MLB

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: Baseball without the knuckler would be a real shameBy PAUL NEWBERRYThe knuckleball has always been a bit of oddball - the butt of jokes, the object of endless curiosity, a talismanic pitch understood by only a few.It could soon be extinct in the big leagues.What a...

LEADING OFF: Twins check Sano's leg, 3 teams oust managersBy The Associated PressA look at what's happening around the majors Monday:---WILD WORKOUTThe Yankees and Twins will hold workouts in New York ahead of Tuesday's AL wild-card game at Yankee Stadium, and eyes will be on Minnesota's Miguel Sano. The...

AP Baseball WriterAs calendar flips to October, the MLB postseason from A to ZBy BEN WALKERAll those home runs by Aaron Judge, all those wins by the Los Angeles Dodgers, nicely done. Except none of that matters now - a sinker that bounces to the backstop, a liner that...

AP Sports ColumnistColumn: Baseball without the knuckler would be a real shameBy PAUL NEWBERRYThe knuckleball has always been a bit of oddball - the butt of jokes, the object of endless curiosity, a talismanic pitch understood by only a few.It could soon be extinct in the big leagues.What a...

A capsule look at the Twins-Yankees playoff gameBy The Associated PressA look at the American League wild-card game between the Minnesota Twins and New York Yankees:---Schedule: Tuesday, at New York, 8:09 p.m. EDT (ESPN).---Season Series: Yankees won 4-2.---Projected Lineups:Twins: 2B Brian Dozier (.269, 34 HRs, 93 RBIs, .853 OPS),...

AP Sports WriterInjuries derail Mariners' hopes of ending playoff droughtBy TIM BOOTHSEATTLE (AP) There are many reasons the longest playoff drought in baseball is now at 16 years and counting.Seattle Mariners fans aren't interested in that, though. Until Seattle is finally back in the playoffs, every season is...

AP Sports WriterRays take step forward, but still miss playoffsBy FRED GOODALLST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays say they believe they're headed in the right direction, despite finishing with a losing record and missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.The club's 80-82 finish in its...

AP Baseball WriterRebuilding begins in earnest for 98-loss TigersBy NOAH TRISTERDETROIT (AP) The bottom finally fell out for the Detroit Tigers this season.After years of spending lavishly and chasing a World Series title, the Tigers are now firmly in a rebuilding mode after finishing tied for the worst...

AP Sports WriterBraves general manager, scout chief resign amid MLB probeBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) John Coppolella was forced to resign as Braves general manager Monday after an investigation by Major League Baseball revealed serious rules violations in the international player market.Gordon Blakeley, a special assistant to the GM...

Associated PressCardinals: Cupboard isn't bare after missing playoffs againBy WARREN MAYESST. LOUIS (AP) Despite another winning record in St. Louis, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina summed up his feelings about the season simply.''No matter what happens, if you don't make the (playoffs) it's not a good year,'' said Molina,...

AP Sports WriterDerek Jeter's group closes on purchase of Miami MarlinsBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) Derek Jeter's group closed on its purchase of the Miami Marlins on Monday, and he and new controlling owner Bruce Sherman will speak publicly for the first time about the deal at a news...

AP Sports WriterMarlins are in transition, their direction uncertainBy STEVEN WINEMIAMI (AP) Discussing another disappointing season, Miami Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill stood on the field with his back to the scoreboard, as if shunning the source of the bad news.The Marlins finished 77-85, their eighth...