Major League Baseball’s October classic kicks off today in fine fashion, matching up the league’s best for a memorable playoff season.
Yesterday’s 1-game playoff between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers was an instant (ESPN) Classic.  12-innings, something like 24 hits and 20 stranded base runners in total.  Both teams were hungry, but the Twins executed [...]

Some recent NFL signings have made me look back at how many times a sports franchise has made a dumb move by signing a player to a high-priced, long-term contract.  Whether the player was getting up there in age, hadn’t proved themself (really), or was just being paid on their historical performance, the teams that [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
The first baseman drives in the game’s first run and has a three-run double in the seventh inning. Juan Pierre gets three more hits and Orlando Hudson extends hitting streak to 17. Continue reading on L.A. Times
The Los Angeles Dodgers are hardly missing a beat w/out slugger Manny Ramirez and still [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
They sweep the Padres and set a franchise record by starting 10-0 at Dodger Stadium. Outfielder Manny Ramirez sang to himself and juggled a couple of baseballs as he walked out of the Dodgers’ clubhouse, his spirits visibly lifted by what transpired on the field Sunday.   Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times
He has two home runs, including a grand slam, and five RBIs while Andre Ethier and Orlando Hudson drive in three runs each.  The Dodgers are playing so well these days that they gave Manny Ramirez half the game off, without a care in the world.   Continue reading on L.A. [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
He says his hamstring feels pretty good after playing three innings.  Manager Joe Torre said he knew it would be useless to tell Manny Ramirez to take it easy. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times
He pitches six scoreless innings and has a two-run double in the second inning of an 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers.  Randy Wolf pitched longer than any Dodger pitcher has pitched this spring, tossing six scoreless innings Sunday in an 11-4 victory over the Texas Rangers at Camelback Ranch.   Continue reading [...]

Despite Manny Ramirez‘ apparent hamstring injury, he did a promotional spot playing Cricket out in Gilbert, AZ.  This, after reports that he had confined his workouts to the pool.  Can’t say I’m surprised by Manny’s actions, but I would be highly upset if I was the Los Angeles Dodgers since they just promised Ramirez $45m [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
The team travels without him and defeats the Chicago Cubs, 5-4, with Jeff Weaver throwing two scoreless innings and Doug Mientkiewicz hitting his second home run in four games.  Manny Ramirez had his first full workout of the spring today with the Dodgers but missed their trip to HoHoKam Park and [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
The deal calls for million this season and million for the next — providing the slugger chooses to exercise the second-year option.  Intending to discourage further questioning about Manny Ramirez’s absence from the Dodgers’ spring training camp, Manager Joe Torre said on Wednesday that the All-Star outfielder probably wouldn’t [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
Dodgers made an offer almost three months ago, the slugger’s agent rejected it, and now neither seems about to blink.  Jeff Kent had cried his last tear. He gathered his family and went on with the rest of his life, and the Dodgers went on with the rest of their business.  [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
The Dodgers have agreed to trade or release Jones in exchange for his deferring much of the million remaining on his contract.  Andruw Jones and the Dodgers? One and done. Continue reading on L.A. Times

Baseball News from L.A. Times
In the five years Frank and Jamie McCourt have owned the team, the cost for a family of four to attend a Dodgers game has increased almost 57%. The Team Marketing Report, which tracks the costs of attending baseball games with information provided by most teams, says it cost a family [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
On the day that he officially signs with the Dodgers, the shortstop says he never agreed to a deal with Atlanta. On the day Rafael Furcal passed a physical and signed his name on a three-year, -million contract with the Dodgers, he found himself deflecting questions about his agents’ dealing with [...]

Baseball News from L.A. Times
Pitcher slips on an ice-covered step outside his Pennsylvania home. The injury adds another question mark to a depleted rotation.  Chad Billingsley fractured a bone in his lower left leg when he slipped on an ice-covered step outside his Pennsylvania home Friday night, adding another question mark to a depleted [...]