Extra Bases  —  It's official: Red Sox fire Bobby Valentine  —  The Red Sox have fired Bobby Valentine after the franchise's worst season in decades.  The Sox were 69-93 and finished in last place in the American League East.  —  Not since 1934 have the Red Sox fired a manager after only one season.

Miguel Cabrera wins Triple Crown  —  KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera became the first player in 45 years to win baseball's Triple Crown on Wednesday night, joining an elite list that includes Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig.  —  Cabrera

O's GM connected to former tormentor  —  Friday in Texas, the Baltimore Orioles will play their first postseason game in 15 years.  The 2012 season has been one of rebirth for the franchise, a fresh start after 14 consecutive years with a losing record.  —  But there's a link between …

Kemp slated for shoulder surgery  —  LOS ANGELES — Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp said he will have surgery on his injured left shoulder Friday.  —  Kemp said Dr. Neal ElAttrache isn't sure of the extent of damage caused when he slammed into the wall at Coors Field on Aug. 27.

Coaching shakeup: Stelmaszek, Liddle fired.  Vavra reassigned.  —  Twins coaching shakeup: Stelmaszek, Liddle fired.  Vavra reassigned.  —  The Twins have started the offseason by shaking up their coaching staff.  Bullpen coach Rick Stelmaszek and third base coach Steve Liddle have been let go …

Alderson spoke to David Wright's agents, intends to work quickly on a new deal  —  Today on WFAN, Sandy Alderson spoke with Mike Francesa and said he has talked with David Wright and his agents since the conclusion of the season yesterday, and said while there are no guarantees of a resolution …

Braves bench C Brian McCann for wild-card game  —  ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have benched catcher Brian McCann for Friday's wild-card playoff game against the St. Louis Cardinals.  —  Manager Fredi Gonzalez made the announcement Thursday before a workout at Turner Field.

A's Neshek, wife mourn death of newborn son  —  Pat Neshek posted a 1.37 ERA in 24 appearances for the A's this season.  —  The newborn son of A's reliever Pat Neshek died of unknown causes Wednesday just 23 hours after he was born.  —  Neshek revealed the horrific tragedy on Twitter, saying, “Please pray for my family.

Mariners fire Chris Chambliss  —  SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners will not retain hitting coach Chris Chambliss for 2013 after another season during which their offense was among the worst in baseball.  —  The Mariners made the announcement on Thursday.  The rest of Seattle's coaching staff will return next season.

Digital Domain pulls out of ballpark naming deal  —  Digital Domain Park, the spring home of the New York Mets and the regular-season home of the St. Lucie Mets (High Class A; Florida State League), will have a new name after a bankruptcy filing from the naming-rights holder.

Theo Epstein's major remodeling of Cubs raises red flags  —  A year ago, Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts stood in the Cubs' dugout on the last day of the season and said his big-market club did not need to consider rebuilding.  —  “The fact is, you get the right players on the team …

As Ozzie Guillen dangles, all questions again point to the Marlins' owner  —  MIAMI — The man who has let Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen dangle in the headlines for weeks, just as he did before him to his top baseball executive, Larry Beinfest, wasn't at Game 162 to stop the madness.

Teddy wins first Presidents Race  —  To the list of momentous firsts accomplished during this crazy joyride of a Nationals season — first winning record, first playoff berth, first division title, first injection of Natitude — add this: for the first time, Teddy Roosevelt won the fourth-inning Presidents Race.