Oct 4th, 2006 · It used to be easy to predict the winner between rich and poor Major League Baseball teams -- the teams that could afford the best players usually came out on top. But now that the playoffs are under way, the assumption that only the rich teams (like the New York Yankees) win in baseball is not always true.
Mar 29th, 2005 · St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is considered one of baseball's top strategists -- and a likely resident of baseball's Hall of Fame. Pulitzer-winning author Buzz Bissinger's new book is about three games La Russa managed in a tense pennant race.
Oct 21st, 2004 · NPR's Alex Chadwick talks with NPR's Mike Pesca about the Boston Red Sox and their historic victory over the New York Yankees Wednesday, coming back from a 3-0 deficit in the best-of-seven pennant playoff by winning four straight games against their perennial rival. The Red Sox last won the American League pennant in 1986, and the team has not won the World Series since it traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees in 1918 -- the so-called "curse of the bambino."
Oct 20th, 2004 · NPR's Alex Chadwick talks to NPR's Mike Pesca, reporting from New York City on Major League Baseball's American League Championship series. After losing the first three games in the best-of-seven pennant playoffs, The Boston Red Sox won the next three and are poised to make history Wednesday night.
Oct 19th, 2004 · There's an exciting fight to the finish underway in this year's baseball playoffs -- pitching duels, power hitting and major-league comebacks are the norm. NPR's Noah Adams chats with baseball expert Bill James about two thrilling Monday evening games in baseball's pennant races. James is the author of The Bill James 2004 Handbook and several other books about baseball.
Oct 12th, 2004 · The end of baseball season is upon us, with its pennant races here - and the World Series just around the corner. Tuesday, the American League Championship Series begins, with the long-suffering Boston Red Sox taking on the eternal powerhouse that is the New York Yankees. Commentator Laura Lorson would like you to consider the teams that aren't so blessed, or so cursed.
Oct 4th, 2004 · NPR's Tavis Smiley checks in with sports guy George Johnson about the pennant races, the NFL and other top headlines.
Sep 27th, 2004 · George Johnson talks about the NFL, WNBA playoffs, baseball pennant races and other sports headlines.