner Bud Selig's office to skip the mandatory interviews of minority candidates. The exemption was granted because of the Dodgers' hiring record.

Assistant general managers Kim Ng and De Jon Watson are minorities -- Ng is an Asian American woman and Watson is African American -- and Dodgers President Jamie McCourt is the highest-ranking female executive in baseball.

Hank Steinbrenner says 'goodbye' to A-Rod

2007-10-29T08:17:00.000-07:00

The prime reason Rodriguex bolted from the Yankees was for money and it only goes to prove that once a selfish and egotistical individual always a selfish and egotistical individual.

BY MARK FEINSAND AND BILL MADDEN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERS

Monday, October 29th 2007, 4:52 AM

Hank Steinbrenner may be new to the baseball business, but the eldest son of George Steinbrenner knows one thing: If you don't want to be a Yankee, the Yankees don't want you.

That was Steinbrenner's message to Alex Rodriguez last night after he learned that the third baseman had opted out of the final three years of his contract, electing to become a free agent before the Yankees even had a chance to offer him an extension.

"It's clear he didn't want to be a Yankee," Hank Steinbrenner told the Daily News last night. "He doesn't understand the privilege of being a Yankee on a team where the owners are willing to pay $200 million to put a winning product on the field.

"I don't want anybody on my team that doesn't want to be a Yankee."

Rodriguez's decision means that the Texas Rangers will save almost $30 million that had been on its way to New York to help pay for the final three years of A-Rod's contract, which would have paid him $91 million over those three seasons.

The Yankees were planning to offer A-Rod a contract extension of five years and about $135 million to $140 million, a deal that would have kept the two-time MVP in pinstripes through his 40th birthday. The Yankees had not yet made the offer, as they were trying to set up a face-to-face meeting with agent Scott Boras and A-Rod, a meeting that never happened.

The Yankees have said time and time again that they will not pursue Rodriguez as a free agent because of the money they would now no longer receive from the Rangers. Last night, Steinbrenner made it clear that his team had no intention of changing its tune on that stance.

"We're not going to back down," Steinbrenner said. "It's goodbye."

According to Boras, Rodriguez wanted to know what direction the Yankees were moving in before he agreed to any contract extension, something that was unlikely to happen before Rodriguez's opt-out deadline of 10 days after the World Series.

Boras cited the uncertainty over the status of pending free agents such as Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte as A-Rod's biggest concern. As it turns out, all Rodriguez had to do was return a phone call if he wanted that information.

Steinbrenner said last night that both he and his brother, Hal, personally placed phone calls to Rodriguez expressing their desire to keep him in pinstripes, but neither call was returned by the third baseman.

"I'll tell you this: the commitment from my family is '78 through '96," Steinbrenner said of the team's direction. "We will never go 18 years without a championship again. That's our commitment."

If the Yankees stand by their well-stated position not to bid on Rodriguez as a free agent, then one of the most controversial Yankee careers will end after four years of incredible ups and downs.

In his first season as a Yank, A-Rod hit .286 with 36 homers and 106 RBI in 2004. He carried the Yankees through the division series against the Twins and crushed the ball in the first three games of the ALCS against the Red Sox, but he went cold in the four-game fold against Boston, taking a lot of heat for the worst collapse in postseason history.

A-Rod rebounded with an MVP season in 2005, hitting .321 with 48 homers and 130 RBI, but his season ended with a disastrous 2-for-15, no-RBI performance in the five-game first-round loss to the Angels. His 2006 season (.290-35-121) was solid, but another October collapse, this time a 1-for-14 series in a four-game loss to the Tigers, left A-Rod with a label as playoff choke artist.

This year, Rodriguez came to spring training with a new attitude, and it helped him post the finest overall season of his career. But after hitting .314 with 54 home runs and 156 RBI (and a likely third career MVP award), A-Rod managed just one solo homer and three meaningless singles in another first-round playoff exit, likely the lasting image of his time in pinstripes.

Twin peaks: Sox are champs

2007-10-29T08:15:00.000-07:00

Boston rides four-game sweep to second title in four seasons
By Ian Browne / MLB.com

DENVER -- A scintillating seven-game winning streak that began in Cleveland with the season on the brink of elimination ended Sunday night with the Red Sox mobbing each other in the thin air of Coors Field of all places, culminating in a World Series championship that didn't take even close to 86 years this time around.
By sweeping the Rockies with a 4-3 victory in Game 4, the Red Sox are champions of Major League Baseball for the second time in four seasons, once again doing it by giving their National League opponent the broom treatment. It was the seventh -- there goes that number again -- time the Red Sox have won the World Series.

It all ended with Jonathan Papelbon, the closer who has been brilliant all year and into the postseason, striking out Seth Smith on 95-mph heat. The fiery right-hander tossed his glove high in the air with joy, took his hat off and then embraced catcher Jason Varitek after saving the World Series clincher for left-hander Jon Lester.

From there, it was a sea of Red Sox piling on top of each other in the middle of the diamond.

"It was just an amazing ride," said Papelbon. "Hopefully this is a sign of more to come. The guys in this clubhouse, we have a chance to be here year after year. We can put a good team out there year after year."

Three years ago, the Red Sox were overjoyed just to do it once. Now, the organization -- which has made the postseason four of the past five seasons-- is hoping to turn into a perennial powerhouse.

Victory did not seem to be any sweeter this time than it was in 2004.

"You know what, what happened in '04, we'll never forget," said Terry Francona, the first manager in Major League history to win his first eight World Series games. "I won't ever forget it. But this is '07, and we said that from Day 1. And we accomplished our goal, and it's not easy to do."

Give the Rockies credit for this: they didn't quit. Down, 4-1, in the bottom of the eighth, Garrett Atkins blasted a two-run homer to left against Hideki Okajima, putting the heat on the Red Sox.

"They don't panic when they're down," World Series MVP Mike Lowell said of the Rockies. "It got a little dicey there after Atkins hit the home run, but Pap's been there all year for us. There's no better guy to have in that situation than him."

It was Papelbon, who didn't allow a run in seven postseason appearances, who recorded the final five outs. It was his third save of the World Series.

There was also a feel-good touch to the end of the script, as Lester, who was undergoing chemotherapy treatments for anaplastic large cell lymphoma at this time last year, fired 5 2/3 shutout innings against Colorado to earn the win in his first career postseason start.
"Words can't describe it," said Lester. "It really hasn't sunk in. Maybe it will sink in when we go ride around Boston with the trophy. Right now, it's just a lot of fun. This is the one you work for ever since you first picked up a baseball. This is what you dream of and this is what you work towards all year."

Aaron Cook, making his first start since Aug. 10 because of a left oblique strain, hung tough (six innings, six hits, three runs) for the Rockies in a losing effort.

But the Red Sox did enough offensively to get the job done. Lowell -- who has a way of making his hits count -- belted a solo homer in the top of the seventh to give Boston a 3-0 lead.

Brad Hawpe drew the Rockies within two on a solo shot to right against Manny Delcarmen in the bottom of the seventh. But after Mike Timlin navigated the Red Sox through the final two outs of that inning, Bobby Kielty opened the eighth with a pinch-hit homer to push the lead back to three runs.

The fact that Kielty hit a decisive home run was symbolic of the way this postseason went for Boston. From the veterans to the rookies to the role players, everyone did their thing.

"You have to have horses," said Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling. "You have to have Papelbons, you have to have [Josh] Becketts, you have to have Mannys, you have to have Davids, but when you have Jon Lester winning it and Bobby Kielty hitting the game-winning homer, it just speaks to the depth of the club."

Don't let the relative ease of the World Series conquest fool you. The ride to the pinnacle was anything but easy for the Red Sox. They trailed the Indians, 3-1, in the American League Championship Series before climbing out of that seemingly daunting deficit.

If the script sounds reasonably familiar, it should. In 2004, the Red Sox came back from 3-0 down to beat the Yankees in the ALCS, and they finished that championship ride with eight straight wins.

"It's the most impossible thing to get done, and we got it done," said Red Sox slugger David Ortiz. "And [three] years later, we did it again."

Coming into the World Series, the Rockies had won 21 of 22. But the Red Sox cooled them right off, riding their battle-tested playoff horses (Beckett and Schilling) to victories at Fenway, and then having Daisuke Matsuzaka and Lester seal the deal in the Rocky Mountains.

"We had momentum on our side," said Timlin, who has now been a part of four World Series champions. "We came from a tough series with the Indians and we just carried it into this one. They had the time off and it didn't play in their favor, and we rolled."

After taking over first place in the AL East for good on April 18 and winning 96 games during the regular season, Boston went 11-3 in the postseason.

"I'm just so proud of everybody," said Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, a force in his rookie year. "It took 25 guys and every scout and coach to win this."

In Game 4 of the World Series, the Red Sox again set the tone early. Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off his four-hit performance in Game 3, led the game off with a double. He moved to third on a groundout by Pedroia and scored on Ortiz's single to right.

Cook held the Red Sox down for a while after that first, throwing three straight shutout innings. But the Boston bats came alive in the fifth. Lowell got it started with a leadoff double to center and belly-flopped home on a one-out single to right by Varitek. After Julio Lugo followed with a single, Cook struck out Lester and Ellsbury to keep it at 2-0.

Things would get topsy-turvy later, but the Red Sox found a way to finish it off. By the end of the night, the infield seats at Coors Field were packed with Boston fans, who cheered the players on for roughly 90 minutes in a post-clinch party.

"I thought there would be a different feeling, because there wasn't sort of the long, dramatic buildup," said Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino. "But it's still exhilarating and still jubilant. Just sitting here now, seeing the players in uniform, Red Sox Nation here with us, it's beginning to hit me right now with the fans cheering. It's a gratifying feeling."

Piece of cake-Ellsbury, Pedroia and Dice-K put championship within reach

2007-10-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

By Ian Browne / MLB.com

DENVER -- Can a team that hails from Boston really know all that much about a pure Rocky Mountain high? The Red Sox, at the very least, are in the most advantageous position possible to find out.
On the three-year anniversary of the day they clinched their last World Series championship, the Red Sox put themselves on the verge of another taste of Major League Baseball's summit. This, after they pounced on the Rockies early, held on for dear life in the middle and put it away late. All of that en route to a thoroughly eventful 10-5 victory in Saturday night's Game 3 of the World Series at Coors Field.

Just like in 2004, the Red Sox are out to a 3-0 lead in the Fall Classic. And they'll try to end it every bit as quickly as they did three years ago, when they gave the St. Louis Cardinals the broom treatment.

Leave it to Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez to put the current state of affairs in proper perspective.

"We don't want to eat the cake first, before your birthday," said Ramirez. "We've got to wait and see what's going to happen [in Game 4]."

Per usual, the Red Sox weren't making early celebration plans.

"Go out and play [Sunday's] game," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "That's what is in our best interest -- is to play tomorrow's game and see how we do. That's what we always do: stay in the moment."

Creating a chance at another World Series sweep was anything but easy. After building a 6-0 lead by the top of the third inning, the Red Sox had to withstand a furious comeback by the Rockies. When Matt Holliday clocked a three-run homer over the wall in center against Hideki Okajima with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh, Boston's once-commanding lead was down to a precious run. Okajima settled down and got through the rest of the inning unscathed, helping to preserve the win for fellow Japanese rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka.

"Oki has been great for us all year," said Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell. "I don't think he lets previous at-bats change his focus and change his approach. He goes after hitters and did a great job again today. After that big home run, we just needed to get out of the inning with the lead and see if we can tack on a few more."

Tack, they did. In a key top of the eighth for the Sox, two rookies delivered big hits in succession. First, it was Jacoby Ellsbury (4-for-5, three doubles), who lofted an RBI double that fell just in front of diving Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe. And Dustin Pedroia immediately followed with a two-run double to right, pumping his fist with excitement when he reached second. Both of those clutch knocks came against Rockies reliever Brian Fuentes.

"[Ellsbury] and Pedroia, they carried the team," Ramirez said. "You have to give those guys credit."

Closer Jonathan Papelbon came on with two on and two outs in the eighth and got the Red Sox out of that jam. He finished it off in the ninth for his second save of the World Series.
Boston will try to try to finish Colorado off on Sunday. Of the 22 previous teams that have led the World Series 3-0, all have gone on to win. Nineteen, in fact, did it with a sweep. The Red Sox will try to become No. 20 in Game 4, when they send left-hander Jon Lester to the mound for his first career postseason start.

Before getting to Lester, the Red Sox turned to Matsuzaka, whose inaugural Major League season has been covered like a blanket by two nations -- Japan and Red Sox -- from start to finish.

Sometimes Matsuzaka didn't live up to the billing of the man the Red Sox invested $103.1 million in. But after coming up with enough to win Game 7 of the American League Championship Series against the Indians, Matsuzaka was also able to get the job done vs. the Rockies, holding them to three hits and two runs -- both of which came home after he left the game -- over 5 1/3 innings. Dice-K walked three and struck out five, throwing 101 pitches.

"I think I felt more pressure going into Game 7 of the LCS, so today was easier mentally," Matsuzaka said through translator Masa Hoshino. "But the team won, and I didn't wind up being the one to stop our momentum. So in that sense, I feel very relieved."

If his pitching wasn't enough, Matsuzaka also chipped in with his bat, belting a two-out, two-run single in a six-run uprising by Boston in the top of the third. Matsuzaka could not have picked a better occasion to come up with his first Major League hit, which gave the Red Sox a 5-0 lead.

"I'm a confident hitter, [and] I love hitting," Matsuzaka said. The Red Sox pinned the Rockies and right-hander Josh Fogg squarely against the ropes in that third, getting big hits from not only Matsuzaka, but also David Ortiz (RBI double) and Lowell (two-run single). Ellsbury started and finished the job, belting two doubles in the inning, joining Matt Williams (Game 6, 2001 World Series) as the only players in World Series history to accomplish that feat.

That was what Francona had in mind when he put Ellsbury in the leadoff spot for the first time in this postseason. Pedroia moved down a spot to the No. 2 hole and was a pest to the Rockies, going 3-for-5.

"They were on base the whole night," Francona said. "It created a lot of opportunities."

Backed by a 6-0 lead to start the bottom of the sixth, Matsuzaka issued back-to-back walks to Todd Helton and Garrett Atkins and was then removed from the game.

For the first time all night, the Rockies threatened to come charging back. With Javy Lopez on for Boston, Hawpe lined an RBI single up the middle. Yorvit Torrealba followed with a single through the hole and into left, and it was 6-2.

Francona then called for Mike Timlin, and the first truly anxious moment of the night for Boston came when Ryan Spilborghs greeted the veteran right-hander with a drive that whistled into deep center field. But Ellsbury tracked it down just in front of the wall.

Pinch-hitter Jeff Baker followed with a scorching liner that seemed bound to be a hit, but Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo timed his leap perfectly and snared it out of thin air to end the inning.

"That ball was smoked," confirmed Lugo.

In this case for the Red Sox, fire did not accompany the smoke.

"That might have saved the game right there, Lugo's play," said Lowell. "I didn't think he had a chance. That ball looked liked it kept rising. He got up there, and I think we were all pumped up when he came down with it."

And now, it's down to this. If the Red Sox can win just one more game in this World Series, their 2007 season will be declared a smashing success.

"We have to continue to stay focused," catcher Jason Varitek said. "We have to try and outplay our opponent."

Keep in mind that Varitek uttered that precise statement after Game 4 of the ALCS, when the Red Sox were in a 3-1 hole and their season was on the brink. It is that tunnel vision -- as much as anything -- that has gotten the Red Sox to this point.

"I think we have to maintain the same intensity, because 3-0 doesn't mean anything if you can't win the fourth," said Lowell. "I truly believe we're going to go into tomorrow's game prepared just like we did today and the first two games in Boston."

"We're going to come tomorrow, play hard and we'll see what's going to happen," said Ramirez.

And perhaps by the end of Game 4, there will be a cake to go with a trophy.

Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Rockies seek fresh start at home

2007-10-27T14:52:00.000-07:00

World Series shifts to Colorado with Red Sox in control
By Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com

DENVER -- The Red Sox are halfway to another World Series championship. And if one judges by the odds, they have the decided advantage against the Rockies as both teams prepare for Game 3 on Saturday night at Coors Field.
After dropping the first two games at Fenway Park, including Game 2 on Thursday night, 2-1, the Rox need a victory. Pronto.

"We've been comfortable at home. We've been resilient at home," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "Our crowd will be a big part of it. We want to put a good product on the field, get this thing headed back in our direction, get some people making some noise for us, get our offense kick-started and see if we can win a ballgame. Game 3 is what this whole thing is about for us right now."

It ought to be. When the home team -- like the Red Sox this week -- has won the first two games of the World Series, good things usually happen. That team has gone on to take the whole thing 27 out of 34 times, including the last 10 in row, dating back to the 1981 Fall Classic when the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in six games after dropping the first two at Yankee Stadium.

This is the 51st time that a team has won the first two games of the World Series either at home or on the road, and those teams have won it all 39 out of the previous 50.

And no team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the World Series.

So the historical pattern is definitely with the Red Sox, who won the first two games of the 2004 World Series at the Fens against the Cardinals and went on to sweep that series on the road for their first title in 86 years.

When presented with the positive odds, Red Sox manager Terry Francona deadpanned after listening to a dissertation of the numbers:

"By the time you get done with that question the odds are going to change. What we've said all along, and we're really good at it, is playing the game ahead of us. The next game ahead of us is the most important thing on our radar and that'll never change regardless of what our record is."

Curt Schilling, Thursday night's winner and now 3-0 this postseason, also has had experience playing on one of those teams that took a two-game advantage right off the bat in the World Series. His 2001 Diamondbacks won the first two games against the Yankees at what was then called Bank One Ballpark and then survived a sweep of the three games at Yankee Stadium before returning home to win that series in seven games. Of course, he was also on the 2004 Red Sox team that rebounded from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Yankees in the American League Championship Series, the only time in Major League history that's happened in a best-of-seven series.

Schilling was asked if he could share any lessons he learned from the 2001 World Series, in particular, with his current teammates.

"Since I'm the only guy from that World Series playing in this one, no," said Schilling, who was a co-MVP of the 2001 series with teammate Randy Johnson. "This is the two best teams in the game, the two left standing. Regardless of us being up 2-0 or what percentages say, it's irrelevant to us and it's irrelevant to them. We're both here because we really didn't pay attention to statistics. We played the games at hand and we grinded out a 162-game schedule."

In the Rox case, make that 163.

Of course, they are glad to be home where they compiled a 54-31 record this season, including a National League Wild Card tie-breaker and two rounds of playoffs. The Wild Card-tiebreaker win here on Oct. 1 came over the Padres with three runs in the bottom of the 13th and ended the season for Colorado with 14 wins in its final 15 games.

That streak stretched to 21 out of 22 through sweeps of the Phillies in the NL Division Series and Arizona in the NLCS. In their first World Series, the Rockies won all the games that sent them on to next level at home where they hope to revive their flagging chances this weekend.

After scoring two runs on 11 hits against the Red Sox at Fenway, the Rockies need to clean the slate and all that rot. They've allowed too many gratuitous baserunners, issuing 12 walks and hitting a batter. They haven't been able to close down an inning: 11 of Boston's 15 runs came with two out and none having already scored. On the offensive side, they've stranded seven of nine baserunners in scoring position.

"Well, it's disappointing," Hurdle said. "It puts you in positions you don't want to get into. That being said, we've got to find a way to correct it. We haven't helped ourselves when we've been able to. We've made enough mistakes that we've cost us a little bit and we've put ourselves in a hole down two games. We've got a tough challenge ahead of us, but the reality is we [are] home now [to] play some baseball. I anticipate that we're going to be better at home."

Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

World Series - Video On World Series Ticket Prices

2007-10-25T01:42:00.000-07:00

For World Series Tickets, click here

Red Sox Clobber Colorado 13 to 1 - World Series Game One - ESPN

2007-10-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

This game wasn' even a contest. Wow, what a clobbering the Rockies got.

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Red Sox send Rockies crashing down to earth

By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com

BOSTON -- The Red Sox welcomed the Rockies to town with a full-course beatdown menu Wednesday night. It began with a Boston schoolyard tradition -- the atomic wedgie -- followed by a noogie, a nose twist, and the obligatory forfeiture of lunch money and loss of dignity.

All the feel-good vibes the Rockies generated during their recent 21-1 run were lost in a hail of Josh Beckett strikeouts, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz extra-base hits and bases-loaded walks. After Fenway favorite Carl Yastrzemski bounced the ceremonial first pitch to the plate, it was all uphill for the Red Sox.
Where this series goes from here depends upon your perspective. A mile-high optimist might say a humbling experience of this magnitude was inevitable, given that the Rockies had suffered one loss in the previous 38 days.
And a single blowout isn't necessarily a sign of things to come. The 1996 Yankees lost the World Series opener 12-1 to Atlanta, then dropped Game 2 in the Bronx before recovering to beat the Braves in six games. In 1960, Pittsburgh beat the Yankees in seven games despite suffering losses of 10-0, 12-0 and 16-3.
On the other hand, just about every scout or big-league talent evaluator you came across this season pronounced the American League worlds ahead of the National League. The "varsity vs. junior varsity'' line will appear routinely in newspaper columns across the country after Boston's 13-1 walkover in Game 1.
The Rockies, naturally, are taking the upbeat approach. The steady drizzle that fell throughout much of Game 1 washed off some of their magic dust, but not all of it.
"It's one loss. It's not two, it's not three and it's not the World Series,'' said Ryan Spilborghs, Colorado's designated hitter in the opener. "If one loss was going to bury us, we obviously wouldn't be in this situation at all. We're still super confident. Like Manny [Ramirez] says, it's not the end of the world for us.''
To their credit, the Rockies generally refrained from using their eight-day layoff since the end of the National League Championship Series as an excuse. But they sure looked like a team that was rusty, and a little bit overwhelmed by the surroundings.
No one had a tougher night than starter Jeff Francis, a 17-game winner who'd gone 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in his first two playoff starts against Philadelphia and Arizona. He bore little resemblance to the Francis who pitched five shutout innings to beat Beckett and the Red Sox 7-1 at Fenway on June 14.

Nick Laham/Getty Images
Jeff Francis was roughed up for six runs on 10 hits in four innings to suffer the loss in Game 1.
Pick a malady, and Francis suffered from it. He gave up a home run to Dustin Pedroia with his second pitch of the game. Twice he retired the first two batters of an inning only to allow the Red Sox to score. And when he showed an inability to command the inner half of the plate, the Boston hitters were content to look for pitches away and drive them to the opposite field with authority.
While radar guns can be deceiving, Francis' readings Wednesday night were telling. His fastball was routinely clocked at 85-86 mph, and his changeups were coming in at 78-80. That's not exactly optimal separation.
"There were some changeups I threw tonight that came out kind of hard,'' Francis said. "They didn't have a lot of downward movement on them like normally. I didn't have a good feel for that pitch, or my curveball to right-handers.''
Francis wasn't alone. Rookie Franklin Morales was touched for six runs, and Ryan Speier walked three straight Boston hitters with the bases loaded. A Colorado staff that went 7-0 with a 2.08 ERA and allowed 15 earned runs in the National League playoffs gave up a World Series-record nine doubles.
The lesson here: Fenway can be a daunting place, and the view from the mound is a little different when Ortiz and Ramirez are stepping to the plate in the 3-4 spots instead of Eric Byrnes and Conor Jackson/Tony Clark. Young pitchers who try to be too fine usually wind up playing into the opposition's hands.
"There's a lot of factors -- the excitement, the crowd, the competition,'' said Colorado pitching coach Bob Apodaca. "That leads to guys thinking, 'I can't just throw strikes. I have to throw quality strikes.' I said before the game, 'If we try to avoid contact, we're in for a rude awakening. We're going to get into counts we can't afford to get into.' They forced us into a lot of mistakes, and they took advantage. Give them credit.''
So now the Rockies will try to be more aggressive and pound the strike zone and get ahead in the count. And if that doesn't work, ducking and covering might be advisable.

They're an offensive juggernaut. In a lot of people's minds, [the Red Sox are] the best team in the big leagues. You have to execute pitches on them, period, and a lot of times when you do, they still smoke it.
--Rockies reliever Matt Herges
"They're an offensive juggernaut,'' reliever Matt Herges said of the Red Sox. "In a lot of people's minds, they're the best team in the big leagues. You have to execute pitches on them, period, and a lot of times when you do, they still smoke it.''
The Rockies, who won 13 of their last 14 regular-season games and beat San Diego in a playoff to qualify for their first postseason berth since 1995, have grown accustomed to the notion that the extraordinary is possible as long as they stick together and keep the faith.
"We'll see what we're made of tomorrow,'' Herges said. "We have two options. The first is, 'OK, we're done.' Or we do what we've done the whole second half, and scratch and claw like we have to get where we are now. I'm pretty confident we'll bounce back and you'll see the team that won 21 of 22.''
For the sake of injecting some drama in this World Series, the Rockies better hope for a quick turnaround. In October, it's amazing how quickly yesterday's fairy tale can turn into today's roadkill.
Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN.com. His book "License To Deal" was published by Rodale. Click here to order a copy. Jerry can be reached via e-mail.

Dog Bites Boston Red Sox Toy Bat - World Series

2007-10-24T18:15:00.000-07:00

This guy thinks his dog's a Red Sox Fan. Looks more like he's biting the toy to me!

Rox reveal great way to grow

2007-10-24T10:17:00.000-07:00

Game 1: Wed., Rockies at Red Sox, 6:35 p.m.
By Troy E. Renck
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 10/24/2007 09:54:01 AM MDT

BOSTON — Before they faced the Green Monster, they shared green chili burritos. Before they faced the Boston Red Sox, they learned how to clean socks in cramped laundromats. Before they walked onto the sport's ultimate stage, they ran up phone bills from remote minor-league outposts.

The Rockies are in the World Series, probably getting ready to take batting practice at Fenway Park before Game 1 as you read this. Aside from "Who the heck are these guys?" The most common question is: How did they get here?

Statistics provide a healthy slice of the explanation. The Rockies won 90 games. They won 21 of their last 22 overall, including consecutive playoff sweeps last matched by the 1976 Cincinnati Reds. Their playoff ERA (2.08) requires a microscope to read. They have an NL MVP candidate (left fielder Matt Holliday), a rookie of the year front- runner (shortstop Troy Tulowitzki) and everybody's sentimental favorite (veteran first baseman Todd Helton).
To understand how the Rockies reached this spot, and found themselves on Yawkey Way in October, you must get closer. You must walk into their clubhouse. Of the 25 players who will comprise the Rockies' World Series roster, 15 were raised on the farm. They aren't just homegrown, they have grown up before each other's eyes.

The Rockies are that unique pro sports franchise that has discovered success through friendship and unmistakable camaraderie.

"Anytime you spend so much time together and get to know each other's families, there's going to be a stronger bond," explained Holliday, the first of the minor-leaguers to break out during the 2004 season. "We have been together for years and it's been great because all of the new guys have fit in well, too. I don't think you necessarily have to have this to win, but it makes it easier and a lot more fun."

The Rockies finished last in the National League West last season. They were close then, too, right? So what happened? Their bond grew tighter through failure, when they failed to meet expectations in the second half of 2006. And they became better players.

"We were mad we hadn't done well," right fielder Brad Hawpe said. "We knew we should be a good team."

Linear growth isn't common at the major-league level, but it made sense to this group. They arrived in spring training with inflated confidence, their optimism akin to a college team with a strong senior class.

"I think through their education and their experience, they have really embraced each other's talents. They know that everybody out there has something to bring. They have earned their place, they have talent and they can help this club win," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "I think that is the other unique characteristic. They are committed to doing whatever is asked of them to help the team win."

It doesn't hurt that they like each other. On Sunday night, before the biggest road trip of their lives, nearly a dozen Rockies attended the Broncos-Steelers game at Invesco Field. During the season, the players had weekly barbecues or bowling nights. Ryan Spilborghs served as a tour guide for a field trip along the Freedom Trail when the team was in Boston in June.

"We're not just teammates. We are friends," Holliday said. "These are people we genuinely care about."

The bond was formed, for many of them, during late- night bus rides through small towns, eating greasy potato chips, beef jerky and the convenience-store delicacy: the burrito. They shared hotel rooms, commiserated over position changes and dissected their swings over swigs of soda.

"It was a close group, where guys were pulling for each other," recalled former Rockies pitcher Jason Jennings, who paid Holliday $100 a month to sleep on an air mattress in his Asheville, N.C., apartment. "You are probably never tighter with guys than you are in college. That was what it was like, even when we were in the big leagues. The music was playing, guys were always talking."

Ripping is more like it. This team's affection can be seen in its endless ragging. Nobody is immune. The players razz Tulowitzki over his encyclopedic knowledge of his own hits - there is a running counter above his locker, dating to his days in Little League. They presented a faux Purple Heart to Jason Hirsh after he pitched with a broken leg, and stage Stupid Human Trick contests, with Josh Fogg the most recent target when, in two swings, he couldn't hit a ball into the seats at Arizona's Chase Field.

Rockies reliever LaTroy Hawkins credits Helton for making the vibe work. His comfort level has grown with the young players. He has become more accessible, the barbs now a two-way street.

"Now if you say something, it's not, 'I just made fun of Todd Helton. I am going to be excommunicated,"' outfielder Cory Sullivan said. "Or be designated for assignment."

In 2004, when most of the players came up, like Garrett Atkins, Jeff Francis, Hawpe and Holliday, this dynamic didn't exist. The clubhouse was littered with mercenary veterans who knew they were leaving or were threatened by the kids. When a few players replaced Francis' nameplate with "Franchise," Hurdle ordered it removed.

"They do things now that maybe they would wonder how I was going to react. Or what other people were going to think. Now they know it's all good," Hurdle said. "I trust them, they trust me."

In many ways, the Rockies' 1-9 June road trip typified how the team got here. All momentum from sweeping the Yankees had vanished, the season was on tilt. But rather than splinter or point fingers, the Rockies' bond grew stronger.

"It's hard to comprehend what has happened this last month to get here. It's all gone by so fast. I can't wait to watch it all on video after this is over," Hawpe said. "I am not surprised that we made it this far. I thought we were really good all year, one of the better teams. And we always believed in each other."

Hello, my name is ...
It might not be a bad idea for the Rockies to wear name tags for the 103rd World Series, given their anonymity. Red Sox fans barely know the team name, let alone the players' names. And let's not forget how many of those pulling for the Rockies are late to the bandwagon. Here is national baseball writer Troy E. Renck's Zagat guide to the most prominent Rockies:

LF Matt Holliday

You might remember him from: The all-star's 475-foot home run during the 2007 Home Run Derby. The M-V-P! chants that accompany his at-bats. And The Slide, the Rockies' version of The Drive, as he dribbled his chin near home plate to beat the Padres in the wild-card tiebreaker.

1B Todd Helton

You might remember him from: Something besides this season. He easily is the team's most recognizable figure, even without his "Red Neck" shirt on.

3B Garrett Atkins

You might remember him from: His grand slam off tonight's Red Sox starter, Josh Beckett, during the Rockies' June visit to Fenway Park. And his 231 RBIs the past two seasons.

RF Brad Hawpe

You might remember him from: A 2000 national championship at LSU. His June home run off Boston's Curt Schilling that prompted the veteran pitcher to write on his blog: "I've given up more than my share of home runs, but not that many come as total shocks to me as this one was. It wasn't even in the deepest recesses of my subconscious right there."

CF Willy Taveras

You might remember him from: The sprinting, diving, brilliant catch on Arizona's Tony Clark during Game 2 of the NLCS.

2B Kazuo Matsui

You might remember him from: His playoff grand slam against the Phillies. If you are a Mets fan, don't jog your memory.

SS Troy Tulowitzki

You might remember him from: His unassisted triple play against the Braves on April 29 at Coors Field. And his 24 home runs, an NL record for a rookie shortstop.

C Yorvit Torrealba

You might remember him from: His decisive home run during Game 3 of the NLCS. And the yellow "Live Strong" bracelet he wears on his left wrist as a tribute to a family member who survived cancer.

DH Ryan Spilborghs

You might remember him from: "The Sweet Escape" batter clip at Coors Field - Woo-Hoo! Yee-Hoo!

LHP Jeff Francis

You might remember him from: Tying the Rockies' season record with 17 wins. Or his idolization of former Rockie Larry Walker.

RHP Manny Corpas

You might remember him from: His five postseason saves, and his endless phone calls back to Panama. His dad will be at Coors Field this weekend, perhaps shaving a grand off his next cellphone bill.

Glory, heartbreak to be had in Game 7

2007-10-21T15:40:00.000-07:00

American League's World Series berth to be decided at Fenway
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

BOSTON -- This is what this postseason was waiting for.
After five series that went a combined one game over the minimum, the Indians and Red Sox are going the distance.

"When you're in a fist fight and your back is to the wall, that's a pretty good position to be in," said Indians outfielder Trot Nixon, who experienced an American League Championship Series Game 7 in back-to-back seasons with Boston in 2003 and '04. "The Red Sox were there the past few days, and now both teams are."

Either Beantown or Cleveland is going to have a glorious chapter added to its sports history. The other is going to have a heavy helping of heartbreak. Both cities have no shortage of material on either side.

For every key LeBron James bucket that sent Cleveland to the NBA Finals last summer, there's the image of Edgar Renteria's walk-off single in Florida, or Michael Jordan's winning shot, or Earnest Byner fumbling near the goal line in the final minutes.

Cleveland has Tony Pena and Tony Fernandez, both of whom hit clutch LCS home runs, but the city also has The Drive.

Boston has Bucky Dent and Aaron Boone. But Beantown also has David Ortiz's two-run homer in Game 7 of the '04 ALCS, Adam Vinatieri's Super Bowl-winning field goals, and that Larry Bird steal and pass to beat the Pistons in the NBA's Eastern Conference Finals 20 years ago.

On one side or the other, this game is going to join those ranks. The momentum swings that shaped the last six games of the ALCS have all led to this.

"Hey, it's going to come down to Game 7 against the two teams that won more baseball games than anybody in the regular season, two teams that have beat up on each other a little bit over the course of the past week," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "And that's the way it should be. It's something everyone should look forward to."

The Red Sox certainly do. As manager Terry Francona reasoned, they're just glad to still be playing.

After standing on the brink of elimination the last two games, the Red Sox forced the first Game 7 at Fenway Park since the 1986 ALCS, when they finished off a comeback of three straight victories to beat the Angels. However, that's the only Game 7 the Red Sox have won at home; they dropped the deciding games of the 1975 and 1967 World Series here.

The only Game 7 Cleveland has faced in modern history, of course, came in the '97 World Series, when Renteria's single completed a late-inning Marlins comeback to win the game in extra innings. The only Game 7 the Indians have won in their history came in 1920, when Tris Speaker's club won five games over Brooklyn back when the World Series was a best-of-nine showdown.

If the Indians win Sunday, they'll become just the fifth team in LCS history to recover from a Game 6 loss to take Game 7. On the other hand, the Cardinals pulled off the feat last year when they fended off the Mets in the NLCS.

For teams that lose Games 5 and 6, winning Game 7 in the LCS is even rarer. Neither those '96 Cardinals nor the 2003 Cubs could do it, leaving the '92 Braves as the last to pull it off when Francisco Cabrera drove in Sid Bream to complete a ninth-inning rally.

As for home-field advantage, there is none. The home team is 7-5 in Game 7 of the LCS since it became a best-of-seven format in 1985.

Report: Indians' Byrd bought HGH, syringes from Florida clinic

2007-10-21T15:30:00.000-07:00

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer
October 21, 2007

BOSTON (AP) -- Cleveland pitcher Paul Byrd, whose win in Game 4 of the ALCS moved the Indians within one victory of the World Series, bought nearly $25,000 worth of human growth hormone and syringes from 2002 to 2005, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Sunday.

Byrd, known for his old-school windup and savvy on the mound, purchased the HGH from a Palm Beach, Fla., anti-aging clinic under investigation by authorities for possible illegal distribution of performance-enhancing drugs, the paper said.

The allegations against Byrd came as the Indians prepared to play the Boston Red Sox in Game 7 of the AL championship series at Fenway Park on Sunday night. Cleveland led the series 3-1 after Bryd's Game 4 win but have lost two straight.

Byrd arrived at the ballpark about fours before the start of the game. He walked to Cleveland's clubhouse with teammates David Dellucci and Trot Nixon. Byrd planned to speak to the media before the game.

"I'm going to talk to my team first," he said.

During the time of the alleged purchases, the pitcher was with the Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Angels. HGH was not banned by baseball then and was added to the sport's list of prohibited substances in 2005.

Major League Baseball said it will speak to Byrd before the start of the World Series, if Cleveland advances.

"We will investigate the allegations concerning Paul Byrd as we have players implicated in previous similar reports," the league statement said.

Also accused of buying HGH: Los Angeles Angels outfielder Gary Matthews, St. Louis outfielder Rick Ankiel and Texas Rangers infielder Jerry Hairston Jr.

Byrd, a 36-year-old devout Christian, has publicly denied using steroids in the past.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro has spoken with Byrd about the matter, adding he didn't have enough information to comment further.

"He has been an important member of this organization -- on and off the field -- over the last two years and we support him in this process," Shapiro said in a statement.

Byrd won Game 4 for the Indians at Jacobs Field on Tuesday. In the AL playoffs, he earned the victory in Cleveland's Game 4 series-clinching win over the New York Yankees.

According to the Chronicle, which reviewed the clinic's business records, Byrd used his credit card and spent $24,850 on more than 1,000 vials of HGH, an injectable prescription drug with muscle-building properties. He also bought hundreds of syringes.
The Chronicle said it reviewed records of shipping orders and payment information on Byrd such as his Social Security number. The records were provided to the paper by an unidentified source.

Based on the paper's review, Byrd had some shipments sent to his home in Alpharetta, Ga., $1,050 worth of syringes and HGH to the Braves' spring training facility in Kissimmee, Fla., and a $2,000 order to the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York, when the Braves were in town to play the Mets.

The Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center, the clinic where Byrd made the alleged purchases, is part of a network of anti-aging clinics and online pharmacies targeted by the Albany, N.Y., district attorney for alleged illegal sales of steroids and growth hormone.

Citing an anonymous law enforcement source, the Chronicle said two of the prescriptions Byrd used to buy the growth hormone were written by a Florida dentist. The dentist's license was suspended in 2003 for fraud and incompetence. Byrd was slowed by an elbow injury in 2003, and records show he made six purchases of HGH.

Byrd went 15-8 with a 4.59 ERA this season, his second with the Indians. He signed him to a two-year, $14 million free agent contract in December 2005, and Cleveland holds a club option on the right-hander for 2008.

After shoulder surgery in 2002, Byrd began toying with a double-pump windup favored by pitchers from decades ago. He found that the arm-swinging motion helped him better hide the ball from hitters, and the windup became his signature.

Byrd, who has a 97-61 career record, relies on location and off-speed pitches to get outs. Following Game 4, Byrd, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, joked about finding some extra speed on his fastball.

"I hit 90 mph," he said, "which happens a few times a year."

Red Sox 12, Indians 2 - One More Game Sunday - Game 7

2007-10-21T06:55:00.000-07:00

What is it about the Boston Red Sox that they seem to pull victory from the jaws of defeat? Will they do it again?

BOSTON (ESPN) -- The ball cleared the center field wall, and J.D. Drew raised his fist in celebration.

A grand slam.

A curtain call.

And better yet: A chance to do it again in Game 7.

The struggling Red Sox right fielder drove in five runs, backing yet another postseason gem from Curt Schilling on Saturday night as Boston battered the Cleveland Indians 12-2 to tie the AL Championship Series at three games apiece.

Cleveland's 1-2 punch of C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona haven't come close to acing this ALCS test. With Carmona's Game 6 loss, the duo falls to a combined 0-3 vs. the Red Sox.

"Hey, it's going to come down to Game 7, the two teams that won more baseball games than anybody in the regular season, two teams that have beat each other up over the course of the past week," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "And that's the way it should be. It's something everybody should look forward to."

Baseball and its fans are certainly looking forward to it in a postseason where four of the first five series ended in sweeps.
"There's nothing, I think, funner in sports than a Game 7," Schilling said.

Schilling improved his career postseason record to 10-2, allowing two runs and six hits in seven innings.

Fausto Carmona failed to get anybody out in the third inning, giving up seven runs on six hits and four walks.

After failing to get a victory from co-aces C.C. Sabathia and Carmona, the Indians hope Jake Westbrook can save them on Sunday night.

The Red Sox turn to Daisuke Matsuzaka, who couldn't make it through the fifth inning in either of his previous postseason starts.

A third consecutive victory -- on the anniversary of Carlton Fisk's extra-inning homer in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series -- would put Boston back in the Series for the first time since 2004, when it rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS en route to its first title in 86 years. The Red Sox also came back from a 2-0 deficit against the Indians in the first round of the 1999 playoffs.

"It just has to stop, and it has to stop tonight," Wedge said. "They need to go to bed tonight with clear heads and think clear thoughts and come here tomorrow expecting to win."

After stumbling in his previous outing, Schilling came back to show why he is considered one of the best postseason pitchers in baseball history. He gave up Victor Martinez's solo homer in the second inning and otherwise held the Indians scoreless until Ryan Garko tripled and scored on Jhonny Peralta's sacrifice fly in the seventh.

By that time, it was already 10-2.

Schilling got Kenny Lofton on a grounder and former teammate Trot Nixon on a fly ball to end the seventh, then left to a standing ovation. He took his hat off -- twice -- and waved up at the box where his wife and family sit.

"This was about our offense just doing a phenomenal job," Schilling said. "J.D. Drew is a special player. I'm sure he's not real proud of the year he had ... but he is the definition of 'even keel.' I mean, he doesn't snap. He doesn't get too high, too low. He just goes up and he plays the game. And tonight, that wins the game."

Drew has struggled to live up to the five-year, $70 million contract the Red Sox threw at him last winter even though no one else seemed interested in bidding. He was signed to protect David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez in the lineup, but manager Terry Francona dropped him from fifth to sixth in the lineup when he failed to deliver timely hits in the regular season.

Coming into the game, Drew was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position, 1-for-11 in the two series combined and just .237 with a chance for an RBI in 2007 overall. When he came up with the bases loaded in the first inning against Carmona, he delivered.

Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis reached on infield singles, and Ortiz looked at six straight pitches for a walk. Ramirez struck out, then Mike Lowell was out on a shallow fly to right, not deep enough to score Pedroia.

All Carmona needed was to get Drew.

"He almost worked through that inning, and then J.D. got him," Wedge said. "And then things sort of dominoed on him. It just wasn't in the cards for us."

Drew hit a line drive into the camera box in straightaway center field to give Boston a 4-0 lead, raising one fist as he rounded the bases. Called back from the dugout by the same fans who had clamored for him to be replaced in the lineup, he gave a two-fisted wave.

"I've had a few of those in my career," Drew said. "None here so far. But it was great. I think the atmosphere was great.

"It has been a tough year, my expectations are high. I didn't have the year I would like to have, but I feel like I had a good September and started getting things turned around. Just wanted to go into the playoffs and have good at-bats."
Drew came up again in the third after Ramirez and Lowell walked to start the inning and singled to center to make it 5-0 and spark a six-run inning that essentially ended it.

But there was still time for one last redemption: Eric Gagne, the former star closer booed off the mound in previous postseason appearances, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

Electric Beckett dominates Indians

2007-10-19T05:05:00.000-07:00

Red Sox ace twirls another gem, forces Game 6 on Saturday
By Ian Browne / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- The Red Sox aren't just going back home. They are going back to play some more baseball. With elimination staring his team in the face, Josh Beckett never blinked, pitching yet another postseason gem in leading the Red Sox to a 7-1 victory in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Thursday night at Jacobs Field.
Following an off-day on Friday, the Red Sox will again try to stay alive in Saturday night's Game 6, when they send Curt Schilling to the mound at what figures to be an electric Fenway Park.

The Indians lead the best-of-seven series, 3-2, meaning they still have two more chances to get to the World Series.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, knew their margin was at zero, and they played like it.

In particular, Beckett pitched like it while improving to 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA this postseason. Over eight innings, the Red Sox ace allowed just one run on five hits while fanning a season-high 11 batters.

"I felt good," said Beckett. "Like we always say, it's easy when you've got everything going. Once again, I had great defense and I held them off just long enough for us to put up some runs. It was a team effort. We know what we have to do now: We have to win."

That's all Beckett has done this October. And at the age of 27, he is quickly establishing himself as a legendary performer this time of year, pushing his career postseason record to 5-2 with a 1.78 ERA.

"He's the man. He's the man in the playoffs," said Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez, who has transformed into a media darling in this series while remaining a hitting machine. "That's why he's our No. 1 starter. We've got a lot of confidence in him."

The Red Sox are still alive in their quest to try to become the 11th team in the history of postseason play to rally back from a 3-1 deficit.

"We just have to keep grinding it out," said second baseman Dustin Pedroia. "Our backs are still against the wall. We just have to play it pitch by pitch and go from there."

While Beckett was front and center in this win, the offense also regained its groove. Pedroia went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot. Kevin Youkilis homered and tripled while driving in three runs. David Ortiz added a hit, two walks and two RBIs, while Ramirez went 2-for-4 and narrowly missed hitting a home run.

The Red Sox didn't trail once.

"I think getting ahead was a huge factor for us in this game," said Youkilis. "We know when Josh Beckett is on the mound, we know maybe that one run could be all we need in a game."

Clinging to a 2-1 lead after five, the Red Sox finally got the insurance they seemed to be on the cusp of all night against Indians ace C.C. Sabathia.

Pedroia led off the sixth with a double to right-center and Youkilis brought him home with a triple that went off the glove of a diving Grady Sizemore. Indians manager Eric Wedge then lifted Sabathia in favor of Rafael Betancourt, and Ortiz lofted a sacrifice fly to left to make it 4-1.

"When we have the little guys getting on base, it's a totally different situation," said Ortiz. "We had the little guys on base and the middle of the lineup comes up to hit."

And hit they did.

The Sox broke it open with three in the eighth, sending eight batters to the plate.

"We really did a good job getting runners on base early, but we didn't do a whole lot with it," said Red Sox manager Terry Francona. "But we stayed at it and stayed at it and finally cashed in."

Looking to play with a lead, the Red Sox got one quick as Youkilis belted a solo homer to left with one out in the first. With two outs, Ramirez hit a double to left-center. Mike Lowell followed with a single to right, but Ramirez was thrown out at the plate by Indians right fielder Franklin Gutierrez.

The Indians bounced right back in the bottom of the first, as Sizemore led off with a bloop double down the line in left. Asdrubal Cabrera followed with a single to right, setting up runners at the corners with nobody out. Travis Hafner then hit into a 6-3 double play, but Sizemore crossed home with the tying run.

"I thought I executed my pitches pretty well in the first inning," said Beckett. "Just unfortunately you give up a bloop hit to a guy that's ... good hitters find ways to get hits, and Grady is definitely one of those."

After that, Beckett basically pulled the plug on the Indians, throwing his mid-to-upper-90s heat on the corners and dropping in curveballs at will.

"He was unbelievable," said Ortiz. "We have a lot of confidence in Josh, and I'm pretty sure the rest of our pitching staff is going to put it together just like he did."

Back came the Red Sox in the third, with the top of the order again making things happen. Pedroia led off with a single to right. After Youkilis hit into a double play, Ortiz drew a walk. Up stepped Ramirez, who lofted a drive to right-center that landed on the top of the yellow line that rests above the wall before bouncing back into play.

Ortiz came home and Ramirez, who thought it was a homer off the bat, settled for an RBI single that made it 2-1 Red Sox. Ramirez and Francona both argued vehemently that it was a home run, but the umpiring crew, after huddling for a bit, stuck with the original call. According to the Jacobs Field ground rules, a ball must be hit over the yellow line to be a home run.

"I thought it was out [of the park], but what can I say," Ramirez said.

As it turns out, it didn't much matter.

The bottom of the fifth began with an interesting wrinkle. Kenny Lofton worked Beckett to a 3-0 count and then thought he had walked on the next pitch. But it was ruled a strike. Perhaps Beckett was upset that Lofton presumed he had walked. Because once Lofton popped the next pitch into shallow left, Beckett appeared to shout something in his direction. Lofton was not amused, and after turning the corner at first base, he went towards Beckett. Both benches emptied briefly but nothing came of it.

Beckett and Lofton had a similar war of words in 2005 during a Marlins-Phillies game.

"It was a lot of stuff," said Beckett. "It kind of goes back before today. Those things have a way of working themselves out though."

Casey Blake and Sizemore then produced consecutive singles, but Beckett blew a 97-mph heater by Cabrera to end that threat.

Though Beckett won't start another game in this series, he all but vowed to be there if his team needs him out of the bullpen in a potential Game 7.

"We'll delve into that later," Beckett said. "Obviously I'm preparing myself for them to ask me that, and as of right now, yeah, I think that would be something I could do."

But all Beckett was thinking about in Game 5 was getting his team another game. That mission was accomplished in dominant fashion.

"Awesome," said Pedroia. "He's been doing it all year long. That's why he's one of the best in the game. He dealt tonight."

And thanks in large part to that, Fenway Park is not yet closed for the season.

Joe Torre refuses to take pay cut, walks away from Yankees

2007-10-19T04:59:00.000-07:00

BY MARK FEINSAND and CORKY SIEMASZKO
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS
Friday, October 19th 2007, 4:00 AM

It's the end of an era.

Yankee skipper Joe Torre yesterday rejected a one-year, "performance-based," $5 million contract to return as manager of the Bronx Bombers, ending a historic run in which he took the team to four World Championships and 12 straight playoff appearances.

The end came after a face-to-face showdown in Tampa with Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, in which The Boss refused to sweeten an offer Torre felt he could not accept.

The 67-year-old Torre, looking defiant but tired, returned in darkness to his home in Harrison, Westchester County, where he was met by a gang of photographers, flashes popping at machine-gun speed.

"It's been fun," Torre's wife, Ali, said after her husband walked into the house. "It's always difficult to say goodbye, but there's always hello."

As Torre slammed the door on prospects he might return to run the team he has managed since being hired in 1995, Yankees President Randy Levine said he was ready to find someone else to fill Torre's big shoes. "It is now time for the New York Yankees to move forward," Levine said.

Tributes to Torre, the first New Yorker to manage the Yankees, began pouring in as word of his refusal to bend to Steinbrenner's will rocked the sports world.

"This is a very sad day for anybody who is a Yankee fan," said Yankee fan-in-chief Rudy Giuliani. "Joe Torre was what I think athletes would describe as a class guy. Somebody who transcended baseball."

Mayor Bloomberg lauded Torre as a "great New Yorker who brought historic leadership and excitement - and incredible success - to the Bronx for the past 12 seasons."

Torre's fierce rival, Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona, added, "I think you're going to hear people in baseball, every area of baseball, say very, very kind, respectful things about Joe the next couple days, and they're all deserved."

Torre's fate had been hanging in the balance for 10 days, since the Yanks were bounced out of the first round of the playoffs for the third straight year.

During that time, speculation abounded that bench coach Don Mattingly, Yankees broadcaster Joe Girardi or other baseball stalwarts such as Cardinals manager Tony La Russa and ex-Mets manager Bobby Valentine might replace Torre.

Yesterday, general manager Brian Cashman, Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost and Levine surprised Yanks watchers by flying Torre to Tampa to meet with The Boss.

Torre had been offered a one-year deal that would have boosted his pay to $8 million if the team made it to the World Series. He flew to Tampa to try to get Steinbrenner to agree to a two-year deal.

"Everybody in this room, including The Boss, wanted him back," Cashman said. But Steinbrenner wouldn't budge and Torre stood up, shook his hand and left, sources told the Daily News.

The offer was a substantial pay cut for Torre, who made $7.5 million in the final year of his three-year, $19.2 million contract - and was the highest-paid manager in Major League Baseball.

"Joe Torre turned down that offer," Levine said after Torre flew back home.

Asked why, Levine said, "We're going to let Joe speak for himself." Torre is set to do just that today at a 2 p.m. press conference in Rye.

Levine explained the thinking behind their "performance-based" contract offer.

"We all have the same goal and that goal wasn't met," he said. "We thought we needed to go to a performance-based model."

Levine said the Yanks' failure to reach the World Series was "not one person's fault. ... It was collectively all of our faults."

Levine also said the offer was "very fair" and "clearly was at the top of the market."

Torre did not lose his cool during the talks.

"Joe was very respectful," Levine said. "He was the dignified man he has been. There was no acrimony, we had an open discussion and he declined the offer."

Superagent Scott Boras, who represents Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez, said Torre had no choice.

"It is ... near impossible to accept a salary cut," Boras told The Associated Press. "Successful people can afford their principles."

After landing at Westchester County Airport, Torre drove home in his gray Mercedes. The house was decorated for Halloween with a Frankenstein hanging from a tree out front and a skeleton emerging from the ground beside an ominous RIP headstone.

Dressed in jeans and a striped shirt, and carrying an issue of USA Today and a briefcase, Torre left the car engine running and did not speak as he made his way to the door. His hand appeared to be shaking as he fit the key into the lock.

Minutes later, Torre's wife pulled up in a silver Mercedes and joined her husband inside. After about five minutes, she came out and turned off the ignition to his car.

"I've got to turn the light off," she said.

Torre has been the Bombers' manager longer than anybody except the legendary Casey Stengel - and the first to guide the Yanks to 12 straight postseason appearances. When Torre succeeded Buck Showalter, the Yankees had not won the World Series since 1978. Few expected the Brooklyn-born Torre to do much better. The Daily News greeted him with the headline, "CLUELESS JOE."

Torre proved everybody wrong. With a mixture of off-field stoicism and on-field success, he kept the meddling Steinbrenner at bay.

Torre also inspired many men to take better care of themselves by going public with his prostate-cancer battle.

Torre's end was foretold last year when he was nearly fired after the Yanks were ousted from the Division Series - despite having the most expensive payroll in baseball.

Just before the Yankees fell to the Cleveland Indians last week, Steinbrenner made it clear that Torre's head was on the block. At the meeting with Torre yesterday, the 77-year-old team owner let his sons, Hank and Hal, do the talking.

"The objective of the Yankees since the '20s has been to win the championship every year," Hank Steinbrenner said. "None of us think we can win the championship every year, but that's the goal."

Torre's exit also puts the future of possibly departing Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada in doubt.

Outburst puts Tribe one win from Series

2007-10-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Seven-run fifth inning helps Byrd earn Game 4 win over Boston
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- This Indians' story, remember, does not begin here in the present tense, in the pomp and circumstance of October baseball and the national spotlight that comes with it.
It has short-season A ball roots at Mahoning Valley, where Victor Martinez and C.C. Sabathia were teammates in 1999. It harkens back to the days when Jhonny Peralta, Fausto Carmona and Rafael Betancourt weren't postseason studs, but rather non-drafted free agents.

It is borne out of the lessons learned in the trauma of a 94-loss season in 2003 and the tease of a 93-win season in 2005 that fell short of a playoff berth.

It is the tale of a group of young players who not only share a locker room but also a common thread of Minor and Major League experiences that got them where they are today. And where they are today, specifically, is a lone win away from the organization's first World Series appearance in a decade.

A 7-3 victory over the Red Sox in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series at a sold-out Jacobs Field on Tuesday night has the Indians holding a 3-1 lead in this best-of-seven slate and on the doorstep of the dreamland.

"It means a lot to every single person here in this room," Martinez said. "We came up from a long way, and to be in this spot right now is amazing. You look three or four years ago, and pretty much the same guys in this room were rookies."

Well, they weren't all rookies, and they weren't all here.

Paul Byrd, for example, is one of the Tribe's veteran hired hands, brought aboard in the midst of the journey to add some experience to the youthful unit. It was experience that revealed itself once again in six-plus innings of work in which Byrd successfully tamed a dangerous Red Sox lineup.

The Indians' bats also looked pretty tame early on in this one, until they awoke with a seven-run fifth inning off an unsuspecting Tim Wakefield and Manny Delcarmen.

A club getting assertive outings from its Nos. 3 and 4 pitchers, as the Indians have the past two nights from Jake Westbrook and Byrd, and getting big hits up and down the lineup -- as the Tribe did on this night from Martinez, Peralta, Casey Blake and Asdrubal Cabrera, among others -- can authoritatively be described as a club that's clicking.

And talk about good timing.

Only 10 of the 65 teams in postseason history who have taken a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven set have gone on to lose that series, so the past and the present are on the Tribe's side.

"It's not just one player," Martinez said of the Indians' postseason charge. "Every night, it's a different player. That's what makes this team really exciting. We expect anything from anybody."

A team never quite knows what to expect when a knuckleballer like Wakefield takes the mound. And for four innings, the only thing that came to be expected were the zeros Wakefield and Byrd were quickly stringing up on the scoreboard.

The Indians didn't get a hit off Wakefield until the fourth inning, and Byrd, not known for being prone to punchouts, struck out four batters in his first five innings of work.

"I didn't really expect to strike anybody out," Byrd said. "I was hoping to jam some people. But Wakefield was really tough. He threw a great game, and I wasn't expecting very many runs."

Seemingly out of nowhere, though, the runs arrived in the bottom of the fifth.

Blake led off the inning by slapping Wakefield's knuckleball out to the left-field home run porch to break up the scoring monotony. Franklin Gutierrez singled and Kelly Shoppach was hit by a pitch, and, suddenly, the Tribe's offense had some life.

After Grady Sizemore hit into a fielder's choice at second to put runners on the corners, Cabrera punched a bouncer up the middle that ricocheted off Wakefield's glove and fell in for an infield RBI single to make it 2-0.

When Wakefield got Travis Hafner to go down swinging for the second out, it appeared he'd get out of the inning without further harm. But an Indians team that, entering this game, had scored 22 of its 44 postseason runs with two outs once again showed a flair for the dramatic. Martinez grounded a single through the hole on the left side to knock in another run and end Wakefield's night.

In came reliever Manny Delcarmen, and out went Delcarmen's 2-1 offering to Peralta, who belted a three-run homer to right to make it 6-0.

"When I hit the homer," Peralta said, "I thought, 'That's the game.'"

Still, just for good measure, the Indians kept piling on. Kenny Lofton kept the rally going with a two-out single, and he stole second base to become the all-time stolen-base leader in postseason history. That swipe loomed large when Blake hit a fly ball to shallow center that just barely avoided Coco Crisp's diving reach. It fell in for an RBI single to complete the seven-run onslaught.

It was the second time this series the Indians have put up a seven spot -- the first coming in the 11th inning of the 13-6 victory in Game 2 at Fenway Park.

"Somebody gets it going," Blake said, "and there's maybe a little advantage, a little momentum going there, and it's just a combination of guys working the pitcher and just battling."

This battle, for all intents and purposes, was over, once that 35-minute fifth was finalized. The Red Sox kept it moderately interesting with consecutive solo shots from Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez in the sixth, but the Indians weren't going to cough this one up.

The Tribe's focus now is to not cough up a prime opportunity to wrap this thing up at home on Thursday night. They'll have their ace Sabathia on the mound, and another bustling Jacobs Field crowd behind them.

Only when -- and if -- that next victory comes will this story have the final chapter the Indians are seeking out.

"We're up, 3-1, and that doesn't mean anything," Martinez said. "We've got to finish them off."

Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Stoneman steps aside for Reagins

2007-10-16T17:52:00.000-07:00

Successful Angels GM resigns to become consultant for club
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- A door to a world of new challenges opened on Tuesday for Tony Reagins, selected to succeed Bill Stoneman as general manager of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Stability, continuity and seamless transition were identified by club owner Arte Moreno as the primary reasons for staying inside the organization to replace Stoneman, who will serve as his advisor on baseball matters.

"This organization is not broken," Reagins said during Tuesday's press conference at Angel Stadium, presided over by Moreno. "I don't need to come in and try to reinvent the wheel.

"We know where we've been and where we're going. We're committed to remain steadfast to bring a championship contender to Angels fans across the country, year in and year out."

Stoneman was the GM for eight years, producing four playoff teams, three American League West champions and a World Series champion in 2002.

Referring to diminished energy and the desire to free up more time for family and other interests, Stoneman introduced Reagins after emotionally thanking numerous people who made his eight years as GM memorable.

"I've known Tony since coming on the job here," Stoneman said of Reagins, the club's director of player development for the past six seasons and a member of the organization for 16 years. "This is one of the brightest, most energetic and dedicated guys I've known. He's able to get things done, and he understands the game very well, [understands] players very well.

Ken Forsch, Angels assistant GM for 10 years, will remain in that capacity, and Gary Sutherland, special assistant to the GM, also will stay on, Reagins said.

Abe Flores was promoted from manager of baseball operations to fill Reagins' role as director of player development, with player performance analyst Tory Hernandez also gaining a promotion to Flores' former role. Eddie Bane will continue as director of scouting.

Reagins is the 10th GM in franchise history. He is the first African-American to hold the position for the Angels and the second African-American GM in the Majors, joining Ken Williams of the Chicago White Sox.

Reagins has worked closely with Angels manager Mike Scioscia since the system provided six rookies for the 2002 club, Reagins' first year as director of player development.

Scioscia sees Reagins continuing the work Stoneman has done in creating a consistent winner in Anaheim.

"Bill's done a great job of laying the foundation for what we are right now," Scioscia said via conference call. "I know Tony has the same vision for where this organization should go.

"Tony has a lot of similarities to Bill in his sense of duty and diligence. He's not afraid to take chances, and he's a good [talent] evaluator. He's going to be great at this position. Tony's a good communicator, terrific with people. He's got the key components for a general manager."

Moreno said the organization would do everything "within reason" to give Scioscia what he needs to bring another championship to Southern California, adding that he "felt it was important to give Mike more responsibility."

Asked if he anticipated playing a more prominent role in personnel decisions with a less experienced GM on the job, Scioscia replied that he and his coaching staff always have had input on player moves.

"We've been given some terrific clubs, and I don't think that's going to change," Scioscia said. "To say I'm going to have a larger role, I don't know how I could have a larger role without moving into the general manager's chair."

That, he added, is something that has not come up in conversations with management, and he is not interested in leaving the dugout or having a dual role.

Repeating his state-of-the-Angels message delivered after they'd been swept by Boston in the American League Division Series, Scioscia said the club's primary offseason need is improving its slugging percentage.

"Although we made the most out of the offense we had," the manager said, "a little more batter's box offense, particularly in slugging percentage, is what we need at the Major League level.

"With outside sources, that's the No. 1 priority we're going to address, getting deeper in the batter's box."

He added that injury-free seasons from Garret Anderson, Casey Kotchman, Howard Kendrick and Gary Matthews Jr. could help significantly in that department. Each missed significant time with various injuries in 2007.

Matthews, Anderson and relief pitcher Justin Speier were among those attending Tuesday's press conference.

Working his way up from the ground floor, Reagins joined the organization in 1992 as an intern in baseball operations and marketing in 1992. He became a full-time member of baseball operations in April 1998, rising through the ranks.

"Under his direction, the Angels' farm system has developed the core of talent graded one of the top five in baseball the last five years," Moreno said. "I feel it's important to continue to build from within. It makes it easy for me to keep Bill at my side to help with baseball decisions and help Tony move forward.

"We talked about this when I bought the team [after the 2002 season]. We felt stability was important to the team. That's one of the reasons we felt this was an important decision."

Stoneman assumed the job on Nov. 1, 1999. Seventeen days later, Scioscia was named manager, and the two have worked in tandem to direct the most successful run in franchise history.

During the final week of the regular season, after the Angels had wrapped up the AL West title, Stoneman talked about what an exciting season it had been and that he was happy in Anaheim under Moreno.

"The decision is one I've known for quite a while I was going to have to make," said Stoneman, who had the option to remain in the GM's chair had he chosen to do so. "As time went on, I realized I'm getting older, and you really don't have the energy you once had.

"You have to face that as a fact. In order to do this job, you have to have a ton of energy. There are so many elements you think about. The main thing was, I was worn down and was coming to that realization.

"I don't have the same energy I brought into this job. It was really time for the betterment of the Angels to step aside for somebody who was a lot more energetic -- yet knows the Angels as well as I do -- to take over and provide a seamless transition in behind the scenes operations here."

Three other high-profile general managers -- Atlanta's John Schuerholz, Minnesota's Terry Ryan and St. Louis' Walt Jocketty -- recently have walked away from their jobs, citing the job's multiple and time-consuming demands.

Stoneman, 63, pitched for eight seasons in the Major Leagues and authored two no-hitters for the Montreal Expos. He took the Angels to unprecedented levels of success by focusing on player development and building from within while going outside to add key free agents such as Vladimir Guerrero, Bartolo Colon, Orlando Cabrera and Matthews.

Reagins has been chiefly responsible for the club's Minor League system, which includes seven affiliates and a club in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.

Reagins, 41, is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton University. He's a native of Indio, Calif., where he was an all-CIF tailback on the Indio High School football team in the mid-1980s. He played American Legion baseball in Indio.

Reagins was joined at the press conference by his wife, Colleen, and their daughter, Kennedy.

Lyle Spencer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Yanks' meetings inconclusive on Day 1

2007-10-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

Team has not made a decision regarding Torre's future
By Bryan Hoch / MLB.com

The Yankees executed a last-minute change of venue, steering their discussions away from Legends Field, but that was apparently the only decision finalized on their first day of season-end meetings.
With dozens of reporters waiting outside the Yankees' Spring Training home in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, club executives instead huddled for afternoon meetings at the nearby mansion of principal owner George Steinbrenner.

According to reports, the top hierarchy of team executives gathered for several hours. Yet the Yankees did not come to an official conclusion on the fate of manager Joe Torre, whose contract expires at the end of the month.

On behalf of the club, spokesperson Howard Rubenstein released a statement shortly after 4:30 p.m. ET, saying: "The meetings are adjourned for tonight. There have been no decisions made, nor will there be any comment today. The meetings will resume tomorrow."

A final ruling regarding Torre's future is believed to be the first step in what figures to be a busy offseason for the Yankees. The 67-year-old Torre has made the playoffs in each of his 12 seasons at the helm of the club, but his Yankees have suffered first-round exits in three consecutive seasons, prompting some in the organization to consider a leadership change.

Before Game 3 of the American League Division Series, Steinbrenner said in a rare interview that the Yankees were not likely to have Torre back for 2008 if the club did not advance past the first round. The Yankees fell in four games to the Cleveland Indians and official comment from the organization has been sparse since their Oct. 8 elimination.

The afternoon brought a strange twist from a potential successor in the event that the Yankees wish to part ways with Torre.

A representative for bench coach Don Mattingly refuted a report published in the Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger, which claimed that Mattingly has told members of the organization that he is not ready to manage and does not feel comfortable replacing Torre.

Agent Ray Schulte called the report, which cited a Mattingly friend as a source, "completely false" and "totally fabricated." Schulte said that Mattingly was caught completely by surprise by the report, and that while he hopes Torre returns for the 2008 season, Mattingly would be ready to assume the reins of the club if offered the job.

The organizational meetings are scheduled to resume Wednesday and will feature direct influence from Steinbrenner's sons, Hank and Hal -- both of whom will be taking on increased importance in the club's planning going forward.

In addition to settling the Torre issue, Yankees decision-makers are expected to tackle courses of action in dealing with the club's numerous potential free agents, including an expected contract extension offer for Alex Rodriguez and plans for lifetime Yankees Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera, both of whom are seeking multi-year contracts.

Bryan Hoch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Surging Rox making baseball history

2007-10-16T17:49:00.000-07:00

Last place to first Colorado on a Cinderella run for the ages
By Jim Molony / MLB.com

DENVER -- When the 1976 Cincinnati Reds ran off seven consecutive postseason victories en route to a second straight World Series title it represented the pinnacle of the Big Red Machine's '70s dynasty.
While the 2007 Colorado Rockies certainly aren't in the class of those Reds, their 7-0 run to clinch the franchise's first World Series made the Rockies the first team in 31 years to go 7-0 in the postseason and also earned Colorado another rare place in baseball history.

Besides the streak, their sweep of Arizona in the National League Championship Series made the Rockies one of only five teams to finish in last place one year and reach the World Series the next, joining the 1991 Atlanta Braves, the 1991 Minnesota Twins, the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies and the 1998 San Diego Padres.

Baseball fans haven't forgotten the previous four teams to go from last place to the Fall Classic in one year, and it's doubtful they will soon forget a Colorado team which has won 21 of its last 22 games and was 6 1/2 games out of first place in the National League West as recently as Sept. 15. A year ago, the Rockies finished 76-86, 12 games behind San Diego and Los Angeles.

"These guys just don't quit," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "This has been fun to watch let me tell you."

The 21-1 run is incredible on its own, but it is even more amazing when you consider the Rockies are in the playoffs for only the second time in their 15-year existence and first time since 1995.

They became only the second team to sweep an NLCS since the seven-game series was instituted in 1985 and first since Atlanta swept Cincinnati in the 1995 NLCS.

"At some point, maybe the historic [magnitude] of this will sink in, but right now we're just a team that is enjoying playing the game and coming out expecting to win every day," Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins said. "What you're seeing is 25 guys pulling in the same direction."

And rewriting baseball history in the process.

The Wild Card Rockies did not have home-field advantage in either series, yet swept NL East champion Philadelphia in three games and NL West champion Arizona in four to complete their bottom to top jump that earned them a place along the other great turnaround stories in baseball history:

• The 1991 Atlanta Braves, a year after finishing last (65-97) in the NL West, went 94-68 to win the division, then beat Pittsburgh in the NLCS before losing to Minnesota in the World Series.
Those '91 Twins made a similar last to first leap. The '90 Twins finished 74-88 and in the American League West cellar, 29 games behind Oakland. When the Twins and Braves met in that memorable 1991 World Series it was the first and only time in the 20th century two teams that had finished last the year before met in the World Series.
• The 1993 Philadelphia Phillies made it to the NLCS and then the World Series, one year after finishing dead last in the NL East, 70-92 and 26 games out of first place.

• The only other team to go from cellar to World Series in one year was the 1998 San Diego Padres. The year before, that team finished in the NL West cellar, 76-86 and 14 games behind San Francisco. The '98 Padres finished the regular season 98-64, good for first place in the division, then beat Houston in the NLDS and Atlanta in the NLCS to advance to the World Series.

Now comes the Rockies, the latest team to climb from the cellar to the pinnacle in one season.

Even Cinderella didn't climb that far.

"If you would have told me back in Spring Training that we were going to the World Series I wouldn't have believed it," Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. "This has been an incredible run, we played so long where if we lost our season was over we've been playing every day like that's still the case."

Of the previous four to go from cellar to pennant, only the Twins went on to win the World Series. None of those teams went unbeaten in the postseason, let alone win 21 of their last 22.

The Rockies will face either Boston or Cleveland in the World Series with a chance to join Minnesota as the only team to finish last one year and win a Fall Classic the next.

Keep the history book handy. The last-to-first Rockies don't look like they are finished rewriting it.

Jim Molony is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Fogg, Torrealba put Rockies 1 win away from sweep with 4-1 win over Arizona

2007-10-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Sports Writer
October 15, 2007

DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Rockies were one strike away from not even making the playoffs. Now, they're one win away from their first World Series.

With a cold rain falling, Josh Fogg shut down Arizona's bats in his first postseason start and Yorvit Torrealba hit a tiebreaking three-run homer to fuel the Rockies' 4-1 victory Sunday night in Game 3 of the NL championship series.

MVP hopeful Matt Holliday also homered as the wild-card Rockies took a 3-0 lead with their 20th win in 21 games, a streak that has taken Colorado from afterthoughts to the buzz of baseball.

"Tomorrow we're going to come here just like we have been doing," Torrealba said. "We're going to relax, watch TV, and when it's time to play, we're going to try to get one more win."

And not think about their first World Series until then.

"No, no, no, no, I'm not thinking about that," insisted the face of the franchise, Todd Helton, whose decade of disappointment has disappeared in one of the most incredible winning streaks in baseball history.

"We're still focused on the task at hand."

About two weeks ago, the Rockies had no control over whether they'd even make the playoffs.

The San Diego Padres could've eliminated Colorado on the final Saturday of the regular season. But Milwaukee's Tony Gwynn Jr. hit a tying, two-out, two-strike triple off San Diego's Trevor Hoffman that gave the Rockies a chance.

The next day, Colorado caught the Padres. The night after that, the Rockies beat San Diego in a 13-inning, NL wild-card tiebreaker.

Since then, the Rockies have been unbeatable.

Arizona, which has scored just four runs in the series so far, must win four straight times against a Rockies team that is the first since the 1935 Chicago Cubs to win at least 20 of 21 games after Sept. 1, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

They haven't looked back, sweeping past Philadelphia and taking the first three against Arizona.

They will try to sweep the Diamondbacks on Monday night when Franklin Morales faces Arizona's Micah Owings in a matchup of rookies who have never faced each other's teams.

The Rockies, who this season set a major league record for fielding percentage, turned three double plays in the first three innings.

"When you can take the sting out of them early ... I think it helped our confidence," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

The 2004 Boston Red Sox are the only team to overcome a 3-0 hole to win a best-of-seven postseason series. Boston did it in the ALCS against the Yankees.

"Until they win four and we can't win four at once. We've just got to get one on the board first," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "That's what we've been trying to do all year."

Torrealba connected in the sixth inning, three pitches after watching one of Livan Hernandez's trademark "eephus" offerings poke across the plate for a strike -- so slow it didn't register on the stadium scoreboard radar.

Hernandez said he knew better than to throw an inside fastball to his buddy that he played with in San Francisco, but he had used all the pitches in his bag of tricks.

"It's the last pitch I want to throw," Hernandez said. "Yorvit is one of my best friends in baseball and I know he can handle the fastball inside very good. It's just the situation. I'd thrown everything: foul, foul. I know he can hit the fastball inside. Trust me, and he hit it out."

After a 60 mph bender that he fought off for a foul, Torrealba hit a fastball 402 feet into the left-field seats, then raced around the bases pumping his fists and hooting and hollering.

"He worked me really well all season long. He tried to throw me a fastball inside, and it stayed over the plate and I hit it really good," Torrealba said.

Torrealba, who is 8-for-21 in the playoffs with seven RBIs, nearly had a home run in the third when he doubled off the center-field wall. The stadium's pyrotechnics operator thought it was gone and set off some fireworks as Torrealba pulled into second base.

The real fireworks came three innings later from Torrealba, who had just eight home runs in the regular season.

"One pitch, one bad pitch all night," lamented D-backs catcher Miguel Montero.
"That's kind of been the theme of this series so far. They've gotten that one big hit where we haven't," Melvin said.

Holliday's homer in the first inning was the first by either team in this series. Hernandez fell to 7-3 lifetime in the playoffs, allowing four earned runs on eight hits in 5 2-3 innings.

Fogg, who won Game 2 of the division series over Philadelphia in relief of Morales, scattered seven hits, including rookie Mark Reynolds' solo home run in the fourth, in six stellar innings. He didn't walk a batter and struck out three.

With the gametime temperature hovering at 43 degrees -- and quickly dipping into the 30s -- and a light drizzle falling, the crowd showed up wearing fleece jackets, gloves, wool caps and scarves, looking like they were headed for the ski slopes west of Denver, where it was indeed snowing.

Even Montero wore a ski cap beneath his catcher's helmet.

It was only fitting that the Rockies sent a pitcher named Fogg to the mound to deal with the elements in the first NLCS game in Denver in franchise history. The Rockies have lost just once since Sept. 16, and this win at Coors Field was their ninth straight victory overall.

A cool drizzle fell all day and continued into the evening. The grounds crew didn't even remove the tarp until an hour before the game. In between innings, they brought out bags of dry dirt to keep the infield from getting too slick. In the fifth, the crews poured a wheelbarrow full of "diamond dust" around home plate.

The TBS broadcast mentioned how the grounds crew ran out of the quick-dry dirt and started calling around. They said they found some in a warehouse and showed a truck rolling up to the stadium with extra bags.

Holliday, with only two other hits in this series, neither of which left the infield, put Colorado ahead 1-0 in the first inning with a high drive. Left fielder Eric Byrnes crashed into the wall chasing the ball, much to the delight of the crowd that razzed him every chance they got.

Forty-eight hours earlier, Byrnes suggested the Rockies were a lucky bunch who had actually been outplayed by the Diamondbacks in this series.

Although that drew the ire of the fans, Rockies rookie shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said there was some truth to Byrnes' comments "and they can outplay us all four games. If we end up winning the series, I'll be fine with that."

Reynolds hit a 422-foot solo shot in the fourth to tie it at 1-all, sending a first-pitch breaking ball from Fogg halfway up into the left-field seats to quiet the sellout crowd of 50,137.

Jeremy Affeldt threw the seventh, Brian Fuentes the eighth and Manny Corpas the ninth for his fourth save of the playoffs. In Game 2 at Arizona, Corpas blew a save chance in the ninth inning.

The Rockies are trying for their first NL pennant in the franchise's 15-year history, and history appears solidly on their side.

"Nothing has gone our way so far," Byrnes said. "For whatever reason, that's the way it's been."

Notes

Before the Rockies, the last team to put together a 19-1 run was the 1977 Kansas City Royals, and Hurdle made his major league debut for the Royals during that stretch. ... Colorado is the second team in NL history to open the postseason with six straight wins, joining the 1976 Cincinnati Reds, which went 7-0 in the playoffs, sweeping the Phillies and Yankees.

Indians 13, Red Sox 6 (11 innings)

2007-10-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

BOSTON (AP) -- Trot Nixon spent 13 years in the Red Sox organization trying to prove he could hit lefties.

That ought to be pretty clear to everyone now.

The longtime Boston outfielder snapped an extra-inning tie with a pinch-hit single, and the Cleveland Indians scored a record-setting seven runs in the 11th to beat the Red Sox 13-6 early Sunday and even the AL championship series at a game apiece.

"I think we all know how a player can cross over to the dark side, but I fully expect that I'm the enemy coming in here," Nixon said. "I was excited to finally get in there at 1:30 in the morning."

The anticipated pitching matchup of postseason star Curt Schilling and 19-game winner Fausto Carmona fizzled into a stalemate that lasted 5 hours, 14 minutes before Joe Borowski got Julio Lugo to ground into a game-ending double play.

The best-of-seven series moves to Cleveland for Game 3 on Monday night, when Red Sox rookie Daisuke Matsuzaka will face Jake Westbrook.

"We'll go have our workout in about 10 hours," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "It would be a nice idea if you could run through the postseason without losing. I don't know how realistic that is."

Manny Ramirez set a record with his 23rd postseason homer, and Mike Lowell followed with a shot that gave the Red Sox a 6-5 lead in the fifth and a chance to take control of the series.

Then their big bats finally went quiet, and Boston dropped to 4-1 in the playoffs.

Tom Mastny got the win and deserved it: He retired David Ortiz, Ramirez and Lowell in order in the 10th -- a task few pitchers would relish.

"I really didn't have a choice, did I?" Mastny said with a smile. "It's what we play for. It's exciting. It happened to be the heart of their order."

With Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon done after pitching two innings, Eric Gagne came in for the 11th.

The trade deadline acquisition fanned Casey Blake to start the inning, then gave up a single to Grady Sizemore and walked Asdrubal Cabrera.

Nixon, the seventh overall pick in the 1993 draft, singled to right-center off Javier Lopez.

"I didn't hit it hard, but I hit it where I needed to," Nixon said.

It was his seventh postseason hit against a lefty in 132 at-bats.

"I've struggled at times against left-handers," Nixon added. "But I felt good. I felt like the first pitch I saw, I saw real well. You know, for some reason, I just felt a calmness out there in the batter's box."

The Indians, handcuffed by Josh Beckett and the Boston bullpen in Friday's opener, weren't done.

After a run-scoring wild pitch and Ryan Garko's RBI single chased Lopez, Jon Lester came on and gave up Jhonny Peralta's RBI double and a three-run homer to Franklin Gutierrez -- the outfielder who squeezed Nixon out of the starting lineup -- that made it 13-6.

"Trot hasn't been playing much, but he's kept working hard," Garko said.

The seven runs for Cleveland were the most by a team in one extra inning in postseason history.

A career .224 hitter against lefties, Nixon was allowed to leave as a free agent last winter so the Red Sox could pursue J.D. Drew. But Drew also struggled during his first season in Boston and was replaced in the lineup for Game 1 of the ALCS against lefty C.C. Sabathia.

Nixon batted .251 with three homers and 31 RBIs this year, but didn't drive in a run after July 29 as Gutierrez took over the everyday duties. Nixon played one game in the first-round series against the New York Yankees, facing Roger Clemens and going 2-for-4 with a homer and a double.

Even when Nixon is out of the lineup, Indians manager Eric Wedge is glad he's around.

"He's taught a lot of our young players what it means to be a leader," Wedge said. "You've got to be your strongest when other people are sometimes at their weakest, and you've got to pick people up. Trot's season this year, whether he's playing or not playing, he's been very consistent in that clubhouse, on that bench."

Now, Cleveland hopes Westbrook, its No. 3 starter, can do what co-aces Sabathia and Carmona couldn't: Keep Ortiz and Ramirez off base, or at least keep Lowell from driving them in.

The third baseman, who had a career-high 120 RBIs protecting Ortiz and Ramirez in the lineup, has driven home a run in all five Boston playoff games. On Saturday, he hit a bases-loaded single in the third to knock in two runs and then joined Ramirez in back-to-back homers -- and curtain calls -- in the fifth when the Red Sox briefly took a 6-5 lead.

The Indians tied it in the sixth on Gutierrez's RBI groundout.

Ramirez's homer broke a postseason mark he had shared with former Yankees star Bernie Williams. The left fielder, who tipped his cap to the crowd when the accomplishment was noted on the scoreboard, also drew his third bases-loaded walk in two days, setting the record for one postseason.

Ortiz, who walked in the first and singled in the third, tied a postseason record by reaching base safely in 10 straight plate appearances before grounding into a fielder's choice in the fifth. But the big slugger hustled down the line to beat out a potential double play before Ramirez went deep.

Schilling made his first playoff appearance at Fenway Park since his second bloody sock outing, Game 2 of the 2004 World Series, when he took the mound with a surgically repaired ankle and allowed the St. Louis Cardinals just one unearned run in six innings.

He pitched seven shutout innings against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday in the first-round clincher.

But the Indians got to him quickly.

"Everything about this one falls on me," Schilling said. "It's about me coming up small in a big game."

Sizemore doubled leading off the game and scored on Victor Martinez's double. After the Red Sox took a 3-1 lead in the third, Peralta put Cleveland back on top with a three-run homer to center in the fourth.

Sizemore made it 5-3 with his solo shot in the fifth, then Travis Hafner and Martinez reached on consecutive singles with two outs and that was all for Schilling. It was the second-shortest postseason start of his career, and his postseason ERA went from 1.93 to 2.53.

"We put together a great inning to take a lead, and I forced our bullpen into a situation. You're asking your bullpen to put up a lot of zeros and it's not fair," Schilling said.

Carmona also was chased in the fifth. He pitched nine innings of three-hit ball in "The Bug Game," an extra-inning victory over the Yankees in the division series.

Baker, Reds agree to three-year deal

2007-10-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

ESPN.com news services

Dusty Baker has agreed to become the next manager of the Cincinnati Reds and is expected to be introduced to Cincinnati at a news conference Monday.

Baker, a former Cubs and Giants manager and current ESPN analyst, accepted a three-year deal to skipper the team, beginning with the upcoming season. He will continue to work with ESPN through this season's League Championship Series and World Series.

The 58-year-old Baker's contract wasn't renewed by the Cubs after they finished last in 2006. Lou Piniella replaced him and led the Cubs to the division title this season. Chicago was swept in its first-round playoff series against Arizona.

By choosing Baker, the Reds have broken with their recent history of picking managers with little experience. They also have hired someone with a history of handling superstars -- Baker managed Barry Bonds in San Francisco and Sammy Sosa in Chicago.

Baker managed the Giants for 10 years, leading them to the World Series in 2002. He left San Francisco after a falling out with ownership and went to the Cubs, leading them to the NL Championship Series in his first season.

Chicago had another winning record in 2004, its first back-to-back winning seasons in more than three decades. But the team unraveled in his last two years, and the Cubs let his contract expire after an NL-worst record of 66-96 in 2006.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Mazzone ousted as pitching coach of Orioles; no replacement named

2007-10-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

By DAVID GINSBURG, AP Sports Writer
October 12, 2007

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Leo Mazzone was fired as pitching coach of the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, less than a month after completing his second season with a struggling staff.

Mazzone worked wonders with the Atlanta Braves pitching staff from June 1990 through the end of the 2005 season but could not duplicate that success with the Orioles. Baltimore ranked 29th among 30 teams with a 5.17 ERA and yielded more walks (696) than any major league club.

"I spoke with Leo today and told him I appreciated his efforts here," Orioles manager Dave Trembley said. "Moving forward, I felt that we would be better served with someone else working with our young staff and that it was in his best interests and our best interests to give him an opportunity to look elsewhere now."

Mazzone, who turns 59 on Tuesday, had one year left on the three-year contract he signed before the 2006 season. He was lured from Atlanta by then-Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo, a longtime friend who was fired on June 18.

"This is just the business of baseball," Mazzone said. "I had a strong inclination that 2007 was going to be my last year in Baltimore when Sam Perlozzo was released and Dave Trembley was hired.

"While disappointed at not having the opportunity to play a role in the reconstruction of the Oriole pitcher development program, I understand and wish the team great success. I want to thank the Orioles organization for the opportunity to coach some great young talent. And I especially want to thank the fans in Baltimore who always made me feel at home."

Mazzone was proud of the work he did with starters Erik Bedard, Adam Loewen and Jeremy Guthrie, who have developed into solid major league pitchers. But he never could get through to Daniel Cabrera and some of the other pitchers on the youthful staff.

He hoped to finish what he started next year.

"I want to go until I'm 62, and I hope the rest of the way it's in a Baltimore uniform," he said during the final week of the regular season. "I mean this place, it's my home state and this is one of the greatest sports towns in the United States. All we have to do is start winning, and you'll never be able to get a ticket. These fans deserve that. They treat everybody very graciously.

"I expected to hear a few nasty things going out to the mound every once in a while. I don't hear them. They keep telling me to keep the faith, you're doing a good job. It's a wonderful place to be. Things have to be done to put this thing together."

Under Mazzone, the Braves led the NL in ERA in 12 of his final 14 seasons. He helped develop six Cy Young award winners and had 10 different pitchers named to the All-Star team, including Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz.

Updated on Friday, Oct 12, 2007 3:46 pm, EDT

John Schuerholz stepping aside as Atlanta Braves GM, becomes president

2007-10-12T05:02:00.000-07:00

By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP Sports Writer
October 12, 2007

ATLANTA (AP) -- Fourteen straight division titles. Five trips to the World Series. And just one regret.

John Schuerholz stepped aside Thursday after 17 years as general manager of the Atlanta Braves wishing his team had captured more than one Series title during their unprecedented run of division titles.

Otherwise, he's perfectly content with his legacy.

"What else is there?" said Schuerholz, who will become team president and turn over the GM duties to his right-hand man, Frank Wren. "It would have been, unequivocally, the complete validation of the grand nature of this franchise. Nobody could have said anything about the Atlanta Braves and ended the sentence with the word 'but."'

After turning 67 last week and admittedly worn down by the grind of more than a quarter-century as a general manager, Schuerholz decided it was time to go.

He'll still be a key figure in the organization, but will no longer make the call on decisions such as trades, free-agent signings and deciding on the 25-man roster.

"The hardest thing for me was knowing I would have to separate myself from what I love most and what I do best," Schuerholz said. "Team building. That's working with scouts, getting judgments, analyzing reports, asking questions, listening to answers and analyzing information, all of that. I love that. I think I've done it fairly well."

Indeed, he has.

Schuerholz came to the Braves in 1991 after nine years as Kansas City's GM, taking over a last-place team that had signs of potential: pitchers John Smoltz, Tom Glavine and Steve Avery were just starting their careers.

The new boss quickly flushed out the roster with established veterans such as Terry Pendleton, Sid Bream and Rafael Belliard, a combination that took Atlanta from worst to first in the NL West and all the way to a Game 7 loss of a classic World Series against Minnesota.

Even though Smoltz is the only player who's been with the Braves throughout the Schuerholz era, the general manager kept a steady flow of talent moving through Atlanta.

Greg Maddux and Andres Galarraga were signed as free agents. Fred McGriff and Gary Sheffield came to the team through trades. Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur worked their way up through the farm system.

And the division titles kept coming with numbing regularity, 14 in a row with an ever-changing roster, until the streak finally ended with a third-place finish in 2005. No other major-league team in one of the four top sports has won that many division titles in a row.

"Obviously, John has done an unbelievable job with the organization," Francoeur said. "He definitely deserves to retire and enjoy what he's accomplished. It's sad, because we didn't want to see him go."

Actually, he's not going anywhere. Schuerholz signed a four-year contract and remains second in command to chairman Terry McGuirk, but will be more involved in the business side of things.

Wren, a former GM with the Baltimore Orioles, spent the past eight years working as Schuerholz's assistant and hoping to eventually replace him.

"Our styles are different," said Wren, who also got a four-year deal. "But our philosophies are very, very similar."

Wren only got word Tuesday that Schuerholz was looking to move upstairs, even though the idea was first proposed by McGuirk six months ago. Schuerholz broke the news to his successor over iced tea after they watched a developmental league game in central Florida.

"I really had no inkling this was coming," Wren said.

The 49-year-old Wren turned down an offer to become Pittsburgh's general manager a few years ago and didn't pursue a couple of similar opportunities. Now, he's got the job he really wanted.

"We're going to keep doing things the way we've been doing them," Wren said. "The Braves way. It's been working pretty well."

While Schuerholz is willing to provide advice in player matters, calling himself a "mentor" and a "sounding board," he made it clear that he won't be looking over Wren's shoulder.

Schuerholz's door will be open. He won't go knocking on Wren's unless asked.

"I let people establish themselves, do their jobs and support them," Schuerholz said.

Atlanta's only World Series title came in 1995, a six-game victory over the Cleveland Indians that gave the city its first, and still only, major sports championship.

Four other times during the streak, the Braves lost in the World Series. They also were the losing team in four NL championship series, and were eliminated four more times in the division series.

After the team's ownership passed from Ted Turner to Time Warner, the Braves began to cut payroll though they remain one of the highest-spending teams in baseball. McGuirk said Schuerholz's new role had nothing to do with another ownership change from Time Warner to Liberty Media.

This season, the Braves missed the playoffs for the second year in a row with another third-place finish in the NL East.

Still, the postseason failures and recent slide do little to diminish Schuerholz's reputation for assembling talented teams year after year, with manager Bobby Cox running things in the dugout throughout the remarkable run.

The 66-year-old Cox has a year left on his contract and hasn't made any decision about whether he'll return beyond 2008. But the change in GMs shouldn't have an impact.

"I think everything's great," Cox said when reached on his cell phone. "Frank is extremely capable and a huge part of what we've done through the years already. The good thing is both of them are still here. It's business as usual."

Updated on Friday, Oct 12, 2007 3:33 am, EDT

Baseball Is Given Evidence of Player Receiving Drugs

2007-10-11T17:00:00.000-07:00

Although baseball has come forth and introduced a somewhat stringent steroid testing policy, it still is meager and incompetent compared to that of other sporting institutions.

By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT
Published: October 11, 2007

Major League Baseball has been given documentary evidence by the Albany County district attorney’s office that a player linked in published reports to shipments of performance-enhancing drugs did indeed receive a banned substance, according to a law enforcement official with knowledge of the case.

The district attorney’s office is leading the investigation of Signature Pharmacy, an Orlando, Fla.-based company that illegally provided clients with performance-enhancing drugs. Investigators are expected to provide baseball with evidence about other players in the coming weeks, an official affiliated with baseball said.

The law enforcement official and the baseball official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Baseball officials say they believe they need documentary evidence, thought to be shipping or pharmacy records, to ensure that an arbitrator will uphold whatever disciplinary action they take.

Major League Baseball introduced anonymous testing for steroids in 2003 and has increasingly toughened the policy since.

The periods in which the players are believed to have received drugs range from 2003 to 2006, and baseball plans to use the testing policy in place at the time a player received a shipment as a nonbinding guideline when determining discipline.

The policy in 2004 allowed a player to test positive for steroids once without being publicly identified or suspended, with only counseling being mandated. A second positive test required a suspension, but no major league player in 2004 was publicly identified with a positive test.

In 2005, the policy was toughened and first-time offenders were identified and suspended.

Although there is no reliable test for human growth hormone, the league banned its use before the 2005 season. That year the penalty for a first positive test for steroids was increased to 50 games from 10.

Three players — Jerry Hairston Jr., Gary Matthews Jr. and Rick Ankiel — reportedly received H.G.H. before 2005 and so are unlikely to be disciplined.

However, three other players could face suspensions if baseball can establish their guilt.

Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons reportedly received six shipments of H.G.H. and two shipments of steroids between October 2003 and July 2005.

Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus reportedly received multiple shipments of steroids between September 2003 and May 2004, and Mets reliever Scott Schoeneweis allegedly was sent shipments of steroids between 2003 and 2004.

The identity of the player tied to the documentary evidence, one of the three players linked to the steroid shipments, is not known. None of the three have been publicly linked to a positive test.

Although baseball’s testing policy does not expressly address how a player should be penalized for having received a shipment of a banned substance, the commissioner can suspend the player based on just cause.

The players union can appeal a suspension on a player’s behalf.

Major League Baseball officials contend they can discipline a player more harshly if he is caught violating drug policy outside the testing system that was collectively bargained between the union and the league. The union’s position is that possession is less severe than a positive test; it has indicated it would likely fight harsher penalties.

None of players linked to the shipments are in the playoffs, and baseball will probably not announce any suspensions until after the World Series.

The district attorney’s office said in March that it would provide Major League Baseball and the National Football League with a list of players connected to shipments from the pharmacy. The N.F.L. was given the names of a coach, a player and a team doctor who were tied to shipments.

Extension shows Phillies' faith in manager Manuel after division title

2007-10-10T16:13:00.000-07:00

By DAN GELSTON, AP Sports Writer
October 10, 2007

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Charlie Manuel might not be the only one earning a big contract from the NL East champs.

Now that the Philadelphia Phillies have signed their manager to a contact extension that could keep him in red pinstripes through the end of the decade, they're prepared to bump their payroll to a franchise high and ensure he has a contending team.

OK, so the payroll won't rival what the New York Yankees pay out every year, but pushing the salaries well past the nine-figure mark might be enough for the Phillies to keep All-Star center fielder Aaron Rowand and add the pitching help they need.

Team president David Montgomery said on Wednesday that the Phillies spent about $103 million in player salaries in 2007 and expects next year's figure to be "in that ballpark, or higher."

The Phillies' opening day payroll has stayed steady at about $90-95 million the last few years. But with a need to sign key free agents like Rowand and reliever J.C. Romero, MVP Ryan Howard eligible for salary arbitration, and holes at third base and in the bullpen, the Phillies will likely have to go deep past that $100 million mark to make another run at the postseason.
General manager Pat Gillick expected ownership to be aggressive.

"It just depends on the players available," he said.

Their first choice would be keeping Rowand in center. Rowand was an instant fan favorite with his diving catches and scrappy attitude, and he emerged as a perfect fit in the clubhouse. But the Phillies might not be willing to give him a deal similar to the $30 million, three-year contract extension Arizona's Eric Byrnes signed.

"We like Aaron. Aaron likes us. Where the road leads us, I don't know," Montgomery said.

If Rowand leaves, they could fill his spot by moving speedy Shane Victorino from right to center or use Michael Bourn in center. But Gillick said starting next season with an outfield combination of Jayson Werth, Bourn and Victorino would "be a stretch."

Gillick's wish list also includes an upgrade at third base over the trio of Wes Helms, Greg Dobbs and Abraham Nunez.

"We need to improve third base," Gillick said.

At least the Phillies are secure in who will manage the team.

Often ridiculed for his accent or his decision making, no one could doubt the way the Phillies responded to the folksy Manuel.

Manuel agreed to a two-year contract with a club option for 2010 on Tuesday night after he led them to their first NL East title since 1993.

"The power the manager has, the hammer, is the length of his deal," Manuel said.

Manuel was rewarded for rallying the Phillies to the division title on the final day of the season. It took a historic collapse by the New York Mets -- they became the first team in major league history to blow a seven-game lead with 17 remaining -- for the Phillies to finish one game ahead in the standings.

The Phillies were swept 3-0 by the Colorado Rockies in Philadelphia's first postseason appearance in 14 years. The Phillies won their only World Series in 1980.

"Winning the East was very big for us this year," Manuel said. "If we can improve our team a little bit, I see no reason in the world we can't finish our business."

The 63-year-old Manuel led the Phillies to an 89-73 record in his third season with the team.

"This is the best attitude, best chemistry of any team I've been around," Manuel said. "I'm very glad to be a big part of that."

Manuel, who previously managed the Cleveland Indians, is 262-224 in three years in Philadelphia. Among Phillies managers, Manuel reached 250 wins in the fewest games since Pat Moran managed the club from 1915-18.

"It never came to our mind that we'd make a change," Gillick said.

The Phillies fizzled in the playoffs and the league's highest-scoring team scored only eight runs in three games against Colorado and batted just .172 (16-for-93) with 26 strikeouts during the series.

The players, however, love Manuel, who hardly seemed bothered this season by his uncertain future. Manuel kept his team together through the slow start and injuries that decimated his staff.

The Phillies started 4-11 in April and, at one point, didn't have projected ace Freddy Garcia or Jon Lieber in the rotation and were without closers Tom Gordon and Brett Myers.

Both Garcia and Lieber went down for the season in June, and Gordon and Myers each missed two months. Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, ace Cole Hamels, Victorino and Bourn and reliever Ryan Madson also missed significant time.

Manuel knows where he wants the Phillies to spend their free-agent bucks.

"We need a big pitcher to go with Hamels, for sure," he said.

Gillick and Manuel will discuss the future of the coaching staff this week.

Updated on Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 3:31 pm, EDT

After strong division series ratings, championship series feature smaller-market teams

2007-10-10T16:10:00.000-07:00

By RACHEL COHEN, AP Sports Writer
October 9, 2007

All those fans tuning into the National League division series games to see the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies received an introduction to the young, exciting teams that eliminated them.

Major League Baseball and Turner Sports executives now must hope the exposure translates into viewers for the NL championship series between two clubs with less tradition and from smaller markets: the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.

TBS's foray into televising playoff baseball drew strong ratings despite quick endings for the opening-round series. The 13 games attracted an average of 5.7 million viewers on the cable network. That was a 26 percent increase over last year's figures, which included games available to more people on over-the-air TV on Fox as well as cable broadcasts on ESPN.

"We are extremely ecstatic, if you will," Turner Sports president David Levy said Tuesday. "We didn't believe with three of the four series being sweeps that we'd get these kinds of numbers."

The division series included teams from the nation's four-largest TV markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Philadelphia. The Yankees, Angels, Cubs and Phillies were all eliminated.

The Boston Red Sox, boasting a large national fan base and hailing from the seventh-largest market, remain. They are joined in the ALCS, which airs on Fox, by Cleveland (the No. 17 market). The Indians have the hook of not winning the World Series since 1948.

The NLCS on TBS pits the Diamondbacks (No. 12) against the Rockies (No. 18) -- both expansion franchises created in the last 14 years.

The Boston, Cleveland, Denver and Phoenix markets combine for 7.2 million households with televisions, according to Nielsen. That's fewer than the number in the New York area alone.

This year's NBA finals involving two smaller-market teams drew record-low ratings. Ratings for the Cleveland-San Antonio series were down 27 percent from the 2006 finals featuring Dallas and Miami. The Cleveland and San Antonio markets combine for 2.3 million households with televisions, compared with nearly 4 million between Dallas and Miami.

Levy is optimistic that the momentum of the division series will carry into the NLCS. He cited several factors for the strong ratings that he hopes will continue to hold true.

Later start times this resulted in fewer games being played while fans were at work. The large audiences of TBS and TNT meant that promotions for the playoffs reached a great number of viewers.

The sensitivity to scheduling is reflected in the NLCS games between two teams from the West starting at 8:37 p.m. or 10:18 p.m. EDT -- the first time baseball has scheduled West Coast night games in the LCS.

Beyond market sizes, the competitiveness of a series can make a considerable impact on ratings. An NLCS full of close finishes that goes to six or seven games would likely pull in the casual fan.

"As far as we're concerned," Levy said, "we've already hit a home run."

Updated on Tuesday, Oct 9, 2007 7:55 pm, EDT

Rudy Giuliani - Booed By Yankees Fans

2007-10-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

This is totally funny! Rudy Giuliani -- former New York Mayor and Presidential Candidate -- was booed at the New York Yankees game . Moreover, the blogger, as reported by FireDogLake, says that Rudy didn't seem to know the words to "God Bless America."

End of an era: Braves cut ties with center fielder Andruw Jones

2007-10-02T17:54:00.000-07:00

After a disappointing and unproductive 2007 campaign, it will be difficult for Jones to receive the hefty contract that he's seeking.

By PAUL NEWBERRY, AP Sports Writer
October 2, 2007

The Atlanta Braves are cutting ties with Andruw Jones, saying they can't afford to keep the perennial Gold Glove center fielder who's spent his entire career with the organization.

General manager John Schuerholz announced the decision Tuesday, shortly after breaking the news to Jones during a one-on-one meeting at Turner Field.

While hoping to stay in Atlanta, Jones wasn't caught off-guard by the team's stance. He made $13.5 million this season and was looking for a hefty raise despite slumping badly.

"I'm fine with it," Jones told The Associated Press when reached on his cell phone. "I'm appreciative of the chance they gave me to play for Atlanta all these years. I understand the decision they have to make. That's just the way it is. It's a business."

Indeed, the move was not unexpected as the 30-year-old Jones batted only .222 in the final season of his $75 million contract. He's eligible to file for free agency after the World Series.

"It just doesn't work for us," Schuerholz said. "It doesn't demean or diminish everything he's done, and I thank him for all his contributions. We all will have fond memories of him."

The Braves plan to use the money they'll save on Jones to bolster their starting rotation -- a glaring weakness beyond John Smoltz and Tim Hudson -- and to sign first baseman Mark Teixeira, who made $9 million this year and is eligible for arbitration.

Still, it was the end of an era in Atlanta. Jones first joined the Braves as a 19-year-old, hitting two homers in his first World Series game at Yankee Stadium in 1996. He has been one of the game's greatest defensive outfielders, winning nine straight Gold Gloves with his diving catches and over-the-wall grabs in center.

Jones would have preferred to stay with the Braves, but the team had no serious talks with his agent, Scott Boras.

"I thought there would be some negotiation or something," Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur told the AP. "I guess that's what's so weird, that it happened so quick. It's obviously sad when you lose a teammate and good friend.

Jones was one of the game's top sluggers in 2005-06, combining for 92 homers and 257 RBIs, but his production tailed off dramatically this season. He fell to his worst average since becoming a full-time starter in 1997, with 26 homers and 94 RBIs.

Schuerholz said the team got an offer from Boras last December but quickly realized it was far more than anything they would consider.

Boras withdrew the offer, believed to be in the $20-million-a-year range, over the summer when the Braves never responded, Schuerholz said.

"What that did was to signal what we could fully expect," the GM said. Asked how much Boras was asking for, Schuerholz held his right hand over his head. "I can't reach that high," he quipped.

"It was so far removed from what we could even consider doing," Schuerholz added.

Jones is only the latest longtime Braves player to cut ties with Atlanta, following Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Javy Lopez. Once one of baseball's highest-spending teams under Ted Turner, the Braves cut their budget in recent years and went through a change in corporate owners.

"We have to use our assets in the most effective way to put the best 25 people on the field," Schuerholz said.

Jones spent much of the year preparing to play elsewhere in 2008.

"I've been telling people this for a long time," he said. "It's a business. You can't take it to heart. I just have to move on and start with a new team."

When it comes to contract matters, Schuerholz normally deals only with a player's agent. But he decided to call in Jones for a face-to-face meeting.

"It was appropriate for Andruw," Schuerholz said. "He deserved that."
Associated Press freelance writer Amy Jinkner-Lloyd contributed to this report.

Colorado 9, San Diego 8, 13 innings

2007-10-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the pesky and energetic Colorado Rockies.

By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Sports Writer
October 2, 2007

DENVER (AP) -- They played as if they never wanted the season to end, and they had already gotten an extra day.

The NL wild card came down to a wild, 13-inning finish Monday night that put Matt Holliday and the Colorado Rockies into the playoffs and sent Trevor Hoffman and the San Diego Padres home weary and dazed.

Holliday raced home on Jamey Carroll's shallow fly ball, capping a three-run rally against the all-time saves leader, giving the Rockies a 9-8 win in baseball's longest one-game tiebreaker.
"It's been an incredible run from game 1 to game 163," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "This is just a snapshot of what we've been through."

After Scott Hairston's two-run homer put the Padres ahead in the top of the 13th, Colorado came back against Hoffman.

The Rockies won for the 14th time in 15 games and advanced to play at Philadelphia in the first round starting Wednesday.

Colorado trailed 8-6 when Kaz Matsui and Troy Tulowitzki, who had four hits, lined back-to-back doubles off Hoffman. Then Holliday tripled off the wall in right to tie it.
After Todd Helton was intentionally walked, Carroll lined out to right fielder Brian Giles.

Giles' throw home bounced in front of catcher Michael Barrett, who couldn't hold on as Holliday swiped the plate, then lay face-down after cutting his chin with his headfirst slide. Umpire Tim McClelland made a delayed safe call, and replays were inconclusive on whether Holliday touched the plate with his left hand or was blocked by Barrett's left foot.

Holliday said he wasn't sure if he touched the plate, although the ball bounced away anyway.

"The ump said I was safe," Holliday said. "I don't remember. But I hit my chin pretty good. I got stepped on and banged my chin. I'm all right."

Said Padres manager Bud Black: "It looked to me like he did get it."
While their MVP candidate was on the ground bleeding, the rest of the Rockies were celebrating.
Hoffman (4-5) could do little but walk off the mound with his head down. The closer, who has 524 career saves, blew his seventh chance in 49 tries this year.

On Saturday, Hoffman was one strike from clinching a playoff spot when Tony Gwynn Jr. hit a tying triple for Milwaukee, which went on to win 4-3 in 11 innings.

"I'm having a hard time expressing myself right now," Hoffman said. "I wish I could, but I can't after what happened tonight."

The Rockies won the longest game at Coors Field this season behind Holliday, the MVP candidate who clinched the NL batting title at .340. His triple also gave him the league RBI crown with 137, one more than Philadelphia's Ryan Howard.

It was sweet atonement for Holliday, who misplayed Giles' two-out flyball in the eighth inning into a tying RBI double.

"I'm glad we won or that might have haunted me for the rest of my life," Holliday said. "It worked out, and luckily I don't have to think about it."

Carroll entered as a pinch-runner in the seventh and stayed in to play third base. He got one hit before finding himself in position to hit the sacrifice fly that won it.

"I was just trying to get a ball up in the zone," Carroll said. "Had a guy at third. Matty did a great job. Matty ran his butt off. I am so happy that we get this opportunity to go on."

Ramon Ortiz (1-0) got the win. He was the Rockies' 10th pitcher, taking over after Jorge Julio gave up Hairston's homer.

"All we kept saying was 'hold 'em at two, hold 'em at two,"' Hurdle said.

The Rockies are headed to the playoffs for the first time since 1995, when they lost to Atlanta in the first round.

After stranding runners at second in the 10th, 11th and 12th off Matt Herges, the Padres broke through against Julio. Giles drew a leadoff walk and Hairston homered into the bleachers in left-center.

The Rockies didn't flinch.

Colorado and San Diego were tied at 6 in the first play-in game since the New York Mets beat Cincinnati 5-0 for the 1999 NL wild card.

In the bottom of the eighth, Holliday compounded his blunder in the field by stranding the go-ahead run at second when he whiffed against Health Bell, who relieved ineffective Padres ace Jake Peavy.

Manny Corpas went 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth, and Bell sent the game into extra innings by retiring the side in the bottom half, stranding the potential winning run at first base.

The big hit for Colorado earlier came from September callup Seth Smith, who tripled in the sixth and scored on Matsui's shallow sacrifice fly for a 6-5 lead.

Colorado went ahead 3-0 early only to watch Adrian Gonzalez erase the margin with his first career grand slam in a five-run third inning, which Peavy ignited with a single.

The Rockies came back to tie on Helton's 17th homer in the bottom half and Holliday's RBI single in the fifth off Peavy, who looked little like the Cy Young Award candidate he's been this season.

Peavy allowed six runs and 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings. He failed in his bid for his 20th win -- Boston's Josh Beckett was the only pitcher this year to achieve the feat.

Rockies starter Josh Fogg gave up five runs and eight hits in four-plus innings.

The Rockies won a franchise-best 90 games and are owners of the second-best record in the majors since mid-May.

Helton, the subject of trade rumors last winter, is heading to the postseason for the first time in his 11-year career. His 1,578 games in the majors are the third-most by any active player without a playoff appearance.

"That's the best shower I ever had in my life," a drenched Helton said in the clubhouse. "I never knew champagne could feel so good."

Notes

The Rockies thought Garrett Atkins homered in the seventh, but umpire Tim Tschida ruled it hit the yellow railing and bounced back. Crew chief Ed Montague told The Associated Press all six umpires agreed "it hit the yellow pad and came back. The yellow pad was in play. (Hurdle) said it was over. But we looked at that and there's no way it went over." ... It was the first time San Diego had a two-run lead in extras and lost since June 13, 2004, when the Padres dropped a 6-5, 12-inning decision at Yankee Stadium, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

MLB shatters attendance record

2007-10-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

By Jason Beck / MLB.com
Eight teams set franchise records, and 15 reported increases

For the fourth consecutive year, Major League Baseball has set a single-season attendance record, drawing nearly 80 million fans to games during the regular season.

The Commissioner's Office on Tuesday announced a final attendance tally of 79,502,524, a 4.5 percent increase over last year. The previous mark of 76,042,787 was broken with one week to go in the regular season, before pennant races and home finales pushed the total even higher.

Eight teams set franchise attendance records in 2007, and 15 others reported increases over last year. Ten teams drew more than three million fans, with the Detroit Tigers doing so for the first time in the franchise's 107-year history.

"The immensity of this record is staggering," Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement, "and it serves as a perfect illustration of the passion and excitement for the game that exists across the Major League Baseball landscape. Our sport has reached heights that were unimaginable only a few years ago. By any measure, this is truly a golden age for Major League Baseball. I thank fans everywhere, and I share their enthusiasm for another memorable October."

Not only did baseball set a single-day attendance record -- with 717,478 total fans at games on July 28 -- but five of the top 15 single-day marks occurred this summer. Nearly 27 million tickets for the season were sold online at MLB.com, also establishing a single-season record.

The Tigers' mark was one of several set in the Midwest. The defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals sold out all 81 home games at the new Busch Stadium on their way to a record attendance total of 3,552,180. Cubs fans packed Wrigley Field again to watch their team rise to the National League Central Division title, drawing a record 3,252,462 in the process. Their chief division challenger, the Milwaukee Brewers, averaged more than 35,000 fans per game en route to a club-record 2,869,144.

Meanwhile, the stalwarts on the East Coast set their respective marks, too. The New York Yankees established a new American League record by drawing 4,271,083, an average of 52,729 per game, to Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox stretched their consecutive sellout streak to 388 straight games en route to receiving 2,970,755 fans at Fenway Park. The Mets' attendance of 3,853,937 was also a franchise record.

On the opposite coast, the Los Angeles Dodgers topped the National League for the fourth consecutive season with a franchise-record mark of 3,857,036, the highest total in the Senior Circuit since 1997. The Angels and San Francisco Giants also topped the 3 million mark, the Giants doing so for the eighth straight year.

In a statement, Major League Baseball credited the leaguewide popularity, in part, to competitive balance. No team finished the season with a winning percentage under .400 or above .600, and only the Red Sox and Indians topped the 95-win mark, each at 96-66.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Chi Cubs 6, Cincinnati 0

2007-09-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

By JOE KAY, AP Sports Writer

September 29, 2007

CINCINNATI (AP) -- They lost on the field, fought in the dugout, fell out of contention before the season's midpoint. Then, the Chicago Cubs did something that defied their long history of failure and disappointment.

Somehow, they pulled together and won the division.

Chicago's two biggest offseason investments took them the final step toward the playoffs on Friday night. Alfonso Soriano hit another leadoff homer, Carlos Zambrano kept his cool, and the Cubs clinched the NL Central with a 6-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

"Hopefully we can have a few more little parties like this," said Lou Piniella, who enjoyed a champagne shower in his first season as the Cubs manager. "They're fun."

This celebration was so unexpected.

The Cubs invested $300 million in their roster in the offseason, a big-budget solution to their last-place finish in 2006. By June, it looked like a lousy business decision. Chicago was 8 1/2 games out on June 23, with long-suffering fans ready to write them off.

On Friday night, that $300 million paid a return: 30 cases of fine California champagne, sprayed giddily on everyone and everything in the visitors' clubhouse at Great American Ball Park.

"I'm glad to be cold," said reliever Scott Eyre, soaked through with champagne. "I don't think anybody remembers last year."

Instead, the reference point is 2003, the last time the Cubs made the playoffs. They reached the NL championship series under first-year manager Dusty Baker, only to collapse when a fan interfered with a foul ball in Game 6 against Florida.

Now, they get another chance to make a run at their first World Series title since 1908.

"We're as good as anybody going into the playoffs," closer Ryan Dempster said. "We've played as good as anybody. Since the All-Star break, we've been playing great."

Lately, no one has been better than Soriano.

The outfielder was the centerpiece of the offseason splurge, getting an eight-year, $136 million deal that was the fifth-largest in baseball history. Since returning from a strained thigh that sidelined him for most of August, Soriano has gone on a tear unsurpassed in Cubs history -- 13 homers in September, matching Ernie Banks' record of 50 years ago.

"I'm very proud of myself," Soriano said. "I've never had a good September. This time, my team needed it."

The Cubs stumbled into town after getting swept in Florida, stalling their quest. Soriano got them back in high spirits by hitting the third pitch from Bronson Arroyo (9-15) into the seats in center field for his 32nd homer.

His six leadoff homers in September are the most by any major leaguer in any month -- and that's wasn't the end of it. The left fielder also threw Joey Votto out at the plate in the fourth inning, matching Hank Sauer's team record of 19 assists for the season.

From Soriano's emphatic opening homer, this one had a playoff atmosphere with tens of thousands of blue-shirted Cubs fans giving the visitors a home-field advantage.

"I'm not real happy about that," interim Reds manager Pete Mackanin said. "Nobody likes letting the opposition fans raise the roof in your own ballpark. It's a little unsettling. You'd like to quiet them down and make them a little nervous."

Nothing made Zambrano sweat. Keeping his emotions in check, the right-hander allowed six hits in seven innings and strengthened his case to start the first game of the playoffs.

In June, Zambrano was the epitome of Chicago's tumultuous start. He got into a fight with former Cubs catcher Michael Barrett in the dugout and again in the clubhouse, the low point of Chicago's early slide.

Zambrano completed the turnaround by winning on the same field where he had an emotional meltdown on opening day.

"This one was very important to me," said Zambrano (18-13). "We started the season here. Before the game, I was thinking: Here we started, and here we finish."

When Milwaukee lost to San Diego 6-3 later Friday, the Cubs got to pop some corks in the city where their volcanic manager is still revered for blowing his cork and leading the Reds to a World Series championship in 1990.

Piniella had a new look on Friday -- the customary two-day stubble was gone from his face, shaved clean after that stomach-churning visit to Florida. Piniella kept his eyes on the bigger picture: That four-month comeback to win the majors' weakest division.

"We've got some nice talent here," Piniella said. "At the same time, we got into a situation where the team in front of us gave us a chance to get back in the race. We said, 'All right,' and we got after it."

Piniella's top starter had a new way about him, too.

The Cubs gave Zambrano a five-year, $91.5 million contract extension on Aug. 17 despite one glaring flaw. The 26-year-old pitcher has tended to let the big games get to him, imploding in his last three opening day starts.

Could he handle the pressure this time?

He stayed as serene as those 30 cases of Korbel champagne stored in a room off the visitors' clubhouse, waiting to be shook up.

Notes
No team had clinched a playoff spot in Cincinnati since 1999, when the Mets beat the Reds at Cinergy Field to win the NL wild card. ... The Reds are missing all three starting outfielders to injury. Ken Griffey Jr. (groin), Adam Dunn (knee) and Josh Hamilton (hamstring) combined for 89 homers and 246 RBIs. Their replacements on Friday -- Norris Hopper, Buck Coats and Jason Ellison -- had a combined one homer and 18 RBIs. ... Griffey, who played for Piniella in Seattle, poked his head into the manager's pregame session with reporters in the dugout. "You still doing this stuff?" Griffey asked incredulously.

Cecil Cooper To Remain Houston Astros Manager

2007-09-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

By David
Kaye

Despite going 13-15 in his first 28 games, Cecil Cooper will be named the permanent manager of the Houston Astros. Gone is the interim tag and in is the insurmountable task of rebuilding a ball club that has posted a .447 winning percentage in a below average division.

Cooper replaced Phil Garner, who was fired late last month after guiding the Astros to their only World Series appearance in 2005. Cooper's tenure with the organization began that very year as a bench coach and he held that post until being promoted to interim manager.

His hiring is significant for a plethora of reasons, but most notably because he becomes the first African-American manager in the team's 46-year history. Cooper is now the second full-time black manager in Major League Baseball.

Pirates hire Huntington as new GM

2007-09-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

Exec spent past 10 years within the Indians' organization
By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com

PITTSBURGH -- Looking for a general manager with a keen eye for evaluating talent and a scouting background, the Pirates announced early Tuesday that Indians advance scout Neal Huntington had been named to the team's vacant general manager post.

The search for Dave Littlefield's successor, which was led by new Pirates president Frank Coonelly, lasted less than two weeks. And for Coonelly, the check list of attributes was simple.

The Pirates president desired a GM with a vision of success and the tenacity to accomplish it.
The new GM was to be a baseball-minded executive, with strong leadership skills. And finally, Coonelly wanted someone with an unwavering passion for baseball and for the city of Pittsburgh.

In Coonelly's eyes, no one fit that bill better than Huntington.

"With Neal, I found all those attributes," Coonelly said alongside Huntington on Tuesday. "I felt that he was the ideal candidate, as he has had a lot of different experiences. He has been in the field, seen the players, evaluated the players and has also been in the office where the evaluation takes place and the data is analyzed."

Tuesday's announcement ended a GM search to replace Littlefield, who was dismissed from the position on Sept. 7.

Coonelly would not elaborate on other candidates considered for the position, but it is believed that Jack Reid Zduriencik, the Brewers' director of amateur scouting, and Tony LaCava, the Blue Jays' director of player development were also front-runners for the position.

Coonelly did, however, add that though the search was exhaustive, he took a narrowly tailored approach.

"I reviewed the entire baseball landscape, but really had a targeted vision for who I was looking for, and therefore didn't interview as many candidates as perhaps the media wanted me to interview," said Coonelly, who had a working relationship with Huntington in Coonelly's former position in the MLB front offices. "The individuals that I did interview were outstanding candidates, all of them, but Neal brought the most to what I was looking for to move the Pirates forward."

With Coonelly's vision of primarily building the Pirates from the farm system up, Huntington's scouting background is vital to ensuring that this type of system can be successful in Pittsburgh.

Huntington, 38, has spent the last 10 years in Cleveland in a variety of different capacities within the Indians front office. During that tenure, Huntington first served as an assistant director of Minor League operations in 1998, before being promoted to the position of director of player development.

In 2002, Huntington became an assistant to Indians GM Mark Shapiro. He then moved to the position of special assistant to Shapiro following the 2004 season.

Huntington described his most recent position within the Indians organization as one that required the native of Amherst, N.H., to wear a multitude of different hats. As a result, his credentials are broad.

As an adviser to Shapiro and vice president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti, Huntington was involved in nearly all personnel and staffing decisions, as well as trade acquisition discussions. He also spent the majority of his time evaluating talent on both the Minor and Major League level.

When asked about Huntington, Shapiro responded: "[Huntington is] one of our chief evaluators and one of our strongest voices on every level," Shapiro said.

Coonelly echoed Shapiro's praise.

"Neal comes from an extremely successful organization in Cleveland." Coonelly said. "Neal has been part of a system that is very similar to the Pittsburgh market, and they utilized all these different avenues of player acquisition, I think extraordinarily well, and Neal is to receive credit for that."

Huntington, who becomes the organization's 12th general manager, also spent six years with the Montreal Expos prior to joining the Indians' front office staff.

"I think there is a tremendous opportunity here with the Pittsburgh Pirates," Huntington said.
"We're going to change the culture. We're going to change how we do things. Every one of our decisions will be a progressive process in bringing a winner back to Pittsburgh."

Jenifer Langosch is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Championship Sunday: Angels win West

2007-09-23T18:47:00.000-07:00

Halos head back to postseason behind Lackey, homers
By Lyle Spencer / MLB.com

ANAHEIM -- Amid a sea of red on a perfect autumn afternoon, the Angels took the first necessary step in the path toward their version of the Promised Land.

Behind John Lackey, a man with a history of responding to the big moment, the Angels put away the Mariners, 7-4, and claimed the American League West title in front of 44,234 Angel Stadium fans on Sunday.

"I take a little pride in that sort of thing," Lackey said in a clubhouse erupting with the sounds of joy and champagne corks unleashed. "I enjoy the opportunity in big games and try to make the most of it.

"I played everything growing up, and I'm pretty competitive. I like to compete in big games. This being Fan Appreciation Day makes it pretty cool. Our fans have been great to us."

Lackey, the long, tall Texan who won Game 7 of the 2002 World Series for the Halos, was up to the task after the Mariners stubbornly stalled the clincher for two days, keeping the fans on hold until the final home game of the regular season.

Going seven innings and holding the Mariners to two runs before turning it over to the bullpen, Lackey delivered a performance that could not have hurt his bid for the Cy Young Award. He has a career-high 18 wins against nine losses, and his 3.11 ERA is second in the AL to Cleveland's Faust Carmona at 3.03.

Francisco Rodriguez, Lackey's fellow rookie with the 2002 champions, closed it out with a flourish, setting Seattle down in order in the ninth for his 38th save to touch off the celebration.

This is the Angels' sixth division title and third in the past four seasons. It's the first time since 1986 that a playoff berth was wrapped up at home. Their lone Wild Card appearance was in 2002 when they went on to win the franchise's first World Series crown.

"This is what you play for," Mike Scioscia said, having claimed his 701st regular-season win as Angels manager. "All you can do is grind it out and try to keep your focus on a day-to-day basis. Last year we fell short of our goal. We're back this year, and it's only the first round."

The Angels likely won't know their AL Division Series opponent until the final day or two of the season, given how close the four clubs likely to be involved are in the chase for best overall record and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

"We have three more of these after this one," general manager Bill Stoneman said, standing on the periphery of the celebration. "That's the objective here.

"This was an entire team effort, from Mike and the coaches through the entire roster. I don't know how many [players] we had over the course of the season up here, but it seems like they all contributed."

A total of 42 players wore the Angels uniform and appeared in a box score this season.

Scioscia lauded the play of an array of young performers who delivered handsomely, with poise and maturity, as one injury after another claimed everyday players over the course of the season -- starting with the brilliant Chone Figgins and starting pitchers Bartolo Colon and Jered Weaver out of the gate.

"The young kids really came through for them," Scioscia said, "and for us to keep this going and get to our ultimate goal, they'll have to keep doing it."

Added Stoneman: "We've got a lot of guys who are experiencing this for the first time. Hopefully, it whets their appetite."

Facing former teammate Jeff Weaver, older brother of Jered Weaver, the Angels struck early with a pair of those developing talents who excelled all summer.

Casey Kotchman launched a homer leading off the second inning, his 10th of the season, and Maicer Izturis followed with a two-run blast, his sixth, after a walk by Gary Matthews Jr.

"It was a breaking ball down and in, and I got it in the air," Kotchman said of his first homer since July 1. "I've been spoiled. I've been here since Mr. [Arte] Moreno took over, and I've been to the postseason in '04, '05 and now '07.

"To get in [the playoffs] gives you a chance. Now you want to take it as far as you can."

It was especially satisfying for center fielder Matthews and reliever Justin Speier, veteran free-agent acquisitions reaching the postseason for the first time after years of watching October baseball.

"It's everything I thought it would be," said Glove Glove candidate Matthews, who embraced Moreno in the raucous clubhouse celebration.

While Kotchman and Izturis got the Angels jump-started on Sunday, contributions came from everywhere -- notably from the irrepressible shortstop Orlando Cabrera, who delivered with his glove and bat.

Lackey, using his big-breaking curveball as the main weapon in striking out seven hitters, yielded a pair of first-inning singles, but an acrobatic double play turned by Cabrera on a throw from the pitcher helped him out of the inning.

Lackey took a shutout into the fifth, when Ben Broussard doubled and scored on Jose Lopez's single. Lackey left two runners stranded when Ichiro Suzuki went down swinging on a big curve.
"He's a guy who takes pride in getting his hits," Lackey said of hit machine Ichiro. "You kinda know he's going to swing, and you try to take advantage of it."

The Mariners made it a one-run game in the sixth when Raul Ibanez doubled and scored on Broussard's double.

Weaver departed with an injury in the sixth after Izturis singled and Howie Kendrick was hit by a pitch for the second time. After a walk to Jeff Mathis, Figgins' sacrifice fly plated Izturis, and Cabrera's single delivered Kendrick.

Loading the bases with one out against Scot Shields in the eighth, the Mariners scored when Speier recorded a strikeout of Broussard that got past catcher Mathis for a wild pitch.

The next pitch also eluded Mathis for another wild pitch, allowing a second run to score, before Speier retired Jose Vidro on a roller to Kotchman at first to quell the threat.

K-Rod came in and finished off the Angels' 54th home victory of the season, matching the club record set in 2002.

The regular season will end with three games apiece in Texas and Oakland. The Angels will be jockeying for favorable postseason position with the Indians, Red Sox and Yankees, giving importance to all of those games.

"We all know where we've been," said Moreno, the man who signs the checks. "We're pretty excited about where we're going."

Indians claim AL Central crown

2007-09-23T18:37:00.000-07:00

Finish matches month-long span that put Tribe in position
By Anthony Castrovince / MLB.com

CLEVELAND -- They clinched it the way they claimed it.

The Indians came into Sunday's game with a supreme focus on locking up the American League Central Division championship in the regular-season home finale, in front of a bustling sellout crowd of 40,250 fans.

"That's what we wanted to do," starter Jake Westbrook said. "We got some help yesterday with Kansas City beating Detroit [dropping the magic number down to one], and we just wanted to get it done today for Cleveland and the fans here."

They got it done, officially, when Rafael Betancourt struck out Mark Ellis in the top of the ninth to cap a 6-2 victory over the A's.

But the Indians' first division title since 2001 and their seventh in 13 seasons became theirs, for all intents and purposes, over the course of a month-long span in which they've beared down and played their best baseball of the season.

The division race between the Tribe and the Tigers was knotted up Aug. 15. Then the Indians turned on the jets and went 27-9 over their last 36 games.

So if they seemed a little more intense and a little more determined Sunday, don't let it fool you.

"We're always intense," center fielder Grady Sizemore said. "I don't think we ever lose that.
This is a team that never gives up."

Still, Sizemore had to admit, "We had a sense of urgency to get it done today."

They certainly showed it.

Westbrook, coming off a rough outing in a big game against Detroit, struck out a career-high nine batters over seven strong innings of work.

Sizemore, batting in the leadoff spot, turned in a four-hit performance for the fourth time this season. All the hits came off lefties.

Betancourt, sent in to relieve Rafael Perez of a two-out, two-on jam in the eighth, pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings, striking out three.

It was a game that served as representation of how the Indians got themselves into this enviable position in the first place.

"We've had a great focus for an extended period of time," manager Eric Wedge said. "You saw it again today."

Wedge always harps on how a team's performance starts with the starting pitching. And from the beginning of this game, it was clear Westbrook had his best sinker working. The crowd began to roar as he prepared to throw the game's first pitch to Shannon Stewart, and he fed off that energy to force key double-play balls in the first and second innings.

"I was throwing the ball hard and locating a lot of my pitches," Westbrook said. "It was fun to pitch today."

This season hasn't always been fun for Westbrook. He struggled in April and strained an abdominal muscle in early May, forcing him to sit for six weeks. When he came back, he looked rusty, right up until he put together an outstanding August that was instrumental in the Tribe's standings surge.

"My season had not gone the way I wanted it to, personally," Westbrook said. "But to be a part of this team and pitching in big ballgames in the second half has been great."

The Indians' offense rose to the occasion of this big ballgame, with Sizemore leading the way. His RBI single off Dallas Braden in the second inning gave the Tribe a 2-0 lead. And in the fourth, his RBI triple to the right-field corner was part of a four-run outburst begun by Casey Blake's two-run double and capped by Asdrubal Cabrera's run-scoring single to left.

Did Sizemore, who was batting just .148 over his previous eight games, feel a particular need to spark the offense on this day?

"It's not that I had to, it's that I wanted to set the tone early," he said. "I wanted to get on base and just create. We knew if we could get ahead early, with the way our bullpen's going, [the A's] wouldn't be able to get back in the game."

Sizemore was right. Westbrook worked through the seventh, with his only blemish coming when he served up a two-run homer to Daric Barton in the sixth.

In the eighth, Perez found trouble by giving up a two-out single to Stewart and a double to Barton. But Betancourt came in to fan Nick Swisher.

All that was left was to finish the job in the ninth. Betancourt, who has emerged as one of the premier setup men in all of baseball this season, kept pounding the outside edge with his trusty fastball to get Jack Cust looking at strike three. Mike Piazza then popped out weakly to second, and Ellis quickly found himself in an 0-2 count with two outs.

"I can't describe how it felt to be in that moment," Betancourt said. "Especially when I had Ellis at two strikes. I kept telling myself, 'I need just one strike.' I just threw the ball where [catcher] Victor [Martinez] wanted it. I was going with my best pitch in that situation."

His best pitch was a fastball that Ellis couldn't catch. And when Ellis swung and missed, Betancourt leapt off the mound and into Martinez's outstretched arms.

Despite all the distractions that came with injuries, April snowouts, lost off-days, reshuffled lineups and rotation adjustments, the Indians were finally champs.

After watching stadium workers raise the championship flag on a pole at the top of the scoreboard, the Indians retreated to a champagne-soaked clubhouse. It was there where Wedge reflected on a club that persevered through some unique situations to get to the promised land.

"It's about these guys," Wedge said. "You know what kind of journey it is. That's why you play so many games. Ultimately, to be a champion, you've got to overcome a lot, and our guys have."

Red Sox Clinch Playoff Berth

2007-09-23T02:51:00.000-07:00

The first step towards solidifying a playoff berth was captured last night in Tampa as the Red Sox defeated the last place Devil Rays 8-6.

Tension and uneasiness stills reigns in Boston as the Yankees are making a late season surge at the division title for the ninth consecutive year. Boston has gone from a comfortable 14.5 game lead earlier in the season to a mere 2.5 game lead with just weeks remaining in the season. Still, they are the first team to clinch a postseason birth and they'll be playing in October for the first time since 2005.

With timely hitting and outstanding pitching it will be difficult for the Red Sox to be upended. A first-round matchup with the Indians looks to be imminent and that plays out well for the Sox.

Public to decide fate of Bonds' record-breaking ball

2007-09-17T16:14:00.000-07:00

By MARCUS WOHLSEN, Associated Press Writer
September 17, 2007

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The fate of Barry Bonds' record-breaking home run ball is now in the public's hands after its buyer announced Monday he was taking votes on whether to give the ball to the Hall of Fame, brand it with an asterisk or blast it into space.

Fashion designer Marc Ecko revealed himself as Saturday's winning bidder in the online auction for the ball that Bonds hit last month to break Hank Aaron's record of 755 home runs. The final selling price for No. 756 was $752,467, well above most predictions.

Ecko had not even taken possession of the ball before setting up a Web site that lets visitors vote on which of the three outcomes they think the ball most deserves. He plans to announce the final tally after voting ends Sept. 25.

"I bought this baseball to democratize the debate over what to do with it," Ecko wrote on the Web site. "The idea that some of the best athletes in the country are forced to decide between being competitive and staying natural is troubling."

The 35-year-old Ecko is known for his pop culture pranks, including an infamous Internet video that showed him apparently infiltrating an airport tarmac and spray-painting graffiti on Air Force One. The incident turned out to be a hoax.

But the auction house that handled the sale confirmed that Ecko is indeed the ball's buyer.

"This transaction is happening and is going to be done by the end of the day," David Kohler, president of SCP Auctions, said Monday.

Kohler called Ecko's decision "brilliant" and said he had already visited the Web site and voted to send the ball to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Matt Murphy, a 21-year-old student and construction supervisor from New York, emerged from a scrum with the ball on Aug. 7. He decided to sell it, he said, because he couldn't afford the tax bill that would result from holding onto the ball.

Some tax experts said Murphy would have owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes based on a reasonable estimate of the ball's value even if he had never sold it. He may also have faced capital gains taxes as the ball gained value.

"This either makes him a lunatic or a genius, one of those two," Murphy said when told of Ecko's actions. "I'm leaning toward genius."

Murphy said he planned to vote to send the ball to Cooperstown.

Ecko himself said he voted to brand the ball with an asterisk, a reference to the belief of some Bonds detractors that the Giants slugger's record is tainted by his alleged use of performance-enhancing substances. Bonds has denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs.

Ecko said what really interests him is seeing what happens when an "American Idol" approach comes together with a serious public debate over drugs in sports.

"My vote really doesn't matter," said Ecko, who identifies himself as a New York Yankees fan. "The American public will tell us what to do with it."

On the Web:

Vote 756: http://www.vote756.com

Jam Packed AL Wild Card Race Heat Up

2007-09-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

By David
Kaye

With just over twenty games remaining in the regular season, three teams in the AL are separated by 4.5 games or less for the wild card lead.

The roller coaster ride that has been the New York Yankees season has cemented them a top the AL wild card standings with a three game lead over the surging Tigers and a 4.5 game lead over the reeling Mariners. Detroit has two more games against Seattle this weekend and only faces a winning team once more this year. Their three game set September 17-19 at Cleveland will be the only difficult matchup for the defending AL champions.

Conversely, Seattle has lost twelve out of thirteen and have fallen 4.5 games off the wild card pace. With two remaining games at Comerica park, a three game set on the road against the AL West leading Angels and three games at home against the AL Central leading Indians it appears highly unlikely that the Mariners will overtake both the Yankees and Tigers.

Currently, Seattle is on a stretch where they play seventeen straight games and twenty three out of twenty-four to end the season.

Capturing the AL East crown for a tenth straight season might be out of the realm of possibilities for the Yankees, but entering the playoffs as the wild card representative is certainly in reach for the Bronx Bombers. Powered by the most productive and exciting offense in baseball, the Yankees should encounter no problems during their next 21 games, with all of their remaining series against divisional opponents.

Report: Glaus received steroids

2007-09-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

September 7, 2007

NEW YORK (Ticker) - Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Troy Glaus received multiple shipments of performance-enhancing steroids through an allegedly illegal distribution network, Sports Illustrated reported on its web site Friday.

Citing a source in Florida familiar with the client list of the the Signature Pharmacy, SI.com reported that Glaus - a former World Series MVP and four-time All-Star - received multiple shipments of nandrolone and testosterone between September 2003 and May 2004 when he was with the Anaheim Angels. Both substances were on Major League Baseball's banned list at that time.

The story comes on the same day that the New York Daily News reported that St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Rick Ankiel received multiple shipments of human growth hormone from a separate source.

SI.com's source claims to have seen prescriptions in Glaus' named that were obtained through the New Hope Health Center, a California-based anti-aging clinic which advertises the sale of anabolic steroids and human growth hormones on its web site.

Devil Rays manager Joe Maddon, who was a coach with Anaheim when Glaus played there from 1998-2004, defended the player.

"I support Troy and have no idea what's going on in regards to this," Maddon said. "We'd go out and have a little dinner once in a while. I have a lot of respect for him, I just don't know enough about what's been put out there today.

"He's good people and he's a really good friend of mine."

That prescription is said to have been processed by Signature. The prescribing physician is identified by SI.com as Ramon Scruggs, who the Medical Board of California names as being on probation and as prohibited from prescribing via the internet.

Glaus was named World Series MVP in 2002, but has been regarded as injury prone in recent seasons. This season, Glaus is hitting .263 with 20 home runs and 62 RBI, but he has been hampered by foot problems.

When told by reporters that the allegations of the steroid use came when both Glaus and Maddon were with the Angels, Tampa Bay's manager maintained his support.

"I never suspected anything when we were in California," Maddon said. "I did not suspect anything. There was no suspicion, he's a good friend and a good man."

Earlier on Friday, the New York Daily News reported that Ankiel received a 12-month supply of human growth hormone in 2004 from a Florida pharmacy that was part of a national illegal prescription drug-distribution operation.

That story came just hours after Ankiel belted a pair of home runs and drove in seven runs in the Cardinals' 16-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

According to records obtained by The Daily News, which cited sources close to the controversy surrounding anti-aging clinics that dispense illegal prescription drugs, Ankiel received eight shipments of HGH from Signature Pharmacy in Orlando from January to December 2004.

Signature is the pharmacy at the center of a two-year investigation of illegal Internet prescription drug sales by Albany District Attorney David Soares.

That same probe ensnared New England Patriots strong safety Rodney Harrison, who last week admitted to using human growth hormones and was suspended four games by the NFL.

The Boston Globe reported that Harrison bought the HGH from the Palm Beach Rejuvenation Center.

According to The Daily News, Ankiel's prescriptions were signed by a Florida physician who provided them through a Palm Beach Gardens clinic called "The Health and Rejuvenation Center," or "THARC."

Ankiel lives in nearby Jupiter, Florida.

THARC also provided a shipment of steroids and growth hormone to former major league pitcher Steve Woodard, who was a teammate of Ankiel at Class AAA Memphis in 2004.

Heather Orth, director of communications for Soares' office, told PA SportsTicker on Friday that the investigation is looking at a number of clinics linked to Signature, but that THARC is not among them.

The 28-year-old Ankiel, who also hit a two-run homer Wednesday, is batting .358 (29-for-81) with nine home runs and 29 RBI in 23 games since returning to the majors on August 9.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for a player who gained notoriety for throwing nine wild pitches in four innings during the 2000 playoffs - an outing that essentially led to the demise of his pitching career.

The startling rebirth of Ankiel's career has drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth and Roy Hobbs, but the feel-good story of the year may be coming to a crashing halt.

An elbow sprain forced Ankiel to miss the 2002 season, and he underwent "Tommy John" surgery in July 2003. The lefthander returned to the Cardinals as a reliever in 2004, but pitched in only five games.

He ended his pitching career and switched to the outfield in 2005, but he injured his knee before the 2006 season, underwent knee surgery and missed the entire year.

Red Sox rookie RHP Buchholz throws no-hitter against Orioles

2007-09-03T06:20:00.000-07:00

September 2, 2007

BOSTON (TICKER) -- In the heat of a pennant race and his team mired in a four-game losing streak, rookie righthander Clay Buchholz gave the Boston Red Sox a huge lift.

In just his second major league start, Buchholz threw a no-hitter to lead the Red Sox to a 10-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday.

Not only did Buchholz's gem stop a slide, it helped Boston maintain a five-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East.

Buchholz, who turned 23 on August 14, threw the third no-hitter this year - all in the American League - and first since the Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander accomplished the feat on June 12 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

"I don't even have a word for it, I was so excited and ecstatic about everything and the way everything boiled down to that moment and being out there," Buchholz said. "It was, you'd think we won a World Series or something, but it was an incredible moment in my life and one that I will never forget."

"I think that was about as nervous and excited as a lot of us have been in a long time," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "That was something to see."

Buchholz (2-0) only was pitching due to a back injury to Tim Wakefield, who was scratched from his start Friday night. Saturday's scheduled starter, Julian Tavarez, was moved up a day to take Wakefield's spot, opening the door for Buchholz to make history.

''It was probably the third inning of our game (Friday) night in Pawtucket," said Buchholz of when he learned he would be starting. "I had to gather all my stuff up and get up here last night, couldn't really sleep well, got up early, had some breakfast and tried to get ready for the game."

Wilson Alvarez of the Chicago White Sox was the last pitcher to throw a no-hitter in his second major league start - also against the Orioles on August 11, 1991. It also was the first no-hitter by a Boston pitcher since Derek Lowe against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on April 27, 2002, and the 17th in franchise history.

"It's been fun to watch," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. "Very proud of the organization, from the scouts who recommended him and player development staff who worked with him up to the major league staff."

The last pitcher to throw a no-hitter in the National League was Anibal Sanchez of the Florida Marlins on September 6, 2006.

Sanchez, ironically, went to the Marlins from the Red Sox in a trade for Josh Beckett. He was 22 at the time of his no-hitter.

Rookie second baseman Dustin Pedroia preserved the no-hitter with a spectacular defensive play in the seventh inning.

Miguel Tejada bounced a pitch over Buchholz's head that appeared headed into center field, but Pedroia made a diving stop as he sprawled onto the outfield grass, got up and just got beat Tejada's headfirst slide into the first base bag.

"Whenever I jumped up and missed that ball, I was thinking it is over and then (Pedroia) comes out of nowhere and probably one of the best plays I've seen in 10 years," Buchholz said. "Whenever he made that play I knew something was meant to happen tonight."

Center fielder Coco Crisp probably had the best view of Pedroia's magnificent play and almost could not believe was he saw.

"I thought he had no chance at it and in that situation you just have to dive for it," Crisp said. "He dove and he shocked me. I thought he was going to flip it to (shortstop Julio) Lugo since his back was to first base, but he came around and fired it over there."

In the eighth inning, Buchholz stabbed a comeback by Jay Payton for the final out, putting him at 102 pitches.

''Well the adrenaline was running and I don't think I had many emotions," Buchholz said. "I sort of tried to zone everything out but it's sort of hard with 40,000 people screaming everytime you throw."

With the Fenway Park crowd on its feet and the count 1-2, Buchholz got Markakis on a slow breaking ball for a called strike three, setting off a delirious celebration among his teammates.

"Whenever I couldn't throw a fastball for a strike, I was able to come back with changeups and other breaking pitches for strikes and keep the hitters off-balance," Buchholz said.

"He was staying in the strike zone with his breaking ball where he got some strikes," Baltimore manager Dave Trembley. "There were a lot of pitches that we swung at that weren't strikes, but you can do that when you throw strike one; when you throw strike one it opens up that plate and that's what he did."

Buchholz finished with nine strikeouts and three walks. He threw 115 pitches - 73 for strikes - to help the Red Sox snap a four-game losing streak and remain five games ahead of the New York Yankees for the American League East lead.

"He established his fastball enough and his off-speed was devastating," Francona said.

Buchholz started the ninth by striking out Brian Roberts - his eighth of the game - and retired Corey Patterson on a line drive to Crisp, bringing Nick Markakis to the plate.

Chase Utley Back In Action For The Phillies

2007-08-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

By David
Kaye

During Chase Utley's four and a half week stint on the disabled list the Phillies managed to stay afloat in the NL East and Wild Card race. In his return last night from a broken hand, the All-Star second baseman lined his eighteenth home run of the year deep to center field and finished the game with three hits.

The Phillies are now five games back of the Mets after yesterday's 9-2 victory and still have three remaining games left this week against New York. The next three days will determine if Chase Utley and company can stay competitive in the division heading into September, or if they will dwindle in the hot summer heat.

Houston Astros Fire Manager and General Manager

2007-08-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

By David
Kaye

In 2005 skipper Phil Garner and general manager Tim Purpuru guided the Astros to their first World Series appearance in team history. Two years later both men are without a job after disgruntled owner Drayton McLane fired them Monday afternoon, citing dissatisfaction with the clubs performance on the field.

At 58-73 the Astros are nine games back of the NL Central leading Cubs and losers of their last five out of seven games. In a baseball town where fans value winning at a premium and the owner is extremely sensitive ''in terms of public perception'', back-to-back losing seasons is unacceptable.

Injuries, age, poor pitching and inept hitting have all contributed to the teams failure on the field this season. Prized off season acquisition Jason Jennings has been hampered by injuries all year long and that has certainly contributed to his dreadful performance on the field. He's currently 2-9 with a 6.45 E.R.A. in eighteen starts.

Future Hall of Famer Craig Biggio is retiring after twenty stellar seasons in an Astros uniform and 38-year old Bard Ausmus is nearing the end of his career. When you look around the horn it's clear that only first and third base are occupied by players with good enough talent to make a significant impact on the team for years to come. Outside of All-Star Lance Berkman and newly acquired Ty Wiggington Houston has many holes to fill.

Patrolling the vacuous confines of Minute Maid Park is one of the premier sluggers in baseball, Carlos Lee, and one of the most talented rookies in Hunter Pence. Right field is still a question mark for the Astros as they are not sold on either Chris Burke or Luke Scott.

With only two consistent starting pitchers in ace Roy Oswalt and left-hander Wandy Rodriguez, Houston seems to be in a long term rebuilding mode and that is something die hard Astros fans do not want to hear.

Yankees' Phil Hughes Continues To Struggle

2007-08-27T09:25:00.000-07:00

By David
Kaye

Once thought of as the savior to this year's starting rotation, rookie Phil Hughes has struggled in his previous two starts giving up five runs in each outing.

On May 1st in his second-career start in the majors, Hughes had to leave after pitching 6 1/3 innings of no-hit baseball due to a debilitating left hamstring injury. The injury he sustained against the Rangers sidelined him until the beginning of August and severely hampered the Yankees chances of competing in the AL East.

Yesterday afternoon in Detroit Hughes lasted six innings and gave up four hits, three of them being home runs. To lead off the bottom half of the first Curtis Granderson ripped a line drive down the left field line that was mishandled by Hideki Matsui and allowed Granderson to score. His hit ignited the Tigers' offensive onslaught as shortstop Carlos Guillien blasted a two-run home run to right center field and slugger Marcus Thames hit his 15th home run of the season in the third inning.

The next several weeks will be critical in the development of Hughes as a big game pitcher and it will show the Yankees if he can be counted on to produce in the postseason.

Minnesota Twins Continue Hot Streak After Losing 9 out of 14

2007-08-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

By David
Kaye

On August 1st the Minnesota Twins were three games over .500, six back of the division leading Tigers and losers of six out of their last ten games.

All-Star second baseman Luis Castillo had been traded to the Mets and many prominent players on the team, including Gold Glove center fielder Torii Hunter and ace Johan Santana, were voicing their opinions about how disappointed they were with management. Players even went so far as to say that their inability to pull off any deadline deals is the major reason why the team will never make it out of the first-round.

What ensued in the following two weeks was a horrid combination of poor pitching and inept hitting. During the week of August 5th the Twins scored one or less runs five times, while surrendering 28 runs. They split a four-game set against the division leading Indians, lost two out of three against the woeful Royals and were swept at L.A.

Midway through the month Minnesota was 60-60 and seven games behind the wild card leading Mariners. They were now at a crossroads in their season as it seemed a bit to late for them to make a viable push at a playoff spot, but Rod Gardenhire's team was not ready to give up.

With a four-game sweep at Camden Yards against the struggling Orioles where they outscored Baltimore 31-10, they are now 5.5 games behind the Indians and four-games over .500.

The Twins will now start a crucial three-game series at Cleveland and if they are somehow able to leave Jacobs Field with at least two victories they will be in a good position entering September.

Landowner appeal pauses ballpark deal

2007-08-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

Monday's ruling by independent panel will be appealed By Jess Myers / Special to MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- While plans go forward for a ceremonial groundbreaking next Thursday at the site of the Minnesota Twins' future ballpark, the current owners of the property will have to wait a few more months before learning what they'll be paid for the land.

On Wednesday, the landowners informed Hennepin County that they will appeal Monday's ruling by an independent panel that the land is worth $23.8 million. In the past, the landowners have sought more than $60 million for the parcel of land, which sits just north of Target Center in the Warehouse District of downtown Minneapolis.

At least one official from Hennepin County, which has taken the land via eminent domain and offered to pay $13.75 million for the parcel, said that the appeal was expected.

"We've played it the way we're supposed to and have followed the recommendation of the panel," said Hennepin County commissioner Linda Koblick. "The commissioners have met and done their job. We're not pleased with it, but the landowners aren't pleased with it, either. So the appeal doesn't surprise me. It's within their right."

Others with the county expressed disappointment that the landowners would not accept the panel's ruling.

"We thought this was about a fair process," said Hennepin County commissioner Peter McLaughlin. "Get the facts out and make a fair decision. There was a three-person panel who looked at it, which is what I thought [the landowners] wanted. Now they're going to appeal. It's disappointing. But we'll keep moving forward."

Aron Kahn, a spokesperson for the landowners, noted that work on the ballpark project, including the Aug. 30 groundbreaking ceremony, will not be delayed, but the landowners will exercise their right to appeal for a better price for their property.

"An appeal is part of the process," said Kahn. "When public entities take private property, the owners have the right to contest the amount, and that's what they intend to do."

The appeal will likely mean a jury trial sometime later in the year. On Monday, the independent three-person panel appointed to study the dispute and set a price for the land delivered the $23.8 million ruling, but only two of the three panelists signed the report. Larry Tucker, a licensed real estate appraiser on the panel, filed a dissenting report with the county, saying that the land was worth more than $33 million, in his opinion.

That dissenting opinion is expected to be the basis of the landowners' appeal. Koblick, who previously voted against using county sales taxes to partially fund the ballpark, said Tucker's actions were unexpected.

"Filing a minority opinion doesn't surprise me if it's a Supreme Court decision, but I think this was taken to an extreme," said Koblick, who represents several communities in western Hennepin County.

Content to concentrate their efforts on baseball and preparations for the groundbreaking, Twins officials said that they're letting the county deal with the land issues.

"We are committed to and focused on the design and construction of the ballpark, and that work is ongoing," said Kevin Smith, the Twins' vice president of public affairs. "Our county partners are working through the process regarding the land acquisition. As they do so, we prepare for the groundbreaking, which will signal that work will begin in earnest on the new facility."

The new open-air ballpark is expected to be finished in time for the 2010 baseball season, and will replace the Metrodome, which has been the home of the Twins since 1982.

Rockies Sweep Nationals To Inch Closer In Wild Card Race

2007-08-27T05:21:00.000-07:00

By David
Kaye

The season is far from over for the Colorado Rockies. Despite not winning a series since August 6th against the Brewers, the Rockies re-established themselves as a threat in the NL wild card chase with a three-game sweep over the woeful Washington Nationals.

Currently, the Rockies are lead by 26-year old left-hander Jeff Francis, 22-year old rookie phenom Troy Tulowitzki, 27-year old power slugger Brad Hawpe and 27-year old All-Star Matt Holliday. As the Rockies embark on a six-game road trip starting tonight in San Francisco, they trail the San Diego Padres by 3.5 games in the wild card race.

Behind six solid innings from veteran Elmer Dessens, 3 rbi's from Tulowitzki, 3 rbi's and a home run from slugger Matt Holliday, and 15 total hits by the teams offense. the Rockies leapfrogged the slumping Braves to pull into a third place tie with the Dodgers in the wild card chase.

''We're excited every day to come to the ballpark because we think we have a chance to win ,'' third baseman Garrett Atkins said. This is the first time in several seasons Colorado has had any hope of optimism late in the season and it will be very interesting to see if the youthful Rockies can sustain their success.