The Cardinals exceeded the expectations of most by winning 86 games but they fell short in the second half when their depth was not sufficient to overcome the loss of OF Rick Ankiel (lower abdominal strain) and C Yadier Molina (bruised left thigh) and the 

The Cardinals exceeded the expectations of most by winning 86 games but they fell short in the second half when their depth was not sufficient to overcome the loss of OF Rick Ankiel (lower abdominal strain) and C Yadier Molina (bruised left thigh) and the 

When a team has such long-running success as the Cardinals have experienced this decade under manager Tony La Russa, it generally isn't accomplished with a revolving door of second basemen. 

--While the Cardinals and LHP Trever Miller tried to work out contract language before Miller would sign with the club as a free agent, the team was also negotiating with LHP Arthur Rhodes. 

When a team has such long-running success as the Cardinals have experienced this decade under manager Tony La Russa, it generally isn't accomplished with a revolving door of second basemen. 

--While the Cardinals and LHP Trever Miller tried to work out contract language before Miller would sign with the club as a free agent, the team was also negotiating with LHP Arthur Rhodes. 

Chris Widger has never strayed far from home. 

Trevor Burmeister 

CAROLINA, PUERTO RICO - Long tired of watching two pitchers "squeezed" by one very inconsistent home plate umpire, the home team's manager trudges to the mound for a word or two with his frustrated reliever. 

It was 1934, and the Lions were new to the NFL. 

Local & state: ESU's Liu earns All-South Central Region honors 

TITANS AT LIONS (+11) 

GOLF - Financially strapped General Motors Corp. 

Andy Pettitte has spoken with Joe Torre about joining the Dodgers, sources tell Ken Rosenthal. 

Terry Kennedy, the Missions' hitting coach last season, will be the club's manager in 2009, the San Diego Padres announced Monday.