Top News:
Bob Nightengale / USA Today:
Nightengale's Notebook: Aaron Judge is the AL MVP. Who else deserves 2022 MLB awards? — ST. LOUIS — It was a season where teams were either really, really good, or were really, really bad. — There were four 100-victory teams this season, tying a major-league record.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News … and Sox On 35th
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Derrick Goold / St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Poof! Cardinals' ‘magic’ season vanishes in sweep. Their next trick is up to new core — As he walked to the plate with a chance to push the game one hit deeper into the night, the season one game further into the weekend, and his career one day longer into October, Yadier Molina paused and whispered a prayer.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Gabe Lacques / USA Today:
4 things we learned from MLB playoff openers: It's on Jacob deGrom to save the Mets' season — Blink, and it could be over. — For all the talk that Major League Baseball's best-of-three wild-card weekend would somehow be fairer than the one-game playoff that preceded it …
Discussion:
Associated Press and MLB Baseball News …
USA Today:
MLB playoffs live updates: Cardinals-Phillies underway, Shane Bieber dominates Rays in Cleveland win — Major League Baseball's best-of-three wild card series begin Friday, a quadruple-header to kick off the first year with an expanded 12-team postseason field.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Tyler Kepner / New York Times:
Baseball's Postseason Is Evolving, for Better or Worse — With 40 percent of teams qualifying for the playoffs, and four teams getting first-round byes, October will have a very different feel. And plenty of new merchandise. — ST. LOUIS — Baseball people never use the word tournament.
Discussion:
MLB Baseball News …
Los Angeles Times:
In leaked audio, L.A. council members make racist remarks, mock colleagues — Three Latino members of the Los Angeles City Council and a top county labor official held a conversation last fall that included racist remarks, derisive statements about their colleagues and council President Nury Martinez saying …
Discussion:
Daily News
Mandy Bell / MLB.com:
Oscar-worthy ending in 15th puts Guardians in ALDS — CLEVELAND — It was the game that seemed like it never was going to end. Guardians Game 1 starter Shane Bieber decided to go grab a cup of chicken broth to keep him warm in the dugout as Cleveland went to the bottom of the 15th inning.
Discussion:
Tampa Bay Times, MLB Trade Rumors, AZ Snake Pit, Mariners News and NBCSports.com
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Jesse Rogers / ESPN:
Jose Ramirez's 2-run homer sends Guardians past Rays in AL opener — CLEVELAND — When the Cleveland Guardians needed a response, after Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in Game 1 of their AL Wild Card Series on Friday, it came as no surprise that All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez would be the guy to come through.
Discussion:
Associated Press and USA Today
Rich Archbold / Press Telegram:
Legacy Runners return to Long Beach Marathon again and again — and again — The Legacy Runners may be slowing down, but there's no stopping this premier group from giving their best in the grueling marathon. — Call them crazy or call them inspirational, the Legacy Runners …
Discussion:
Whittier Daily News, Orange County Register and Daily News
Jeff Fletcher / Orange County Register:
Angels GM Perry Minasian says it's ‘business as usual’ despite ownership questions — Minasian accepts responsibility for building a flawed roster last winter, when he focused on pitching. He says this winter he needs to improve the team in all areas. — ANAHEIM — Perry Minasian acknowledged …
Discussion:
The Athletic
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Dan Albano / Orange County Register:
Mater Dei football knocks off St. John Bosco with big lift from defense — Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribe now — SANTA ANA — Mater Dei's football team claimed a state championship last season despite swirling controversy.
Discussion:
Press Enterprise
Evan Petzold / Detroit Free Press:
Detroit Tigers fire scouting director Scott Pleis after 15 seasons, per sources — Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris has started the restructuring of his front office. — Amateur scouting director Scott Pleis was fired after 15 seasons with the organization …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic:
Bullpen, right-handed bat, rotation help all high on Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen's to-do list — The Diamondbacks won 22 more games this year than the previous year, but it was clear from General Manager Mike Hazen's end-of-year session with reporters that fact did not mean much to him.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors
