Manny Ramirez was in shower when Game 4 went down the drain for Dodgers. It was the biggest moment of the season. All over Philadelphia, in the stands at Citizens Bank Park, in both dugouts, people tensed as Jonathan Broxton, an out away from tying the series with the Phillies, fired a fastball to Jimmy Rollins. In the Dodgers’ clubhouse, the tension was . . . absent. “Actually, I was here, taking a shower,” Manny Ramirez said. He did not witness Rollins’ two-run double that won Game 4 of the National League Championship Series and gave the Phillies a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven competition. He was devoted to hygiene and dependent on technology: “I came out and saw the highlight on TV.” Ramirez was replaced in leftfield for the bottom of the ninth inning by Juan Pierre for defensive purposes, a common move for the Dodgers. Unable to re-enter the game, Ramirez excused himself from the proceedings. That might have happened in Beantown, but it isn’t happening in Dodgertown. “It’s really nothing different than he’s done before,” Torre said. “I don’t think it’s disrespect of anything. He wasn’t going anywhere until the game was over, and we can’t put him back in the game.” – Philadelphia Daily News

Man In Blue Goes 0-for-2: McClelland Errs Twice At Third. Trouble always seems to find Tim McClelland. The umpire who brought us the pine tar game and George Brett ‘s meltdown for the ages in 1983, Sammy Sosa ‘s corked bat 20 years later, among other unusual circumstances, was involved in two more odd plays in Game 4 of the ALCS. -The Hartford Courant

Kenji Johjima gives Mariners an early Christmas present. Great Day in the Morning ! The Yankees continue to impress with their heroics. They are clearly the Best Team in Baseball ! The Magic number is down to only 5… They have gone 25-3 in the last 28 games played versus the 3 other AL playoff teams ! The pitching, top to bottom has been stellar! C.C. is a horse! Mo is, well, Mo ! The Greatest of All …- The Seattle Times