All those meetings on the mound called by catcher Jorge Posada and the New York Yankees are giving Major League Baseball pause, too.

Posada and pals visited pitcher CC Sabathia eight times -- in a single inning -- on Sunday night, grinding Game 4 of the World Series to a standstill. Agitated Phillies fans booed each trip.

MLB vice president of umpiring Mike Port said frequent mound meetings by all teams likely would be discussed by baseball officials this offseason.

"It would fall under the province of pace of game," Port said before the Yankees beat Philadelphia 7-4 to take a 3-1 Series lead.

One trip to the mound is allowed per inning -- by a manager or coach -- before a pitcher must be pulled. There is no limit, however, on players-only meetings.

 

Newspaper errs

The Philadelphia Inquirer apologized to readers for mistakenly running an ad congratulating the Phillies on winning back-to-back World Series titles. The Yankees held a 3-1 lead in the championship as of Monday, the day the ad was printed.

The three-quarter-page Macy's ad is on the back of the front section and features a T-shirt with the Phillies logo, the commissioner's trophy and the phrase "Back To Back World Series Champions."

Around the horn

Mets » Right fielder Jeff Francoeur underwent thumb surgery Monday in Atlanta and is expected

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to be ready for spring training. Francoeur tore a ligament in his left thumb while making a diving catch against Philadelphia on July 23.

Giants » San Francisco promoted Triple-A hitting coach Hensley Meulens to the major league club. Meulens was hired as the club's big league hitting coach to replace Carney Lansford , who was told last month by manager Bruce Bochy that his contract wouldn't be renewed.