October 26

2018 – The Dodgers win a marathon Game 3 in the World Series, 3 – 2 over the Red Sox, on a walk-off homer by Max Muncy off Nathan Eovaldi to lead off the 18th inning. The game lasts 7 hour and 20 minutes and begins with a great start by Walker Buehler, who shuts out the Sox for 7 innings. But Los Angeles can only score one run on a solo homer by Joc Pederson in the 3rd, and in the 8th Boston ties the score on a two-out homer by Jackie Bradley off Kenley Jansen. The two teams trade runs in the 13th when the Dodgers manage to score on a two-out error by 2B Ian Kinsler. The score remains at 2 – 2 until Muncy ends the game as Eovaldi begins his 7th inning of work. The game’s total time and the 18 pitchers used are both postseason records.

2017 – In a surprising move, the Yankees announce that Joe Girardi will not return as manager in 2018, despite the fact that he took a young team that was not expected to contend to within one game of the World Series­.

The Cubs tie up the World Series with a 5 – 1 win over the Indians in Game 2. Jake Arrieta does not allow a hit until the 6th, while the Cubs score against Trevor Bauer in the top of the 1st and add runs in the 3rd and 5th. Anthony Rizzo scores twice while Kyle Schwarber drives in a pair.

Cardinal rookie Oscar Taveras, who participated in seven postseason games with St. Louis earlier in the month, dies in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic. The 22 year-old outfielder, who batted .320 and slugged .516 as a minor leaguer, was considered by many to be a ‘can’t miss prospect’.

Madison Bumgarner hurls a four-hit, complete-game, blanking the Royals, 5-0, in Game 6 of the World Series. The southpaw’s victory, giving the Giants a 3-2 edge, is the first shutout thrown by starter in the Fall Class since Josh Beckett accomplish the feat for the Marlins at Yankee Stadium in 2003, and the first for the franchise since 1962 when Jack Sanford whitewashed New York in 1962.

With runners on second and third with one out, Jon Jay’s grounder results in Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia easily throwing out Yadier Molina at the plate. After making the tag at home, Boston backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s errant throw to third base causes third baseman Will Middlebrooks to collide with Allen Craig, who had gone to third and appears to be thrown out while advancing to home, but the umpires ruled that the infielder interfered the baserunner, giving the Cardinals an unusual 5-4 walk-off victory in the first World Series game to ever end on an obstruction call.

New Chicago Cubs President Theo Epstein announces the appointment of Jed Hoyer, who worked with him with the Boston Red Sox, as the team’s new general manager. The San Diego Padres are expected to name Josh Byrnes as Hoyer’s replacement and will receive a player in compensation from the Cubs.

The Nationals notify Jim Riggleman he will be returning as the team’s manager next year. Washington finished last in the National League East for the third consecutive season, but improved by ten games in the win column, finishing the campaign with 69 victories.

Tony La Russa agrees to a one-year contract to return for his 15th season as manager of the Cardinals. The Redbirds have appeared in the postseason eight times under their 65 year-old skipper, including a World Championship in 2006.

The Padres formally introduced 35 year-old Jed Hoyer as the team’s new general manager. The former assistant to Boston’s GM Theo Epstein replaces Kevin Towers, who held the position in San Diego for 14 seasons.