Baseball's most feared slugger has a new home. Star first baseman Albert Pujols has signed a monster 10-year, $250 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The deal has taken the sports world by surprise. Perhaps no one was caught quite so off guard as Pujols' old team, the world champion St. Louis Cardinals, where the three-time MVP spent more than a decade.

All-Star shortstop Jose Reyes has reportedly signed a six-year deal with the Miami Marlins, leaving the New York Mets after nine years. This contract is the largest that the Marlins have ever given out, and comes during an Securities and Exchange Commission investigation of the financing behind their new ball park.

The celebration may be ending a little early in St. Louis. Just days after winning a thrilling seven game World Series, St. Louis Cardinals Manager Tony La Russa announced his retirement. The 67-year-old La Russa managed for 33 years in the big leagues, winning three World Series titles over the years and really revolutionizing the way the game is played. Joining The Takeaway to talk about La Russa’s legacy is George Vecsey, sports columnist for The New York Times and author of "Stan Musial: An American Life."

The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are tied 2-2 in this year’s World Series, with Game 5 set to be played tonight in Texas. While the Cardinals are trying to cap off one of the most incredible late-season runs in baseball history, the Rangers are trying to make up for a disappointing four games to one loss in last year’s World Series against the San Francisco Giants.

The Texas Rangers will face off against the Cardinals in game one of the World Series tonight in St. Louis. George Vecsey, sports columnist for The New York Times, and author of "Stan Musial: An American Life," previews the game and talks about what the World Series means to St. Louis sports fans.

From World Series favorites to Major League laughing stock, it's been quite a season for the Boston Red Sox. They started the September with a commanding lead in the Wild Card race and lost it to rival Tampa Bay Rays on the very last day of the season. The team's collapse saw popular manager Terry Francona leave town and general manager Theo Epstein depart to take over the Chicago Cubs.

The Detroit Tigers are heading to the ALCS after edging out the New York Yankees 3-2 on Thursday night in a decisive winner take all game 5. Ibrahim Abdul-Matin, The Takeaway's sports contributor, gives his analysis of the game.

It was one of the most memorable nights in recent baseball history on Wednesday as the New York Yankees faced off against the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox played the Baltimore Orioles. "Within eight minutes the world changed," said Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez. George Vecsey, sports reporter for The New York Times and author of "Stan Musial: An American Life," and Frank Shorr, director of the Sports Institute at Boston University and former executive producer at Channel 7, talk about those eight minutes.

On Monday, the Boston Red Sox lost the Baltimore Orioles, dropping them into a tie with the Tampa Bay Rays for the America League’s final playoff spot. Frank Schorr, director of the Sports Institute at Boston University and the former executive producer at Channel 7, and Matt Sullivan, superfan and Red Sox blogger, give their analysis of the game.

A wild NFL Week 3 continues with Monday Night Football tonight as we look back at an early season which finds both the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills at an unlikely 3-0. In addition, comeback kid Michael Vick left yesterday's game with the Giants from a broken hand. Will he play again? Wall Street Journal sports writer Nando DiFino joins us to talk about the beginning of the season.

In this week's Movie Date podcast, Kristen, Rafer, join a baseball-loving guest in discussing stats movie "Moneyball," starring Brad Pitt. Can a movie about baseball statistics be remotely interesting? Does Kristen's knowledge of the game run deeper than "Bad News Bears"? Does the movie, in the final judgment, satisfy people who aren't number crunchers? To get answers to these questions, you must listen!  

What if there was a systematic method to develop the best baseball team? Eight years ago, Michael Lewis's book "Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game" exposed how Billy Beane, general manager of the Oakland A’s, found a way to turn a team with poor attendance and no money into a rag-tag contender with one of the lowest payrolls in baseball. He did this by using readily available statistics. Since the book was published, the book's influence has not only extended to other baseball teams, but to other sectors. This weekend, a film adaptation is opening in theaters, with Brad Pitt as Billy Beane.

Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera had arguably the most important moment of his career yesterday, in a game aginst the Minnesota Twins, when he surpassed Trevor Hoffman as the major league career leader in saves with 602. Rivera has been the Yankees' closer since 1997, so this milestone has been 15 years in the making.

On Tuesday night, New York Yankees relief pitcher Mariano Rivera notched his 600th career save and came within one save of tying the all-time record, held by Trevor Hoffman. Is Rivera the best "closer" in baseball history? Lifelong Rivera observer and Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin gives his opinion.

The federal judge presiding over the Roger Clemens perjury case has declared a mistrial. Judge Reggie Walton made his decision after prosecutors exposed the jurors to evidence he ruled inadmissible. The government lawyers' blunder was a mistake Judge Walton said even "first-year law students" would have known to avoid.

Major League Baseball's All-Star Game will take place in Phoenix, Arizona this year. The state has been the focus of national controversy over a recent law concerning unauthorized migrants, and 30 percent of league players are Latino — which means politics may overshadow the game. Groups on both sides of the debate are planning to make statements to spectators. George Vecsey, sports columnist for The New York Times, talks about the dynamic of the game.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this morning, according to an official statement from the team. The news follows a bitter divorce battle between Dodgers owners Frank and Jamie McCourt, who reached a settlement earlier this month, and reports last week that Major League Baseball blocked the team from signing a television deal in order to raise funds for their payroll.

Thursday was Opening Day for the 2011 MLB season. Outside in the cold weather, it was hard to imagine that spring was really in the air, but fans were rejoicing none-the-less. Baseball is a "very long soap opera" says Takeaway sports contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin. The season is long (162 games) and slow, but attracts a dedicated following.

Bob Feller was pitching at 102 miles per hour in the 1930s. But the baseball player was also known to fans for stopping mid-career and joining to fight and serve his country in World War II. Feller died last night at the age of 92, and for thoughts on him and the other sports stories of the day is Takeaway Sports Contributor Ibrahim Abdul-Matin.  

It was quite the upset: in a stunning turn of events last night, pitcher Cliff Lee signed a contract for fewer years and less money than was offered him by the New York Yankees. Why? Maybe he wanted to be part of the best pitching rotation in baseball — the Phillies boast Roy Halladay, Cole Hamles, and Roy Oswalt. For more on the story we're joined by Dan Friedell, freelance sports writer.