http://topics.cnn.com/topics/feeds/rss/BaseballFind stories, videos, and photos about Baseball from CNN.com.en-usCable News Network LP, LLLP.Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:43:57 GMT5http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/img/1.0/logo/cnn.logo.rss.gifhttp://topics.cnn.com/topics/feeds/rss/Baseball14433Find stories, videos, and photos about Baseball from CNN.com.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/08/phillies.surgeries.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/08/phillies.surgeries.ap/index.htmlPhillies closer Brad Lidge will have surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday.Sun, 08 Nov 2009 06:21:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/07/free.agent.filings.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/07/free.agent.filings.ap/index.htmlMets reliever J.J. Putz and Twins pitcher Carl Pavano filed for free agency Saturday.Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:01:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/more/11/07/japan.series.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/more/11/07/japan.series.ap/index.htmlTOKYO (AP) -- Catcher Shinnosuke Abe drove in the game-winning run to help the Yomiuri Giants defeat the Nippon Ham Fighters 2-0 and win the Japan Series in six games.Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:47:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/07/manny.contract.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/07/manny.contract.ap/index.htmlManny Ramirez is coming back to the Dodgers next season.Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:40:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/roundup.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/roundup.ap/index.htmlLos Angeles Angels general manager Tony Reagins has agreed to a long-term contract extension.Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:50:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/milwaukee.weathers.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/milwaukee.weathers.ap/index.htmlThe Milwaukee Brewers have declined a $3.7 million club option on right-handed reliever David Weathers for next season.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:35:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/angels.reagins.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/angels.reagins.ap/index.htmlANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Los Angeles Angels general manager Tony Reagins has agreed to a long-term contract extension.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:13:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/mets.putz.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/mets.putz.ap/index.htmlNEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Mets have declined an option on reliever J.J. Putz, making him eligible for free agency.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:07:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/indians.belcher.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/indians.belcher.ap/index.htmlCLEVELAND (AP) -- During his search for Cleveland's pitching coach, new Indians manager Manny Acta was meeting with general manager Mark Shapiro when Tim Belcher's name came up for discussion.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:01:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/yankees.parade.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/yankees.parade.ap/index.htmlNEW YORK (AP) -- Crowds roared, church bells rang and streams of paper rained down on Broadway as the New York Yankees celebrated their 27th World Series championship on Friday in a way only this city can, with a parade up the Canyon of Heroes.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:59:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/royals.whitesox.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/royals.whitesox.ap/index.htmlCHICAGO (AP) -- Mark Teahen has a new team and a new city. Happily for him, he's got his old position back.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:58:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/twins.brewers.trade.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/twins.brewers.trade.ap/index.htmlMINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Milwaukee Brewers finally gave J.J. Hardy the change of scenery he had been expecting and reunited the unhappy shortstop with an old friend in the process.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:57:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/webb.diamondbacks.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/webb.diamondbacks.ap/index.htmlPHOENIX (AP) -- Brandon Webb's $8.5 million option was exercised Friday by the Arizona Diamondbacks, the team counting on the former Cy Young winner coming back successfully from shoulder surgery.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:56:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/nationals.strasburg.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/nationals.strasburg.ap/index.htmlWASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Nationals say No. 1 overall draft pick Stephen Strasburg has a strained neck muscle and is being scratched from his scheduled start in the Arizona Fall League Rising Stars game.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:54:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/phillies.lee.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/06/phillies.lee.ap/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up Cliff Lee's $9 million option for 2010.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:47:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_sheehan/11/06/yankees.phillies.future/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_sheehan/11/06/yankees.phillies.future/index.htmlThe remarkable thing about baseball in the 21st century is that there really is no break in the action any longer. On the first day after the World Series ended, we had one trade, one near-trade, and the news that one of the top potential free agents, Bobby Abreu, would not be reaching the market. So even as the Yankees celebrate with a parade and the Phillies pack up a season two wins short of their goal, both front offices are looking ahead to 2010 and the decisions that will have to be made to get the teams back to the World Series.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:10:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/06/yankee.champions/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/06/yankee.champions/index.htmlBefore the 2007 season, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman had T-shirts made up that read "Mission 27." It was just one more piece of motivation for a franchise that defines itself by a singular annual goal -- winning the World Series -- and a reminder that anything less than achieving that goal is a failure.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:38:00 ESThttp://money.cnn.com/2009/11/06/news/companies/yankees_goldman_sachs.breakingviews/index.htmhttp://money.cnn.com/2009/11/06/news/companies/yankees_goldman_sachs.breakingviews/index.htmYou're either with them -- or you hate them. That sums up the way baseball fans feel about the New York Yankees. And that's also why the team, which clinched its 27th World Series on Wednesday night, is the Goldman Sachs of American sports.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:22:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/05/yankees.payroll/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/05/yankees.payroll/index.htmlThe following is a screed about the Yankees' payroll. If you are a Yankees fan uninterested in a screed about the payroll, don't read it. You won't enjoy it. Go out, buy a championship T-shirt, reminisce about this great team, enjoy the victory. I'm telling you: Don't read it.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:19:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/free.agency.filings.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/free.agency.filings.ap/index.htmlPitcher John Lackey and outfielder Matt Holliday were among 79 players who filed for free agency Thursday, the first possible day.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 06:03:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/giants.lincecum.marijuana.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/giants.lincecum.marijuana.ap/index.htmlSan Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum is facing misdemeanor marijuana charges following a traffic stop in his home state.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:07:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/redsox.hermida.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/redsox.hermida.ap/index.htmlThe Florida Marlins are big on players who outperform their contract, which is why outfielder Jeremy Hermida is bound for Boston.Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:16:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/abreu.angels.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/abreu.angels.ap/index.htmlANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- Bobby Abreu had no interest in spending another winter -- or even another week -- without an employer. The Los Angeles Angels were only too happy to oblige the slugger who transformed their lineup this year.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:45:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/rangers.hurdle.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/rangers.hurdle.ap/index.htmlARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Clint Hurdle plans to have a simple philosophy as hitting coach of the Texas Rangers, emphasizing a team-oriented approach and doing whatever it takes to score one more run than the opponent.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:16:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/transactions.roundup.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/transactions.roundup.ap/index.htmlATLANTA (AP) -- Pitcher Tim Hudson and the Atlanta Braves are nearing agreement on a three-year contract.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:57:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ben_reiter/11/05/yankees.construction/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ben_reiter/11/05/yankees.construction/index.htmlNEW YORK -- The aroma that one perceived, as one walked off the field and inside toward the home clubhouse in the moments after the Yankees had won their 27th World Series on Wednesday night, was strong. It was one part expensive perfume, and one part expensive champagne, and it was unmistakable. It was Eau de WAG.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:10:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/dodgers.mccourt.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/dodgers.mccourt.ap/index.htmlLOS ANGELES (AP) -- The wife of Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt lost her bid Thursday to be reinstated as the team's chief executive during a hearing in the couple's messy divorce.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:33:00 ESThttp://money.cnn.com/2009/11/05/news/economy/yankees_world_series/index.htmhttp://money.cnn.com/2009/11/05/news/economy/yankees_world_series/index.htmThe New York Yankees, who became World Series champs for the 27th time Wednesday night, logged the highest payroll in baseball for the 2009 season. This time, they definitely got what they paid for.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:13:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/05/alex.rodriguez/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/05/alex.rodriguez/index.htmlNEW YORK -- The last image we saw of Alex Rodriguez in the 2009 season was very different from the first one. In the beginning, A-Rod was, as he has so often been throughout a career marked by excesses of tumult and talent, the center of attention for all the wrong reasons. In February, he sat in a tent in Tampa, Fla., at the Yankees spring training complex and tried in vain to fight back tears and explain how and why he had taken steroids when he was with the Texas Rangers.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:55:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/11/05/postseason.stars/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/11/05/postseason.stars/index.htmlNEW YORK -- The unique Yankees foursome of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada probably didn't need to win one more World Series together to prove anything. But they did, anyway. And they did it 13 years after their first one together. No other foursome can say that.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:16:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/11/05/five.cuts/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/11/05/five.cuts/index.html1. Sometimes Goliath wins, or, if you prefer the most appropriate analogy after World Series Game 6, Godzilla kicks butt.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:45:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/05/yankees/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/05/yankees/index.htmlNEW YORK -- The Yankees clubhouse reeked of champagne, it smelled the way you might imagine Don Ho's living room used to smell. Well, this is what you get when you win a World Series. Here Mariano Rivera stood in the doorway waiting for family. There Mark Teixeira wore goggles and talked about how God led him to the right team. Over there two Yankees players prepared to double-team Johnny Damon with a champagne attack. The sound was laughter and happy souts and the popping of champagne corks.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:33:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/worldseries.game6/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/worldseries.game6/index.htmlNEW YORK -- The Yankees christened the first season in their new ballpark the same way they opened their old stadium in 1923: with a World Series championship.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/yankees.core.four.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/yankees.core.four.ap/index.htmlJorge Posada tapped Andy Pettitte on the chest when it was time to leave. Derek Jeter watched from the mound, knowing exactly what it meant.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:59:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/yankees.celebration.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/yankees.celebration.ap/index.htmlNEW YORK (AP) -- New York City will host a ticker-tape parade and ceremony in honor of the World Series champion New York Yankees.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:53:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/matsui.mvp.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/matsui.mvp.ap/index.htmlHideki Matsui has the most curious habit at the plate. He never takes a practice swing once he steps into the batter's box.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:27:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/11/05/pedro.martinez/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/11/05/pedro.martinez/index.htmlMost of his teammates were not even in the showers and Pedro Martinez was already out the clubhouse door, hustled by a handler through the basement of Yankee Stadium, stopped only when he had to wait for an elevator up to the parking lot. As Martinez spoke -- "I'm extremely proud," he said. "I had fun and enjoyed it. I don't regret anything" -- a Yankee fan chanted softly in the background, "Who's your daddy? Who's your daddy?" No matter what he did, or where he went, Martinez could not escape it.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:01:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/world.series.notebook.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/world.series.notebook.ap/index.htmlDerek Jeter and the New York Yankees said throughout the postseason they wanted to win another title for George Steinbrenner.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:15:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/rodriguez.yankees.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/rodriguez.yankees.ap/index.htmlNEW YORK (AP) -- Alex Rodriguez grabbed the World Series trophy and wouldn't let go.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:03:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/world.series.phillies.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/05/world.series.phillies.ap/index.htmlNEW YORK (AP) -- Ryan Howard kept striking out. Cole Hamels had a meltdown on the mound. Brad Lidge imploded in a crucial spot.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:52:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/matsui.RBIs.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/matsui.RBIs.ap/index.htmlYankees designated hitter Hideki Matsui has driven in six runs in Game 6 against the Phillies to tie Bobby Richardson's record for most RBIs in a World Series game.Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:39:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/cubs.lilly.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/cubs.lilly.ap/index.htmlCHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly, who's been one of the team's most consistent starters the last three seasons, had surgery on his left shoulder and no timetable has been set for his return.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:36:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/ripken.monument.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/04/ripken.monument.ap/index.htmlBALTIMORE (AP) -- One of four young men accused of stealing a monument to Baltimore Orioles great Cal Ripken has pleaded guilty to theft.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:34:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/paul_daugherty/11/03/small.market/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/paul_daugherty/11/03/small.market/index.htmlThe World Series works best as a concept in Cincinnati and places like it. It's a TV show. When I was in grade school, my teachers would stop instructing long division long enough to let us watch the latest Apollo launch on the black-and-white Philco. We knew we'd probably never get to visit outer space, but it was cool to see the blast-offs. That's what the World Series is like in Cincinnati in the fall of 2009. Strictly vicarious.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:57:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/04/steinbrenner.series/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/04/steinbrenner.series/index.html"Mr. Steinbrenner deserves another championship." --Joe Girardi, after the Yankees won the pennantWed, 04 Nov 2009 17:48:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ben_reiter/11/04/pedro.game6/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ben_reiter/11/04/pedro.game6/index.htmlThe majority of the Philadelphia Phillies' players appear to have come to regard the dozens upon dozens of media members who fill their clubhouse after every World Series game in the same way that a family of picnickers, who had looked forward to an idyllic al fresco autumn meal, might regard a swarm of ants. The strategies that the Phillies -- who seem genuinely surprised that the media's glare is so much more intense during their series against the Yankees than it was during last year's matchup with the Rays -- have utilized to deal with the horde are varied.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:15:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_lemire/11/04/pettitte.game.6/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_lemire/11/04/pettitte.game.6/index.htmlNEW YORK -- Recently, Andy Pettitte noticed a change in his drive into the Bronx from his home in Westchester.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:21:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/11/03/five.cuts.wednesday/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/11/03/five.cuts.wednesday/index.html1. So the World Series comes down to this: the old and familiar. Stop me if you have heard this before: a Yankees team with Andy Pettitte, Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera trying to get through Pedro Martinez to a world championship. Game 5 barely was over in Philadelphia when even Jeter, rarely reflective, immediately understood that the World Series is reduced to a most familiar confrontation, an old narrative well told.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:08:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/03/iwamura.trade.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/03/iwamura.trade.ap/index.htmlST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The budget-conscious Tampa Bay Rays saved some money and added some promising bullpen help Tuesday night when they traded infielder Akinori Iwamura to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-hander Jesse Chavez.Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:21:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/03/iwamura.trade/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/03/iwamura.trade/index.htmlThe Pirates will acquire second baseman Akinori Iwamura in a trade with the Rays, SI.com has confirmed. The trade could be announced Tuesday night.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:58:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/03/nationals.schueler.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/03/nationals.schueler.ap/index.htmlWASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Nationals have hired former Chicago White Sox general manager Ron Schueler as special adviser to GM Mike Rizzo and promoted Bill Singer to director of professional scouting.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:23:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/03/howard.slumping/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/03/howard.slumping/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- Just to the left of the 374-foot marker in left-center field at Citizen's Bank Park, sandwiched between advertisements for Southwest Airlines and Budweiser, is a sign that brings in no money but may be just as valuable to helping the Phillies cash in this World Series. It is of a microphone between the letters HK, and it is commemorating late Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas, who passed away earlier this season. For the fans and the team, it serves as a reminder of the man whose distinct baritone was the voice of the team for nearly four decades. For Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, it is something else: his latest target in an ongoing effort to shake a puzzling and powerful slump.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:50:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_sheehan/11/03/five.cuts/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_sheehan/11/03/five.cuts/index.html1. The matchup so nice we had to have it twice: Six days after he used a darting changeup and great movement to hold the Yankees to three runs in six innings, Pedro Martinez will take the mound in the Bronx one more time, this time trying to stave off elimination of his Phillies. In last week's Game 2, Martinez allowed just two solo home runs, both on tough pitches, in his first six innings, keeping the Phils in a game in which A.J. Burnett was just a little bit better. Serenaded by chants of "Who's your daddy?" -- and quietly hearing worse from one fan whom he chose to upbraid at his postgame press conference -- Martinez showed both the showmanship that makes him a star and the skill to back it up.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:56:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/11/03/phillies.alive/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/11/03/phillies.alive/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- While the Yankees have to be considered a fairly heavy favorite with only one win needed as they head back to the Bronx, the Phillies still have some characteristically serious fight in them. Until last rites are read to the Phillies, they should be assumed to have plenty of life.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:34:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/11/03/yankees.game.5/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/11/03/yankees.game.5/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- The biggest catchphrase in this World Series, besides instant replay of course, is short rest. Who's getting it? Who's giving it? Who's refusing it? Charlie Manuel did not ask Cliff Lee to pitch on short rest in Game 4 and the Phillies lost. Joe Girardi did ask A.J. Burnett to pitch on short rest in Game 5 and the Yankees lost. Both managers exposed themselves to criticism even though they made exact opposite moves.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:19:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/game.5/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/game.5/index.htmlMr. October is taken. So is Mr. November. Chase Utley will have to settle for a historic hot streak that has helped push the World Series to a Game 6 for the first time in six years.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:31:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/03/poz.game.5/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/03/poz.game.5/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- That swing is so quick. It's rattlesnake quick. Jai Alai quick. Shell game quick. That swing is so quick, it should make a cracking sound, like the tip of a whip. That Chase Utley swing.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:09:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/utley.record.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/utley.record.ap/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Chase Utley ripped a no-doubt-about-it shot to right, put his head down and ran around the bases so quickly he nearly passed Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:37:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/cabrera.pena.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/cabrera.pena.ap/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Injured center fielder Melky Cabrera was replaced by backup infielder Ramiro Pena on the New York Yankees' World Series roster Monday.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:22:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_sheehan/11/02/five.cuts/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_sheehan/11/02/five.cuts/index.html1. With the sound of Alex Rodriguez's ringing double to left field, the Phillies' situation went from "bad" to "desperate" late Sunday night. Philadelphia is now down 3-1 in the World Series, a position from which very few teams have ever recovered: Those in this position have gone 5-28 in best-of-seven Series, and the last team to come back from a 3-1 hole was the 1985 Royals. Teams in the specific position of the Phillies, down 3-1 in the World Series without home-field advantage in 2-3-2 format, have won just two of 13 times: the 1979 Pirates and the 1958 Yankees.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:21:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/giants.meulens.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/giants.meulens.ap/index.htmlSAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- The San Francisco Giants are turning their hitting fortunes over to a guy nicknamed "Bam Bam" for his once-fierce swing.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:51:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/yankees.mound.meetings.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/yankees.mound.meetings.ap/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- All those meetings on the mound called by catcher Jorge Posada and the New York Yankees are giving Major League Baseball pause, too.Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:11:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/11/02/cross.stats.answers.1109/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/magazine/11/02/cross.stats.answers.1109/index.htmlFill in answers as in a crossword -- except the answers are numbers. For rows or columns with multiple clues, enter answers consecutively. The sum will equal the red total at the end of each row/column.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:28:00 ESThttp://money.cnn.com/2009/11/02/news/companies/world_series_tickets/index.htmhttp://money.cnn.com/2009/11/02/news/companies/world_series_tickets/index.htmThe World Series may not be over, but many fans of the defending Philadelphia Phillies are apparently giving up, leading to a plunge in the asking price for tickets being sold through ticket reselling Web sites.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:50:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/02/game5.walkup/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/02/game5.walkup/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- Earlier this week, Jamie Moyer was lamenting that nobody just sits around and talks about baseball anymore. So Jamie Moyer, 46 years old and now in his 23rd season and without much else to do since he is not on the Phillies' World Series roster, decided that he would sit around and talk baseball. And so that is what he did during the Phillies off-day last Friday. Talk. About pitching in general -- how to throw a slider, why cutters can be effective without hurting your arm and the difference between being a pitcher and a thrower -- and about Cliff Lee in particular.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:13:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/02/damon.game.4/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/11/02/damon.game.4/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- Ninth inning, tie game, two outs, World Series, and Johnny Damon noticed something: The pitcher was not covering third base. This was an interesting discovery. New York and Philadelphia were tied, 4-4. Damon had moved into scoring position -- a single could make him the winning run. But third base ... it was open.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:43:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/world.series.game.4/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/world.series.game.4/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- Alex Rodriguez has turned around his perennial playoff struggles and with one swing of his bat brought the Yankees within 27 outs of their 27th World Series championship -- and his first.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:08:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/11/02/game4.phillies/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/11/02/game4.phillies/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- With two out and a tie score in the top of the ninth inning, nobody on base and a 1-2 count to Johnny Damon, Phillies closer Brad Lidge uncorked one of his signature sliders, 84 miles per hour and diving toward the plate. Damon swung. The crowd erupted. Several Phillies lurched toward their dugout. But Damon stood stubbornly in the batters box. He was one of the few people at Citizens Bank Park who recognized that he had nicked a piece of the ball and catcher Carlos Ruiz had failed to glove it. "He kept himself alive," Lidge said.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:42:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/phillies.lidge.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/02/phillies.lidge.ap/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- One strike away from preserving his perfect postseason, Brad Lidge fell apart.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:12:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/jeter.aaron.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/jeter.aaron.ap/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Derek Jeter is stockpiling awards named after Hall of Famers.Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:38:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/world.series.ratings.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/world.series.ratings.ap/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- World Series television ratings are at their highest levels in five years.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:57:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/11/01/sunday.scoop/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/11/01/sunday.scoop/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- It wasn't more than one week ago that one NL scout claimed it looked like Yankees manager Joe Girardi was "managing scared, like he's afraid to lose his job'' and accusations of overmanaging were coming from all quarters (including this one). But Girardi looks Northwestern smart today.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:29:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/11/01/ws.game.4.preview/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/lee_jenkins/11/01/ws.game.4.preview/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- At stake for the Phillies on Sunday night is a season, a repeat, possibly a dynasty. On the mound is Joe Blanton. He is 6 foot 3, 250 pounds, a former first-round draft pick who is built like a beer-leaguer, only with high stirrups and a sharp curveball. He pitched wonderfully in last year's World Series, won more than he lost this season, and was decent enough against the Dodgers in the NLCS. The main problem with Blanton is that he is not Cliff Lee.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:06:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/11/01/game3.fivecuts/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/11/01/game3.fivecuts/index.htmlSports Illustrated baseball writer Tom Verducci breaks down Game 3 from Philadelphia: 1. If Game 3 is the turning point of the World Series -- 68 percent of teams up 2-1 go on to win it -- then a Yankees championship began with one pitch from Cole Hamels that will be remembered as one of the great gaffes in recent Series history. The beginning of the end for Philadelphia was a first-pitch curveball Hamels threw New York pitcher Andy Pettitte with no understanding of basic baseball. When Pettitte stepped in, Hamels was working with a 3-2 lead, a runner at second base and -- here's the key part -- one out. Pettitte is a career .134 hitter who has come to bat a total of 12 times over the past three years. Hamels could dispose of him with fastballs, the way J.A. Happ would do the next inning, and he would be one out away from being out of the inning. Instead, Hamels threw a first-pitch curveball up, and Pettitte slapped a single to tie the game. Why in the world would he throwSun, 01 Nov 2009 08:46:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/hamels.phillies.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/hamels.phillies.ap/index.htmlCole Hamels shook his head, muttered an expletive and stood with one hand on his hip a few feet away from the rubber.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:45:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/01/world.series.game.3/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ted_keith/11/01/world.series.game.3/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA -- For opposing pitchers, the Yankees offense must seem as unwelcome and inevitable as the onset of winter. It's going to arrive sooner or later, and when it does, it's going to last a long time, it's going to be brutal and it's going to send you scurrying for cover. The Yankees 8-5 win in Game 3 of the World Series on Saturday night brought the 2009 baseball season ever closer to its winter slumber. That the end seems near is due largely to the way Yankees bats finally emerged from their own somnambulant state to take a 2-1 lead in the Series.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:42:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/world.series.game.3/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/world.series.game.3/index.htmlAndy Pettitte gave up more runs than he had in any of his first three starts this postseason but got them back by singling home the tying run and scoring the go-ahead tally.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:12:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/game3.notebook.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/11/01/game3.notebook.ap/index.htmlRyan Howard's home run trot has been replaced by a trudge back to the dugout.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:06:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/31/game3.rain.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/31/game3.rain.ap/index.htmlGame 3 of the World Series between the Yankees and Phillies started Saturday night after a rain delay of 1 hour, 20 minutes, the second consecutive year wet weather affected the schedule in Philadelphia.Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:42:00 ESThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/31/transit.strike.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/31/transit.strike.ap/index.htmlThe Philadelphia transit system's largest union agreed Saturday not to go on strike as contract talks continued hours before the start of Game 3 of the World Series, Pennsylvania's governor and the city's mayor said.Sat, 31 Oct 2009 23:15:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ben_reiter/10/31/andy.pettitte/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ben_reiter/10/31/andy.pettitte/index.htmlDuring the past few days, Pedro Martinez has spent a lot of time telling us -- usually rather amusingly -- about all of the things that Pedro Martinez is. He is the most influential player that has ever stepped in Yankee Stadium. He is the would-be King of New York. He is a Christian. He is a father.Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:27:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/10/30/five.cuts.game2/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_verducci/10/30/five.cuts.game2/index.html1. Unless you were Jimmy Rollins, you had to believe that this World Series was going to be a long one, as closely matched as are the Yankees and Phillies. So while Philadelphia lost Game 2, 3-1, to a stellar pitching effort by Yankees starter A.J. Burnett, they scored a small triumph that may pay dividends as the series is extended: they chipped away at the seemingly indestructible nature of Mariano Rivera.Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:39:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/roundup.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/roundup.ap/index.htmlFreddy Sanchez has signed a two-year, $12 million contract extension Friday with the San Francisco Giants.Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:42:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/world.series.notebook.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/world.series.notebook.ap/index.htmlTelevision ratings for the World Series are rebounding from last year's record lows.Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:02:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/series.shifts.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/series.shifts.ap/index.htmlDerek Jeter almost seems to delight in the way this World Series is playing out.Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:18:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_lemire/10/30/hamels.series/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_lemire/10/30/hamels.series/index.htmlRyan Madson has an analogy to explain Cole Hamels' woes this season.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:28:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/cubs.ricketts.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/cubs.ricketts.ap/index.htmlCHICAGO (AP) -- Tom Ricketts and his family took ownership of the Chicago Cubs and wasted no time making a promise to the team's long-suffering fans: They will bring a World Series title to a team that has gone 101 years without one.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:55:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/10/30/phillies.confident/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/10/30/phillies.confident/index.htmlNEW YORK -- The fabulous Phillies were unfazed by their Game 2 defeat that left the World Series even. This team does not lack confidence. Star shortstop Jimmy Rollins was asked whether he still believed in his prediction of a five-game Phillies victory after the Yankees' 3-1 Game 2 victory, and Rollins responded, nonchalantly, "If that's what it takes."Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:26:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/phillies.blanton.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/30/phillies.blanton.ap/index.htmlPHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Joe Blanton was picked to start Game 4 of the World Series for the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:39:00 EDThttp://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20316489,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnnhttp://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20316489,00.html?xid=rss-fullcontentcnnThe pair treat World Series fans - and players - to a raucous rendition of "Empire State of Mind"Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:13:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/world.series.game.two/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/world.series.game.two/index.htmlNEW YORK -- It was an old villain in a new ballpark that did in Pedro Martinez.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:59:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/burnett.game2.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/burnett.game2.ap/index.htmlA.J. Burnett hardly got any attention -- until he got the win.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:07:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/world.series.notebook.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/world.series.notebook.ap/index.htmlJay-Z and Alicia Keys fired up the Yankee Stadium crowd before Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night, performing a clean version of "Empire State of Mind" from the rapper's hit album.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:43:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/pedro.game2.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/pedro.game2.ap/index.htmlPedro Martinez slowly walked off the mound, listening to the taunts from the Bronx crowd. He looked skyward to acknowledge his late father, then smiled at the screaming hecklers.Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:38:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/orioles.mora.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/orioles.mora.ap/index.htmlThe Orioles have declined their $8 million option on Melvin Mora, allowing Baltimore's longest-tenured player to become eligible for free agency.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:54:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/mets.hale/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/mets.hale/index.htmlFormer Diamondbacks third-base coach Chip Hale is being hired to fill that role for the Mets, sources said.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:54:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/rays.tickets.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/rays.tickets.ap/index.htmlST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The Tampa Bay Rays say they are holding the line, and in some cases, dropping the price on nearly 40 percent of tickets for next season's games at Tropicana Field.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:24:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/yankees.swisher.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/yankees.swisher.ap/index.htmlNEW YORK (AP) -- Yankees manager Joe Girardi benched slumping outfielder Nick Swisher for Game 2 of the World Series on Thursday night and again put Jose Molina behind the plate to catch A.J. Burnett.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:17:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/cardinals.pujols.ap/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/10/29/cardinals.pujols.ap/index.htmlST. LOUIS (AP) -- Calm down, Cardinal fans: Albert Pujols wants to stay in St. Louis.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:44:00 EDThttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/10/29/lee.bargain/index.htmlhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/10/29/lee.bargain/index.htmlNEW YORK -- Every trade or signing that's involved underrated pitching star Cliff Lee looks like an incredible bargain so far. But pretty soon it will be Lee's turn.Thu, 29 Oct 2009 21:04:00 EDT