Fox gets it's dream match up...

It's going to be the Yankees and the Phillies in this year's World Series, which will start Wednesday in New York. The Yankees dispatched the Angels in 6 games with a 5-2 win tonight. It must have seemed (sorry Yogi) like deja vu all over again for the fans in the Bronx, Andy Pettitte pitches into the 7th and Mariano Rivera wraps up the save and the series by going 2 innings tonight. Pettitte now has a record 16 post-season wins. So it's a television network dream matchup, as the large market Yankees take on the large market Phillies, and oh did I mention they are both east coast teams?

CC Sabathia was named the ALCS MVP, going 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA, he also struck out 16 over his two starts. You have to tip your cap to Sabathia, after signing the big, or huge money deal in the offseason, all the pressure was on him. He came through in a tough place to play.

Give Joe Girardi some credit too, he proved that he can manage when there were some questions. After winning the NL Manager of the Year award in 2006 he was fired by the Marlins because of a conflict with the eccentric owner in Florida. He took a year off, and now in his second season in New York, he's going to the World Series. Girardi has been there as a player, and now as a skipper as well. Congratulations Joe.

Cleveland influence in WS...

Yes, it's true, the Indians will be well represented in this year's fall/winter classic. I guess to be more specific, former Indians. The last two AL Cy Young winners will face off in game one, Sabathia goes for the Yankees, and Cliff Lee will take the ball for the Phillies. Sabathia was dealt from Cleveland last year to the Brewers, and led them to the playoffs. Lee was dealt this season by the Indians and is now pitching in the World Series.

Manny gets in on the Acta...

Speaking again of Cleveland, the Indians have a new manager and it's Manny Acta. The former skipper of the lowly Washington Nationals, Acta gets a 3 year deal with a club option for 2013. Acta apparently had an offer to manage the Astros as well, but chose the Indians offer instead.

The Genius returns...and maybe bringing a Big Mac with him?

Tony LaRussa has apparently agreed to an extension with the Cardinals to remain the team's manager. LaRussa told the AP that he'll be back for a 15th season with the Cardinals. There are reports he'll be bringing back a familiar name with him. Mark McGwire could be hired as the team's hitting coach. McGwire has been out of baseball since his famous "let's not talk about the past" testimony before Congress regarding the use of steroids. He hit 583 career homers, and a then record 70 in 1998. He has fallen well short of Hall of Fame voting ever since suspicions arose about his use of performance enhancing drugs.

You can't get there from here...no seriously...

How's this for timing, or should I say leverage? The Philadelphia Transit workers have voted to authorize a strike, just a week before the city is set to host a World Series game. How are all the media members going to get to their cheesteak sandwiches?

ESPN cans Phillips...

The cable sports channel said goodbye to former Mets GM and Baseball Tonight contributor Steve Phillips after he last week admitted to an affair with a 22 year old staffer at ESPN. Phillips is apparently entering a treatment facility "to address his personal issues". Yikes.

Alright that's it for now...stay tuned for more on the reported hiring of Jed Hoyer as the Padres new GM.

Andy