…Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Greg Maddux, may have pitched for the last time. He’s unsure whether or not to return for a 24th big league season.

“I’m going to go home, take a break, sit down with my family and decide.”

…According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Andy Pettitte’s agent has informed the Yankees that Pettitte intends to pitch in 2009 and would prefer to do it pinstripes. There’s no contract yet but he’s made it clear he intends to pitch for the Yankees.

…The Washington Nationals have outrighted outfielder Ryan Langerhands and pitcher Lavale Speigner to Triple A Syracuse. They also picked up southpaw Charlie Manning off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals.

…The start time for Game 6 of the World Series has been pushed back about 15 minutes. The reason is that Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama has bought time on Fox to reach out to potential voters.

 ”Fox will accommodate Senator Obama’s desire to communicate with voters in this longform format,” Fox Sports said in a statement. “We are pleased that Major League Baseball has agreed to delay the first pitch of World Series Game 6 for a few minutes in order for Fox to carry his program on Oct. 29. If requested, the network would be willing to make similar time available to Senator McCain’s campaign.”

…According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com the Washington Nationals are interested in former Mets manager Willie Randolph as Manny Acta’s bench coach. General Manager Jim Bowden and manager Manny Acta are in Florida working on getting a new coaching staff together as the Nats fired five coaches at the end of the season.

…Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti will return to the Dodgers front office, this according to a report in the LA Times. After their NLCS loss to the Phillies, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt said that Ned Colletti will return to the Dodgers.

“What we’ve accomplished is something significant for the organization,” McCourt said.

“We’ve turned a big corner. I’m proud of Ned and all the people in the front office. I’m proud of Joe and all the coaches. I couldn’t be more pleased with the job everybody has done.”

It certainly has been a busy week around here. Congratulations to the Philadelphia Phillies on winning the National League Pennant. Boy does it pain me to say that! But they deserve it. Earl Weaver would be proud of the home run power on display in Philadelphia these days! And for Brian…ok, you’re right, Brad Lidge may never blow another save! Are you happy now???

The ALCS resumes tomorrow in Boston with the Rays holding a 3 games to 1 lead over the Red Sox. So far Tampa Bay has dominated the series with Evan Longoria, BJ Upton, and Carlos Pena combining for 7 home runs and 16 RBI over the 4 games. It’s hard not to like these guys. In fact, I’m even considering buying a Longoria jersey!

It’s also cool watching BJ Upton mature as a hitter. BJ was one of the first interviews I conducted at BDD. I admit, the conversation was a little lame and a bit weak in content, but in case you want to check it out anyway, click on this link: BJ Upton Interview from April 2005 

I know many of you are looking forward to the next installment of my musings from scout school with the Royals. I’m planning on cranking out Parts III and IV this weekend. Sorry for the delay. I just got caught up with a bunch of things including the deal with Baseball Prospectus.

Speaking of BP, I want to take a moment to thank the BP team for the opportunity to work for them and for their generous support of Baseball Digest Daily. I especially want to acknowledge long time friend Kevin Goldstein as well as Dave Pease, Nate Silver, and Chris Schofield for believing that I can really help make a difference in the organization. Thanks also to Christina Kahrl, John Perrotto, Steven Goldman, Rany Jazayerli, and Marc Normandin (hey, didn’t you used to write for us??!!) and the rest of the staff for their support and well wishes.

In case you missed any of the news and announcements regarding BP’s acquisition of BDD, follow the links below…

Prospectus Entertainment Ventures (Owner of Baseball Prospectus) Announces Acquisition of Baseball Digest Daily (BDD) (Press Release)

Understanding the BP-BDD Agreement (Baseball Digest Daily)

Baseball Prospectus Acquires Baseball Digest Daily (RotoNation)

Unlike the League Division Series, the Philadelphia Phillies wasted no time in capturing the National League pennant.  A Jimmy Rollins lead-off homer, errors by the Dodgers and a shut down performance by Cole Hamels have sent the Phillies back to the World Series for the first time since 1993.

Hamels proved he was a big game pitcher with his third gem of the playoffs and second win in the NLCS in their 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to win the series 4-1 and earn the Phillies’ sixth pennant in franchise history.

“This is for the city of Philadelphia,” said manager Charlie Manuel.  “We have one more step, one big step then we’re going to make a grand parade.”

Hamels was presented with the NLCS MVP award for his entire series performance capped by his seven-inning, one-run, five-hit night in the series clincher.  Hamels only blemish of the night was a solo home run by Manny Ramirez in the sixth.

Hamels turned the game over to the consistent Phillies’ bullpen and got an inning from Ryan Madson who worked a scoreless eighth and Brad Lidge who worked a scoreless ninth.

“These guys are going crazy right now,” said Ryan Howard following the game.  “I can only imagine how it is in Philadelphia.”

In Philadelphia, hysteria struck the town.  Streets throughout the city filled with fans following the game.  They cheered and jumped onto cars and each other in celebration of the Phillies’ first playoff berth since ‘93.

Now, the Phillies must wait for the Rays-Red Sox series to know who they face for the title of World Champion of Major League Baseball.

———————-

PHILLIES’ THREE KEYS (From Series Preview)

• Production from Utley and Howard

Howard went 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored and even though Utley went 0-for-4, he scored twice and was superb defensively.

• DEFENSE!

If there was one thing to point at throughout out this NLCS, it had to be the lopsided advantage the Phillies had defensively against the Dodgers.  Utley and Victorino were excellent in the field in Game 5 while Rafael Furcal made three errors in one inning that led to two unearned runs.

• Continue Bullpen Dominance

Madson stepped up his stuff to keep the “Bridge to Lidge” intact.  If you had Game 5 of the NLCS in the “Game Where Brad Lidge Implodes Pool”, you lose (you know who you are).  It wasn’t really a game where the bullpen was asked to do a lot thanks to Hamels’ excellence but they did what needed to be done.

DODGERS’ THREE KEYS

• Manny, Manny, Manny!

Manny went 2-for-3 with a solo home run but never batted with a runner on base.  Not much more could be asked of Ramirez this series but he proved one man cannot carry a team to victory — even one with Superhuman abilities at the plate.

• Youth Movement

Russell Martin made a lot of noise and got some credit for getting the Dodgers fired up in Game 3 but his mouth was the only thing performing in the NLCS.  Martin went 0-for-4 in Game 5.  Blake DeWitt had an even worse game at the plate — he went 0-for-2 and killed two potential big innings with double plays — and was benched in favor of veteran Jeff Kent.  Ace-in-the-making Chad Billingsley failed to make it through three innings again and finished the NLCS 0-2 with an 18.00 ERA.

• Continue to Make the Right Decisions

Torre hit the panic button in this game and it met with mixed results.  Their bullpen kept them in the game but the moves in the lineup failed to do anything for the Dodgers’ offense.  Did Torre’s decisions cost this team the series?  Probably not.  Although Dodgers, Torre and well managed will not be mentioned when referencing the ‘08 NLCS.

STAR OF THE GAME

Cole Hamels, Philadelphia Phillies

Hamels polished off a seven-inning, one run, five hit outing with a called third strike on Jeff Kent.  On replays, the pitch looked to be low but Hamels and the Dodgers’ pitching staff was getting that pitch all game and some say that pitch is too close to take with two strikes.  The young Hamels racked up five strikeouts and only real blemish was a home run to Manny Ramirez.  He’s not the first to fall victim and won’t be the last.