the final countdown

Baseball Update:
There were a lot of coaching announcements on Monday including the resigning of Tony LaRussa with the Cardinals...The Royals presented their new coach Trey Hillman to the media...and the Mariners have added Mel Stottlemyre, Jim Riggleman, Norm Charlton and Eddie Rodriguez to their coaching staff.

Torre replacement watch has officially started after Joe Girardi was interviewed on Monday.

In other Yankee news, the Yanks will offer Jorge Posada a three year deal worth about $40 million...Mariano Rivera says that just because Joe Torre isn't coming back doesn't mean he won't...and the Yanks are looking to get up close and personal with ARod and Scott Boras.

George Mitchell has denied reports that he leaked information implicating Indians pitcher Paul Byrd hours before game seven of the ALCS.

While the NLCS was one of the lowest rated series ever, the ALCS was the highest rated series since 2004 which featured the Red Sox and Yankees.

The Red Sox were listed as 2-1 favorites to win the World Series over the upstart Rockies team.

Those looking buy Rockies World Series tickets may have hit a little snag on Monday. An overloaded server shut down the ticketing process but the Rockies will put the remaining 18,000 tickets back on the market on Tuesday.

Braves Update:
The Braves named Bruce manno the new assistant GM taking over for Frank Wren who was promoted to GM earlier this month.

UPDATE: The fire that is raging in San Diego has reportedly struck former Braves outfielder David Justice. His San Diego area home was destroyed. (via Ben Mailer)

NASCAR Notes:
Kyle Busch is on the Truck entry list...Dario Franchitti will be looking to make his Busch Series debut...Burney Lamar is going trying to make the Cup race.

Jeremy Mayfield will be replacing Jeff Green in the #66 car at Haas CNC Racing.

Mike Skinner and Johnny Benson will be sharing Cup duties for Bill Davis Racing in 2008.

Joe Gibbs Racing announced teammates Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch will be sharing driving duties in the Nationwide Series in 2008.

Popo in my crib news:
Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid's son Garrett was released from jail and placed under house arrest until his November 1st sentencing hearing. Reid will be allowed to leave the house only for treatment and going to his brother's high school football games accompanied by his parents. Garrett admitted to using herion prior to running a red light and hitting another car. Watch out Garrett, because the popo are on your tail!

Denver Nuggets suspended guard J.R. Smith was summoned by the popo for assault, distrubing the peace and destruction of private property charges stemming from a October 13th nightclub incident. Smith was previously suspended last year for his role in a fight with the Knicks and was also ticketed for improper passing in a car accident that kille his friend Andre Bell. Watch out J.R., because the popo are on your tail!

News & Notes: The Indianapolis Colts remain undefeated after pounding Jacksonville 29-7...With wildfires raging in San Diego, the Chargers have moved their practices to the Arizona Cardinals training facility. Many of the players and coaches have been forced to evacuate...U.S. women's soccer coach Greg Ryan is out...The Miami Dolphins will be without running back Ronnie Brown for the rest of the season after Brown tore his ACL...The Big East has taken the blame for a blown call which handed UCONN the win over Louisville...And finally, if you do things to avoid jinxing your team, you're not alone. About 1 in five people, including me are guilty of doing it.

Check this out: Carrie Underwood's latest album "Carnival Ride" is in stores today. To get a preview click here.

It's been fun blogging with you,
Kate