Rays

Can he save the Rays? [Times photo: Chris Zuppa] It's official: Lou Piniella is the manager of the Rays. Can he do for them what he did for Seattle -- make them winners?

Gary Shelton
Face of change
Lou Piniella boosts Rays' outlook and demeanor.

Rays get the message
Players say they're ready and eager to raise the intensity for a new manager who doesn't accept excuses.

What they're saying
The media

Managers for compensation
Here are a few instances in the past 70 years of baseball managers being traded for players, managers, cash or not at all because sides couldn't agree on compensation:

Winn eager to play for a winner
Rays All-Star fills gaping hole in left for M's.

Lightning
Tampa Bay energized against in-state rival
LIGHTNING 6, PANTHERS 1: 6 score as East's No. 1 team bounces back after loss.

Hodson's effort pleases Feaster
SUNRISE -- Kevin Hodson's first game as the Lightning's backup goaltender earned him points with general manager Jay Feaster.

NFL
Eagles get control of NFC East
PHILADELPHIA -- Quarterback Donovan McNabb ran for a 40-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and David Akers kicked three field goals to lead the Eagles to a 17-3 win over the Giants in the final Monday night game at Veterans Stadium.

For Steelers, season began in Week 3
The first two weeks of the season took place. Honest. Just don't expect the Steelers to remember them.

Hospital releases Seattle's Jackson
KIRKLAND, Wash. -- Seahawks receiver Darrell Jackson was released from a Texas hospital Monday, one day after sustaining a concussion and having a seizure following Seattle's 17-14 win over Dallas.

Around the NFC
BEARS: Starting quarterback Chris Chandler was hit hard on a fourth-quarter incompletion and Henry Burris took over for the final two possessions against Minnesota. Burris was 1-of-6 for 28 yards, an interception and a sack. On two carries, Burris led the Bears in rushing with 19 yards. Chandler said he had the wind knocked out of him.

Around the AFC
BENGALS: Tight end Sean Brewer had more knee surgery Monday. He tore cartilage against Atlanta Sept. 23 and had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. He returned to practice last week but tore the cartilage again, trainer Paul Sparling said.

NBA
Fox, Christie to begin season on suspension
NEW YORK -- The Lakers' Rick Fox was suspended for six games, the Kings' Doug Christie was banished for two, and every Sacramento player who left the bench during a fight with the Lakers got off scot-free.

Magic keeps its core intact
Team pinning future success on players who already are on its roster.

Motorsports
Youth set dominates late races
Kurt Busch's victory in Sunday's rain-shortened NAPA 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway marked the 10th straight Winston Cup event won by a driver age 31 or younger.

College football
Irish close in on Miami in BCS
Notre Dame moved a lot closer to national title territory.

Around the state
McPherson replaces Rix as FSU quarterback

UCF learns the MAC's no picnic
Is the Mid-American Conference tougher than Central Florida thought?

Baseball
To Mets' Howe, being the right choice is what matters
NEW YORK -- For Art Howe, being the Mets' second or maybe third choice for manager is no problem. He's used to his role as a consolation prize.

Angels' fantasies come true
Disney's unheralded team climbs baseball's Magic Mountain by doing the small things.

Man likely killed at tailgate party
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Police believe a man found dead near Edison International Field was stabbed at a tailgate party in the stadium parking lot after Game 7 of the World Series.

Giants may be facing turbulent offseason
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Dusty Baker walked out of the visitors clubhouse at Edison Field carrying his 3 1/2-year-old boy, father and son uncertain of their baseball futures.

NHL
Rangers goalie gets 300th win
NEW YORK -- Mike Richter won his 300th game when Petr Nedved scored 2:20 into overtime to give the Rangers a 3-2 comeback victory over the Coyotes on Monday night.

Preps
High school athletes announce college choices
Tampa Catholic tennis star picks South Carolina

Panthers make most of their opportunity
TAMPA -- The level of competition among the Class 2A, District 9 girls is not as strong as in the past, and that's a good thing, according to some who advanced after Monday's tournament.

Buc limits mistakes, advances
TAMPA -- Berkeley Prep's Ty Callahan doesn't pick any specific number to shoot for when he tees it up in an important tournament. Instead, the Berkeley Prep senior tries to stick with one simple goal.

Outdoors
Daily fishing report
To most, fall brings the thought of leaves and changing colors. In the bay area, the colors we think of are red, as in schools of redfish found on almost every productive flat and sandbar.