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 in the clutch and pulled out the win to advance to meet the Yankees – baseball’s best (regular season) team.
American League Series
New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins
The Yankees enter the postseason with the major’s best …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
In an interview with Larry King, the Dodgers manager doesn’t directly address what could be a key issue: Whether his tell-all book about Yankees will affect his relationship with his current players.
Dodgers Manager Joe Torre didn’t directly address whether his controversial new book about the New York Yankees would affect his relationship with his current team during an appearance Friday night on CNN’s “Larry King Live.”  Continue reading on L.A. Times
Not quite sure what Joe was expecting after throwing his old team under the bus, but …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
On heels of Sabathia and Burnett signings, New York agrees to an eight-year deal with free-agent first baseman.  The New York Yankees flexed their financial muscles — again — Tuesday, stunning the baseball world by snagging first baseman Mark Teixeira with an eight-year, $180 million deal, outbidding their archrivals, the Boston Red Sox, and the Angels in the process. Continue reading on L.A. Times
Put me on the list of people who think this signing is another reason the New York Yankees are ruining baseball.  They give …

Baseball News from L.A. Times
Magic number for clinching the AL West title remains at two, as Damon homers twice and Rodriguez adds a three-run blast to lead New York.
Johnny Damon homered twice, Alex Rodriguez added a three-run shot and New York defeated the Angels, 7-1, Tuesday night at Angel Stadium, keeping their AL West title celebration on ice.
Continue reading on L.A. Times
Unfortunately for New York, it is too late to stay in the MLB playoff race – they are done. It should be interesting, however, to see how well …

The New York Yankees bolstered their chances of making the playoffs by acquiring Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates. The trade gives the Yankees another outfielder who will improve the batting lineup and a reliever who will be a welcome change to the bullpen.
While the trade is by no means a guarantee that New York will reach the playoffs, it puts them a leg up for the 2nd half of the season. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are showing signs that they’re just not ready to …