NOBODY GETS TO PLAY SHORTSTOP FOREVER  —  C'mon, Cal Ripken Jr. said after the 1996 ALCS.  It had been Derek Jeter running, maybe the fastest player in the league, home-to-first from the right side.  —  That, Ripken explained, is why he couldn't throw out Jeter on a two-hopper up the middle in the Yankees' Game 5 clincher.

Now Commenting On:  —  Brewers looking at all options for first base  —  9/19/14: Ryan Braun races to deep right field and makes a catch to retire Jordy Mercer  —  CINCINNATI — After posting the National League's lowest OPS at first base for a second straight season …

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 …

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.

Royals roll, pull within 1 win of playoff berth  —  U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, Illinois  —  Recap  —  Box Score  —  Play-By-Play  —  Photos  —  Conversation  —  Royals close in on playoffs as Eric Hosmer powers win over White Sox  —  CHICAGO — Eric Hosmer homered and drove in two runs …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Max Scherzer wins 18th as Tigers drop Twins, near AL Central title  —  DETROIT — Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez homered, Max Scherzer made it through six tough innings and the Detroit Tigers moved closer to another AL Central title with a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Morrison Homers Twice, Mariners Beat Jays 7-5  —  TORONTO — Logan Morrison hit two home runs, Mike Zunino also connected and the Seattle Mariners kept their faint playoff hopes alive, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 7-5 Thursday.  —  Morrison hit a three-run blast off Todd Redmond in the fourth …