Inside A-Rod’s end game (New York Magazine)

Deadspin’s highly-caffeinated and talented Will Leitch put fingers to keyboard and cranked out a piece for New York Magazine profiling Alex Rodriguez, the slugging third baseman for the New York Yankees.

In this piece, which chronicles the final stages of his contract in the pinstripes, Leitch drops an interesting bombshell: might Rodriguez’s agent, Scott Boras, be working on an ownership stake in the Chicago Cubs for his highly-sought after client?

More after the jump »

The morning after Rick Ankiel makes some noise during a long slump…

The Cubs extended their lead to 2½ games over Milwaukee; the Red Sox guaranteed their playoff spot; the Mets increased their division lead to two games over Philadelphia and the Angels had to wait another day to pop the cork.

BlueJays 11, Yanks 12 (10 innings) — Melky Cabrera was the Yankees hero, singling in Johnny Damon, and capped a wild game against the visiting BlueJays, 12-11. Cabrera drove in five in the winning effort.

M’s 3, Angels 2 — On life support, the Seattle Mariners were given a boost by Miguel Batista, who pitched into the sixth inning, and Ichiro Suzuki scored a run and drove in another in the Mariners’ 3-2 victory

A’s 9, Indians 3 — Dan Haren pitched six strong innings and Jack Cust homered as the Athletics delayed the Indians from winning the AL Central with a 9-3 victory.

Red Sox 8, D’ Rays 6 — Despite their recent slide, the Red Sox became the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff spot, thanks to eking out an 8-6 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 8-6. Former Rays’ shortstop Julio Lugo’s game-winning two-run home run provided the catalyst that Boston needed for victory.

More after the jump »

News and notes while ESPN could get Chad Johnson into some trouble…

Liddell continues UFC struggles (AP/ESPN) Some guy named Keith Jardine knocked down Tom Liddell to earn a split-decision in a UFC bout.

Lawyer: Witness turns over Simpson recordings (AP/ESPN) A key witness has turned over hours of audio recordings in the O.J. Simpson armed robbery and kidnapping case.

Tennis’ next ‘it’ girl (SI.com) Arash Markazi says Ana Ivanovic is the next ‘Maria Sharpova.’ Too bad Darren Rovell of CNBC not only beat him to the punch, but also stated she’s the next “Kournikova.”

Bonds: ‘We had fun’ (AP/USA Today) No ill-will from the San Francisco Giants slugger, a day after it was announced that the club will not extend his deal beyond ‘07.

Mike Patrick has important things on his mind (Awful Announcing) Mike Patrick has just got to know what’s up with Britney Spears. In overtime.  Georgia-LSU. Todd Blackledge wishes he had a mute button.

Don’t believe it? Check out the exchange and wonder in awe what the hell brought it on.

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