Sunday Short Hops - 10/21

 So if you're the Cleveland Indians and about to play a Game 7 in the ALCS, how do you feel about the San Francisco Chronicle running a story (written by Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada of Game of Shadows fame) about Paul Byrd purchasing $25,000 worth of Human Growth Hormone?  

UPDATE:  Byrd says it's no big secret (he even wrote about using HGH in an upcoming book) and was prescribed HGH by doctors as a treatment for adult growth-hormone deficiency.  

Here's more at Let's Go Tribe.

 Meanwhile, Royals Review wonders if Byrd's use of HGH (while he was a teammate of Jason Grimsley) indicates a team-wide use of performance enhancers in the early 2000s?

 And while we're talking about the Royals, Joe Posnanski likes "their new managerial hire, Trey Hillman (especially considering other teams - the Yankees? - were interested in him).  Understandably, Royals Review is withholding judgment.

 Something to consider (fear?) for next season: The Twins say Francisco Liriano's rehabilitation is going well, and expect him to be ready for Spring Training.

 40 is the new 30 (or whatever - 27?) among free agent pitchers this winter.  Nick Carfardo lists the top six 40-and-overs who will likely be looking for new contracts during the off-season (unless they retire).  Kenny Rogers is at the bottom of the list.  

 "There is only one postseason, there is only one October and there is only one star.  His name is Dane Cook."

Those two sentences are brought to you by the NY Times' Murray Chass.  It's difficult to type when I keep smacking myself in the forehead.

 So if everyone (by which I mostly mean the media) was complaining about the cold and rain in St. Louis during last year's World Series, what are they going to say if it's snowing in Colorado this year?