national league baseball
Billingsley gives Dodgers winning hand
CHICAGO -- The tone was set in the bottom of the first inning Thursday night. Alfonso Soriano spanked Chad Billingsley's first-pitch slider to left field for a single, energizing a cadre of Chicago Cubs faithful looking for any excuse to raise the roof and get their team back into the National League division series.
Ringolsby: Hurdle not on hot seat, others maybe
While a faction of the media has attempted to create a buzz about the future of Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, there never was a desire within the organization to make a managerial change.
While Yankees watch, Torre returns to playoffs
Sometimes in sports, things work out exactly the way they're supposed to.This is one of those times.Joe Torre made it to October.Hank Steinbrenner didn't.
Manny, Blake pickups add up to playoffs for Dodgers
LOS ANGELES -- Manager Joe Torre certainly knows how to finish, and his Los Angeles Dodgers apparently developed that mentality as well in becoming National League West champions.
Mets reward mediocrity
Remember that bold statement the New York Mets were supposed to make this season, in the wake of last September's historic collapse? Well, they made it.
As Manny says, Dodgers have more work to do
LOS ANGELES -- Manny Ramirez sat at his locker Thursday afternoon, holding court and savoring what must have been the weirdest pennant clinching he'd ever been part of. How often, after all, do you clinch your division seven hours or so before you can actually pop the champagne corks to celebrate it? "I found out from somebody in the elevator," he cracked.
Ringolsby: Lidge a strong NL MVP choice
Philadelphia reliever Brad Lidge never blinked.His mental toughness questioned in Houston, where he became the scapegoat for former manager Phil Garner's failures, Lidge embraced the challenge of Philadelphia this season, winning over fans that take pride in an image of booing Santa Claus.
McCourt mum on re-signing Manny
LOS ANGELES -- Frank McCourt said fans have voiced their desire for him to re-sign outfielder Manny Ramirez, but the Los Angeles Dodgers owner sidestepped questions even about his interest level in doing so.
Put it to rest: Manny's no MVP: Other thoughts
Manny Ramirez is in Los Angeles now, so it figures he'd get movie star-style hype. But let's calm down about Mannymania.Simply put, he deserves the Most Valuable Player Award about as much as he deserves an Oscar. Putting the Dodgers left fielder in the MVP discussion is just silly talk. He's been a difference-maker only slightly longer than Sarah Palin.
Ringolsby: Brewers sense urgency
Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio stretched the budget as much as possible and added CC Sabathia in midseason to help in the team's bid for its first postseason since 1982.With the anticipated free-agent losses of Sabathia and Ben Sheets this offseason, he knows the Brewers must win now or else.
