Bob Klapisch

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From NJ.com:

The Record's Bob Klapisch thinks Torre has some explaining to do. He mentions in his column that Torre has some explaining to do on behalf of the figures he "betrayed" in his book:
In less than a week, when the book hits the stores, Torre will start answering hard questions, the first of which is: Why did he write a Yankee memoir so soon after being dismissed by the Steinbrenner family? Revenge seems like the most obvious motivation, given the hard feelings between Joe Cool and The Boss' two sons, as well as team president Randy Levine. But if Torre is out to settle scores, his decision to take down Cashman, as well, came as a surprise to the GM, who'd assumed his relationship with Torre was sound until Monday.

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Panel discussion on McGwire

Quotes from Hall of Fame voters on whether they plan to vote for Mark McGwire in the upcoming election:

"Definitely no until he gives us some answers. He's got a lot of explaining to do." - Bob Klapisch, The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
 

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ESPN

ESPN'S AL MVP AWARD PICKS

 

Bob Klapisch
ESPN.com contributor

Dustin Pedroia 2B, Red Sox

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NorthJersey.com

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER, NL: Ryan Howard, Phillies.

We’re prepared to face the firing squad on this one, having passed over Albert Pujols. But as unthinkably dangerous as the Cardinals’ slugger was, he couldn’t get his team to the postseason. Howard did.

Granted, Pujols had better season-long numbers. But Howard was in another reality in September, when impact players make their mark. While the Phillies were catching and passing the Mets (again), Howard batted .352 and hit 11 home runs — one every eight at-bats.

He finished the season with a mediocre .251 average, but otherwise led the majors with 48 HR and 146 RBI.

Honorable mention: Pujols, Chase Utley, Manny Ramirez, Ryan Braun.

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SFGiants.com

Bob Klapisch, Bergen Record (picked Lincecum): "Another ballot that could've (and perhaps should've) been decided by a flip of the coin. No doubt Johan Santana had a better overall season, leading the National League in innings and ERA and not losing a game after June 28. But the Giants' righty was more devastating and tougher to hit.
"Just look at the gap between Lincecum and Santana in strikeouts (265 to 206) and the opponents' batting average (.221 to .232). Lincecum also allowed 12 fewer home runs than the Mets' ace (11 to 23).
"It's true Santana's numbers were compiled under extreme pressure -- and he shut out the Marlins in a must-win setting ... on a torn-up knee. But Lincecum blew away the NL with an awful team behind him, and with nothing at stake."

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ESPN expert picks

Two evenly matched teams with off-setting strengths. For once, this is a Series that will actually be decided by home-field advantage.

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ESPN.com

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ESPn

3-1

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ESPN.com

Chicago Cubs, 3 games to 1

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ESPN expert picks

Likes the Phils in 4

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NorthJersey.com

Better to let Randolph go now

 

It took the Mets' hierarchy two hours to complete a Circle Line journey to nowhere — beginning and ending in the same sorry place. Nothing changed after the summit with the Wilpon family Monday: The Mets are the National League's worst underachievers, led by a manager whose reign should've been over by now.

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ESPN experts panel

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ESPN experts panel

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ESPN experts panel

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ESPN experts panel