Returning In A Big Way

Sent Into Retirement

Fightin' Irish?

Bailing 'Em Out

Brees-ing Into The Record Books

Off And Running

Torn Down

Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Weathering The Storm

Turning The Peja

Yu Got 'Em

It's A Perfect Ending

Rollin' Back Into Philly

Bail Bonds

Paul Joins Clips

Nene Says Yay Yay

A Firing Fiery

Deja Vu

Baylor Brand

Braun Tests Positive For PEDs

Not Dead Yet?

Putting A Halo Over The Winter Meetings

It's been 12 years since the then-Anaheim Angels selected infielder Alfredo Amezaga ahead of a 19-year-old kid out of the Dominican Republic in the 13th round of the 1999 amateur draft. That kid's name was Albert Pujols.

Since that time Pujols has developed into one of the greatest players in Major League history, being named an All-Star nine times and capturing three National League Most Valuable Player Awards while Amezaga is a .247 career hitter and has played for four different teams in a nine-year span.

445 home runs later, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim finally got it right.

In a shocking development, Los Angeles and Pujols came to an agreement Thursday, agreeing to a 10-year $250 million contract, that includes a full no-trade clause.

Buehrle, Not Pujols To Marlins

Papi Returning

It's Been A Long Time Coming

Tiger Finally Gets His Prey

Reeling In A Big Fish

Ringing The Bell

Waive Goodbye Donovan

New Head Duck

Leach-ing On In Washington

Happy Valentine's Day

Leather And All, Del Rio Is Sent Packing

Neuheisel Out In UCLA

Columbus Bound

Finally! There Will Be Basketball

Braun Caps Remarkable Year

Double The Pleasure

Four In-A-Row

Entering A Whole Different Galaxy

Riding To Glory

Oklahoma Tragedy

Bleeding Dodger Blue

Tebow-ing

Sveum Trades Sides In NL Central

An American Story

A Hollywood Ending

You Got It Skip

Coach K Is King

Krzyzewski and Knight's relationship goes
far beyond the basketball floor.

A man that once learned from the best, now takes his place among the best.

Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski surpassed his mentor and the legendary Bob Knight for the most wins in Division I men's basketball history with a 74-69 victory over Michigan State in the Farm Champions Classic Tuesday.

The win was the third in as many games on the year for the No. 6 ranked Blue Devils, while it was the 903rd of Kryzewski's career. With most of his family, friends, former players and Knight, who was broadcasting the game for ESPN, in attendance, it was anything but an emotional night for the man known as "Coach K".

In front of a sold out crowd Madison Square Garden, Krzyzewski had tears in his eyes after embracing Knight post game, thanking him for all he had done for him over the years.

"I just told Coach I love him," Krzyzewski said. "I wouldn't be in this position without him. It's a moment shared. I know he's very proud and I'm proud to have been somebody who's worked under him and studied under him and tried to be like him."

After brief stints at Army, Indiana and Texas Tech, Krzyzewski first came to Duke in 1980 and has never looked back, recording 830 of his 903 victories in Durham.

Along with now becoming the winningest coach in NCAA history, Krzyzewski owns a NCAA-record 79 NCAA tournament victories, is second on the all-time list with 11 Final Four appearances, he has earned 12 Coach of the Year honors, 12 ACC regular season titles and 13 ACC championships.

Let's not forget his four NCAA Tournament Championships, second only to the late John Wooden's ten during his time at UCLA.

If that weren't enough, Krzyzewski enjoyed success in the most recent Summer Olympics, just like Knight once did. Both were able to lead the United States men's national team to a gold medal in 1984 and 2008 respectively. Krzyzewski was also able to capture gold in the 2010 FIBA World Championship and will have another opportunity for his second Olympic gold medal next summer in London.

As for the game, junior guard Andre Dawkins led all scorers with 26 points, 18 of those coming from beyond the arch. Dawkins sparked a 20-1 run late in second half for the Blue Devils, extending their lead, 61-41.

Krzyzewski, left, was Knight's starting point
guard at West Point.

But Spartans head coach Tom Izzo never let his team quit as they forced multiple turnovers and eventually cut the Blue Devils' lead to five in the game's final minute, giving Coach K and the New York City crowd a scare.

Krzyzewski will look to further his legacy in the team's next game when they host Davidson, Nov. 18, but tonight the Knight will now take a bow to the king.

Justin-credible

Verlander's 2011 season will go down as one
of the best in baseball history.

In a unanimous decision, Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander was named the American League Cy Young recipient Tuesday, receiving all 28 first-place votes from the members of the Baseball's Writers Association of America.

In the finest year of his brief, but bright seven-year career, Verlander stated his case as the best pitcher in the game, posting career-bests in wins (24), winning percentage (.828), earned run average (2.40), innings (251), WHIP (0.92) and now has the hardware to prove it.

Verlander becomes only the third pitcher in history to win the award while wearing the Tiger uniform. Right-hander Denny McLain was the first Detroit pitcher to take home the honor way back in 1968. McLain would repeat and win his second the following season in 1969, but had to share the honor with Baltimore's Mike Cuellar.

Fifteen years later, Willie Hernandez became not only the second Tiger in history to be recognized, but the second relief pitcher in history to receive the trophy, going 9-3 with 32 saves and a 1.92 ERA in 1984.

To go along with their Cy Young awards, both McLain and Hernandez are part of a limited class, receiving the AL Most Valuable Player Award in the same season, a feat Verlander hopes to accomplish as well.

Since the award was established in 1956, only nine pitchers in Major League history have been both honored with the Cy Young and MVP in the same season. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley was the last pitcher to earn both honors as a member of the Oakland Athletics in 1992.

The 28-year-old Verlander becomes only the ninth AL pitcher to win the award by unanimous decision and the 21st overall. Now-New York Mets left-hander Johan Santana was the last AL pitcher to receive a unanimous selection, while pitching for the Minnesota Twins in 2006, oddly enough Verlander's rookie campaign.

Verlander's 24 wins, 2.40 ERA, and 250 strikeouts led the AL this season, becoming the 16th pitcher in AL history to win the pitching Triple Crown and with that, history held true.

The four-time All-Star is the 12th pitcher in Major League history to win the pitching Triple Crown and receive a unanimous selection in the Cy Young voting. Roger Clemens is the only pitcher to win the award and not have his selection unanimous after winning the Triple Crown. That came in 1997, when Clemens was pitching for the last-place Toronto Blue Jays.

Hall of Famer Hal Newhouser was the last Detroit pitcher to earn the Triple Crown. That coming in his 1945 MVP season.

It's a fitting end to a year that didn't start in the right direction. Verlander started off the season rather slow, going 2-3 in his first 7 starts, but after throwing his second career no-hitter on May 7, north of the border, the right-hander went 22-2 in his final 27 starts of the season, helping the Tiger capture their first AL Central division title in franchise history.

With Verlander totaling his maximum 160 points in the voting, Angels pitcher Jered Weaver finished second, tallying 97 points. Tampa Bay's James Shields and New York's CC Sabathia finished third and fourth, respectively.

With his first career Cy Young in the bag, Verlander puts his sights on the MVP, an award announced on Nov. 21.

Monday Night Lights

The Future Is Bright Down South

Matheny Given The Helm In St. Louis

Papelbon Headed To Philadelphia

Papelbon has been one of the game's best
relievers since making that transition.

In the first big splash of the Major League Baseball offseason, free agent reliever Jonathan Papelbon has decided to leave the only organization he has ever know and head to the National League, agreeing to a four-year $50 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

It's a deal similar to that of the one Francisco Cordero, who is also a free agent this winter, signed with Cincinnati Reds prior to the start of the 2008 season. Cordero's deal was worth $46 million over four years.

The report comes just days after it looked as if Philadelphia was close to retaining the services of Ryan Madson, who saved 32 game for the Phillies in 2011. Apparently those talks broke down with Papelbon reportedly on board.

Papelbon, 30, leaves Fenway Park after six magical season with the Boston Red Sox.

Since making his Major League debut in July of 2005, Papelbon rapidly became one of the games best closers. The Baton Rogue native was a four-time All-Star for the Red Sox and becoming the fastest closer in history to record 200 saves since it was made an official stat in 1969, recording 219 saves since becoming the team's full-time closer in 2006.

His 219 saves are a club record, making his arguably the greatest closer in franchise history. Papelbon also totaled a 23-19 record during his Boston tenure with a 2.33 earned run average and rebounded after a terrible 2010 campaign.

Papelbon posted career-worsts in losses (7), ERA (3.90), blown saves (8), walks (28), WHIP (1.27) and home runs allowed (7) in '10 as his team also missed the postseason. But Papelbon dedicated himself to get better this offseason and was back to his dominant form.

Despite his ERA still being a little high at 2.94, Papelbon was 4-1 and 31-for-34 in save opportunities in for the Sox in '11. Although, two of his three blown saves came in the season's final month, a month Red Sox Nation won't soon forget. Both came at the hands of the never say die Baltimore Orioles, including blowing a one-run lead in the final game of the regular season and surrendering a walk-off base hit to Robert Andino, shattering Boston's playoff hopes.

That loss looks to be the last memory for Red Sox fans of Papelbon in a Boston uniform, not giving him an opportunity to pitch in the postseason, a place he has shined. In his 27 postseason innings, the hard-throwing right-hander has only allowed three earned runs, accumulating to a 1.00 ERA.

Papelbon was on the mound for the final out of the 2007 World Series , bringing home Boston's second World Series title in a four-year span after the club had experienced a 86-year drought prior to their improbable championship run in 2004.

Originally drafted by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2003 draft, Papelbon is a Type A free agent which means newly anointed general manager Ben Cherington and Co. will receive Philadelphia's first round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft and another supplemental first round selection for compensation if the rules stay the same in baseball's new collective bargaining agreement.

Papelbon celebrating the final out of the 2007
World Series, his first championship of his
career.

While Papelbon adds to Philadelphia's plethora of quality pitching, Boston is left with a daunting task, filling a void they did not figure to have.

Set-up man Daniel Bard is only 26 and looked to be the heir apparent in Boston, but a rough September has put that move into question. Bard blew all three of his save opportunities in the season's final month, while going 0-4 with a 10.64 ERA.

Slugger and the face of the franchise for almost a decade, David Ortiz shopping his services in free agencey and with the already sudden departures of manager Terry Francona and GM Theo Epstein, Boston has seen a third key figure walk away from what looks to be a now troublesome organization.

Truly ending an era in Red Sox lore.

Welcome Home, Carson

Palmer could help Oakland reach the postseason
for the first time since 2002.

Born and raised in San Diego and a Heisman Trophy recipient while attending the University of Southern California, Carson Palmer was happy to be home Thursday.

Palmer and his Oakland Raiders seized first place in the AFC West with a convincing 24-17 victory over the high-powered offense of the San Diego Chargers. After losing each of the first two games he appeared in as a Raider, Palmer earned his first career win in the legendary silver and black.

The San Diego native went 14 for 20 while throwing for 299 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the win. Both of his touchdowns came with wideout Denarius Moore on the receiving end of them, doubling the rookie's season total. Despite losing a fumble, Palmer took care of the football, something he hadn't done in his two previous games with the Raiders.

In the six quarters Palmer had played in for Oakland prior to Thursday night's game in San Diego, he turned the ball the same number of times with 6 interceptions.

His 14.95 yards per attempt are also the highest total ever in a single game by a Raider quarterback, surpassing Daryle Lamonica's previous mark at 14.33, a record he set in a game against the Miami Dolphins in 1963, when both teams were members of the AFL.

But it wasn't t just the work of Palmer that handed Oakland their fifth win of the season.

With star running back Darren McFadden out for the second straight week, former Louisville tailback Michael Bush stole the show. Bush rushed for 157 yards, the second highest total of his career and the most for a Raiders running back in a game against the Chargers. The previous mark had been held by Clem Daniels, who rushed for a 144 yards against San Diego in 1964.

Bush also totaled 242 yards from scrimmage, the fourth most in franchise history and the most since Art Powell accumulated 247 total yards from scrimmage in a game against the '63 Houston Oilers.

At one time holding a 24-10 lead in the second half, Oakland had only surrendered a 14-plus lead to San Diego in their long and well documented history. The Raiders have now beaten the Chargers three times in-a-row after losing their previous thirteen meetings.

As for the Bolts, they have now lost four in-a-row, their worst losing streak since they lost nine straight in 2003. Normally notoriously slow starters, San Diego got off to a fast start this season, kicking off the year 4-1. That all has since been erased with Philip Rivers and Co. falling to second in the division and under .500 for the first time all year long, with a trip to Solider Field against the suddenly surging Chicago Bears (5-3) waiting in the wings.

In a division that it still up for grabs, it might be the arm of Palmer that decides the crown rather than Rivers, something nobody saw coming.

Paterno Fired

Paterno leaves behind an unfillable legacy,
but a tainted one at that.

Just hours after releasing a statement that he would make his retirement effective at the end of the NCAA football season, legendary head coach Joe Paterno, along with university president Graham Spanier, has been fired.

The decision comes from Penn State University's Board of Trustees amid the child sexual abuse scandal that has circled the campus for nearly a week, all thanks to former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.

Over the weekend Sandusky was charged on 40 criminal counts of sexual abuse, putting a dark cloud over Happy Valley.

This decision closes a chapter in one of the greatest coaching in sports history. Paterno leaves Penn States as the NCAA's all-time leader in wins (409), bowl appearances (37), bowl victories (24) and would have coached the most games in Division I history Saturday, but instead will remain in a tie for the all-time lead with Amos Alonzo Stagg, coaching 548 games in his career.

He remains the only coach in Division I history to total more than 400-plus victories in a career.

Paterno has been the face of the university for over six decades and coached the Nittany Lions for 46 years. 31 of the current coaches in the FBS had yet to be born when the 84-year-old coach begin his tenure in State College. As for Spanier, his 16-year run as university president has come to an end and, just like Paterno, will have to forever live with the information he did nothing with.

Tom Bradley, who oddly enough replaced Sandusky as the team's defensive coordinator following his retirement, was named Penn State's interim head coach.

For a man that has a statue and preached morals, ethics and integrity for more than half of a century, ultimately fell short of his own principles. For Paterno, it's not just an end of an era, but the end of a lifestyle.

Sad Day In Happy Valley

Paterno has been the face of
Penn State for the last 61
years.

Say it ain't so, Joe.

After six decades of achievement and grace, Penn State football coach Joe Paterno has said he will retire at season's end amid the sexual abuse scandal surrounding a university he has dedicated his life work to.

Paterno first came to Penn State as a 23-year-old kid, being hired as an assistant in 1950. He would serve at that post until 1966, where he was promoted as the head football coach, beginning a 46-year run as the most successful coach in NCAA Division I history.

The 84-year-old coach is the living identify of not only the football program at Penn State, but the university itself, putting State College on the map.

Nearly two week ago, Paterno recorded his 409th win in his illustrious career when his team pulled out an ugly 10-7 victory over conference rival Illinois. The win gave Paterno the most wins in Division I history, surpassing Grambling State legend Eddie Robinson for the all-time mark. Winning the only two national championships in school history in 1982 and '86, Paterno also holds the record for most bowl victories with 24 in his 37 appearances, also a FBS record.

However, all Paterno's victories didn't come on the gridiron.

Penn State has seen 49 academic All-Americans in their history, 47 whom have come under Paterno's tenure, good enough for third all-time among FBS institutions. In 2010, Paterno saw an astonishing 84 percent team graduation rate, second only to Northwestern's 95.

There are so many words to describe Paterno, mentor, educator and pinoeer, but it's what he didn't do that may forever define his legacy in Happy Valley.

Paterno was notified by then-graduate assistant and current receivers coach, Mike McQueary, on an incident he witnessed in the team's football complex in 2002. McQueary saw former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, who has been charged with 40 criminal counts of sexual child abuse through his charitable foundation, sodomizing a 10-year-old boy in the shower.

It is unclear what exactly Paterno knew and when he knew it, but nonetheless he failed to follow up on an incident he reportedly discussed with university president Graham Spanier and Athletic Director Tim Curley nearly a decade ago.

Curley, along with vice president Gary Schultz, have stepped down from their respective positions and since have been released on bail after being charged with perjury and failure to report abuse. Curley at one point was Penn State's ball boy, one of the many administrators that have ties to Paterno.

On the other hand, Spanier still remains at his post, but will reportedly resign or be voted out sometime Wednesday, ending his 16 years at the helm.

The Board of Trustees have a meeting scheduled later this week to discuss the future of the university and it's football program. And while Paterno has said he will make his retirement effective at the end of the 2011 football season, the board might not have written the same final chapter in Paterno's tenure.

Paterno addressed his team Wednesday morning in a meeting that saw the iconic coach break into tears and leave the room to a standing ovation after announcing his future plans.

Sandusky was arrested over the weekend after
reportedly abusing 8 boys in a 15-year span.

No. 12 Penn State is scheduled to take on No. 19 Nebraska Saturday in their final home game of the season with all eyes not on the Nittany Lions seniors, but their fatherly head coach know as "JoePa".

If in fact Paterno is allowed to coach Saturday, he will surpass Amos Alonzo Stagg for the most games coached in Division I history with 549. His team is currently in first place in the Big Ten Conference at 8-1 and hope to play in their conference title game, for a shot to play in the Rose Bowl.

Paterno may have fulfilled his legal requirements, but his moral obligation was not. A legendary coaching career that should be celebrated is now forever tainted.

Haynesworth Out Of A Job

Haynesworth struggled in New England's first
home loss since 2008 Sunday.

After just eight games into the 2011-12 NFL season, the New England Patriots have waived embattled defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

Teams now have 24 hours to claim Haynesworth off waivers and inherit the reminder of his current contract with the Patriots before New England releases him, giving the 10-year veteran the opportunity to hand pick his next destination, that is anyone that will have him.

Haynesworth played in only six games thus far and on the field for 133 plays of the 561 defensive snaps this season, that includes penalties. The 350-pound lineman only recorded 3 tackles for New England and no sacks.

Ineffective each of the last two and half seasons, Haynesworth was coming off a career year in 2008 when he set career-highs in sacks (8.5), forced fumbles (3) and solo tackles (41). A season that prompted the Washington Redskins to ink the former Tennessee standout to a seven-year $100 million contract. A deal that could have reached as much as $115 million based on performance and gave Haynesworth an NFL-record $41 million.

It was an investment Washington wishes they could have back.

Haynesworth played in 20 games for the Redskins, never forcing a fumble and gathering 6.5 sacks before being traded this summer to Foxborough for a 2013 fifth-round draft pick. Haynesworth was originally scheduled to make $5.4 million this season, but had his base salary reduced to $1.5 million for the chance to play for Bill Belchick and Co.

Belchick also took a gamble on another embattled superstar this summer, when he traded for the outspoken Chad Ochocinco. The former Cincinnati Bengals wideout has caught only 9 passes this season, accumulating to 136 yards and no touchdowns.

This isn't anything new as Ochocinco's numbers have been dropping off for some time, making him go from an elite receiver to subpar at best. Ochocinco averaged almost 80 receptions his first seven years in the NFL, but has yet to catch 80 or more passes since 2007.

In fact, the Los Angeles native has averaged only 50 receptions over the last four years.

While Ochocinco is still a member of the Patriot family, Haynesworth is not, but won't be out of a job for very long. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the market for a defensive tackle after placing former first-round pick Gerald McCoy on injured reserve Monday after tearing his right biceps in the team's 27-16 loss to the division-leading New Orleans Saints Sunday.

The Smoke Has Settled

Frazier handed Ali his first career loss in
the 1971 Fight of the Century.

Five weeks after being diagnosed with liver cancer and days after being placed in hospice, boxing legend Smokin' Joe Frazier has lost the biggest fight of his life. Frazier, 67, passed away Monday, bringing an end to one of the most recognizable lives in sports history.

Born in South Carolina, Frazier took up boxing at a young age and replaced an injured Buster Mathis in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. There Frazier would come home with the heavyweight gold medal, the only boxing gold medal the United States won in '64.

Shortly there after Frazier would turn pro and ascend the heavyweight ranks.

After World Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali refused induction into the military, he was sent into exile and stripped of his title, a title that was later seized by Frazier. Ali would rise from the ashes and come calling for a shot to reclaim a title they both felt they lay claim to, setting up the "Fight of the Century".

In the heart of New York City and in front of a sold out Madison Square Garden in 1971, the fight lived up to the billing. After 15 hard-fought rounds, Frazier finally knocked down the Kentucky native, for only the third time in his career, with his legendary left hook. In a unanimous decision, Frazier would retain his title and hold that crown until 1973.

The Heywood Giant, George Foreman, would be the one to dethrone Frazier after knocking him down six times in only two rounds.

Frazier and Ali would do battle for a second time, this time the bout was a non-title fight, but saw Ali total a unanimous decision in a 12-round dog fight. Shortly there after Ali would capture the title from Foreman and give Frazier one last shot at glory.

In the epic 1975 Thrilla in Manila, Ali put his heavyweight title on the line and would face Frazier for a third time. Both past their primes, Frazier and Ali put on one final gut-wrenching battle, giving the fans one last look at two of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history. The fight would end after Frazier's trainer, Eddie Fudge, would not let him return for the 15th and final round, leaving his eternal opponent the prize he once fought so hard to hold.

He would fight one last time, but ultimately tally the fourth loss of his career, coming at the hands of the hard-hitting Foreman yet again and retire not long after.

Smokin' Joe owned a career record of 32-4-1 during his legendary boxing career with 27 knockouts. He would later be inducted into both the International and World Boxing Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights in the sports history.

A man that possessed the most vicious left hook in boxing history and will forever live in Ali's shadow, was a fighter and he died fighting. That's just the way he would have wanted it.

Melk Man Delivered To San Francisco

Giants Bigger Than Brady

Manning celebrates following his
fourth quarter touchdown pass.

Eli Manning one-upped New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady once again.

In their first regular-season meeting since Super Bowl XLII, where Manning handed Brady and Co. their first loss of the 2007-'08 football season, scoring in the final minute to seal an improbable Super Bowl win, the New York Giants did more of the same Sunday in New England.

After the first scoreless game at the half so far this year in the NFL and New England being shutout for the first two quarters for the first time in 74 games, the scoring picked up and the Patriots found themselves down 17-13 in the fourth quarter.

Despite the Giants' defensive line dictating much of the game, Brady orchestrated his 35th comeback in the game's final period or overtime with a 14-yard strike to tight end Rob Gronkowski on fourth and eight with 1:36 to play in regulation.

It looked like Brady, who mounted a fourth quarter come from behind win against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6, was going to add to his legend, instead it was Manning furthering his legacy as the last-minute magician against the Pats. The eight-year veteran out of Ole Miss conducted an 8-play, 80-yard drive, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ballard, who hauled in a 28-yard pass from Manning earlier in the drive that helped set up his third touchdown reception of the season.

The drive also included a season long 12-yard first down run from Manning.

New York's touchdown was the fourth and final lead change of the quarter, as Brady was unable to do much with the generous 15 seconds Manning left him.

When referring to himself as an elite quarterback at the beginning of the season, many shook their head in disagreement, but Manning has done his best to prove the doubters wrong.

Manning tossed 2 touchdown passes in the game's final three minutes and three seconds, giving him 15 on the season, compared to his 6 interceptions. He has racked up 2,377 yards and a career-high 98.8 quarterback rating through his team's his eight games. The Giants are now 6-2 on the year, tying themselves with the Detroit Lions for the second-best record in the NFC.

Also representing their conference proudly, New York becomes the first NFC since 2002 to win game in Gillette Stadium, ending an 18-game losing streak.

As for New England, the loss snaps at 20-game regular season home winning streaking, dating back to November of 2008 when then-quarterback Matt Cassel, who was filling in for the injured Brady, lost in Foxborough to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 33-10.

It also ends the longest home winning streak by a quarterback in NFL history. Prior to Sunday, Brady had won 31 consecutive regular season games in Foxborough. However, Brady has lost each of his last two postseason games at home.

Much like in Super Bowl XLII, Brady found
himself pressured and on his back Sunday.

The loss drops New England to 5-3 at the half way point in the season, putting them in three-way tie atop the AFC East, joining the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets, who host Bill Belichick and Co. next week on Sunday Night Football.

History repeated itself Sunday like it almost always tends to do, while Manning proved once again he is an elite quarterback in the NFL.

Defense Tells The Story In Tuscalossa

Broyles Out For The Year

Broyles, right, is one of the greatest
receivers in NCAA history.

A week after losing Dominique Whaley for the rest of the season to a fractured ankle, the Oklahoma Sooners and quarterback Landry Jones have lost another key offensive component.

All-American wideout Ryan Broyles suffered a torn ACL Saturday in the Sooners' 41-25 victory over Texas A&M , following a 30-yard third quarter completion from Jones, ending his season and well decorated collegiate career.

Despite the severity of the injury not being immediately disclosed, Broyles face on the sideline told a somber story, breaking out in tears.

Broyles, 23, finishes the season with 83 catches, 1,157 yards and 10 touchdowns. He had been leading the nation in yards per game, averaging 133.8 and second in receptions (10.1). The hometown kid caught 349 passes in his four-year career at Oklahoma, while racking up 4,586 yards and 45 touchdowns. Just three weeks ago Broyles was surpassing former Purdue standout, Taylor Stubblefield's, 316 career receptions, making his 349 a Football Bowl Subdivison record, but now his future is in doubt.

Broyles also finds his name third on the all-time list for receiving yards in NCAA history. It didn't hurt that the 5-foot-10 receiver had the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner and last year's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Sam Bradford, tossing passes his way each of his first two seasons at Oklahoma and another Heisman hopeful in Jones the last two years.

A Bilenitkoff finalist a year ago, arguably the best wide receiver in college football and the 2012 NFL Draft class, Broyles has a long road ahead of him.

As for his team, the Sooners came into the game as ranked as the sixth best team in the nation. With the win, Bob Stoops team's improve to 5-1 in the Big 12 Conference and 8-1 overall.

If Oklahoma is to appear in their fourth BCS title game in the last nine years, Jones and Co. will need to overcome the injuries to Whaley, who had been their leading rusher, and Broyles and continue to play Sooners football.

Back In Philly

Quade Out In Chicago

With Epstein and Jed Hoyer in, Quade is out
in the Windy City.

Just when the dust began to settle in Chicago, newly appointed team president of baseball operations, Theo Epstein, conducted his first order of business and it comes at the expense of second-year manager, Mike Quabe.

Quade was relieved of his managerial duties Wednesday before they really ever got started.

The 54-year-old now former manager replaced the always entertaining Lou Pinella at the end of the 2010 season and was given a 37-game audition to impress Cubs brass, which he did, going 24-13, good enough for a .649 winning percentage.

He would eventually have the"interm" label removed from his job title as he was hired by then general manager John Hendry. Quade was rewarded with a two-year contract with a club option for a third. But after the sudden resignation of Hendry in August and Chicago increasing their infamous Curse of the Billy Goat to 103 years with a fifth place finish in the National League Central, Quade's future was in doubt.

Overall, Quade finishes his stint in Chicago with a 95-104 record in 199 games.

Quade, who had been the third base coach in Chicago the past four seasons, was chosen over Hall of Famer and legendary Cubs player, Ryne Sandberg, for the job. Sandberg was thought to be the heir apparent to Pinella, but instead took a Triple-A managerial position with the Philadelphia Phillies following Quade's official hiring.

Sandberg has reportedly been ruled out by Epstein for the position, but names like Mike Maddux and Terry Francona, who knows Epstein all to well, have surfaced as possible candidates and front-runners for the position.

Whomever takes over in the Friendly Confines of Wrigley Field, one thing is clear, they are in for one hell of a ride as Epstein is a man on a mission.

A BLUEprint For Sale

The most recent installment in the McCourt
ownership has his wondering where it all
went wrong.

After asking, begging and pleading for more than two years, Los Angeles Dodger fans are finally having their voice heard. Embattled owner Frank McCourt is ending his seven and half ownership with the club after reaching a settlement with Major League Baseball Wednesday, agreeing to put the team up for sale.

The settlement will end a six-month legal battle with baseball and it's commissioner, Bud Selig.

McCourt purchased the team in February of 2004 from the Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, for a sum of $421 million. It's been reported McCourt could now get anywhere from $800 million-$1.2 billion for the club, including the stadium, parking lot and media rights.

October of 2009 is when McCourt's castle came crashing down. It would be announced that McCourt and his wife of 30 years, Jaime McCourt, were putting their marriage to an end. She was fired as the club's CEO just days later and officially filed for divorce.

Fast-forward nearly two years, McCourt has seen a Giants fan get brutally beaten on his property Opening Night of 2011, put a dark cloud over the historic Los Angeles franchise and put the team in financial instability. In April, Selig and MLB stepped in and seized the day-to-day operations of the club, putting McCourt's ownership of the team further in doubt.

In June, Selig rejected a 17-year TV contract McCourt had arranged with Fox to keep the his team afloat. The deal was worth approximately 3 billion dollars. Weeks later, the New England native would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a final effort to salvage his ownership with the Dodgers.

Most recently, October saw McCourt's ex-wife relinquish her partial ownership in the team after reaching a $130 million settlement. Later that month MLB revealed McCourt had looted $190 million out of the team for personal endeavors.

It has been a long and treacherous journey for McCourt, a journey that has had an entire city rally against him. But it wasn't all bad.

Before McCourt's arrival, Los Angeles had made two postseason appearances in the last 15 years and yet to win a playoff game since Game 5 of the 1988 World Series. McCourt oversaw four playoff teams during his tenure, including three National League West division titles, and back-to-back NLCS appearances, in 2008 and '09, losing both times to the Philadelphia Phillies.

In his seven seasons at the helm, the Dodgers accumulated a .521 winning percentage and even though the Paul DePodesta experiment didn't work out, McCourt pried Ned Colletti away from the division rival San Francisco Giants, naming him the tenth general manager in franchise history on Nov. 17, 2005.

McCourt is also responsible for hiring soon-to-be Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre prior to the '08 season, bringing in slugger Manny Ramirez, who could be look at as a savior or goat by Dodger fans, depending on how you remember his stint in "Mannywood".

Not to mention investing over $150 million in stadium designs and improvements, helping make Dodger Stadium thrive in the modern era.

However one wants to look his stay in on the West Coast, the inevitable has finally happened. McCourt will be portrayed as a villain until the end and an owner that was never fully embraced by his fan base that is getting their wish.

The Cashman

Cashman has served at the helm for the last
14 years with three years just added on.

A day after coming to terms on a contract extension with ace CC Sabathia, the New York Yankees they have agreed to bring back their longtime general manager, Brian Cashman.

He will also remain at his post as the club's senior vice president.

Cashman is coming a three-year $6 million deal he signed after the 2008 season, despite have New York miss the postseason that year for the first time in his tenure as GM. This contract is said to be worth about $9 million over another three years, a raise he well deserved.

In 2009, he was the architect of the franchise's 27th world championship team after hitting it big in the free-agent market, signing marquee players Mark Teixeira, A.J. Burnett and Sabathia. In 2010, New York returned to the American League Championship Series, where they would be dethroned by the Texas Rangers in six games.

2011 might have been Cashman's best work, but he won't say that as the Yankees came up short of their ultimate goal, a World Series title.

Even though the 44-year-old GM had to deal with the retirement of old reliable, Andy Pettitte, and watching prized left-hander Cliff Lee ink a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, Cashman was able to mend together an overachieving pitching staff.

Cashman signed veterans Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon to Minor League contracts, both whom made the 25-man roster out of spring training and it didn't stop there. The right-handers played significant roles in New York's success this past season, including Garcia starting Game 2 of the ALDS and them combining for 20 wins during the regular season.

He is also responsible for signing backstop Russell Martin, who might be the steal of last winter, Eric Chavez and Andruw Jones, both whom had fantastic first years in pinstripes.

The Yankees went on to exceeded expectations and win their 17th AL East title, their 11th since Cashman took over as GM. Originally joining the organization as an intern in 1986 for the Minor League and Scouting Department. He was promoted to GM in February of 1998 when his predecessor, Bob Watson, decided to retire and since has been a staple atop the Yankee front office.

During his tenure, New York has made the postseason in 13 out of the last 14 seasons, racked up five 100-win seasons, six AL pennants and four World Series titles. Cashman also holds the highest winning percentage (.605) throughout Major League Baseball since '98, which is the highest of any GM since 1950 with at least five years of experience.

However, in Yankee Universe, those accomplishments are a thing of the past and Cashman is faced the daunting task of rebuilding New York's rotation once again.

CC Ya Next Year

Sabathia had many Yankee fans worried the top
of their rotation would be headed by someone
other than the 290-pounder in 2012.

Just hours before the deadline to opt-out of his current contract, CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees came to an agreement on a contract extension that keeps the husky left-handed in pinstripes through 2016 and possibly 2017.

With four years and $92 million remaining on Sabathia's seven-year $161 million deal he signed prior to the 2009 season, New York has added an extra year to the contract worth $25 million, including a vesting option worth the same mount in '17 with a $5 million buyout.

The extension now brings the 31-year-old's deal to five-years $122 million, still the highest paid pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Sabathia, who reportedly lost 25 pounds last offseason after cutting his beloved Cap' n Crunch out of his diet, is coming off another All-Star year in the Bronx, going 19-8 with a 3.00 earned run average in 237.1 innings. Although, the 2007 Cy Young Award winner struggled in the season's final two months with a 3-3 recorded, 4.30 ERA and opponents hit at a .314 clip against him. That continued in the postseason as Sabathia allowed 6 earned runs in his 8.2 innings, accumulating to a 6.30 ERA.

Despite that, the California native has enjoyed three fantastic seasons under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium that includes being named the '09 ALCS MVP and his first World Series title.

Last season Sabathia became a 20-game winner for the first time in his career, winning 21 games in an American League leading 34 starts. His 59 wins since becoming a Yankee are the second only the Detroit Justin Verlander's 61 in that three-year span.

Sabathia recently built a home in Alpine, New Jersey and has said numerous times he loves pitching in New York, a love that ultimately meant him dawning the pinstripes for the long haul.

It's a decision that the organization and fans alike have been waiting for all season long. With their already thin starting rotation, New York could ill afford to lose an ace and workhorse like Sabathia, who has tossed plus innings each of the last five seasons.

With this deal, left-hander C.J. Wilson is thought to be the best free-agent starting pitcher on the market this winter, along with Mark Buehrle, Roy Oswalt and Japanese import Yu Darvish.

All whom could slide right into the No. 2 slot in the rotation behind Sabathia.

The five-time All-Star will be 36 when his contract expires and has an outside chance of becoming one of the next or the final 300-game winner in baseball. Sabathia currently ranks fourth on the active wins list with 176, but is the youngest of the bunch as the top three are all 34 or older.

Now, with Sabathia looking to continue etching his name in Yankee lore, their unsigned general manager can look to get his ace some help

C'est La Russa

La Russa's gutsy decision making didn't always
pan out, but is the reason why he is one of the
greatest managers in history.

Just three days after capping in an improbable postseason run with his third World Series title, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has announced his retirement from the dugout.

It has been 33 years since La Russa took his first managerial position with the Chicago White Sox back in 1979 after a brief playing career for three different organizations in a six-year span. During that time he accumulated a .199 career average, an average that eventually lead to a career change and a wise one at that.

La Russa spent nine seasons on the South Side, where he won his first Manager of the Year Award in 1983, before being fired by the White Sox just 64 games into the 1986 season. He would not be unemployed for very long as the Oakland Athletics came calling just weeks after. La Russa managed Oakland's final 79 games that season, watching them go 45-34, far better than the 31-52 mark they posted prior to his arrival.

The following year La Russa saw his club finish the season at the.500 mark (81-81) with the help and emergence rookie Mark McGwire. With the guidance of La Russa, the eventual 1987 Rookie of the Year set a rookie record with a Major League leading 49 home runs and .618 slugging percentage.

La Russa followed up his first two campaigns in Oakland with three consecutive American League Pennants, 1988-'90. Despite winning only one World Series in those three appearances, a legend was born.

The Tampa native managed five more seasons by the bay before leaving for St. Louis. La Russa's departure from Oakland was mainly due to death of patriarch Walter A. Haas, Jr. and his team being under .500 each of the last three seasons.

La Russa would replace Joe Torre at the helm in St. Louis prior to the 1996 season, setting the stage for some of his best managerial work and a legacy that might never be matched.

With the Cardinals, La Russa was able to watch a historic and record-breaking 70 home run season, capture nine postseason appearances, including two wild card berths in 2001 and most recently this season, all seven of St. Louis' National League Central division titles, three NL Pennants and two World Series titles.

In 2004, La Russa lead the Cardinals to their first World Series appearance since '87, but they were swept by the curse-breaking Boston Red Sox. Two years later, La Russa and Co. would return to the Fall Classic, this time beating Detroit Tigers and their error-prone pitching staff in five games. That feat made him the only manager in history to win multiple pennants in both the AL and NL and the second manager in history, along with the late Sparky Anderson, to win the World Series in both, as well.

Then comes the story of his Cardinals impossible 2011 season.

Pronounced dead numerous times during the year, La Russa never let his team quit. They overcame a 10 1/2 wild card deficit and clinch a playoff spot the final day of the regular season. The Cardinals crashed the postseason party, defeating the heavily favored Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, their division rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS and the defending AL champion Texas Rangers in a thrilling seven-game World Series, where they were down to their final strike, twice.

The announcement comes as a surprise to many, but not the Cardinals front office. It has been said La Russa informed general manager John Mozeliak and Co. of his decision as early as August and could be the reason why the 67-year-old manager was so relaxed during his latest postseason run.

There are so many words to describe La Russa throughout his career, genius, daring and fiery to name a few. He is the most second-guessed manager in the history of game, living by the phrase, "Trust your gut, don't cover your butt."

Being the innovator of the late-inning relievers and sometimes batting his pitchers eight instead of ninth, La Russa won six pennants and is one of nine managers in history to win at least three World Series titles during their career, ranking him sixth all-time. He retires third on the all-time list with 14 playoff appearances and career wins with 2,728, trailing only Hall of Famers Connie Mack and John McGraw.

In 33 years of managing, La Russa finds himself second on the all-time list in losses (2,365), postseason wins (70) and games managed (5,097), joining Mack as the only other manager in history to manage more than 5,000 games in a career.

La Russa won four Manager of the Year Awards during his career, his last coming in 2002, but another could be waiting in the wings after what could be his finest managerial job yet. A year after losing soon-to-be Hall of Fame managers Torre, Cito Gaston and Lou Pinella to retirement, baseball has lost another. Mixing and matching his way to World Series titles, La Russa is one of the greatest managers in history and one day will have his day in Cooperstown.

After 16 seasons a new face will be at the top step of the St. Louis dugout in 2012.

Vikings Invade Cam-elot

Paterno Furthers His Legacy

Stanford Gets A Little Bit Of Luck

Mr. Freese

Texas Draws The Wrong Cards

Frozen In The Cold October Night

Freese, the St. Louis native did his best to force a
Game 7 Friday night.

In one of the coldest nights in World Series history and the St. Louis Cardinals down to their final strike, twice, David Freese sent the fans he grew up rooting with home with goosebumps running down their spine.

After dropping a routine popup that allowed Josh Hamilton to reach to start the fifth inning and eventually score on a Michael Young double, the St. Louis native was determined to redeem himself and continue his remarkable postseason. With the Texas Rangers holding a two-run lead, threes outs away from capturing their first World Series title in franchise and their All-Star closer headed to the mound, Tony La Russa's club had their backs up against the wall like they have all season long.

With two on and two out, Freese walked to the plate against Neftali Feliz, someone he'd yet to face in his career. Feliz quickly got ahead 1-2, but on a 98 mph fastball, Freese launched a drive over right fielder Nelson Cruz's head for a game-tying two-run triple. Yaider Molina lined out to the right, sending Game 6 into extra innings.

No closer in history, not even the great Mariano Rivera, had converted their first eight save opportunities in the postseason, that's exactly what Feliz was trying to accomplish in Game 6. Instead St. Louis handed him the first blown save of brief postseason career.

But Texas would pick up their closer in the 10th. After a one-out single by Elvis Andrus, Hamilton followed with his first home run in the postseason and first since Sept. 23. The reigning American League Most Valuable Player had gone his last 65 postseason at-bats without a home run, but it couldn't have come at a better time, giving his team their fifth different lead of the night, 9-7.

Faced with their second two-run deficit in as many innings, the Redbirds would have to rally yet again to keep their Cinderella season alive.

Rangers skipper Ron Washington elected not to have Feliz return for his second inning of work after only 22 pitches, but instead send 18-year veteran Darren Oliver, who recorded his first World Series win in Game 5, to the mound to close out the biggest game of his career, something he has only done six times in his entire career.

After back-to-back singles, a sacrifice bunt and a RBI groundout, Washington called on right-hander Scott Feldman to get the games final out. The former 17-game winner intentionally walked Albert Pujols with the potential tying run at second base, setting the stage for the native Texan, Lance Berkman.

Down to their final strike again, Berkman lofted a single to shallow center field, bringing home John Jay for the game-tying run.

Berkman, who signed a one-year $8 million deal in the offseason, was rewarded with a one-year extension earlier this season after a fantastic 2011 season that saw him hit .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs. That has carried into the postseason, especially in the Fall Classic, where he is batting .435 and an on-base percentage of .519.

Berkman watches his game-tying singel
in the 10th inning of Game 6.

It was the first time in World Series history a team came back from a two-run deficit, twice in the ninth inning or later.

After a scoreless top of the 11th by veteran Jake Westbrook, who was added to the World Series roster after being left off the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, Freese took center stage.

Freese hammered his fifth home run of postseason and first of the Fall Classic to dead center field for a game-winning walk-off blast, reminding Cardinals fans of another Game 6 walk-off home run, Jim Edmonds in the 2004 NLCS, but this time in the World Series.

For Freese it was a moment frozen in time and one that will forever live in postseason lore.

The 28-year-old third baseman, who quit baseball after his senior season of high school, joins Bill Mazeroski (1966), Carlton Fisk (1975), Kirby Puckett (1991) and most recently Joe Carter (1993) as the only other player to hit a World Series walk-off home run in games six or seven.

Like just Fisk and Puckett did for their respective team, Freese is the third player in World Series history to accomplish that feat when his team was trailing 3-2 in the series.

Not to mention his 19 postseason RBIs are a new franchise record and becoming the first player in postseason history to tie the game in the ninth and have the game-winning RBI in extra innings.

With so many twists and turns, peaks and valleys, St. Louis is also the first team in World Series history to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th inning of a game, doing so while making numerous mistakes on the defensive side. The Cardinals committed 3 errors in Game 6, the most since 1943.

As the Rangers, they have yet to lose back-to-back games in this postseason and haven't lost consecutive games in over two months, Aug. 23.

Cruz added his eighth home run of the postseason, tying a postseason record for the most in a single postseason. It has been magical back-to-back postseason runs for Texas, but history is not on their side. The Rangers have never played in a Game 7 of the World Series in franchise history, while the Cardinals will be playing in their eleventh and their first since 1987. St. Louis has won 7 of those 10 Game 7s.

It's the first Game 7 in the World Series since 2002 and the last eight home teams have won those games. Also, teams that hold a 3-2 series advantage and go on to lose Game 6 have lost 8 of the 9 Game 7s. The 1997 Florida Marlins are the one exception.

History aside, two teams that traveled far different ways to get here, what sports fans dream of, the two greatest words in sports, Game Seven. So as Fox broadcaster Joe Buck paid homage to his late Hall of Fame father, Jack Buck, "We'll see you tomorrow night."

Manning Puts The M In M-V-P!

Lack Of Pitching

Lackey's often expression of frustration
on the mound sometimes were thought to
have shown up his teammates.

The downward spiral of the Boston Red Sox organization continued Tuesday with a major injury to their already thin pitching staff. Right-hander John Lackey will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss his 2012 season before it even got started.

Newly appointed general manager Ben Cherington broke the news in his promotion press conference just hours after his predecessor Theo Epstein was formally introduced as the new president of baseball operations of the Chicago Cubs.

Lackey is coming off the worse season of 10-year career, where he was 12-12 and posted a career-worst 6.41 ERA in 160 innings. He led the majors in earned runs surrendered with 114 and hit batsman, 19.

In his first two years in Boston, Lackey's record is barely above .500 at 26-23 and has a 5.26 in his 61 starts. Prior to the 2010 season, the Texan signed a similar five-year $82.5 contract that New York gave A.J. Burnett just an offseason before.

Next season will be the third year of that contract and with this recent news, it has been three years of disappointment.

Lackey is the third pitcher in the Red Sox organization to undergo reconstructive elbow surgery, joining Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka and left-hander Rich Hill to suffer the same fate. Fortunately for Cherington and the Red Sox, Matsuzaka, who will be in the final year of his current contract, should be pitching for the club midseason.

In the team's historic September collapse, where Boston went 7-20 in the season's final month to miss the postseason for the second straight, Lackey, along with fellow teammates Jon Lester and Josh Beckett, was accused of drinking beer and eating fried chicken in the clubhouse on days they were not pitching.

And when he was on the mound he didn't provide much help either. In his five September starts, opponents hit .353 against Lackey, going 0-2 and 9.13 ERA.

There had been speculation the San Diego Padres would be interested in acquiring the 33-year-old right-hander from Boston this offseason, but this injury has quieted any talk of that now. San Diego and Boston have a well working relationship thanks in large part to their now former GM Jed Hoyer.

Hoyer had been the assistant GM to Epstein in Boston until he took the GM job with the Padres in October of 2009. He will now join Epstein in Chicago as the GM of the Cubs.

A move back to the West Coast would have ensured Lackey a reunion with his former pitching coach in Anaheim, Bud Black. Those were the best years of Lackey's career, including winning Game 7 of the 2002 World Series as a rookie, winning a career-high 19 games in 2007 and leading the American League in ERA at 3.01 that same season.

The Red Sox are in the midst of some major personnel changes with the change at GM and the uncertainty who their next manager will be after Terry Francona decided it was time for a new voice at the helm after the season, but that won't stop owner John Henry and CEO Larry Lucchino from putting a contender on the field for the Fenway Faithful in 2012.

With their lack of pitching, Boston will be in the market for starting pitching this offseason with the availability of left-hander C.J. Wilson and possible open bidding for another Japanese import phenom, 25-year-old Yu Darvish.

As for Lackey, it has been a long two years for the 6-foot-6 righty in Beantown and it will be an even longer road back to a big league mound and his once All-Star form.

Double-Dipping

Napoli, much like his teammate Nelson Cruz did
in the ALCS, is carrying the Texas offense.

A night after the Texas Rangers evened the World Series at two games apiece thanks in large part to catcher Mike Napoli's three-run home run in the sixth inning, he continued to add to his postseason legend Monday night in Arlington.

In a 2-2 game with the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols at the plate and Alan Craig running at first, Texas reliever Alexi Ogando sailed a 0-1 fastball into Napoli's glove. The former Angels backstop promptly threw a dart down to second to nab the would-be base stealer for the second out of the inning.

Then in the ninth with the potential tying run at the plate in the person of Pujols, manager Tony La Russa sent Craig on the 3-2 count with nobody out only to have Pujols strike out and Napoli nail Craig for the second time in three innings for a strike-'em-out-throw-'em out double play.

Sandwiched in between Napoli's two magnificent defensive throws came his third extra-base hit of the Fall Classic.

With the bases loaded in the eight inning. Napoli drove in the eventual game-winning runs with a two-run double into the right-center field gap and showing his range of emotions when reaching second base like he has all postseason long.

The six-foot catcher is batting .308 in his first five World Series games with 2 home runs and 9 RBIs. Compare that to the 10 RBIs the rest of the Texas squad has combined for during that time. What makes his nine runs batted in even more impressive is, Napoli has yet to record a multi-hit game in those five games, but he has walked three times.

In the 1997 postseason, Cleveland Indians backstop Sandy Alomar Jr. drove in 17 runs en route to their Game 7 World Series loss to the Florida Marlins, setting the single postseason record for a catcher, Napoli has driven in 12 thus far.

Once considered a defensive liability and traded twice in a five-day span, Napoli turned into the best hitter in baseball since this year's All-Star break, batting .378 since Independence Day and becoming a postseason hero this October.

On the mound, it was a battle of aces and a rematch of Game 1. Both C.J. Wilson and Chris Carpenter were brilliant, but reach receiving a no decision.

While Wilson has yet to record a win in this year's postseason, 18-year veteran Darren Oliver recorded his first career World Series win.

As for Wilson, he allowed only one earned run in this 5 and 1/3 innings of work, the fewest since his first postseason start in 2010 against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. Although, Wilson was another Texas player to draw comparisons to a member of the '97 Indians team. The left-handed matched Jaret Wright's record for the most walks in a single postseason with 19 and both coming in five starts.

Wilson handed out five of nine walks the Cardinals received in Game 5, but only saw two of those cross the plate.

La Russa, right, struggled to get his bullpen
through the eighth inning Monday.

St. Louis were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on bases, squandering numerous opportunities to break the game wide open. La Russa and Co. find themselves facing a 3-2 series deficit, but head home for the potential final two games of the series.

41 for the 61 teams that have held a 3-2 series lead go on to win the series. However, this will be the fifth time the Cardinals have faced this deficit in the World Series and the four previous times they have comeback to win games six and seven to win the series.

The Redbirds call on left-hander Jaime Garica in Game 6 to fin off elimination as he will be opposed by Colby Lewis, who is 4-1 in his seven career postseason starts with a 2.22.

Pujols Pulls Through

A Rangers Rally

World Series Showdown: Texas Draw Cards

Two franchises from completely different backgrounds, one rich in tradition and winning while the other still looking to find their place among baseball history. Two teams that took far different roads to get back here, one taking an improbable up the wild card standings, the other winning their second straight division title, convincingly.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are set to square off in the 2011 Fall Classic in a series that should be one for the ages.

Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals:
After feeling the bitter pain of losing in their first World Series appearance a year ago to the San Francisco Giants, the Rangers have come back with vengeance and find themselves in their second straight Fall Classic. With thirteen returning players from last year's World Series roster, Texas is determined to not let this one slip away.

Wilson has struggled this postseason, going
0-2 with a 8.04 ERA in his three starts

The Ranger's offense has been stagnant for most of the postseason, but came to life in the series-clinching Game 6 against the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. They scored 15 runs on 17 hits that included a nine-run third inning. Nelson Cruz has six playoff home runs for the second straight postseason and was honored as the ALCS MVP. He along with Josh Hamilton, who has yet to hit a home run this postseason mainly due to his recent groin injury, will need to be the two that protect the middle of the order.

Many questioned manager Ron Washington's decision to keep Michael Young in the cleanup spot, but he silenced the critics after Young's big Game 6, tallying 5 RBIs. Offseason acquisitions Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli are both playing in their first World Series and will need to swing the bat like they have all season if Texas is overcome a unbelievably hot St. Louis team.

Texas' starting rotation hasn't fared well in this postseason and could be tested mightily by the best offense in the National League this season. It's the bullpen that holds the key to success in this series for Washington and Co. In their 42 and 2/3 innings this postseason they have accumulated a 2.34 ERA.

The Rangers have added starters Alexi Ogando and Scott Feldman, who won 17 games for Texas in 2009, to their 'pen to go along with 2010 Rookie of the Year, Neftali Feliz.

General manager Jon Daniels also traded for relievers Mike Gonzalez, Koji Uehara and Mike Adams during this season, giving Washington the ability to mix and match late in the game, something Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is famous for doing and could loom large with four potential games in the NL style of play.

In a baseball city that rivals all others, St. Louis will be roaring for Game 1 of the World Series. The Cardinals offense was not only among the best in the NL, but throughout the majors. They were in the top ten in runs (762), batting average (.273), on-base percentage (.341) and slugging percentage (.425), but have taken their game to new heights in the postseason.

Third baseman David Frees, who is fresh on his NLCS MVP honors, is leading the team with a .425 average, 4 home runs and 14 RBIs. Free-agent-to be, Albert Pujols, is second in all three categories, but it will be the bats of Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman that need to come alive. Berkman and Holliday are two of six Cardinals that have at least one home run this postseason, but will need to provide more pop to contend with the high octane offense in Texas.

Schumaker adds a toughness and different
dimension to La Russa's lineup.

While Holliday has batted .375 in his ten games this postseason, Berkman has struggled to find his stride, batting .237 in his 38 at-bats.

Skip Schumaker missed the entire NLCS due to an oblique tweak, but batted .600 in the NLDS, including driving in the only run of the decisive Game 5 against the Phillies. He has been added to the World Series roster and could prove to be a huge addition to this Cardinal team.

Much like Texas, St. Louis has seen their rotation scuffle, becoming the first team in postseason history to have win a playoff series without having a starter go past five innings.

Jake Westbrook has been added to the roster in favor of reliever-turned-starter-turned-reliever Kyle McClellan to help mend a struggling starting staff. On the other hand, the 'pen for La Russa has been unbelievable, posting a 2.55 ERA in their 42 and 2/3 innings of work and it could be better if it weren't for some rough outings in the Cardinals' 11-6 loss in Game 1 of the NLDS to Philadelphia.

Berkman and Texas' Game 1 starter C.J. Wilson were involved in some preseason controversy and now find themselves fighting for the right to call themselves the best in baseball. Who would have thought? This series could be a battle of the bullpens and with some inclement weather in the forecast this should make for an intriguing World Series.

TEX X-Factor: C.J. Wilson

STL X-Factor: Skip Schumaker

St. Louis in Seven.

New Raider In Town

Somber Day In U.S. Motorsports

Cards Soar Into Fall Classic

Jason Motte, left, and Yadier Molina celebrate
the Cardinals' 18th NL pennant.

When TBS broadcaster Brian Anderson enthusiastically called Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Yuniesky Betnacourt's fine defensive play to retire his counterpart, Rafael Furcal, for the first out of Game 6 of the National League Championship Series, saying "This one starts with a bang, tonight," he had not idea what was to occur next in a wild 12-6 St. Louis victory.

Like they have all series long, the St. Louis Cardinals struck first with a four-run first inning, capped off by a three-run home run off the bat of sizzling David Freese. It was the first time in postseason history a team had scored first in the first six games of a LCS.

The Cardinals and Brewers would go back and forth, having a home run derby through the first three innings, hitting six home runs combined. It was the first time in major league history that two teams had hit six home runs combined through a games first three innings. To top it off, 9 of the first 10 runs scored were tallied via the long ball.

The first run of the game was scored when John Jay crossed the plate on a RBI single Lance Berkman in the first, giving way to home run mania.

After Cards starter Edwin Jackson only was able to complete two innings, manager Tony La Russa called on five different relievers to get the game's final 21 outs and secure their second World Series appearance in the last six years and third in the last eight.

With La Russa's five pitching changes Sunday, that gave him 28 total for the LCS, the most ever in a postseason series. His starters failed to go more than five innings in all six games of the series, becoming the first team in postseason history to win a playoff series without having a starter pitch into the sixth inning.

Chris Carpenter, who was coming off a three-hit shutout of the Philadelphia Phillies, recorded the only win of the series, that coming in Game 3 after being a spotted a 4-0 lead in the first inning.

But even Carpenter couldn't get past the fifth inning.

It's ironic that the achilles heel of this St. Louis team at the beginning of the season has become a strength, here in the postseason. After suffering the loss of ace Adam Wainwright in February and having to release closer Ryan Franklin, who was an All-Star for the club in 2009, in June, the Cards pitching staff was in shambles.

A trade at this year's July 31st Trading Dealine by general manager John Mozeliak changed the fate of the Cardinal team.

Mozeliak dealt his controversial, but talented center fielder, Colby Rasmus, to the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-team deal that allowed St. Louis to acquire Edwin Jackson, Octavio Dotel and Marc Rzepczynski, all whom have been key components to the Redbirds reaching the Fall Classic this season.

That trade might have sparked their improbable run to get to this point. On Aug. 24, St. Louis was 10 1/2 games behind the NL wild card leading Atlanta Braves and started the month of September 8 1/2 back. St. Louis went 23-9 in their final 32 regular season games, obviously catching the Braves and securing their second wild card berth in franchise history.

The Cardinals are no stranger when it comes to historical September comebacks. In 1964, St. Louis also overcame an 8 1/2 game deficit in the season's final month when this time it was the Phillies that collapsed. Both are tied for the greatest September comebacks in NL history.

Oddly enough that '64 Cardinals team went on to beat the New York Yankees in a thrilling seven game World Series. History has a tendency to repeat itself.

This is St. Louis' 18th NL pennant in franchise history and their third under La Russa's watch. Since La Russa took the reigns in 1996, the Cardinals' 45 postseason wins are second only to the Yankees' 94. It is La Russa's sixth career trip to the World Series, which is good enough sixth on the all-time list. He is now 15-7 in series-clinching games, but hasn't faired in the World Series as much as he would like.

The 67-year-old manager has a 10-12 record in the World Series, including being swept twice. Once in 1990 when at the helm in Oakland and again in 2004 when the Boston Red Sox exercised the demon of Babe Ruth at the expense of his Redbirds.

This time around, La Russa is pushing all the right buttons and hopes to bring home his third career World Series title as he already personifies a managerial genius.

Here We Go Again

Cruz enjoyed a record-setting ALCS, that saw
him hit six home runs.

It's hard to believe at one point the Detroit Tigers held a 2-0 lead against the Texas Rangers Saturday in Game 6 of the ALCS. After Detroit shut out the Rangers high octane offense for the first two innings, Texas bombarded the Tigers' pitching staff for 15 runs on 17 hits, closing out the ALCS, 15-5.

In a 38 minute bottom of the third inning, the Ranger sent 14 hitters to the plate, recording six hits in a nine-run outburst, setting the franchise record for most runs scored in a single postseason half inning.

Two of those six hits came off the suddenly red-hot bat of All-Star Michael Young. Young hit two, two-run doubles in the inning, driving in four of the nine runs scored. The 12-year veteran added a solo home run in the seventh, giving him a 5 RBI game and totaling 7 for the series.

His teammate, Nelson Cruz, who was honored as this year's ALCS MVP, got out his boomstick once again and continued this unbelievable postseason run. Cruz popped a two-run shot for his sixth home run of the series, driving in his 12th and 13th runs of the series, both are single series postseason records.

With his six home runs, Cruz is now the only player in postseason history to have hit six home runs in two different postseasons. In his first postseason appearance a year ago, the Monte Cristi native also hit six home runs, but that came throughout the playoffs, not one series. If that weren't enough, Cruz hit the first walk-off grand slam in postseason history and had two extra innings home runs in the ALCS, the first time that has ever been done as well.

All eight of hits during the LCS went for extra-bases, that's a lot of production for a guy that bats seventh in the lineup. But it wasn't just Cruz's bat that did the talking.

In the eighth inning of Game 4, Cruz fired a perfect game-saving dart to nail the not so fleet of foot, Miguel Cabrera, at the plate, keeping the game tied.

While Cruz continues to exemplify an October legend, the Rangers are headed to their second straight World Series. After losing to the San Francisco Giants in last year's Fall Classic in five games, they have come back with vengeance and fire in their eyes. After capturing both their two straight division title and American League Pennant, Texas is the first AL West team to accomplish that feat since the Oakland Athletics did so from 1988-'90. They did in three years in-a-row.

Those Oakland teams were led by future Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, and with his Cardinals one win away from their eighteenth trip to the World Series, Texas could oddly enough face the last manager to do what they have achieved in 2011.

Texas accomplished all this without the power of last year's ALCS MVP, Josh Hamiltion, who didn't hit a home run in this series and has yet to hit one this postseason after hitting four in last year's LCS against the New York Yankees.

Showered in Ginger Ale for the second straight year, the Rangers hope to have one last celebration in them.