Free Republic

First in war, first in peace and now champions of the National League. The Washington Nationals defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, 7-4, on Tuesday night to complete a four-game sweep of the NL Championship Series and bring the nation's capital its first pennant since 1933. Washington will play American League champions, either the New York Yankees or Houston Astros, in the 115th World Series, which starts next week. The newly crowned NL champions broke open Tuesday night's game early, plating seven runs in the first inning before a raucous partisan crowd at Nationals Park. Washington faced a threat from...

NEW YORK -- For Aaron Boone, it's like The Boss is back in town. The expectations for what he needs to accomplish as the next manager of the New York Yankees are straight from the late George Steinbrenner’s merciless ethos: Either win a World Series, or fail. The job is a blessing and a curse. There is so much young talent on the roster and so much more on the way, which makes the Yankees a win-now team. But if Boone doesn’t win over the next couple of years, fingers will be pointed at him and the man who hired...

Indians defeat the Blue Jays 3-0 to take ALCS four games to one.

For the first time since 1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates are in MLB's postseason. The Bucs clinched at least a spot in the wild-card game after a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs that ended with a bizarre play at the plate, and a 4-3 loss by the Washington Nationals to the St. Louis Cardinals. The loss eliminated the Nats from contention. The Cincinnati Reds are playoff-bound as well, after beating the New York Mets, 3-2 in 10 innings. The focus over the regular season's final six days now shifts to the NL Central race, which the Cards still lead by...

THE WILD SIDE: It's a scramble for the two AL wild-card spots, with a half-dozen teams trying to claim them. Texas, Cleveland and Tampa Bay are at the top, but wobbling. Pinch-hitter Justin Morneau's single sent Pittsburgh over the Cubs 3-2 Sunday, leaving the Pirates even with St. Louis for the NL Central lead. WHAT'S THE FORECAST?: Wicked weather always seems to wreak havoc at the end of the season. Cleveland waited out a rain delay of nearly 4 1/2 hours in Chicago before beating the White Sox 7-1 Sunday night. Just watch - somewhere, a storm will sweep into...

Detroit Tigers Won the American League Pennant Today

NEW YORK (AP) -- Yankees pitcher Kevin Brown broke his non-throwing hand punching a clubhouse wall in frustration during the New York's 3-1 loss to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night. The pitching-weak Yankees, whose AL East lead over second-place Boston was cut to 2 1/2 games, did not immediately know how long the right-hander would be sidelined. "You just cant do this," general manager Brian Cashman said. "You've got to keep your emotions in check." Brown (10-4) dropped to 1-3 in his last five starts and 3-8 lifetime against Baltimore. He allowed three runs and five hits in six...

CHICAGO — Steve Bartman surfaced briefly yesterday to say he and his family and friends have been threatened and harassed by some, but received empathy and support from many others since he became the center of controversy by tipping a foul ball at an unfortunate moment during Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. Bartman, a Cubs fan, issued what he termed his "final comment" on the subject. He said he was declining interview requests and would donate to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation all the "generous gift offers" he has received "from individuals and businesses across the country."...

Play Ball!

Pennant fever is sweeping the area. With both the White Sox and Cubs in first place or close to it, fans are dreaming of a Windy City Series. Using the suitable clinical terminology, this is just plain nuts. The Sox, well, maybe. It’s been dry on the South Side for a long time, but there is a genuine possibility. Not a great possibility in all likelihood, but one nonetheless. The story on the North Side is different. The Cubs have a long tradition of defeat. And not just being beaten, but losing in the most ignominious ways. Assorted explanations have...