Philadelphia Phillies

Iverson reported out for personal matter MEMPHIS, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Memphis Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson has left the team to handle a personal matter, The Commercial Appeal reported Saturday. The Memphis newspaper said Iverson was given permission to fly to Atlanta where he lives in the off-season. It wasn't known when the guard, who is in his first season with the NBA club, will return. Iverson, 34, missed the first three games of the season with a hamstring injury. He has come off the bench to play in three games, a situation that led the nine-time All-Star to express dissatisfaction with his status. ... Read Full Story

The final out landed in Mark Teixeira's glove, and Alex Rodriguez raised both arms in triumph before running across the infield to hug the first baseman as the rest of the New York Yankees piled on. He had piled up money in the bank and MVP awards on his mantle. Now he has the one and only prize he's ever wanted — a World Series championship ring. After six seasons of hits and home runs, heartaches and headaches, he finally earned his pinstripes. He arrived in spring training exposed and embarrassed, labeled a steroid user from his years with Texas. "I owe an apology," ... Read Full Story

Chase Utley ripped a no-doubt-about-it shot to right, put his head down and ran around the bases so quickly he nearly passed Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino. Even in the World Series, Utley doesn't pause to admire his homers. He's had plenty of opportunities, too, connecting five times to tie Reggie Jackson's record set in 1977 with the Yankees. Another big swing from Utley got the Philadelphia Phillies started, and they broke out of their hitting funk in an 8-6 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 5 on Monday night. Utley hit a three-run shot off A.J. Burnett in the first inning ... Read Full Story

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez, closer Brad Lidge and reliever Scott Eyre are all to have surgery this coming week, the team said Saturday. Ibanez, 37, will have a sports hernia repaired Monday by Dr. Bill Meyers. Ibanez hit .272 with a career-high 34 homers and 93 runs batted in for the Phillies in an injury-plagued season. He was 14-for-54 with two homers, 13 RBI and 17 strikeouts in 15 post-season games as Philadelphia reached the World Series for a second straight time. Lidge, 32, is to have loose material removed from his right elbow Wednesday by Dr. Michael ... Read Full Story

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has yet to name a potential World Series Game Seven starter, but was quick to defuse speculation he would seek an alternative to leading candidate Cole Hamels because of an attitude problem. The New York Yankees named CC Sabathia as their starter should Philadelphia extend the best-of-seven Fall Classic to the distance with a win on Wednesday. The Phillies were keeping options open though it would be Hamels's turn in the rotation. Last year's World Series MVP for victorious a Philadelphia, Hamels endured a storm of criticism from local media and fans after telling reporters following ... Read Full Story

A.J. Burnett started walking briskly off the mound before manager Joe Girardi even got there. The erratic right-hander already was finished — and he knew it. With a chance to pitch the New York Yankees to their first World Series championship in nine years, Burnett was a major bust in Game 5 on Monday night. He gave up a three-run homer before retiring a hitter, and was chased with nobody out in the third inning. After battering Burnett, the Philadelphia Phillies held on for an 8-6 victory that cut their deficit to 3-2 and sent the Series back to New York for Game 6 ... Read Full Story

Chase Utley, who takes pride in playing each game as if it were his last, hit two historic home runs to ensure defending World Series champion Philadelphia had more games to play. Utley smacked a three-run homer in the first inning and a solo round-tripper in the seventh to power the Phillies past the New York Yankees 8-6 Monday and lift them within 3-2 in Major League Baseball's best-of-seven final. "It was a do-or-die game but I try to prepare the same way no matter when I'm playing," Utley said. "You go out and play every game as hard as you can. You play ... Read Full Story