Paul Konerko and Jimmy Rollins are named co-recipients of the Roberto Clemente Award; an honor bestowed on major leaguers for their commitment to the community. The former White Sox first baseman and Phillies shortstop have both been heavily involved in improving the lives of children, raising money, and obtaining school supplies and back-to-school clothes, supporting juvenile diabetes and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis research, and funding the fight against child abuse, among many other charitable efforts.

The Royals take Game 3 of the World Series, 3 – 2, thanks to a great bullpen performance, as four relievers keep the lead over the last four innings. Jeremy Guthrie is the winner over Tim Hudson, with Greg Holland recording the save.

In a surprise development, long-time Rays manager Joe Maddon resigns after nine seasons at the helm, following the departure of GM Andrew Friedman by only a few weeks. The tandem is widely credited with turning the franchise around.

After aggressively trying to sign their manager to a third contract extension, the Rays announce Joe Maddon has exercised an opt-out in his contract. During his nine-year tenure with Tampa Bay, a franchise perceived as perennial losers before his arrival, the popular skipper compiled a 754-705 record, leading the team to the playoffs four times, that included winning two AL East titles and one appearance in the World Series.

The Royals even the World Series with a 7 – 2 win over the Giants in Game 2. The Royals break a 2 – 2 tie in the 6th by scoring 5 runs as the Giants use five pitchers in a vain attempt to stop the bleeding. Billy Butler puts the Royals ahead with a run-scoring single, but the big blows are a two-run double by Salvador Perez followed by a two-run homer by Omar Infante, both against rookie Hunter Strickland.

Major League Baseball hands out its newly-named reliever awards for the first time. In the National League, Craig Kimbrel of the Braves is the winner of the initial Trevor Hoffman Award, while in the American league, Greg Holland of the Royals wins the Mariano Rivera Award.

2014 – The Giants take Game 1 of the World Series, 7 – 1, over the Royals. A two-run homer by Hunter Pence off James Shields fuels a three-run 1st inning, while Madison Bumgarner gives up only one run on three hits in seven innings. The loss ends Kansas City’s streak of 11 consecutive wins in the postseason, dating back to the 1985 World Series.

The Rangers hire long-time Pirates coach Jeff Banister as their new manager.

The San Francisco Giants win their third National League pennant in five years by defeating the Cardinals, 6 – 3, in Game 5 of the NLCS. Michael Morse hits a pinch-hit homer off Pat Neshek to tie the game in the bottom of the 8th, and Travis Ishikawa sends the Giants to the World Series with a three-run walk-off shot off Michael Wacha in the bottom of the 9th.

The Royals win their first American League pennant in 29 years, completing a four-game sweep of the Orioles in the ALCS with a 2 – 1 win in Game 4. The Royals use small ball to score twice in the bottom of the 1st, then let their defence and dominant pitching do the rest. Lorenzo Cain is named the MVP of the series after hitting .533 and making a number of fine catches in centerfield, while Greg Holland saves all four wins. With 8 straight wins since the start of the postseason, the Royals set a new all-time record.