Major League Baseball owners agree to fund an expanded video review system in 2014. The plan, which would allow managers to challenge almost any call by umpires except for balls and strikes, still needs to gain approval from the Players Association and Umpires Union.

ByBaseball

Major League Baseball owners agree to fund an expanded video review system in 2014. The plan, which would allow managers to challenge almost any call by umpires except for balls and strikes, still needs to gain approval from the Players Association and Umpires Union.

In one of the closest races to determine the American League Cy Young Award winner, Rays’ southpaw David Price (20-5, 2.56) outpoints last year’s recipient Tigers ace Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64) by the slim margin of four points. The difference proves to be the one first-place vote given to the Tampa Bay left-hander’s teammate, closer Fernando Rodney.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In one of the closest races to determine the American League Cy Young Award winner, Rays’ southpaw David Price (20-5, 2.56) outpoints last year’s recipient Tigers ace Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64) by the slim margin of four points. The difference proves to be the one first-place vote given to the Tampa Bay left-hander’s teammate, closer Fernando Rodney.

National League, R.A. Dickey of the Mets is the first knuckleballer ever to win the Cy Young Award

ByBaseball

The Cy Young Awards are announced in both leagues. In the National League, R.A. Dickey of the Mets is the first knuckleballer ever so honored after finishing the year with a record of 20-6, 2.73 and 230 strikeouts. In the American League, David Price of the Rays edges last year’s winner, Justin Verlander of the Tigers, 153 to 149. Price receives 14 first-place votes after finishing the season at 20-5, 2.56 with 205 Ks, while Verlander gets 13, after a season during which he went 17-8, 2.64 with 239 strikeouts.

The AL Rookie of the Year Award is announced Tampa Bay P Jeremy Hellickson comes up with the prize on the strength of a 13-10 record and a 2.95 ERA.

ByBaseball

Winners of the Rookie of the Year Award are announced in both major leagues. In the National League, Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel is the winner after setting a new rookie record with 46 saves. In the American League, Tampa Bay P Jeremy Hellickson comes up with the prize on the strength of a 13-10 record and a 2.95 ERA.

Former Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year, $50 million free-agent deal to finish games for the Phillies. The contract is the richest ever signed by a closer, surpassing B.J. Ryan’s five-year, $47 million pact with the Blue Jays in 2005.

ByTom

Former Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year, $50 million free-agent deal to finish games for the Phillies. The contract is the richest ever signed by a closer, surpassing B.J. Ryan’s five-year, $47 million pact with the Blue Jays in 2005.

Mike Matheny is named to succeed Tony La Russa, who retired as the manager of the Cardinals a few days after leading the Redbirds to a world championship. The 41 year-old former minor league instructor, who served as a special assistant to general manager John Mozeliak, has no previous managerial experience.

ByBaseball

Mike Matheny is named to succeed Tony La Russa, who retired as the manager of the Cardinals a few days after leading the Redbirds to a world championship. The 41 year-old former minor league instructor, who served as a special assistant to general manager John Mozeliak, has no previous managerial experience.

Craig Kimbrel unanimously wins the National League Rookie of the Year award. The Braves’ right-handed closer, who struck out 127 batters in 77 innings, set a major league record for saves by a rookie with 46.

ByBaseball

Craig Kimbrel unanimously wins the National League Rookie of the Year award. The Braves’ right-handed closer, who struck out 127 batters in 77 innings, set a major league record for saves by a rookie with 46.

A Santa Barbara father-son sports collectors team pays $575,912 for the bat that Kirk Gibson used to hit his dramatic World Series Game 1 home run in 1988. The winning bid was the second-highest sale price ever for a baseball bat, topped only by the $1.265 million paid in 2004 for a Babe Ruth signed bat, which was used by the ‘Bambino’ to hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium.

ByBaseball

A Santa Barbara father-son sports collectors team pays $575,912 for the bat that Kirk Gibson used to hit his dramatic World Series Game 1 home run in 1988. The winning bid was the second-highest sale price ever for a baseball bat, topped only by the $1.265 million paid in 2004 for a Babe Ruth signed bat, which was used by the ‘Bambino’ to hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium.

Bob Melvin is named National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The Diamondbacks skipper, who led the club to a league-best 90 victories, also was selected by his fellow managers for the same honor in The Sporting News poll.

ByBaseball

Bob Melvin is named National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The Diamondbacks skipper, who led the club to a league-best 90 victories, also was selected by his fellow managers for the same honor in The Sporting News poll.