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.

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.

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.

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.

B.J. Upton, in the Rays’ 13-4 rout of the visiting Yankees, becomes the first player in the 12-year history of the franchise to hit for the cycle. The fleet center fielder’s offensive output, which includes five hits and six RBIs, helps Tampa Bay to deny CC Sabathia of his 20th win this season, a feat which hasn’t been accomplished by a Bronx pitcher since Andy Pettitte posted a 21-8 record in 2003.

B.J. Upton, in the Rays’ 13-4 rout of the visiting Yankees, becomes the first player in the 12-year history of the franchise to hit for the cycle. The fleet center fielder’s offensive output, which includes five hits and six RBIs, helps Tampa Bay to deny CC Sabathia of his 20th win this season, a feat which hasn’t been accomplished by a Bronx pitcher since Andy Pettitte posted a 21-8 record in 2003.

Delmon Young hits his first career grand slam to lead the Twins to a 10 – 7 win over Kansas City. Jeff Manship earns his first major league win for Minnesota. Meanwhile, Jake Peavy gives up only 2 hits in 8 innings when the White Sox beat Detroit, 8 – 0, reducing the Tigers’ lead over the Twins in the AL Central to just one game.

Delmon Young hits his first career grand slam to lead the Twins to a 10 – 7 win over Kansas City. Jeff Manship earns his first major league win for Minnesota. Meanwhile, Jake Peavy gives up only 2 hits in 8 innings when the White Sox beat Detroit, 8 – 0, reducing the Tigers’ lead over the Twins in the AL Central to just one game.

In the Rays’ first-ever playoff appearance, the ten year-old franchise defeats the visiting White Sox at Tropicana Field, 6-4. Tampa Bay’s rookie third baseman Evan Longoria joins Gary Gaetti (1987) in becoming only the second player to homer in his first two postseason at-bats.

In the Rays’ first-ever playoff appearance, the ten year-old franchise defeats the visiting White Sox at Tropicana Field, 6-4. Tampa Bay’s rookie third baseman Evan Longoria joins Gary Gaetti (1987) in becoming only the second player to homer in his first two postseason at-bats.

Major League Baseball announces a record number of fans attended big league games this year. The ticket sales for the season is 76,043,902, shattering the overall record for the third consecutive year.

Major League Baseball announces a record number of fans attended big league games this year. The ticket sales for the season is 76,043,902, shattering the overall record for the third consecutive year.

Chicago’s veep and GM Jim Hendry announces that the Cubs have declined to renew Dusty Baker’s contract to return as the team’s manager. During his four-year reign in the northside dugout, the 57 year-old skipper compiled a 322-326 record, including a 66-96 campaign last season.

Chicago’s veep and GM Jim Hendry announces that the Cubs have declined to renew Dusty Baker’s contract to return as the team’s manager. During his four-year reign in the northside dugout, the 57 year-old skipper compiled a 322-326 record, including a 66-96 campaign last season.

Before taking the field, the Marlins are told by an emotional Jack McKeon that he is managing the team for the last time. After applause and hugs for their 73 year-old skipper, the Florida players respond by rallying to tie the score with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and then defeat the NL East champion Braves in the next frame when Juan Pierre singles home to winning run in the Fish’s 7-6 walk-off victory.

Before taking the field, the Marlins are told by an emotional Jack McKeon that he is managing the team for the last time. After applause and hugs for their 73 year-old skipper, the Florida players respond by rallying to tie the score with two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and then defeat the NL East champion Braves in the next frame when Juan Pierre singles home to winning run in the Fish’s 7-6 walk-off victory.