Waking Goodbye

Over 19 years, Wakefield was the epitome of
a team player.

Tim Wakefield's knuckleball has fluttered passed it's final big league bat.

The 45-year-old veteran called it a career Friday after playing 19 seasons in Major League Baseball -- 17 in which came with his wearing a Boston Red Sox uniform.

Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1988 as a first baseman, Wakefield made his Major League debut in 1992 as a pitcher. He finished the season with an 8-1 record and a 2.15 earned run average in 13 starts. However, he lost 11 games in 1993 and spent most of the 1994 season pitching for Triple-A Buffalo.

Wakefield was called up in September, but never appeared in a big league due to the strike-shortened season. The Pirates released Wakefield prior to the start of the 1995 season.

The Red Sox saw his potential and decided to take a chance on the then-28-year-old right hander.

Wakfield started the year at Triple-A Pawtucket, but injuries paved his fast track back to the majors. In his first 17 games with the Red Sox, Wakfield emerged as the team's most reliable starter, throwing six complete games, accumulating to a 14-1 record with a 1.65 ERA.

Using his knuckleball more then he ever had, Wakefield finished the year 16-8, narrowly missing his first 200 inning season, throwing 195 1/3 innings and posting a 2.95 ERA. It would be the only season Wakefield would see his name finish on the American League Cy Young and Most Valuable Player ballot, finishing third and 13th, respectively.

Over the years, Wakefield became one of the most versatile pitchers the game has ever seen. He appeared in 627 games over his career, 463 of those coming as a starter and the other 164 out of the bullpen.

After throwing three consecutive seasons of 200-plus innings (1996-98), Wakefield started to mainly work out of the Boston bullpen. From 1999 to 2002, Wakefield appeared in a total of 190 games for the Red Sox, but only 66 came as a starter. During that span Wakefield appeared in 45 game or more each season, including saving a career-high 15 games in '99, but never starting more than 17 games in a year.

But it's one of his relief outings in the postseason that will forever live in infamy.

After being responsible for two of the three Red Sox wins as a starter in the 2003 ALCS, Wakefield entered the decisive seventh game in Yankee Stadium as a reliever with the score knotted at five, in the 11th inning and Aaron Boone coming to the plate.

On his first pitch of the game, Wakefield surrendered one of the most memorable home runs in baseball history as Boone launched it deep into the October night, sending New York fans home dancing -- something his knuckleball didn't quite do.

Wakefield went from being potentially the series' MVP and hero to the instant choker and goat.

However, just a year later on the same stage, Wakefield and Co. would have their revenge.

Facing a 3-1 series deficit, and at one point 3-0, Wakefield won Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS, the second of Boston's eight straight postseason wins, capping the most improbable comeback in postseason history en route to their first World Series title in 86 years.

In 2007, Wakefield would win a career-high 17 games and win his second World Series championship with the Red Sox despite only appearing two games that postseason.

Two years later, Wakefield was his selected to his first and only All-Star team, becoming the second oldest player in history to be named his to first career All-Star Game at age 42. Hall of Famer Satchel Paige was the oldest, making his first All-Star appearance in 1952 at 45.

At the break, Wakefield was 11-3, but was hampered by lower back and calf injuries the second half, allowing him only to pitch in four games the rest of the season.

This past season, Wakefield recorded his 200th win and by no means was it easy. He started the year in the bullpen, but by May he was back in the rotation.

Wakefield recorded his 199th career win on July 24, but waited nearly two months before his historic milestone. With the bullpen blowing numerous leads, the knuckleballer made eight appearances before recording his final Major League win on his ninth attempt.

On Sept. 13, he allowed five runs on five hits over six innings in Boston's 18-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Speaking of September, Wakefield was one of the many Red Sox pitchers that struggled in the season's final month. In the greatest collapse in baseball history, that saw Boston finish the season 7-20 in their final 27 games and squandering a nine-game wild card lead, Wakefield went 1-2 with a 5.25 ERA.

He relinquished five runs in all five of his September appearances, including what would be his final career start, coming in a 6-2 loss to the New York Yankees.

Wakefield finishes his career with a 200-180 record and a 4.41 ERA. 186 of his 200 wins came as a Red Sox, good enough for second on the franchise's all-time list behind Roger Clemens and Cy Young's 192.

He is only the second pitcher in Red Sox to tally more than 2,000 strike outs with 2,046. Clemens is the all-time leader with 2,590. However, Wakefield is first in starts (430), appearances (590) and innings pitched (3,006).

Only Carl Yastrzemski's 23 and Ted Williams and Dwight Evans' 19-year services to the organization preponderate Wakefield's 17.

As for his place with the greatest knuckleballers in history, Wakefield is surpassed by Joe Nierko, Eddie Cicotte and Hall of Famers, Hoyt Wilhelm, Ted Lyons and Phil Nierko. But if Nierko was the godfather of the knuckleball in the 60s, 70s and 80s, then Wakefield was the heir to the throne in the 90s and the turn of the century.

Wakefield may not be a Hall of Famer, but his place in Red Sox history is assured.

He Was Just a Kid

Throughout his career, Carter was a leader
in every sense of the word.

Less than a year after being diagnosed with brain cancer, Hall of Famer Gary Carter lost that battle Wednesday, passing away at age 57.

It was just last May Carter and his family received the shocking news that he had a malignant tumor in his brain. It was apparent the cancer was spreading and taking a tole on Carter's health, causing many to wonder how long he had left.

In January, Carter's condition took a turn for the worst, validating everyone's deepest concerns. The cancer had spread and saw several more tumors appear on his brain.

While we continue to mourn the loss of one of the greatest catchers in baseball history, it's time to celebrate the life of not only a Hall of Famer player, but a Hall of Fame person.

Carter was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1972. He made his Major League debut just two years later, becoming arguably the greatest player in franchise history. In his first full season with the Expos, Carter hit .270 and slugged 17 home runs. He was named to his first of 11 All-Star Games and finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

1984 would become Carter's best offensive season, posting career-highs in plate appearances (669), at-bats (596), hits (175), batting average (.294) and runs batted in (106). Not to mention his 106 RBIs led the NL.

That December, with Montreal preparing to rebuild, Carter was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for four young prospects.

It was the move that saved the Mets franchise and brought them their second and most recent World Series title.

A team already armed with the power-hitting Darryl Strawberry, electric Dwight Gooden and slick-fielding Keith Hernandez, Carter was brought in to be the savior. And he was just that. On Opening Day 1985, in his first game as a Met, Carter justified the 4-for-1 trade with a walk-off home run in the 10th inning, receiving his first taste of the New York spotlight.

In a town where many crumble, Carter embraced the challenge, flourishing under pressure and captivating Shea Stadium. That was never more apparent in the postseason.

Playing in 30 career playoff games, Carter owned a .280 career average with four home runs and driving in 21 runs. He had 33 career hits in the postseason, but none bigger than four of the 12 hits he had in the 1986 postseason.

In Game 5 of the NLCS, Carter, who was batting a dismal .047 prior to the at-bat, laced a game-winning, walk-off single in the 12th inning, giving New York a 3-2 series advantage -- a series the Mets clinched the following night in 16 innings.

Reaching the World Series for the first time in his career, Carter hit two home runs over the Green Monster in Game 4 of the Fall Classic, becoming the only player in history to homer twice in a All-Star and World Series game.

But it's his 10th inning single in Game 6 that will forever live in New York lore.

With two out and nobody one, Carter, with his tenacious personality, refused to be the final out of the series, orchestrating the most improbable and greatest rally in postseason history. The veteran catcher lashed a base hit into left field and three batters later, Mookie Wilson would hit his infamous ground ball that some how trickled under the glove of Bill Buckner, forcing a decisive seventh game.

Carter and Co. would reach the pinnacle of the sports world two nights later.

If Hernandez was the team's captain, then Carter was his first mate.

Carter would spend three more season with the Mets, but was released in 1989 and bounced around the NL his final three seasons, spending a year each with the Giants and Dodgers before returning to where it all began.

However, Carter managed to bring a crowd to their feet one last time.

In his final Major League at-bat, Carter lined an opposite field, RBI double over Andre Dawson's head, giving the Expos an eventually 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 27, 1992. He played in just 95 games that year, batting .218 and retired at season's end.

He finished his career with a .262 average, 324 HRs and 1225 RBIs. Carter is one of only five players to play at least 50 percent of his games as a catcher and record 275 HRs, 350 doubles, 1,000 RBIs and 1,500 hits while doing so, joining the recently retired Jorge Posada, Ivan Rodriguez and fellow Hall of Famers, Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk.

Even in the biggest fight of his life, Carter
never lost the smile that inspired us all.

Carter totaled four 100 RBI seasons as a catcher, including three straight from 1984-86, tying him with Bill Dickey for the third most all-time. He won five Silver Sluggers in his career and finished as high as second in the NL Most Valuable Player voting, that coming in 1980.

That same season Carter would win his first of three consecutive Gold Gloves, showing he was just as good behind the plate. Possessed with one of the strongest throwing arms in baseball history, nobody ran on Carter.

He is one of five catchers to catch more than 2,000 games in his career, catching the fourth most in history and an NL record 2,056 games. According to ESPN's Tim Kurkjian, along with three other catchers, Carter holds the Major League record for being behind the plate in 90 percent of his team's games in five different seasons.

Also one of game's greatest game callers, it wasn't a coincidence Gooden's best season came in Carter's first year as his battery mate. Gooden posted career bests in wins (24) earned run average (1.53), complete games (16) and innings (276.2), capturing his only NL Cy Young.

Carter was named the All-Star Game MVP two times in his career (1981, '84) and was the recipient of the '89 Roberto Clemente Award.

In 2003, after a baffling five-year wait, Carter was inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in his sixth year on the ballot, receiving 78.02 percent of the vote. That same season his No. 8 would be retired by Montreal -- the team and cap he would go into Cooperstown wearing.

But it was his infectious smile and enthusiasm, passion and love for the game that earned him the nickname the 'Kid' over his 19-year career and the rest of his life.

Carter, who was the head coach of Palm Beach Atlantic baseball team, made his final public appearance on Feb. 2 in his team's first game of the 2012 season. Honoring Carter the only way they knew how, the Sailfish won on a walk-off base hit by senior Travis Murray.

Murray's position? Yep, you guessed it. Catcher.

Carter wasn't only the savior the Mets needed, but the one baseball needed as well.

Nothing Maddon-ing About This

Maddon has made the Rays contenders
 and turned the franchise's fate in 2008.

Joe Maddon isn't going anywhere. And the Tampa Bay Rays made sure of that Tuesday.

The 58-year-old manager was given a three-year extension by his current employer, insuring his place on the Tampa Bay bench through the 2015 season. Maddon was entering the final year of his current contract after previously signing his first three-year extension with the organization in May 2009.

Since being hired as the Rays manager in November 2005, Maddon has rapidly become one of the game's best managers. Under his watch, the Rays have made three appearances, won two American League East Division titles and an AL Pennant.

In a year of firsts for the organization and only his third season as manager, Maddon lead the budget-conscious Rays to a franchise record 97 regular season wins and their first postseason appearance in franchise history, outplaying the high-paying New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox for the division crown. Tampa Bay defeated the Chicago White Sox in the ALDS to clinch their first playoff series victory, advancing to the ALCS to take on the Red Sox.

The series would come down to an epic seventh game -- a game Tampa Bay eventually won, 3-1. However, they were defeated in their first ever World Series appearance, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in five games.

The following year, Maddon and his troops would take a step back, finishing the year 84-78 -- third in the division, causing many to wonder if their success was just an anomaly.

That wasn't the case.

In 2010, Maddon and the Rays went back to work, clinching their division for the second time in three years. This past season, Tampa Bay would make the most historic September comeback in baseball history, over coming a 9-game wild card deficit only to first their first ever AL Wild Card berth the final day of the regular season.

Although, back-to-back years they have been ousted from the postseason in the ALDS by the Texas Rangers.

Maddon has built a foundation for success down South, but it hasn't been easy.

He spent his first two years in Tampa Bay as a Devil Ray, watching his team finish in the cellar of the AL East, combining for 127-197 record and drafting young players that would define the team's recent success.

In the first round of the 2006 amateur draft, Maddon and Co. selected shortstop Evan Longoria out of Cal State Long Beach with the No. 3 overall pick. Then, eight rounds later, the Rays selected Desmond Jennings, who played in 63 games this past season as a rookie.

In 2007, with the No. 1 overall pick, Maddon took left-handed phenom David Price out of Vanderbilt and played a major role in the team signing free agent first baseman Carlos Pena.

Longoria won the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year. Price has become one of the game's most premier pitchers, winning a career-high 19 games in 2010. Pena set career-highs home runs (46) and runs batted in (121) in his first year with the Rays and hit a combined 144 HRs in his four years with the team before leaving as a free agent prior to the start of last season.

But after a year away from the organization, Pena signed a one-year deal this offseason to return. As for Jennings, he batted .259 with 10 HRs and 25 RBIs, playing a major role in the Rays' magical September run.

And despite being drafted by the Rays just month before Maddon was hired, Jeremy Hellickson is his second rookie to earn the AL Rookie of the Year of the honor, going 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA in 2011.

Maddon is not only the fourth manager in franchise history, but the longest tenured as well.

The franchise's first manager and current Yankee pitching coach, Larry Rothschild, held the mark prior to Maddon's arrival, managing the club from 1998 to 2001.

Maddon is one of three successful managers in baseball that studied under Mike Scioscia, who is a two-time AL Manager of the Year.

The former Angels bench coach established early and often he would do things his own way. With his thick-rimmed-rose-color glasses, Maddon is known for his unorthodox managerial style and preaching the fundamentals of the game he loves so dear.

On Aug. 17, 2008, with a four-run lead, Maddon elected to intentional walk Texas' Josh Hamilton with the bases loaded rather than pitching to him as the potential tying run. It was only the sixth intentional walk handed out with the bases loaded in baseball history.

The move prevailed as the Dan Wheeler struck out Marlon Byrd to end the game, preserving the lead in a 7-4 win.

Maddon was won the AL Manager of the Year twice ('08, '10), has accumulated a 495-477 record in his 972 games and is now greatest manager in franchise history with at least four more years to add to his legacy.

Washing Into the Future

Washington's determination and energy have
made him a fixture in the Texas clubhouse.

The franchise's first postseason series win. Check. First two American League Pennants and World Series berths. Check. Check.

These are just some of the accomplishments Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington has achieved during his tenure in Arlington, and was rewarded for his hard work Monday.

Washington, 59, who was in the final year of his current contract, was given a two-year contract extension, keeping the skipper in heart of Texas through the 2014 season. His original contract was also a two-year deal, consisting of two club options for 2009 and 2010, both of which were exercised.

But with no more options, it was time for a much needed extension.

After spending 11 seasons coaching with the division rival Oakland Athletics, 10 of them coming as the club's third-base coach, Washington was hired by general manager Jon Daniels prior to the start of the 2007 season.

In his first year as manager, the Rangers finished 12 games under .500 and last in the AL West. However, management never faltered, keeping their faith in the New Orleans native.

The sixth-longest tenured manager in baseball today followed up that season with the acquisition of future AL MVP Josh Hamilton from the Cincinnati Reds. Hamilton finished his first year with Texas leading the AL in RBIs (130) and playing in a career-high 156 games, but it was Washington's energy that pointed his team in the right direction.

Still under .500, the Washington-led Rangers finished second in the AL West. It wouldn't be until year three that Texas would finish above the .500 mark for the first time since 2004, again finishing second in the division with a record of 87-75.

Possessed with his own demons, Washington admitted to the use of cocaine during the '09 season, but it surfaced during spring training the following year. Daniels and newly appointed team president and CEO, Nolan Ryan, never wavered in their faith with Washington, letting him continue his life long dream when it should have been taken away.

He wouldn't disappoint

2010 brought Washington and Co. their first division title and playoff appearance since 1999. They ran threw the postseason, narrowly defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS and outslugged the defending World Series champion New York Yankees.

In their first World Series appearance in franchise history, they were upended by the surprising San Francisco Giants in five games.

After setting a club-record with 96 wins during the regular season this past year, Washington had to fill the agony of defeat for a second time in the World Series, this time even they could taste it. Holding a two-run lead in the ninth inning, the Rangers were one strike away from capturing their first World Series title before St. Louis' David Freese tied it with a triple and won it with a walk-off home run in the 11th.

Washington has accumulated a 427-383 record in his five seasons as manager, including improving his win total every year.

His 427 wins are the third most in Rangers history, trailing only Johnny Oates (506) and newly hired Boston Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine (581). Washington has finished in the top five of the AL Manager of the Year voting each of the last three seasons, finishing as high as second his fourth year on the job.

Texas as found their guy and will ride him until he's all washed up. 

Papelbon Headed To Philadelphia

Papelbon has been one of the game's best
relievers since making that transition.

In the first big splash of the Major League Baseball offseason, free agent reliever Jonathan Papelbon has decided to leave the only organization he has ever know and head to the National League, agreeing to a four-year $50 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

It's a deal similar to that of the one Francisco Cordero, who is also a free agent this winter, signed with Cincinnati Reds prior to the start of the 2008 season. Cordero's deal was worth $46 million over four years.

The report comes just days after it looked as if Philadelphia was close to retaining the services of Ryan Madson, who saved 32 game for the Phillies in 2011. Apparently those talks broke down with Papelbon reportedly on board.

Papelbon, 30, leaves Fenway Park after six magical season with the Boston Red Sox.

Since making his Major League debut in July of 2005, Papelbon rapidly became one of the games best closers. The Baton Rogue native was a four-time All-Star for the Red Sox and becoming the fastest closer in history to record 200 saves since it was made an official stat in 1969, recording 219 saves since becoming the team's full-time closer in 2006.

His 219 saves are a club record, making his arguably the greatest closer in franchise history. Papelbon also totaled a 23-19 record during his Boston tenure with a 2.33 earned run average and rebounded after a terrible 2010 campaign.

Papelbon posted career-worsts in losses (7), ERA (3.90), blown saves (8), walks (28), WHIP (1.27) and home runs allowed (7) in '10 as his team also missed the postseason. But Papelbon dedicated himself to get better this offseason and was back to his dominant form.

Despite his ERA still being a little high at 2.94, Papelbon was 4-1 and 31-for-34 in save opportunities in for the Sox in '11. Although, two of his three blown saves came in the season's final month, a month Red Sox Nation won't soon forget. Both came at the hands of the never say die Baltimore Orioles, including blowing a one-run lead in the final game of the regular season and surrendering a walk-off base hit to Robert Andino, shattering Boston's playoff hopes.

That loss looks to be the last memory for Red Sox fans of Papelbon in a Boston uniform, not giving him an opportunity to pitch in the postseason, a place he has shined. In his 27 postseason innings, the hard-throwing right-hander has only allowed three earned runs, accumulating to a 1.00 ERA.

Papelbon was on the mound for the final out of the 2007 World Series , bringing home Boston's second World Series title in a four-year span after the club had experienced a 86-year drought prior to their improbable championship run in 2004.

Originally drafted by the Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2003 draft, Papelbon is a Type A free agent which means newly anointed general manager Ben Cherington and Co. will receive Philadelphia's first round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft and another supplemental first round selection for compensation if the rules stay the same in baseball's new collective bargaining agreement.

Papelbon celebrating the final out of the 2007
World Series, his first championship of his
career.

While Papelbon adds to Philadelphia's plethora of quality pitching, Boston is left with a daunting task, filling a void they did not figure to have.

Set-up man Daniel Bard is only 26 and looked to be the heir apparent in Boston, but a rough September has put that move into question. Bard blew all three of his save opportunities in the season's final month, while going 0-4 with a 10.64 ERA.

Slugger and the face of the franchise for almost a decade, David Ortiz shopping his services in free agencey and with the already sudden departures of manager Terry Francona and GM Theo Epstein, Boston has seen a third key figure walk away from what looks to be a now troublesome organization.

Truly ending an era in Red Sox lore.

CC Ya Next Year

Sabathia had many Yankee fans worried the top
of their rotation would be headed by someone
other than the 290-pounder in 2012.

Just hours before the deadline to opt-out of his current contract, CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees came to an agreement on a contract extension that keeps the husky left-handed in pinstripes through 2016 and possibly 2017.

With four years and $92 million remaining on Sabathia's seven-year $161 million deal he signed prior to the 2009 season, New York has added an extra year to the contract worth $25 million, including a vesting option worth the same mount in '17 with a $5 million buyout.

The extension now brings the 31-year-old's deal to five-years $122 million, still the highest paid pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Sabathia, who reportedly lost 25 pounds last offseason after cutting his beloved Cap' n Crunch out of his diet, is coming off another All-Star year in the Bronx, going 19-8 with a 3.00 earned run average in 237.1 innings. Although, the 2007 Cy Young Award winner struggled in the season's final two months with a 3-3 recorded, 4.30 ERA and opponents hit at a .314 clip against him. That continued in the postseason as Sabathia allowed 6 earned runs in his 8.2 innings, accumulating to a 6.30 ERA.

Despite that, the California native has enjoyed three fantastic seasons under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium that includes being named the '09 ALCS MVP and his first World Series title.

Last season Sabathia became a 20-game winner for the first time in his career, winning 21 games in an American League leading 34 starts. His 59 wins since becoming a Yankee are the second only the Detroit Justin Verlander's 61 in that three-year span.

Sabathia recently built a home in Alpine, New Jersey and has said numerous times he loves pitching in New York, a love that ultimately meant him dawning the pinstripes for the long haul.

It's a decision that the organization and fans alike have been waiting for all season long. With their already thin starting rotation, New York could ill afford to lose an ace and workhorse like Sabathia, who has tossed plus innings each of the last five seasons.

With this deal, left-hander C.J. Wilson is thought to be the best free-agent starting pitcher on the market this winter, along with Mark Buehrle, Roy Oswalt and Japanese import Yu Darvish.

All whom could slide right into the No. 2 slot in the rotation behind Sabathia.

The five-time All-Star will be 36 when his contract expires and has an outside chance of becoming one of the next or the final 300-game winner in baseball. Sabathia currently ranks fourth on the active wins list with 176, but is the youngest of the bunch as the top three are all 34 or older.

Now, with Sabathia looking to continue etching his name in Yankee lore, their unsigned general manager can look to get his ace some help

C'est La Russa

La Russa's gutsy decision making didn't always
pan out, but is the reason why he is one of the
greatest managers in history.

Just three days after capping in an improbable postseason run with his third World Series title, St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa has announced his retirement from the dugout.

It has been 33 years since La Russa took his first managerial position with the Chicago White Sox back in 1979 after a brief playing career for three different organizations in a six-year span. During that time he accumulated a .199 career average, an average that eventually lead to a career change and a wise one at that.

La Russa spent nine seasons on the South Side, where he won his first Manager of the Year Award in 1983, before being fired by the White Sox just 64 games into the 1986 season. He would not be unemployed for very long as the Oakland Athletics came calling just weeks after. La Russa managed Oakland's final 79 games that season, watching them go 45-34, far better than the 31-52 mark they posted prior to his arrival.

The following year La Russa saw his club finish the season at the.500 mark (81-81) with the help and emergence rookie Mark McGwire. With the guidance of La Russa, the eventual 1987 Rookie of the Year set a rookie record with a Major League leading 49 home runs and .618 slugging percentage.

La Russa followed up his first two campaigns in Oakland with three consecutive American League Pennants, 1988-'90. Despite winning only one World Series in those three appearances, a legend was born.

The Tampa native managed five more seasons by the bay before leaving for St. Louis. La Russa's departure from Oakland was mainly due to death of patriarch Walter A. Haas, Jr. and his team being under .500 each of the last three seasons.

La Russa would replace Joe Torre at the helm in St. Louis prior to the 1996 season, setting the stage for some of his best managerial work and a legacy that might never be matched.

With the Cardinals, La Russa was able to watch a historic and record-breaking 70 home run season, capture nine postseason appearances, including two wild card berths in 2001 and most recently this season, all seven of St. Louis' National League Central division titles, three NL Pennants and two World Series titles.

In 2004, La Russa lead the Cardinals to their first World Series appearance since '87, but they were swept by the curse-breaking Boston Red Sox. Two years later, La Russa and Co. would return to the Fall Classic, this time beating Detroit Tigers and their error-prone pitching staff in five games. That feat made him the only manager in history to win multiple pennants in both the AL and NL and the second manager in history, along with the late Sparky Anderson, to win the World Series in both, as well.

Then comes the story of his Cardinals impossible 2011 season.

Pronounced dead numerous times during the year, La Russa never let his team quit. They overcame a 10 1/2 wild card deficit and clinch a playoff spot the final day of the regular season. The Cardinals crashed the postseason party, defeating the heavily favored Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, their division rival Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS and the defending AL champion Texas Rangers in a thrilling seven-game World Series, where they were down to their final strike, twice.

The announcement comes as a surprise to many, but not the Cardinals front office. It has been said La Russa informed general manager John Mozeliak and Co. of his decision as early as August and could be the reason why the 67-year-old manager was so relaxed during his latest postseason run.

There are so many words to describe La Russa throughout his career, genius, daring and fiery to name a few. He is the most second-guessed manager in the history of game, living by the phrase, "Trust your gut, don't cover your butt."

Being the innovator of the late-inning relievers and sometimes batting his pitchers eight instead of ninth, La Russa won six pennants and is one of nine managers in history to win at least three World Series titles during their career, ranking him sixth all-time. He retires third on the all-time list with 14 playoff appearances and career wins with 2,728, trailing only Hall of Famers Connie Mack and John McGraw.

In 33 years of managing, La Russa finds himself second on the all-time list in losses (2,365), postseason wins (70) and games managed (5,097), joining Mack as the only other manager in history to manage more than 5,000 games in a career.

La Russa won four Manager of the Year Awards during his career, his last coming in 2002, but another could be waiting in the wings after what could be his finest managerial job yet. A year after losing soon-to-be Hall of Fame managers Torre, Cito Gaston and Lou Pinella to retirement, baseball has lost another. Mixing and matching his way to World Series titles, La Russa is one of the greatest managers in history and one day will have his day in Cooperstown.

After 16 seasons a new face will be at the top step of the St. Louis dugout in 2012.

Frozen In The Cold October Night

Freese, the St. Louis native did his best to force a
Game 7 Friday night.

In one of the coldest nights in World Series history and the St. Louis Cardinals down to their final strike, twice, David Freese sent the fans he grew up rooting with home with goosebumps running down their spine.

After dropping a routine popup that allowed Josh Hamilton to reach to start the fifth inning and eventually score on a Michael Young double, the St. Louis native was determined to redeem himself and continue his remarkable postseason. With the Texas Rangers holding a two-run lead, threes outs away from capturing their first World Series title in franchise and their All-Star closer headed to the mound, Tony La Russa's club had their backs up against the wall like they have all season long.

With two on and two out, Freese walked to the plate against Neftali Feliz, someone he'd yet to face in his career. Feliz quickly got ahead 1-2, but on a 98 mph fastball, Freese launched a drive over right fielder Nelson Cruz's head for a game-tying two-run triple. Yaider Molina lined out to the right, sending Game 6 into extra innings.

No closer in history, not even the great Mariano Rivera, had converted their first eight save opportunities in the postseason, that's exactly what Feliz was trying to accomplish in Game 6. Instead St. Louis handed him the first blown save of brief postseason career.

But Texas would pick up their closer in the 10th. After a one-out single by Elvis Andrus, Hamilton followed with his first home run in the postseason and first since Sept. 23. The reigning American League Most Valuable Player had gone his last 65 postseason at-bats without a home run, but it couldn't have come at a better time, giving his team their fifth different lead of the night, 9-7.

Faced with their second two-run deficit in as many innings, the Redbirds would have to rally yet again to keep their Cinderella season alive.

Rangers skipper Ron Washington elected not to have Feliz return for his second inning of work after only 22 pitches, but instead send 18-year veteran Darren Oliver, who recorded his first World Series win in Game 5, to the mound to close out the biggest game of his career, something he has only done six times in his entire career.

After back-to-back singles, a sacrifice bunt and a RBI groundout, Washington called on right-hander Scott Feldman to get the games final out. The former 17-game winner intentionally walked Albert Pujols with the potential tying run at second base, setting the stage for the native Texan, Lance Berkman.

Down to their final strike again, Berkman lofted a single to shallow center field, bringing home John Jay for the game-tying run.

Berkman, who signed a one-year $8 million deal in the offseason, was rewarded with a one-year extension earlier this season after a fantastic 2011 season that saw him hit .301 with 31 home runs and 94 RBIs. That has carried into the postseason, especially in the Fall Classic, where he is batting .435 and an on-base percentage of .519.

Berkman watches his game-tying singel
in the 10th inning of Game 6.

It was the first time in World Series history a team came back from a two-run deficit, twice in the ninth inning or later.

After a scoreless top of the 11th by veteran Jake Westbrook, who was added to the World Series roster after being left off the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, Freese took center stage.

Freese hammered his fifth home run of postseason and first of the Fall Classic to dead center field for a game-winning walk-off blast, reminding Cardinals fans of another Game 6 walk-off home run, Jim Edmonds in the 2004 NLCS, but this time in the World Series.

For Freese it was a moment frozen in time and one that will forever live in postseason lore.

The 28-year-old third baseman, who quit baseball after his senior season of high school, joins Bill Mazeroski (1966), Carlton Fisk (1975), Kirby Puckett (1991) and most recently Joe Carter (1993) as the only other player to hit a World Series walk-off home run in games six or seven.

Like just Fisk and Puckett did for their respective team, Freese is the third player in World Series history to accomplish that feat when his team was trailing 3-2 in the series.

Not to mention his 19 postseason RBIs are a new franchise record and becoming the first player in postseason history to tie the game in the ninth and have the game-winning RBI in extra innings.

With so many twists and turns, peaks and valleys, St. Louis is also the first team in World Series history to score in the 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th inning of a game, doing so while making numerous mistakes on the defensive side. The Cardinals committed 3 errors in Game 6, the most since 1943.

As the Rangers, they have yet to lose back-to-back games in this postseason and haven't lost consecutive games in over two months, Aug. 23.

Cruz added his eighth home run of the postseason, tying a postseason record for the most in a single postseason. It has been magical back-to-back postseason runs for Texas, but history is not on their side. The Rangers have never played in a Game 7 of the World Series in franchise history, while the Cardinals will be playing in their eleventh and their first since 1987. St. Louis has won 7 of those 10 Game 7s.

It's the first Game 7 in the World Series since 2002 and the last eight home teams have won those games. Also, teams that hold a 3-2 series advantage and go on to lose Game 6 have lost 8 of the 9 Game 7s. The 1997 Florida Marlins are the one exception.

History aside, two teams that traveled far different ways to get here, what sports fans dream of, the two greatest words in sports, Game Seven. So as Fox broadcaster Joe Buck paid homage to his late Hall of Fame father, Jack Buck, "We'll see you tomorrow night."

Double-Dipping

Napoli, much like his teammate Nelson Cruz did
in the ALCS, is carrying the Texas offense.

A night after the Texas Rangers evened the World Series at two games apiece thanks in large part to catcher Mike Napoli's three-run home run in the sixth inning, he continued to add to his postseason legend Monday night in Arlington.

In a 2-2 game with the St. Louis Cardinals' Albert Pujols at the plate and Alan Craig running at first, Texas reliever Alexi Ogando sailed a 0-1 fastball into Napoli's glove. The former Angels backstop promptly threw a dart down to second to nab the would-be base stealer for the second out of the inning.

Then in the ninth with the potential tying run at the plate in the person of Pujols, manager Tony La Russa sent Craig on the 3-2 count with nobody out only to have Pujols strike out and Napoli nail Craig for the second time in three innings for a strike-'em-out-throw-'em out double play.

Sandwiched in between Napoli's two magnificent defensive throws came his third extra-base hit of the Fall Classic.

With the bases loaded in the eight inning. Napoli drove in the eventual game-winning runs with a two-run double into the right-center field gap and showing his range of emotions when reaching second base like he has all postseason long.

The six-foot catcher is batting .308 in his first five World Series games with 2 home runs and 9 RBIs. Compare that to the 10 RBIs the rest of the Texas squad has combined for during that time. What makes his nine runs batted in even more impressive is, Napoli has yet to record a multi-hit game in those five games, but he has walked three times.

In the 1997 postseason, Cleveland Indians backstop Sandy Alomar Jr. drove in 17 runs en route to their Game 7 World Series loss to the Florida Marlins, setting the single postseason record for a catcher, Napoli has driven in 12 thus far.

Once considered a defensive liability and traded twice in a five-day span, Napoli turned into the best hitter in baseball since this year's All-Star break, batting .378 since Independence Day and becoming a postseason hero this October.

On the mound, it was a battle of aces and a rematch of Game 1. Both C.J. Wilson and Chris Carpenter were brilliant, but reach receiving a no decision.

While Wilson has yet to record a win in this year's postseason, 18-year veteran Darren Oliver recorded his first career World Series win.

As for Wilson, he allowed only one earned run in this 5 and 1/3 innings of work, the fewest since his first postseason start in 2010 against the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. Although, Wilson was another Texas player to draw comparisons to a member of the '97 Indians team. The left-handed matched Jaret Wright's record for the most walks in a single postseason with 19 and both coming in five starts.

Wilson handed out five of nine walks the Cardinals received in Game 5, but only saw two of those cross the plate.

La Russa, right, struggled to get his bullpen
through the eighth inning Monday.

St. Louis were 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position and left 12 men on bases, squandering numerous opportunities to break the game wide open. La Russa and Co. find themselves facing a 3-2 series deficit, but head home for the potential final two games of the series.

41 for the 61 teams that have held a 3-2 series lead go on to win the series. However, this will be the fifth time the Cardinals have faced this deficit in the World Series and the four previous times they have comeback to win games six and seven to win the series.

The Redbirds call on left-hander Jaime Garica in Game 6 to fin off elimination as he will be opposed by Colby Lewis, who is 4-1 in his seven career postseason starts with a 2.22.

A Rangers Rally

World Series Showdown: Texas Draw Cards

Two franchises from completely different backgrounds, one rich in tradition and winning while the other still looking to find their place among baseball history. Two teams that took far different roads to get back here, one taking an improbable up the wild card standings, the other winning their second straight division title, convincingly.

The St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers are set to square off in the 2011 Fall Classic in a series that should be one for the ages.

Texas Rangers at St. Louis Cardinals:
After feeling the bitter pain of losing in their first World Series appearance a year ago to the San Francisco Giants, the Rangers have come back with vengeance and find themselves in their second straight Fall Classic. With thirteen returning players from last year's World Series roster, Texas is determined to not let this one slip away.

Wilson has struggled this postseason, going
0-2 with a 8.04 ERA in his three starts

The Ranger's offense has been stagnant for most of the postseason, but came to life in the series-clinching Game 6 against the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS. They scored 15 runs on 17 hits that included a nine-run third inning. Nelson Cruz has six playoff home runs for the second straight postseason and was honored as the ALCS MVP. He along with Josh Hamilton, who has yet to hit a home run this postseason mainly due to his recent groin injury, will need to be the two that protect the middle of the order.

Many questioned manager Ron Washington's decision to keep Michael Young in the cleanup spot, but he silenced the critics after Young's big Game 6, tallying 5 RBIs. Offseason acquisitions Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli are both playing in their first World Series and will need to swing the bat like they have all season if Texas is overcome a unbelievably hot St. Louis team.

Texas' starting rotation hasn't fared well in this postseason and could be tested mightily by the best offense in the National League this season. It's the bullpen that holds the key to success in this series for Washington and Co. In their 42 and 2/3 innings this postseason they have accumulated a 2.34 ERA.

The Rangers have added starters Alexi Ogando and Scott Feldman, who won 17 games for Texas in 2009, to their 'pen to go along with 2010 Rookie of the Year, Neftali Feliz.

General manager Jon Daniels also traded for relievers Mike Gonzalez, Koji Uehara and Mike Adams during this season, giving Washington the ability to mix and match late in the game, something Cardinals manager Tony La Russa is famous for doing and could loom large with four potential games in the NL style of play.

In a baseball city that rivals all others, St. Louis will be roaring for Game 1 of the World Series. The Cardinals offense was not only among the best in the NL, but throughout the majors. They were in the top ten in runs (762), batting average (.273), on-base percentage (.341) and slugging percentage (.425), but have taken their game to new heights in the postseason.

Third baseman David Frees, who is fresh on his NLCS MVP honors, is leading the team with a .425 average, 4 home runs and 14 RBIs. Free-agent-to be, Albert Pujols, is second in all three categories, but it will be the bats of Matt Holliday and Lance Berkman that need to come alive. Berkman and Holliday are two of six Cardinals that have at least one home run this postseason, but will need to provide more pop to contend with the high octane offense in Texas.

Schumaker adds a toughness and different
dimension to La Russa's lineup.

While Holliday has batted .375 in his ten games this postseason, Berkman has struggled to find his stride, batting .237 in his 38 at-bats.

Skip Schumaker missed the entire NLCS due to an oblique tweak, but batted .600 in the NLDS, including driving in the only run of the decisive Game 5 against the Phillies. He has been added to the World Series roster and could prove to be a huge addition to this Cardinal team.

Much like Texas, St. Louis has seen their rotation scuffle, becoming the first team in postseason history to have win a playoff series without having a starter go past five innings.

Jake Westbrook has been added to the roster in favor of reliever-turned-starter-turned-reliever Kyle McClellan to help mend a struggling starting staff. On the other hand, the 'pen for La Russa has been unbelievable, posting a 2.55 ERA in their 42 and 2/3 innings of work and it could be better if it weren't for some rough outings in the Cardinals' 11-6 loss in Game 1 of the NLDS to Philadelphia.

Berkman and Texas' Game 1 starter C.J. Wilson were involved in some preseason controversy and now find themselves fighting for the right to call themselves the best in baseball. Who would have thought? This series could be a battle of the bullpens and with some inclement weather in the forecast this should make for an intriguing World Series.

TEX X-Factor: C.J. Wilson

STL X-Factor: Skip Schumaker

St. Louis in Seven.

Lighting Strikes Twice

Verlander tossed his second career no-hitter
Saturday in Toronto.

Saturday afternoon in Toronto marked yet another historic day in the young career of Detroit Tigers ace, Justin Verlander.

Verlander tossed his second career no-hitter in the Tigers' 9-0 win at Rogers Centre. It's the second no-hitter thrown of the 2011 season after division rival, Francisco Liriano, threw the first in Chicago Tuesday night for the Minnesota Twins.

After not having a no-hitter be changelled in the first month of the season, two come within less of a week of one another.

It's the seventh no-hitter in Tiger history, and Verlander becomes the 28th player in history to throw multiple no-hitters. 

The last player to accomplish that feat, excluding the postseason, was Chicago White Sox left-hander Mark Buehrle. He would toss his first no-hitter in a 2007 game against the Texas Rangers and reached new heights by throwing a perfect game in 2009, capped off by one of the most memorable catches in baseball history by defensive replacement DeWayne Wise.

Verlander's first no-hitter also came back in '07, no-hitting the Milwaukee Brewers during Interleague play.

The three-time All-Star had been perfect through the first seven innings, but had it broken up by walking a Blue Jays rookie. Catcher J.P. Arencibia battled Verlander with an epic 12 pitch at-bat in the eighth inning -- an at-bat that saw the twelfth pitch sail outside at 100 mph.

That would be the only blunder of the day by Verlander.

The slender right-hander showed great command from the gecko, throwing 74 of his first 108 pitches for strikes. Verlander struck out only four batters Saturday compared to in his first no-no when he struck out 12 Brewers. It was his third of the young season bringing, his record to .500.

But if it wasn't known before, Verlander possesses the repertoire to throw a no-hitter every time out with his upper 90s fastball and 12-6 curveball.

The 28-year-old was the 2006 American League Rookie of the Year, winning 17 games for the Tigers. That same season, also in his rookie season in Detroit, manager Jim Leyland clinched the franchise's first wild card berth and helped the Tigers win their first AL Pennant in 22 years.

Verlander started Game 1 of that World Series and was opposed by fellow rookie Anthony Reyes of the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the first time in the series' 103-year existence that two rookies faced off to open the Fall Classic

After avoiding the dreadful sophomore slump in '07, it would come a year later for Verlander, losing a career-worst 17 games.

Since that time Verlander has become the horse of the Detroit staff, throwing 200 innings each of the last four years and striking out 200 batters in back-to back seasons, including leading the majors with 269 in 2009. He has won as many as 19 games in a season and finished as high as third in the AL Cy Young voting.

The final out was recorded by punching out right fielder Raja Davis on a 2-2, 87 mph breaking ball.

Detroit is currently two games under .500 and six and half games back of the division leading Indians, who are in Anaheim for a weekend series with the Angels.

Despite the slow start, with the trio of Venezuelans at the heart of their order and two power arms at the front of their rotation, Detroit will be in the hunt for their first AL Central title in franchise history. Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan holds the record for no-hitters thrown in a career with seven. The former first-round pick has a ways to go if he wants to reach that mark.

In the mean time, Motown will be rocking and waiting to congratulate their ace with maybe another on the horizon. 

Chipping Away

Jones has been one of the best
hitters this generation. 

In the 1990 amateur draft the Atlanta Braves would make a decision that eventually would alter the fate of the franchise.

With the first overall pick they chose a young infielder out of Deland, Florida named Chipper Jones and the rest, as they say is history.

Jones has already cemented himself as one of the the greatest players in Braves history and one of the best switch-hitters of all-time.

Tuesday night he added yet another impressive statistic to his Hall of Fame resume. Jones hit a two-run first-inning home run off San Diego right-hander Aaron Harang to tie the legendary Mickey Mantle for second on the all-time RBI list for switch-hitters with 1,509.

As a boy in Florida, Jones grew up idolizing Mantle and now here he is at age 39 producing the same type of numbers 'The Mick' put up. Jones finds himself now in elite company trailing only the great Eddie Murray for the all-time RBI lead as a switch-hitter.

The six-time All-Star still has a ways to go with Murray's mark set at 1,917. With Jones at the tail end of his career, we can look back and appreciate what he's done during his 18 years in the big leagues.

In 1995, Jones burst onto the scene for manager Bobby Cox hitting .265 with 23 home runs and 86 RBIs, finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting.

Jones would go on to help the Braves win their only World Series under Cox that season, outlasting the Cleveland Indians in six games. Since that time, Jones has made a fixture for himself at the hot corner in Atlanta. The switch-hitter would go on to win the NL Most Valuable Player Award in 1999, blasting a still career-high 45 home runs and 110 RBIs.

Despite winning the award Jones would have five other top ten finishes in the voting over his career. Jones would have eight straight 100 RBI seasons from 1996-03.

Then, Jones would be riddled by injuries, but found away to fight through the pain and have one of the most productive careers as a switch-hitter Major League Baseball as ever seen.

In August of 2010, Jones tore his ACL and was lost for the season, unable to compete in Bobby Cox's final playoff run as a manager. Many believed that would be the last time we saw Jones on a baseball diamond, but he did his best to prove the doubters wrong once again. Jones rehabbed hard all offseason to be ready for the opening of the 2011 season and was.

Jones is enjoying his start to the '11 season, batting .289 with 21 RBIs. With his three RBI performance Wednesday night in San Diego, Jones has moved into sole possession of second-place on the all-time RBI list for a switch-hitter with 1,512.

Murray and Jones are also the only players to record 2,500 hits and 1,500 RBIs as switch-hitters.

With his 439 career home runs and many believing this will be his final year in the big leagues, catching Mantle and Murray for the lead is impossible. Murray is second the all-time list for a switch-hitter with 504 career home runs as Mantle leads the charge with 536 of his own. With Jones being the last member on the Atlanta roster from that '95 world championship team it will truly be an end of an era.

The Braves third baseman has been a class act and the face of the Atlanta organization for almost two decades, it will be a strange feeling when Jones calls it a career.

Rest assured when he does there will be spot in Cooperstown waiting for him and one day Jones's No. 10 will be worn like he worn Mantle's No. 7.

Where's the Panic Button in Boston?

Darnell McDonald is tagged out at second,
handing the Red Sox their sixth straight
loss Thursday.

When Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein went out and brought in left-handers sluggers, Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, this offseason, expectations went through the roof in 2011.

The Red Sox have gotten out of the gate rather slow losing their first six games to open the season. Being swept by the defending American League champion, Texas Rangers is condonable given the series was played in Arlington. However, losing to a Cleveland Indian team that won all of 69 games a year ago and 24 games under .500, is unacceptable.

Boston has five starters batting under .200 to begin the year and three others under .250. The only starter that is batting over .300 through the first six games is Gonzalez with a batting average at .305.

There is no question a lineup as deep as Boston's will not stay this cold the entire season. The question mark on this Red Sox team is their pitching staff. Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz both had breakout campaigns in 2010, but it's the veterans that are raising the concerns.

2003 World Series Most Valuable Player Josh Beckett is coming off an injury plagued year, where he only made 21 starts with six wins and an earned run average at 5.78. Even though John Lackey pitched 215 innings his first year in Boston, more than an other Red Sox starter, it was not the type of year the Sox expected when the signed him to that five-year $82 million deal.

Those veterans will need to bounce back if Boston wants to reach the expectations that have set for themselves over the last decade.

So far the pitching has not been anything but spectacular. Four of the Red Sox first six losses have come at the hands of their starters. The other two coming from flame throwing set-up man Daniel Bard, whose ERA is 16.88 to start the year.

Boston's pitching staff as a whole has given up 14 home runs and 38 total runs in their six-game tail spin.

The last time a team started the season on a losing streak and won the World Series was none another than the hated New York Yankees. In 1998, the Yankees started off 0-3 and went on to win 114 regular season games and Major League record 125 games, including the postseason. It should be noted that no team has ever started 0-4 and won the World Series in the same year.

The Red Sox have a huge weekend series with New York starting Friday afternoon, it's their 99th Opening Day in Fenway Park. If the Red Sox open up the season 0-7, they will try and do something no other team has done after losing their first seven contests, make the postseason.

If history stays true, the boo birds will be out and it will be another disappointing season for the Fenway Faithful.

Lester Could Win First Cy Young in 2011

We may have not seen the best of Jon Lester.

Boston Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester has already accomplished so much in his short career with the best yet to come.

Lester was diagnosed with lymphoma back in 2006 and beat it. In the 2007 World Series, Lester won the series-clinching Game 4 in Colorado against the Colorado Rockies. In May of 2008, the two-time All-Star pitched the 18th no-hitter in Red Sox history in front the of Fenway Faithful. In 2010, Lester was among the games best pitchers winning a career-high 19 games and struck out 225 batters.

Lester has no question been the workhorse of the Red Sox staff the last couple of years, pitching 200-plus innings each of the last three seasons.

With such high expectations in Boston this season, Lester seems to be in the center of it. Manager Terry Francona has already said that Lester will be their Opening Day starter in Texas, something that Josh Beckett has done each of the last two seasons.

Even though Lester has been a good starting pitcher in the big leagues, winning at least 15 games the last three seasons, it could be a breakout season for the young man from Tacoma, Washington.

With right-handers Beckett and John Lackey coming off sub par seasons in '10, Lester will need to get out of the gate quickly and avoid another slow start like he has the past two years. His last two Aprils, the lefty has posted a 5.40 and 7.20 earned run average, respectively. Most people around baseball feel that Lester possessions the best stuff from the left side in baseball.

Lester will look to put it all together in 2011 and add his first Cy Young to his laundry list of accomplishments at the young age 27.

Starter or Closer?

Will Feliz start or close in
2011?

The 2010 American League Rookie of the Year in Major League Baseball is set to start his first game of the spring on Thursday.

Neftali Feliz was the closer for the AL champion Texas Rangers last year, saving a rookie record 40 games and now, might make the move the starting rotation. This has been a debatable decision for some time with the departure of left-hander Cliff Lee in the offseason.

The move is simply not a good one for the Rangers in the now nor the future. Texas has a lethal weapon in their bullpen with a firey young closer with great poise and an even better fastball. If the Rangers move Feliz to the rotation they will be taking away one of their strengths that helped them capture their first AL Pennant. Today, to contend for a World Series title in the majors, a top notch starting pitcher is need, someone that can lead a staff. This is what Texas thinks Feliz can be.

You also need a great closer to win in the postseason.
  
It has been stated many times by former and current players, along with people associated with baseball that the New York Yankees do not win those four World Series titles in the late 90s without the contributions of closer Mariano Rivera. He was the most valuable player on those teams and maybe in baseball the past decade and a half.

For example, look at Atlanta Braves during the 90s. They had the best starting rotation throughout baseball and were in the postseason every year, but only won one World Series in that time period appearing in a total of three. If they had Rivera at the back end of their 'pen we might be talking about Atlanta as the team of the 90s, not New York.

There have been know to be exceptions like Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals. Wainwright was a closer his first season in the big leagues and a good one, much like Feliz, leading the Cardinals to their first World Series title since 1982.

Wainwright has now turned into a front of the rotation starter for the Cardinals and is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball. On the other hand, there is story of Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain burst onto the scence in 2007, posting an unbelievable 0.38 ERA in 24 innings. The Yankees saw him as a front of the rotation starter, but Chamberlain's electric stuff did not translate into the rotation.

Now Chamberlain is back in the bullpen with an uncertain role and his career at a crossroad after it started so bright.

John Smoltz, who is a future Hall of Famer, also took on double duty. Here's the catch, Smoltz was a starter for the first 12 years of his big league career, winning a Cy Young in 1996 before ever getting a taste of the bullpen. Then after the 1999 season, Smoltz needed Tommy John surgery to repair his right elbow and missed the entire 2000 season. Coming off an injury and wanting to help the team in any way possible Smoltz moved to the bullpen in 2001 in an effort to stay healthy. Smoltz was successful in both roles eventually moving back to the rotation, but was a successful starter before the move to the bullpen.

Going from a closer to a starter is much more difficult than going from a successful starter to an elite closer, especially for a 22-year-old kid.

There is no question an ace is needed to lead your staff into the postseason, if Feliz proves to be that then he and the Rangers will silence all the critics, including myself. Although what if it fails? Then you leave not only the rotation a question mark, but also the back end of the bullpen.

The Rangers have made too many moves in the offseason with a team that fresh off their first World Series appearance in franchise history. They were in first-place well before they acquired Lee at the trade deadline last July. The Seattle Mariners had two of the best starting pitchers in the game, Lee and Felix Hernandez, to start the season, they finished 40 games under .500. A starting pitcher pitches every fifth day and can only impact that game, a closer can effect an entire series.

What if your starting pitcher goes eight scoreless innings and is clinging to 2-0 lead in the ninth and no closer to close the game? All that work of your starer is now gone with no one to secure the victory.

Chew on that.

An Angel that Earned His Wings

Anderson receives a curtain call
during his 10 RBI night.

Former Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim outfielder Garret Anderson has decided to call it a career. The announcement was made official on Tuesday morning.

Anderson played 17 seasons in the big leagues with three different teams, including the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers the last two seasons. Although, Anderson will always be known for his 15 fabulous years in Anaheim.

Anderson, a native of Los Angeles was drafted in the fourth round of the 1990 amateur draft out of Kennedy High School. Little did we know that he would become an immortal angel.

In his 15 seasons as a member of the Angels, Anderson became the franchise all-time leader in games played (2,013), hits (2,368), doubles (489), runs (1024), extra-base hits (796), total bases (3,743) and runs batted in (1,292). Some consider Anderson the greatest player in franchise history and there is no argument here.

During his tenure, the Angels made six playoff appearances with five of them coming as American League Western Division champions. They made two ALCS appearances winning one of them in 2002, heading to their first World Series in franchise history.

That season the Angels made the postseason by winning the AL Wild Card and eventually defeating the San Francisco Giants in an epic seven-game series with the help of Anderson's bases-clearing double to seal the victory in the decisive seventh game.

Anderson was a player that flew under the radar most of his career, which is just the way he would have wanted it, but was quietly a one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball.

From 1996-06 only two players had more hits than Anderson's 1,956 throughout that time period, Derek Jeter (2,138) and Alex Rodriguez (2,023). Anderson stole the show at the at the 2003 Midsummer Classic winning the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award. In August of 2007, Anderson made the New York Yankees pitching staff his personal batting practice session, going 4-for-6, driving in 10 runs. The last four came on a grand slam he hit off of left-handed reliever Sean Henn to cap his amazing night.

Anderson was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Aug. 8 of last year after only batting .181 in a pinch-hitting role. That would be the last time we would see Anderson in a Major League uniform.

Anderson's No. 16 will soon be in the right field bleachers in Anaheim, never to be worn again and just maybe one day Anderson will reach the pearly gates of baseball heaven, Cooperstown.

Cy for Cole?

Hamels could win a lot of
games in '11.

The Philadelphia Phillies have arguably the best starting rotation in Major League Baseball.

With the return of left-hander Cliff Lee in the offseason, signing a five-year $120 million, the Phillies have four potential aces on their current staff. The staff has combined for 14 All-Star appearances, three Cy Young Awards, six 20-win seasons, two National League Championship Most Valuable Player Awards and a World Series MVP.

This staff has the potential to be one of the best ever assembled.

Ace Roy Halladay is coming a year where he won the NL Cy Young Award, threw a perfect game against the Florida Marlins and no-hitter in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Cincinnati Reds. Lee is fresh off another great postseason, this time with the Texas Rangers and second consecutive World Series appearance. Roy Oswalt has pitched in the postseason three of his ten big league seasons. Then lies left-hander Cole Hamels, who might be flying radar more than ever heading into 2011.

Hamels got back onto the baseball map last season, bouncing back from an up-and-down year in 2009, where he went only 10-11 with a 4.32 earned run average. The left-hander had high expectations heading into '09 after being named the 2008 NLCS and World Series MVP in Philadelphia's journey to their first World Series title since 1980.

Hamels has since battled back to being a front of the line starter for the Phillies, getting backing to his old form throwing the ball in the mid-90s last October.

This could have been attributed to less pressure with numerous brand names in the rotation along side him.

Hamels could be a sleeper for this year's NL Cy Young Award.With a staff that has four potential 20-game winners in the same season, Hamels seems to have the biggest upside. Still only 27, Hamels has yet to reach his full potential and could break out this upcoming season. The lefty will be matched up most of the season with opponents No. 4 four starters when indeed they are No. 4 starters, Hamels, however, is not a No. 4 starter on any other staff in the big leagues.

That could be a formula for a lot of wins for the season ahead and another trophy to add to his already decorated cabinet.

All is No Longer Wright in St. Louis

Every fifth day could be a
nightmare for the Cards
without No. 50.

The St. Louis Cardinals now face an uphill battle in 2011.

After finding out ace Adam Wainwright will need his second Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his throwing elbow, the season ahead just got even more complicated.

The Cardinals, who are already having to face the fear of losing superstar first baseman Albert Pujols in the offseason to free agency, now, face another obstacle losing their ace for 12-15 months. Wainwright has been nothing short of spectacular since arriving to the show. The right-hander became the Cardinals closer in his rookie campaign, saving four of the five chances he was given in the postseason, not allowing an earned run and striking out 15, eventually leading St. Louis to the 2006 World Series crown. 

He was transformed into a starter after the '06 season and won 14 games that season, throwing 202 innings. Since then Wainwright has turned in a legitimate front of the rotation starter reducing his earned run average every year in the big leagues.

Wainwright won 19 and 20 games, respectively in the last two seasons and finishing in top three of the Cy Young voting of each of those seasons.

There is no question that Wainwright's presence will be missed in '11 and add pressure to right arm of Chris Carpenter. 

A former Cy Young Award winner, Carpenter is also considered to be an ace with some of the best stuff and command in baseball. The Cards will need another huge season from the three-time All-Star if they are to reach their ultimate goal.

Left-handed phenom Jamie Garica, who is coming off an unbelievable rookie season, will need to avoid a sophomore slump to fill the shoes that Wainwright has left. It's uncertain if they can be filled, but only time will tell. With manager Tony La Russa leading the way and the addition of Lance Berkman and Matt Holiday, who still has with six-years left on this current contract, the Cardinal offense should provide plenty of protection for "Fat Albert".

No matter what move the Cardinals decide to make none can replace a player the caliber of Waingwright. The road to dethrone the defending National League Central champion Cincinnati Reds just got a little more rocky.

Captain Ready to Rebound?

The Yankees need Jeter to rebound to get back
atop the baseball mountain.

It's no secret that the New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter struggled much of the the 2010 campaign.

He hasn't only been the face of the Yankees during his career, but the face of Major League Baseball. Leaving us with the question, has father time finally caught up with the Yankee Captain or was '10 just a fluke?

There is no definitive answer just yet, we will have to wait and see come Opening Day, but don't count Jeter out just yet.

Since Jeter burst onto the scene in 1996, winning the Rookie of the Year Award and the first of his five World Series titles, he has not experienced much failure. Jeter has only missed the playoffs once in his 16 seasons in the majors and never batted under .290 in a full season until a year ago.

How will Jeter deal with setting career lows in batting average (.270), on-base percentage (.340) and slugging percentage (.370) a year ago? The same way he always does, by turning the page.

Jeter showed signs of being the Jeter of old, taking better swings in September and into October.

Jeter also did come away with his fifth career Gold Glove Award, making only six errors all season. He was tied for second in the American League with 111 runs, that is the most he is scored in a single-season since he scored 118 in 2006. With the nasty public contract negotiations in the past and extra work in the offseason with hitting coach Kevin Long, we can expect the Yankee Captain to return to form in 2011.

Despite the fact that Jeter will be 37 in June, he is still going to score 100 runs, get his usual 200-plus hits, play solid defense and make a big play in a crucial situation.

The Yankees need Jeter to be the Derek Jeter they have grown accustom to the past decade and a half if they want to get past the Sox in the grueling AL East.

He is out to prove that his best stories have not already be written.

All that being said, Jeter is 74 hits shy of becoming the first Yankee in history to reach 3,000 hits, something that will be truly magical. No matter what the stats say at the end of '11, Jeter will once again be the focal point in New York for all the right reasons.