National League Central News

The Yankees outspent the Astros by nearly $100 million in 2009. The Yankees won the World Series, the Astros finished fifth in the NL Central.

Expectations for the 2009 season were sky-high for the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite the departure of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, many felt the Brewers would still compete for a playoff spot after successfully making the playoffs in 2008.

In some ways, it's the same old story. The Yankees win, the Yankees win, say it 27 times for emphasis.

The Milwaukee Brewers announced their 2010 spring training exhibition schedule Monday, beginning with a game March 4 against San Francisco in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Houston Astros elected not to pick up the 2010 contract option of veteran relief pitcher Doug Brocail, the club announced on Friday.

Geoff Blum remained with the Houston Astros, as the infielder signed a one-year contract worth $1.5 million Friday.

Derek Jeter is stockpiling awards named after Hall of Famers. The New York Yankees shortstop and Albert Pujols of the St.

Sports Columnist Bernie Miklasz [More columns] Bernie Miklasz bjmiklasz@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8192 ST.

It's understandable for consumers to be happy about and test out their new purchases: Porsche drivers would want to take a spin in a new ride, new homeowners have dinner parties, and kids with new toys play with them until their parents snap.

Major League Baseball doesn't need a mythical national champion. It can generate enough arguments on its own.

The Ricketts family has assumed control of baseball's Chicago Cubs. The National League franchise was sold to the family earlier this week by the Tribune Company for $845 million and a 25 percent share of Comcast SportsNet Chicago.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was honored as the Player of the Year in voting among his major league peers.

Brad Mills is finally getting his chance to run a big-league team. The 52-year-old Mills was hired by Houston on Tuesday after six seasons as Terry Francona's bench coach in Boston.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Ken Macha will be back for a second season in 2010. General manager Doug Melvin announced before Sunday's regular-season finale that Macha was being retained.

Looking at the press conference photo of Brad Mills being named the new manager of the Houston Astros and watching Ed Wade and Drayton McLane look like they're playing tug-of-war with Wade's jersey, I see something very fitting.

Less than two weeks since declaring a potential return to the Astros as too good to be true, Manny Acta ended talks with the club after intense flirtations Saturday.

The St. Louis Cardinals are set to announce that Tony La Russa will return as manager next season, ESPN reported Sunday.

Tony La Russa flew from his West Coast home to St. Louis on Sunday to continue discussions with the Cardinals about his future as manager.

The Astros on Friday unveiled their 28-game 2010 Spring Training schedule, which begins March 5 against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Fla.

With the Astros in search of a manager, one thing they may keep in mind is that so-called 'retreads' often pan out best Oct.