Derek Jeter delivers walk-off hit in final home game
I know some of you are tired of hearing about Jeter and hope that Sunday would hurry up and get here so he could retire already, but I thought this was too awesome not to share.
Mariano Rivera joked after the game that David Robertson blew the save just so Jeter would have one more at-bat.
Royals clinch first playoff berth since 1985
That is, if you consider the Bud Selig lightning round "playoffs". Still with two games to play, the Royals could conceivably snatch the AL Central lead from the Tigers or even finish tied with Detroit, which would mean a Game 163 in Detroit with the loser in the Wild Card game.
Phil Hughes breaks K/BB record
Wednesday, Phil Hughes finished his final start of the 2014 season with eight innings and five strikeouts, giving him 186 for the year against just 16 walks for a K/BB ratio of 11.63, breaking the record set by Bret Saberhagen in 1994. He finished the year with 209.2 innings, one out short of qualifying for a bonus of $500,000. Ron Gardenhire was prepared to use him out of the bullpen this weekend, but Hughes rejected the offer.
D-backs hire Dave Stewart as new GM and clean house
With Tony LaRussa presiding over the team, this seemed like a no-brainer after Kevin Towers was fired because of their relationship in Oakland when LaRussa managed Stewart, who had recently served as a sports agent. Stewart was officially announced as GM on Thursday and on Friday, it was announced that Kirk Gibson and Alan Trammell had both been fired, but that Trammell would serve as interim manager for the final three games of the year.
Guilder Rodriguez gets first major-league hit
Waiting 13 years for an opportunity like this is an exercise in patience, but that's what Rodriguez did in the minors for the Brewers and Rangers before finally making his debut earlier this month. This was only his second start and didn't waste any time.
Rodriguez also drove in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, capping what was certainly a memorable night.
Bobby Abreu announces retirement
In 18 years, Abreu hit .291/.395/.475 and is one of only six players with 250 home runs and 400 stolen bases. He was a solid all-around hitter known for his plate discipline, but amazingly only had two All-Star years. He was never in the top 10 in MVP voting; he had eight 100-RBI years and eight straight years of at least 100 walks. (STATS)
Paul Konerko thanks White Sox fans
Lost in Derek Jeter's farewell tour is the final season for Paul Konerko in Chicago. He never played amidst the grandeur of NYC, but still put together 16 productive years for the White Sox and will most likely finish with 439 career home runs, all but seven for the South Siders. (STATS)