american league baseball

TORONTO -- The American League East's weekend of change came to a close with the Tampa Bay Rays in the playoffs, Yankee Stadium awaiting the wrecking ball and the Boston Red Sox leaving Toronto with champagne on ice, knowing they had at least clinched a tie for a playoff spot.

Here are five quick changes to fix the baseball, our National Pastime: -- 1. One set of rules Either the American League should dump the DH, or the National League should embrace it. The idea of a World Series being decided on whose park, and whose rules, are being used is simply ridiculous.

Curt Schilling called into WEEI Radio Wednesday and, with the help of former Red Sox infielder Lou Merloni, shed more light -- none of it flattering -- on Manny Ramirez and the problems that led Boston to trade him to the Dodgers in the final minutes of the trade deadline July 31.

He has authored one of the most prolific single-season pitching records in baseball history -- 58 saves and counting -- yet Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez flies under the national radar."Because he's on the West Coast," said Angels center fielder Torii Hunter. "Everybody's sleeping in the Central and East when ... he's doing his thing.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The pennant race came to Tropicana Field Monday night. But apparently someone forgot to tell the Tampa Bay Rays' fans. Hosting the biggest series in franchise history -- admittedly, a very short list -- the Tampa Bay Rays failed to sell out last as showdown with the Red Sox for American League East supremacy, won by the Boston, 13-5.

OAKLAND, Calif. -- He has been called scrappy by longtime observers, a jockey by an admiring opposing manager and American League Rookie of the Year by all of baseball.

Two years ago, it was Atlanta that didn't report for the postseason, ending its record-setting stretch of 14 division titles. Last year, Oakland found itself with a losing record and below second place in the standings for the first time in a decade.

BOSTON -- A year ago, the Boston Red Sox had the luxury of resting players in September, their postseason status assured, though not mathematically guaranteed. This season, the Red Sox won't have that opportunity. Going into Wednesday's action, Boston still trails Tampa Bay by five games in the loss column in the A.L. East with only 24 games to go.

Considering they could be approaching their fifth playoff appearance in seven years, the Minnesota Twins are a little light on pennant race experience as they enter a month that will test their endurance physically and mentally.

When I think of Carl Yastrzemski, two things come to mind. One is the season for the ages he had in 1967. The other is how, in 1979, the year I began working here at The Journal, he would sit in front of his locker in the clubhouse at Fenway Park and conduct post-game interviews with a can of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.