Top News:
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:
Viva El Birdos, Baseball Prospectus, Bleed Cubbie Blue, Let's Go Tribe, McCovey Chronicles, Talking Chop and Royals Review
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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
Chris Haft / MLB.com:
Ishikawa's three-run HR in ninth clinches third league crown since '10 — 10/16/14: Travis Ishikawa crushes a three-run walk-off homer to send the Giants to the World Series — SAN FRANCISCO — Renowned for creating one of baseball's richest October memories with a home run …
Discussion:
USA Today, HardballTalk and Halos Heaven
Jonathan Mayo / MLB.com:
Pitch clock set at 20 seconds for delivery used for first time at Salt River Fields — Jonathan Mayo talks about the new speed of the game, rules the AFL is trying out and a few players to keep an eye on in the league — SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Fall League has proven …
Discussion:
Purple Row
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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:
AZ Snake Pit and Brew Crew Ball
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
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Joel Sherman / New York Post:
Why Nick Markakis would be a good fit for Mets
Why Nick Markakis would be a good fit for Mets
Discussion:
Metsblog, Royals Review, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ken Rosenthal / Fox Sports:
Friedman finally gets freedom, Dodgers finally get a bargain
Friedman finally gets freedom, Dodgers finally get a bargain
Discussion:
The Crawfish Boxes, MLB Trade Rumors, ESPN and Game theory
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:
MLB Daily Dish, Lone Star Ball, Baseball America, Where Have You Gone … and Bucs Dugout
Anthony Fenech / Detroit Free Press:
Dombrowski told that Iglesias ‘will be fine’ for 2015 — The Tigers' biggest acquisition this off-season probably won't be a free agent, a high-priced starter or a high-priced slugger, nor come from the minor leagues or via trade. — Their biggest acquisition this off-season already is on the team — shortstop Jose Iglesias.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
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
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
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
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
Associated Press:
Royals advance to first World Series since '85 — @KC 2, BAL 1 — Scoring Summary — E Hosmer grounded into fielder's choice to first, A Escobar and N Aoki scored, E Hosmer safe at second on error by catcher C Joseph. — 3rd — R Flaherty homered to right (432 feet). — Game Information
Discussion:
Royals Review, ESPN, Bucs Dugout, MLB and Where Have You Gone …
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David Pinto / baseballmusings.com:
Playoffs Today — The Orioles play for their post-season life …
Playoffs Today — The Orioles play for their post-season life …
Discussion:
Let's Go Tribe