Derek Jeter said goodbye the way we always figured he might. That is, he did his job. Isn’t that the thing that defined him for 20 seasons? When he takes a deep breath and reflects on all of it, he’s sure to look back and take pride in always being part of a great whole, a team.

Sunday was a captivating capper to a Major League season that kept us guessing all the way until the final outs were registered.

A few statistical nuggets related to the Jordan Zimmermann’s no-hitter of the Marlins on the last day of the regular season, Sunday afternoon in D.C.

In the Nationals’ section of the box score for Jordan Zimmermann’s no-hitter, 16 names are listed above the pitcher’s. Everyone contributed in some way, especially off the bench, which included left fielder Steven Souza Jr.’s game-winning catch.

In one of several thoughtful moments over the past several days, Derek Jeter reflected on his storied career and noted that though he shared the field with many athletes who possessed more talent, he believes that no one ever gave more of an effort. With that in mind, Jeter’s season-long goodbye ended in fitting fashion on Sunday afternoon, running hard down the first-base line to notch the 3,465th hit of his career. He signaled for a pinch-runner and waved his batting helmet as he left the field, exiting a game that the Yankees went on to win, 9-5.

Paul Konerko’s illustrious 18-year Major League career and 16-year run with the White Sox officially came to an end Sunday afternoon, as he exited the field in the top of the sixth inning of a 6-4 loss to the Royals at U.S. Cellular Field.

Steven Souza Jr.’s eye-boggling catch might also have jumped right to the front of the line of the greatest plays ever made for the final out of a no-hitter, joining efforts by Hall of Famers and Gold Glovers among the greatest defensive efforts to clinch a piece of pitching history.

The Pirates’ loss on Sunday did more than just clinch the National League Central for the Cardinals. It also set us up for one of the best playoff pitching matchups you could possibly imagine. When the Dodgers host the Cards on Friday in Game 1 of the NL Division Series, Clayton Kershaw is set to take the hill against Adam Wainwright at Dodger Stadium.

The Tigers are American League Central champs after defeating the Twins, 3-0, on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park. Detroit’s win, its 90th victory of the season, made Kansas City’s result in Chicago against the White Sox irrelevant, as it locked up the club’s fourth consecutive AL Central title and ensured a date with the Orioles in the AL Division Series, beginning Thursday in Baltimore.

Jordan Zimmermann threw the first no-hitter in team history as the Nationals defeated the Marlins, 1-0, in the regular-season finale at Nationals Park on Sunday.

The Tigers celebrated a division title on Sunday, but the focus remains on the goal of bringing a World Series championship to Detroit for the first time since 1984.

The magic number for the 2014 Major League Baseball season is 27. It has been worn with distinction by Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Gomez, Matt Kemp and Jordan Zimmermann, a a sextet of elite stars.

James Shields will be pitching for the Royals in the American League Wild Card Game against the A’s on Tuesday night (7:07 CT, TBS), in Kansas City.

If you know anything about Jose Altuve, you weren’t surprised he wound up wanting to play Sunday after originally being out of the lineup. And if you know anything else about Altuve, you weren’t surprised to see him rise to the occasion. The Astros’ second baseman went 2-for-4 to secure the American League batting title, ending the year with a .341 average.

During Saturday’s 40-minute ceremony to honor the retiring White Sox icon, after a video clip from the 2005 World Series celebration, Jerry Reinsdorf recounted his feelings about Paul Konerko… then gave him a special gift.

For Giants right fielder Hunter Pence, preparing for the postseason took an unusual turn Saturday: resting. Pence wasn’t in Saturday’s lineup, ending his Major League-high streak of 331 consecutive starts.

For one day at least, the Pirates waved the white flag in the daily struggle with Russell Martin’s balky left hamstring.