MLB - 2017

[PJMIII]

You thought Game 2 was the craziest World Series game ever? Try Game 5

We settled in at 7:21 local time, expecting a tense, classic World Series pitchers' duel between Dallas Keuchel and Clayton Kershaw.

We ended five hours and 17 minutes later after witnessing a game that was simultaneously an exhilarating baseball adventure and something Caligula invented. If you had a rooting interest in this game, you're not even reading this column because you're probably out of energy.

http://www.espn.com/blog/sweetspot/post ... try-game-5

[stark]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KwFuGtGU6c

[PJMIII]

Dodgers beat Astros 3-1, force World Series to Game 7

Joc Pederson sliced a drive over the left-field wall, pounded his chest and danced around the bases , taking as many twists and turns as this World Series itself.

Of course, the Los Angeles Dodgers forced the Houston Astros to Game 7.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=371031119

[PJMIII]

The city of Houston celebrates with the Astros

With six outs left before the Houston Astros won the first World Series in franchise history, an Ethiopian driver named Daniel drove me to a tattoo parlor west of downtown. He arrived in Houston the year after the Astros' last World Series appearance, landing at the airport without knowing a single person in the country. The first time he saw the freeways, he panicked, wondering why in the world he'd come to this frightening place to be a driver. Now he loves this city.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2126 ... rates-them

[PJMIII]

Two-time Cy Young winner Roy Halladay dies in plane crash

Two-time Cy Young winner Roy Halladay died when his single-engine plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's office in Florida. He was 40 years old.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/m ... 841101001/

[PJMIII]

Astros' Jose Altuve, Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton take home first MVP awards

Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros have grown together, enduring an arduous rebuild and coming out the other side among baseball's best.

These days, nobody is standing taller.

Altuve won the American League MVP award Thursday, towering over New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge by a wide margin and capping Houston's championship season with another piece of hardware.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2143 ... league-mvp

[PJMIII]

Ohtani's role as a pitcher and hitter will be revolutionary

Even Babe Ruth really couldn’t maintain what the Babe Ruth of Japan, Shohei Ohtani, will attempt for some major league team in the seasons ahead -- to serve regularly as both a position player and pitcher.

http://www.espn.com/blog/buster-olney/i ... olutionary

[PJMIII]

It's official: Aaron Boone is new Yankees manager

Aaron Boone's hiring has been finalized by the New York Yankees, who gave the ESPN broadcaster a three-year contract to succeed Joe Girardi as manager.

New York announced the deal Monday and said Boone, selected over five other candidates last week, will be introduced Wednesday at Yankee Stadium.

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2166 ... rk-yankees

[PJMIII]

Jack Morris, Alan Trammell complete joint trip from Detroit to Cooperstown

Alan Trammell and Jack Morris, who were drafted and made their big league debuts together with the Detroit Tigers, met up again Monday -- this time as Hall of Famers.

"It's a been awhile," Morris said, his voice cracking frequently during a news conference at the baseball winter meetings. "It's been a tremendous learning experience, something I don't regret today. I'm especially proud to go in with my friend, somebody who helped define what I was. It doesn't get any better for me."

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/2174 ... all-famers

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[PJMIII]

The Atlanta Braves traded OF Matt Kemp to the L.A. Dodgers for 1B Adrian Gonzalez, LHP Scott Kazmir, RHP Brandon McCarthy, INF Charlie Culberson and cash. Designated Gonzalez for assignment.