Top News:
David Schoenfield / ESPN:
Firing Jayce Tingler doesn't solve the real problem with the San Diego Padres — To nobody's surprise, the San Diego Padres fired manager Jayce Tingler after a bitterly disappointing 79-83 season that included a 26-43 mark in the second half. Tingler may or may not have been a good manager …
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Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Defending World Series champion Dodgers survive NL wild-card vs. Cardinals with walk-off win — LOS ANGELES - Come on, it's Hollywood. — It's the drama everyone wants to see. — It's the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, one of the fiercest rivals in all of sports.
Bill Plunkett / Orange County Register:
Dodgers edge Cardinals on Chris Taylor's walk-off home run, face Giants in NLDS — LOS ANGELES — It's a playoff matchup 130 years in the making. — Baseball's two best teams - the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants - will add a chapter to their ancient rivalry after Chris Taylor's two-run …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, MLB.com, Denver Post, Press Telegram and The Athletic
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Los Angeles Dodgers hoping Max Muncy can return in postseason; no Tommy John surgery for Clayton Kershaw — LOS ANGELES — Max Muncy roamed foul territory at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday afternoon, chatting with teammates while wearing a blue T-shirt, black slacks and a bulky brace on his left elbow …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
ESPN:
2021 MLB playoffs: Our predictions from the wild-card games through the World Series
2021 MLB playoffs: Our predictions from the wild-card games through the World Series
Discussion:
Talking Chop, NBCSports.com, MLB.com and The Athletic
Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Record-breaking umpire Joe West to retire after postseason
Record-breaking umpire Joe West to retire after postseason
Discussion:
Washington Post, Bleed Cubbie Blue, AZ Snake Pit, Amazin' Avenue, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Nation and Associated Press
Joon Lee / ESPN:
Yankees manager Aaron Boone ‘at peace’ with future up in air as New York's season ends — BOSTON — As the New York Yankees' season came to an end at the hands of the Boston Red Sox in Tuesday night's American League Wild Card Game, the spotlight shifted to manager Aaron Boone's contract situation and his future with the club.
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ESPN:
Boston Red Sox oust New York Yankees, ready for ‘huge challenge’ against Tampa Bay Rays in ALDS — As the ball sailed over the center-field fence, landing 427 feet from the plate in a horde of happy Red Sox fans, Xander Bogaerts turned to the Boston dugout to flex his muscles before resuming his home run trot.
ESPN:
Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez getting treatment on ankle; Gio Urshela good to go for New York Yankees
Kristie Ackert / New York Daily News:
Another huge Yankees moment is here for Gerrit Cole
Another huge Yankees moment is here for Gerrit Cole
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Pinstripe Alley
All New Yorkers / New York Post:
Boston sucks — and these are all the reasons why
Boston sucks — and these are all the reasons why
Discussion:
Boston.com, CBS Boston, NBCSports.com, The Boston Globe and Pinstripe Alley
Kevin Acee / San Diego Union-Tribune:
Breaking down Padres roster — how players fared in 2021 and what's ahead — Manager, coaches could benefit from some better players in addition to improvement from current players — Whoever the Padres manager is in 2021, there is one small detail to consider. — He won't throw a pitch or make one plate appearance.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors and MLB Baseball News …
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Associated Press:
San Diego Padres fire Jayce Tingler in move made with eye on ‘big stage’ — SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Padres still believe they have a World Series-caliber team despite a brutal late-season collapse that left them with yet another losing record. — If the Padres do make it to the Fall Classic …
Discussion:
San Diego Union-Tribune
Hannah Keyser / Yahoo Sports:
MLB plans COVID-19 vaccine mandate for minor-league players in 2022 — Major League Baseball is finalizing a policy that would require all minor-league players to be vaccinated before the 2022 season, Yahoo Sports has learned. It'll be the latest in a series of vaccine mandates that MLB …
Discussion:
Associated Press, MLB Trade Rumors and Bleacher Nation
Andrew Marchand / New York Post:
Matt Vasgersian leaving ESPN's ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ booth — Play-by-player Matt Vasgersian informed ESPN executives that he is leaving his position on “Sunday Night Baseball,” The Post has learned. — After four years teamed with Alex Rodriguez, Vasgersian wants to focus on new …
Discussion:
USA Today and Sports Illustrated
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Sources: Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela agrees to five-year, $50.5 million extension — Right-hander Antonio Senzatela and the Colorado Rockies are in agreement on a five-year, $50.5 million contract extension, sources told ESPN, tying the right-handed control artist to the organization through at least 2026.
Discussion:
FanGraphs Baseball, Over the Monster, Call to the Pen, Lookout Landing, MLB Trade Rumors, Purple Row, MLB Daily Dish and Denver Post
Devin Gordon / ESPN:
A fan's guide to abiding the LOL Mets — IN THE HEARTS and minds of Mets fans, every baseball season ends twice. There's the moment when it's officially over — mathematical elimination — and the moment when, in retrospect, we should've known it was. On paper, the 2021 Mets weren't eliminated …
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Tony La Russa vs. Dusty Baker: ALDS is new chapter for heated rivalry between MLB's oldest managers — It is the dugout version of Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird. — It is cool and hip vs. stoic and curmudgeonly. — It's one hopeful Hall of Famer vs. a Hall of Famer coming out of retirement.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and White Sox News
Carlos Collazo / Baseball America:
Bobby Witt Jr.: 2021 Minor League Player Of The Year — When Royals director of hitting performance Alec Zumwalt first saw Bobby Witt Jr. in person, what stood out to him immediately was his personality. — Whether Witt was in the lineup or slotted in at DH or taking a day off, he was always smiling.
Discussion:
Inside the Crown, Sports Illustrated, Royals Review and Kansas City Star