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Richard Justice, who joined MLB.com as an executive correspondent in 2011, has covered Major League Baseball for more than three decades and offers his insight on MLB.com.
 | As a player, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts understood that baseball games typically are won by the team that makes the fewest mistakes. And maybe that's the larger story of these Los Angeles Dodgers, who on Sunday clinched their fourth straight National League West championship.
More» Roberts on winning the division, Scully |
 | At the end of the day, Vin Scully asked the crowd to indulge him a personal moment. This is how he would leave Dodger Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the final time as the voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
More» Scully addresses the crowd at Dodger Stadium |
 | Jose Fernandez had talent that dazzled almost everyone. To some of the people who knew him best, though, it was the laughter and energy and happiness they'll remember forever.
More»Former Marlins GM Dan Jennings on Jose Fernandez |
 | Vin Scully's legacy may be his calls of huge, dramatic moments -- Hank Aaron's 715th home run, Sandy Koufax's perfect game, Kirk Gibson's World Series moment.
More» #1 Kirk Gibson's walk-off |
 | Regrets? He has none. In the end, it couldn't be simpler than that. Vin Scully said he's prepared to go happily into the next chapter of his life.
More»Scully reacts to being honored by the Dodgers |
 | This isn't the team the Texas Rangers believed they would have. In these closing weeks, their lineup frequently has included five or six players who weren't on the Opening Day roster and three who weren't even in the organization. That's why this American League West championship might be the sweetest of them all.
More» Beltre on Rangers becoming the West champs |
 | This is as good as it gets. Isn't that the bottom line about what's happening right now? Every pitch matters for the nine teams -- yes, nine -- bunched together fighting for four Wild Card postseason berths. One bad inning could push a season to the brink. Mistakes are magnified.
More» A quick look at Wednesday's action |
 | The Cleveland Indians are in a tough spot. No sugarcoating this part of the deal. To lose both Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar -- two of their top three starting pitchers -- is the kind of misfortune that can derail a magical season.
More»IT crew discusses injuries to Carrasco and Salazar |
 | As legacies go, Vin Scully's couldn't be simpler. First, he made broadcasting a baseball game an art form. Others have done this job well -- Russ Hodges and Red Barber, Jack Buck and Ernie Harwell. Scully admires many of them and has emulated some of them.
More»Scully on his emotions heading into his final game |
 | Some of us have wondered what to make of the Cardinals and Giants almost since Opening Day. At various times, both teams have looked plenty good enough to play deep into October. At other times, not so much.
More» Cueto holds Cards to unearned run in win |
 | Maybe there's no magic in what these Texas Rangers are doing. Maybe there's no luck, either. Maybe what some call luck is simply a byproduct of preparation and smarts and tenacity.
More» Profar plates the go-ahead run with a single |
 | Adam Jones has inserted himself into a difficult and necessary conversation about race, politics and protest in sports. Let's begin with that last part. Of course, players should be able to make a gesture aimed at focusing on injustices in this country. Protest is one of the pillars on which this country was built.
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 | Suddenly, these New York baseball teams just might be the most interesting in the entire sport. They're living charmed lives, both of them, the Yankees and Mets.
More» Austin delivers walk-off home run in the 9th |
 | In the 74 days since Clayton Kershaw most recently threw a pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers, plenty has changed. Most notably -- and most dramatically -- the standings. In less than 11 weeks, the Dodgers have made up 13 games. Yes, you read that correctly.
More»Intentional Talk on Kershaw returning |
 | Sometimes, there's no explaining this stuff. Maybe that's the best way to put into proper perspective what the New York Mets are doing.
More» Granderson smashes 25th home run to center |
 | When Alex Bregman started his Major League career slowly -- really slowly -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch knew it was just a matter of time before his prized prospect started hitting. That time has come.
More» Bregman jacks a two-run homer to left |
 | Welcome to Labor Day. Remember when it was a day to reassess and reset the pennant races? It historically has signaled the final sprint to the postseason. No more.
More» Heyward's game-tying and walk-off hits |
 | Yes, the kids have taken over the game. We're constantly reminded of this as they amaze us with their skills and athleticism and energy.
More»Justice discusses biggest September storylines |
 | You can almost see October from here, and isn't that what makes September special? That's especially true of a season in which 18 teams are still in serious contention for one of the 10 postseason berths. Let's look down the road at these final few weeks and predict who the newsmakers will be.
More»Justice discusses biggest September storylines |
 | Welcome to the best time of the year. When the pressure and tension are cranked up. When seven months of hard work could be lost in an instant. These next five weeks are going to have the look and feel of postseason baseball, starting with five critical series between contenders that begin on Monday.
More»Blue Jays and Orioles bring power into big series |
Tim Hudson is a reminder that prices are going up. Baseball teams have money to spend, and with a thin free agent market and at least 20 clubs thinking they’ve got a chance to win the World Series in 2014, it’s a great off-season to be a free agent. Jacoby Ellsbury and Brian McCann are […]
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Revisionist history says the Phillies made terrible decisions in giving all these longterm commitments to Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, etc. This is just silly. What were they supposed to do with these guys? Walk away from them? Allow Ryan Howard to leave via free agency? This group of players has transformed the Phillies from a […]
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Until the moment the World Series was won on Wednesday night, the Red Sox were focused only on the job at hand. One pitch at a time. One inning at a time. Et cetera. “Whatever the task is in front of us, that’s the one we address,” manager John Farrell said earlier in the week. […]
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Maybe the Astros came to town at just the right time to save the Rangers. Speaking of the Astros, this is the two-week anniversary of their last victory. During this little 0-12 run, they’ve been outscored 69-19. The Reds, Indians and Rangers all swept ‘em at a time when all three teams needed victories. The […]
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How crazy is this American League Wild Card race? Donât blink or youâll miss something important, and I speak as one who stayed with the Rays and Orioles for their 6-hour, 54-minute marathon that ended at 2:05 a.m. Saturday. In case you missed it, the Rays won it 5-4 in the bottom of the 18th […]
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Dodgers starters are 21-5 with a 1.91 ERA since July 26. In that time, they’ve had 12 games in which the starter didn’t allow an earned run. The Dodgers are 22-6 in August and 32-8 since the All-Star Break and 49-13 since June 22. 22 wins in August is a Los Angeles record for the […]
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Tom Boswell of The Washington Post has an excellent column about baseball’s recent September surprises. He’s reminding his hometown team that it’s important to play the season out because you just never know. Here are some highlights: In just the past two years, six teams have imploded to lose division titles or a playoff spot. […]
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I’m sure Ryan Braun was told that the reaction to whatever apology he issued would be negative. There’s nothing columnists and talk show nitwits like more than climbing on their soapbox and trashing another man’s ethics. As a matter of fact, I enjoy it myself. Some people were going to be satisfied only if Braun […]
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Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig made the following statement today regarding the discipline issued to players in relation to Major League Baseballâs Biogenesis investigation: âMajor League Baseball has worked diligently with the Players Association for more than a decade to make our Joint Drug Program the best in all of professional sports. I am […]
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It was the spring of 1993 in Fort Lauderdale when Orioles manager Johnny Oates introduced Cal Ripken Jr. to a skinny, 17-year-old kid from Miami. Alex Rodriguez would be the overall No. 1 pick in the draft that summer and had asked to meet with his boyhood idol. Ripken redefined the position of shortstop, proving […]
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