twins/mlb

DENVER - Willy Taveras came back from an injury, played center field and led off during the sweep of Arizona in the NLCS. He was 4-for-18 in those four games, then 0-for-7 in the first two games of the World Series.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle saw his team score one run in each of those games, so he benched Taveras on Saturday and put Cory Sullivan in center field. "I felt this was the best way for us to attack them to win a ballgame," he said.

No sneak peek

Bud Selig said he doesn't think he will get an advance look at George Mitchell's report on steroids use in baseball.

"I doubt I will," he responded. "Nobody will see it." Then he modified his answer slightly, saying he might get it a few hours before others so he could "digest it."

Mitchell, a Boston Red Sox director and former Senate Majority Leader, was hired by the baseball commissioner in March 2006 and is expected to issue his report before the end of the year.

• Selig said the Yankees haven't asked his permission to announce their decision about a new manager, and he prefers that they wait until after the World Series.

"I only feel as the commissioner is now once the World Series starts there are no announcements," Selig said.

New York will pick a manager to replace Joe Torre on Monday and release the news the following day on what is scheduled to be a travel day between Games 5 and 6 of the World Series, the New York Times reported, citing George Steinbrenner's son Hank.

The Yankees interviewed bench coach Don Mattingly, former coach Joe Girardi and first base coach Tony Pena earlier this week.

• The Yankees are preparing to offer Alex Rodriguez a contract extension that probably will run for four or five years and have an average yearly salary of $25 million to $30 million.

Biggio honored

Craig Biggio, the retiring second baseman from the Houston Astros, was named as the winner of Roberto Clemente Award. Baseball's humanitarian award was first given in 1971. Biggio has raised $2.5 million for Sunshine Kids, an organization that supports children with cancer.

How far the mighty ...

The Venzuelan sporting press started voting for a Luis Aparicio Award in 2004 to honor the country's top big-leaguer. Twins pitcher Johan Santana was the first winner in 2004 and again in 2006. Detroit outfielder Magglio Ordonez received all 100 first-place votes to win this year's award. Santana topped out at three third-place votes and finished ninth.