M's pour it on in Game 5
Seattle breaks scoring drought with five-run fifth, sends series back to N.Y.

Mets: Keep quiet on Valentine
NEW YORK -- Mets general manager Steve Phillips is tired of talking about manager Bobby Valentine's future with the organization.

Hampton has the look for Game 5
The Crystal River High product is eager to go for the pennant clincher tonight for the Mets.

Piniella reminisces about Seattle
SEATTLE -- Lou Piniella may have managed his last home game in Seattle. His contract expires at the end of the World Series, and unless the team makes a remarkable comeback, he may never call Safeco Field home again.

Baseball briefs
Book on DiMaggio: From Mafia to scam

Bucs/NFL
Stecker searching for his explosion
Bucs return man, who flashed big-play potential, has been tentative.

Bye gives Bucs a chance to regroup
TAMPA -- Tyoka Jackson caught a cold. Keyshawn Johnson flew to California. Shaun King attended Tulane's homecoming in New Orleans and Jerry Wunsch spent time at home with his new son.

NFL briefs
Bills QB Johnson separates shoulder

Motorsports
Changes everywhere except Victory Lane
Rules tinkering doesn't affect 10-time Talladega winner Dale Earnhardt.

Stoddard not so thrilled by spectacle
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Frank Stoddard did not want to talk.

Auto racing briefs
Lazier doesn't back off for title

College football
Weinke's record pace wows Bowden
TALLAHASSEE -- Quarterback Chris Weinke's recent numbers are staggering, even by No. 6 Florida State's lofty standards.

Defensive players learn it's fun to be the bullies
GAINESVILLE -- In the end, it had very little to do with complicated schemes or strategies. Turning around Florida's foundering defense was a matter of emotion.

Outdoors
Captain's corner
Hurricane Gordon made a close pass and stirred up the gulf. The dirty water slowed the grouper bite for a couple weeks, but the water has cleared and the bite is back on.

Et cetera
Sports briefs
Bulldog wins NCAA award

Horse racing briefs
Putting houses on line pays off

NBA briefs
Thomas schedules Knight to speak to Pacers