Top News:
John Branch / New York Times:
Shot Brings Echo of '51: Giants Win the Pennant — SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants can hit home runs, after all. And it was the third of the night, one off the bat of Travis Ishikawa in the bottom of the ninth inning, that captured the National League pennant and sent the Giants …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles
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David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Playoffs Today — The Giants try to go to the World Series for the third even numbered year in a row as they host the St. Louis Cardinals. Adam Wainwright takes the hill for the visitors against Madison Bumgarner. If the Giants win the NLCS, which they lead three games to one …
Discussion:
McCovey Chronicles, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Royals Review, Let's Go Tribe, Talking Chop and Associated Press
Associated Press:
Posey, Giants clip Cards to take 3-1 NLCS lead
Discussion:
ABC News, MLB, Royals Review and McCovey Chronicles
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Kansas City Royals Sweep Baltimore Orioles to Advance to World Series
Associated Press:
Royals advance to first World Series since '85
Discussion:
Bucs Dugout, ABC News and MLB
David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Playoffs Today — The Orioles play for their post-season life …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe
Dick Kaegel / MLB.com:
Pitching, defense, timely hitting put KC on verge of World Series
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue, Royals Review, Red Sox Monster, Camden Chat, Federal Baseball and Bleacher Report
Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Why Nick Markakis would be a good fit for Mets — KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nick Markakis is not a perfect fit for the Mets. — They want a corner outfield bat who projects to more power, though good luck finding that in this market. They want someone who probably will cost less …
Discussion:
Metsblog, Royals Review, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Matt Silverman says Rays intend to keep Joe Maddon — ST. PETERSBURG — Until and if the Rays sign manager Joe Maddon to another multiseason extension, there will be speculation that he eventually will join departed top executive Andrew Friedman with the Dodgers.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Friedman finally gets freedom, Dodgers finally get a bargain — Frankly, it's about time the Dodgers got with the program. If you're going to spend freely to get the best players, why not do the same to get the best general manager? — Mind you, I don't know what Andrew Friedman …
Discussion:
MLB.com, The Crawfish Boxes, MLB Trade Rumors, Game theory and ESPN
Marc Topkin / Tampa Bay Times:
Friedman leaving Rays for Dodgers
Discussion:
NESN.com, CBSSports.com, Los Angeles Times, True Blue LA and ESPN
Evan Grant / Texas Rangers Blog:
Sources: Gary Pettis will leave Texas Rangers coaching staff — Texas Rangers third base coach Gary Pettis watches during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Wednesday, July 2, 2014, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) — Outfield instructor and third base coach Gary Pettis …
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, Ultimate Astros and Lone Star Ball
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Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rangers Hire Jeff Banister As Manager — 6:03pm: The Rangers have announced the hiring. — 10:34am: The Rangers will hire Pirates bench coach Jeff Banister as their next manager, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). — The Rangers interviewed a wide variety of candidates …
Discussion:
Baseball America, Lone Star Ball, MLB Daily Dish, Where Have You Gone … and Bucs Dugout
Jon Heyman / CBSSports.com:
Star third baseman Aramis Ramirez is said to want to remain a Milwaukee Brewer, but several interesting decisions by both the team and player are on the agenda before anything is set. — Ramirez is said by friends to be very comfortable in Milwaukee and also would like to continue in the NL Central …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball
T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com:
Veteran outfielder was in line to earn $14 million from Texas next season — 8/16/14: Josh Hamilton tries to score from second on Howie Kendrick's single to right field, but Alex Rios makes a great throw for the out — ARLINGTON — The Rangers have informed outfielder Alex Rios …
Discussion:
Texas Rangers Blog
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
Former Major League player, broadcaster hired to assist Ward — PHOENIX — Former Major Leaguer and broadcaster Mark Grace joined the D-backs on Thursday to be assistant hitting coach, while Glenn Sherlock was moved from third-base to bench coach and Andy Green was named third-base coach.
Discussion:
Bleed Cubbie Blue
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Steve Gilbert / MLB.com:
New manager's statement drew attention of La Russa, Stewart
Discussion:
AZ Snake Pit
Bernie Pleskoff / MLB.com:
Yankees' No. 11 prospect was club's 2013 Minor League Player of the Year — 2014 MLB.com Top Prospects: Greg Bird has really hit, and should continue to do so with his truly advanced approach at the plate — Yankees first-base prospect Greg Bird has raised eyebrows with his right-handed power since …
Discussion:
The LoHud Yankees Blog
Teddy Cahill / MLB.com:
Glendale-Salt River to use 20-second timer in game streamed live on MLB.com — 10/14/14: Mark Appel is issued his second pitch violation of the game at the beginning of the 3rd, resulting in an automatic 1-0 count — The 20-second pitch clock Major League Baseball is experimenting with during …
Discussion:
Brew Crew Ball and AZ Snake Pit
Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors:
Rays Sign Michael Kohn To Major League Deal — The Rays have inked right-hander Michael Kohn to a one-year, major league contract, the club announced today. With the move, Tampa's 40-man roster is now full for the time being. — Kohn, 28, elected free agency after being designated …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
