Top News:
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Diamondbacks Fire Kirk Gibson, Alan Trammell — 3:55pm: In a curious decision, the D'Backs have announced that Trammell will manage the final three games of the season. — 3:22pm: The Diamondbacks announced that they have fired manager Kirk Gibson and bench coach Alan Trammell.
Discussion:
Bless You Boys
RELATED:
MLB:
D-backs continue staff shake-up, fire Gibson — PHOENIX — The Diamondbacks have fired manager Kirk Gibson three years after he won the NL's manager of the year award for leading Arizona to the playoffs. — The Diamondbacks are assured of at least a tie for the worst record in the majors this season …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and MLB Daily Dish
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Diamondbacks hire Dave Stewart as GM, De Jon Watson as VP of baseball operations — The Diamondbacks officially announced the additions of Dave Stewart and De Jon Watson to their front office on Thursday afternoon, Stewart coming aboard as senior vice president and general manager …
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit and Padres Public
Mark Bowman / MLB.com:
Santana allows five runs over five innings as New York finishes sweep — 9/21/14: Freddie Freeman fields a grounder to first and throws to Andrelton Simmons to start a 3-6-3 double play — ATLANTA — Now that the Braves have bid adieu to any thought of playing in October …
Discussion:
Talking Chop and McCovey Chronicles
RELATED:
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Brewers to exercise Yovani Gallardo's $13M option for 2015 — The Brewers plan to exercise top starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo's $13 million option for 2015, sources say. — The call to bring the right-hander Gallardo back rather than buy him out for $600,000 isn't a surprise …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, MLB Daily Dish and HardballTalk
John Updike / New Yorker:
Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu — Fenway Park, in Boston, is a lyric little bandbox of a ballpark. Everything is painted green and seems in curiously sharp focus, like the inside of an old-fashioned peeping-type Easter egg. It was built in 1912 and rebuilt in 1934, and offers, as do most Boston artifacts …
Discussion:
New York Times, Pinstripe Alley, Over the Monster and McCovey Chronicles
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Sluggers Bryant and Gallo make the cut, as do pairs of Dodgers, Nationals and Red Sox — MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis takes a closer look at the players chosen for the 2014 All-Prospect Team — Last week, MLBPipeline.com handed out year-end awards for top hitting and pitching prospects.
Discussion:
Lone Star Ball
Tom Haudricourt / JSOnline:
Jason Rogers gets try at first base — Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jason Rogers — By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel — Cincinnati —Jason Rogers got a start Thursday at first base for the Brewers because, why not? — As the 2014 season draws to a close …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and HardballTalk
RELATED:
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Now Commenting On: — Brewers looking at all options for first base
Now Commenting On: — Brewers looking at all options for first base
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball, MLB Trade Rumors and Al's Ramblings
Danny Knobler / ESPN:
2-time All-Star Abreu to retire, hopes to coach — NEW YORK — Bobby Abreu was a 22-year-old rookie, struggling through his first month in the big leagues with the Houston Astros. — Terry Collins was his manager. — “Are you ever going to get a hit?” Collins asked Abreu on that long-ago day at the Astrodome.
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Associated Press:
Nats Clinch NL Home-Field Edge, Split With Marlins — WASHINGTON — For the second time in three seasons, the Washington Nationals will head to the postseason with the top seeding in the National League. — They hope they can take advantage of that status this year.
Discussion:
Associated Press and Fish Stripes
Howard Megdal / USA Today:
Rays fighting uphill battle to keep franchise relevant — St. Petersburg, Fla. — When evaluating precisely why the Tampa Bay Rays, despite excellent management, look as if they've peaked as a franchise, you have to start with the stadium. — If I ever needed to show my daughter …
Discussion:
Tampa Bay Times, MLB.com, Let's Go Tribe and MLB Trade Rumors
Patrick Saunders / Denver Post:
ROCKIES' JUSTIN MORNEAU BATTLING TO WIN HIS FIRST BATTING TITLE — The Denver Post — Down the stretch they come in a tight batting race that could very well be decided on the final day of the season. — Entering baseball's final weekend, Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau trails …
Discussion:
True Blue LA and Purple Row
Rocco DeMaro / Baseball Prospectus:
Very Important Baseball Question: Is A Hot Dog A Sandwich? — Is a Hot Dog a sandwich? — “Of course not. It's a hot dog (you imbecile)... ” would be your response, if you're anything like the average major-league baseball player. — Point of Order—while no major leaguer actually called …
Discussion:
Over the Monster and Where Have You Gone …