In Chicago, Phil Rogers reports with talks for the Cubs to acquire Red Sox GM Theo Epstein stalled, league sources said that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig "is monitoring the situation and weighing the need to try to facilitate a deal." The sides "remain at an impasse," with Red Sox President & CEO Larry Lucchino "reportedly not dropping his demand for top prospects as compensation for the man who will head the Cubs' baseball operations." Talks are "expected to continue during the World Series." The Cubs "can petition MLB to announce Epstein's hiring on Friday or Tuesday, the scheduled days off in the Series" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 10/20).
NUMBERS GAME: ESPN.com's Buster Olney cited sources as saying that MLB VP/Baseball Operations Kim Ng "will interview for the Angels' GM job." No timetable "was given for the interview." Before joining the league, Ng had been an assistant GM with the Yankees and Dodgers (ESPN.com, 10/19). ESPN L.A.'s Mark Saxon noted Ng is among a "handful of candidates the Angels are looking to interview for their vacant" GM position. Her "record of fiscal restraint is the perfect qualification for this job." Saxon: "If there’s one thing that has dragged the Angels down and allowed the Texas Rangers to take over dominance in the AL West, it’s their habit of taking on bad contracts. ... The Angels need a smart administrator and fresh perspectives more than they need another former player or seasoned scout. It's time for an organization that sometimes seems to live inside a box to think outside it" (ESPNLA.com, 10/19).
GARNERING PRAISE: Baseball writer Murray Chass noted the "unanswered question, now that the Rangers are in the World Series for the second successive season, is to what extent is [Rangers President & CEO Nolan] Ryan responsible for the dramatic change in the Rangers’ fortunes." Chass: "I am prepared to give him all of the credit; it can’t be coincidence that Ryan arrives and suddenly the Rangers are doing things they had never done. Others to whom I have talked, however, say that while the Hall of Fame pitcher deserves much of the credit for the rise of the Rangers, others, especially general manager Jon Daniels, should be recognized for their contributions. Over-all, I believe Ryan changed the culture of the Rangers’ environment and brought instant credibility to a struggling organization" (MURRAYCHASS.com, 10/19).
THE COOL CROWD: In St. Petersburg, Tom Jones writes the Rays right now are "the most popular team in town." Scarborough Research determined that from August '10-September '11, taking into account TV and radio listeners and attendance, the Rays "had just more than 1.5 million fans." The Buccaneers "came in second with about 1.49 million, and the Lightning had just fewer than 700,000." The Rays' popularity over the previous year "increased by 1.39 percent while the Bucs dropped dramatically -- nearly 19 percent." The Lightning's following "jumped by about 25 percent thanks to its first playoff appearance in four years" (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 10/20).
