For the record, these guys are slugging it out.(The World Series)

The Red Sox's unprecedented comeback against the Yankees is not the only reason this has been a historic October. Thanks to Carlos Beltran, David Ortiz and Albert Pujols, this also has been a month of never-before-seen slugging exploits. Through the second game of the World Series, the trio already had moved into the top 20 (for a single postseason) in eight major offensive categories, with Beltran or Ortiz taking over the No. 1 spot in five of them. While Pujols has to settle for third best in this Octoberslugfest, the numbers (with all-time ranking in parentheses) make it difficult to determine who has had the best coming-out party--Beltran or Ortiz. One big difference, of course: Ortiz has not gone home yet.

 
Category                   Beltran          Ortiz          Pujols 
 
Home runs                   8 (T1st)        5 (T11th)       6 (T4th) 
RBIs                       14 (T13th)      19 (T1st)       14 (T13th) 
Runs                       21 (1st)        12 (T20th)      15 (T5th) 
Average                  .435 (7th)      .417 (T15th)    .440 (6th) 
On-base percentage       .536 (4th)      .533 (5th)      .525 (7th) 
Slugging percentage     1.022 (1st)      .813 (10th)     .880 (4th) 
On-base plus slugging   1.557 (2nd)     1.346 (8th)     1.405 (5th) 
Game-winning RBIs             1             5 (T1st)        3 (T6th) 
 
Minimum 35 plate appearances 

DISH SERIES

By KEN ROSENTHAL

The Red Sox could pursue a first baseman such as free agent Richie Sexson if they decline to invest heavily in free-agent starting pitchers and if they sign a short-term shortstop, intending for top prospect Hanley Ramirez to take over short in 2006. The Sox already have two first basemen under contract for '05--Doug Mientkiewicz at $3.75 million and Kevin Millar at $3.5 million. Either or both could be traded.... The Astros are in a tricky spot ...