Diamondbacks interim manager Kirk Gibson is given the permanent job, agreeing to a two-year deal with a team option for 2013. The former hard-nosed major leaguer compiled a 34-49 record for the last-place team, after being hired midseason to replace A.J. Hinch.

The Mets fire manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya, a day after the team completes its fourth consecutive disappointing season. Assistant GM John Ricco will be the head of baseball operations on an interim basis until a new GM is hired, who in turn will select the team’s next manager.

Major League Baseball approves a change in the ground rules for Tropicana Field, making a batted ball that caroms off the A- and B-ring catwalks a dead ball with the pitch not counting, instead of being in play as in the past. The Rays requested the change, which will be implemented in the upcoming ALDS, after Jason Kubel’s two-out, ninth-inning pop up hit off one of the catwalks, driving in the go-ahead run in Minnesota’s eventual 8-6 victory over the home team.

The Indians name Chris Antonetti as the team’s new general manager, with former GM Mark Shapiro moving into his new position as team president. The transition has been developing over the past few years with Antonetti gradually being given a bigger role in Cleveland’s day-to-day operations, giving Shapiro more time to run the business side of the franchise.

The Royals exercise next year’s $6 million option on David DeJesus, who had season-ending surgery on his right thumb. The 30 year-old outfielder batted .318 in 91 games for Kansas City before running into the Yankee Stadium wall on a play in July that became an inside-the-park home run for Derek Jeter.

The Royals exercise next year’s $6 million option on David DeJesus, who had season-ending surgery on his right thumb. The 30 year-old outfielder batted .318 in 91 games for Kansas City before running into the Yankee Stadium wall on a play in July that became an inside-the-park home run for Derek Jeter.

The Red Sox honored infielder Mike Lowell during a 20-minute pregame ceremony at Fenway Park. The 2007 World Series MVP, a 13-year big league veteran who has been recently slowed down due to a hip ailment, announced last month that he would retire at the end of the season.

With seventy former players and coaches sitting on the infield clad in white Braves jerseys in attendance in front of a sell-out crowd, Atlanta honors Bobby Cox with a pregame ceremony. The Braves’ longtime manager, who will remain with the team as a consultant, is given a 2010 Lexus LS460 from the club and an 11-night cruise from his current players during the moving tribute at Turner Field.

The Rays use most of their pitching staff in recording a 4 – 0 shutout over the Royals. The 8 pitchers used is a major league record for a 9-inning shutout. Andy Sonnanstine is the starter, but leaves after giving up 5 hits and loading the bases with one out in the 3rd. Chad Qualls gets out of the jam and picks up the victory with two-thirds of an inning of work. The Rays then use a different pitcher for each of the remaining 6 innings, with the exception of the 6th, when Grant Balfour relieves Jake McGee with two outs and stays on to pitch the 7th. Matt Joyce drives in two runs and Carl Crawford hits a solo homer for Tampa Bay.