BOSTON — Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein resigned, just one year after he helped build the franchise's first World Series championship team since 1918.

Epstein, 31, was reportedly offered about $4.5 million for a three-year extension — quadruple his previous salary. But it was still short of the $2.5 million a year the Red Sox offered Oakland's Billy Beane in 2002 before making Epstein the youngest GM in baseball history.

Although Epstein and team president Larry Lucchino haggled over the usual issues of salary and authority, the Boston Herald said Epstein went through "agonizing soul-searching" about his relationship with his mentor. The Herald said published reports that contained inside information about their relationship, "slanted too much in Lucchino's favor," helped convince Epstein there had been a breach of trust.

HOUSTON — The Houston Astros rewarded manager Phil Garner for leading the club to its first World Series by extending his contract by one season through 2007.Garner has guided the Astros to a 137-99 record over 11/2 seasons. Houston won its first playoff series last year and made the World Series this season before getting swept by the Chicago White Sox.The Astros needed big comebacks to win wild-card berths both seasons, overcoming a 15-30 start this year to become the first team since the 1914 Boston Braves to reach the World Series after falling 15 games under .500.

NEW YORK — Baltimore's Sammy Sosa filed for free agency along with World Series star Geoff Blum and Chicago White Sox teammate Carl Everett.Sosa was a bust in his first and likely only season with the Orioles, who acquired him from the Chicago Cubs in February with one year left on his $72 million, four-year contract. The 36-year-old outfielder, fifth on the career list with 588 homers, was limited by injuries to 380 at-bats and hit .221 with 14 homers and 45 RBIs.

CINCINNATI — The fan who ran out of the stands and snatched a football from Brett Favre's hand pleaded innocent to a variety of charges at his arraignment.Gregory Gall, 31, of Cincinnati, is accused of resisting arrest, trespass and disorderly conduct while intoxicated. He was released on his own recognizance following his appearance in Municipal Court.Gall's run on the field interrupted the final minute of Cincinnati's 21-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers.

NEW YORK — Southern California and Texas flip flopped again, putting the Trojans back on top of the Bowl Championship Series standings.USC returned to first place after a one-week stay in second. It's the first time in the eight-year history of the BCS that the top two teams in the standings switched positions in consecutive weeks.The margin between USC and Texas is still small — only .0038 — though up from last week when the difference between first and second in the standings was the slimmest it's ever been.

TORONTO — Toronto Maple Leafs star Mats Sundin has been cleared to practice, the team said.The center's left orbital bone was fractured when he was struck by a puck Oct. 5 in the season opener against Ottawa.