As the Road to the World Series heads back to a familiar locale at Fenway Park, there is plenty of history to be found between the Cardinals and Red Sox that have been standouts in their respective leagues since the dawning of baseball time.

Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp underwent surgery on his damaged left ankle on Monday. The club said he is expected to be “competitive” in time for the regular season, but apparently not for Spring Training.

Both teams have officially announced what hardly needed to be said, declaring that it will be Red Sox lefty Jon Lester facing off against Cardinals righty Adam Wainwright in Game 1 of the World Series from Fenway Park on Wednesday night (7:30 ET air time, 8:07 first pitch on FOX).

With the World Series on deck and in the aftermath of riveting playoff series, we get this sad news about one of the most successful managers of our time. Not sad for him, but for us.

There was the collapse of 2011. There was the season-long malaise of ’12. That was Dustin Pedroia’s opportunity to lose faith in the direction of the organization that drafted him in June 2004. Instead, the hard times only strengthened Pedroia’s resolve and increased his desire to not just win again — but to do so with the Boston Red Sox.

Perhaps the biggest difference the Red Sox will have to deal with this World Series compared what they saw in the American League Championship Series: a harder-throwing, more dominant bullpen. But don’t expect any changes in the Red Sox’s philosophy when the face the Cardinals.

Tim McCarver was a little concerned about replacing a sports-broadcasting legend like Howard Cosell back in 1985, when he called his first World Series. Now McCarver is about to call his record 24th and final Fall Classic starting Wednesday night, when the Red Sox host the Cardinals in Game 1 on FOX, and the retiring Hall of Fame broadcaster is a little concerned about people making a big deal out of his swan song.

Hurt by ownership’s refusal to pick up a $1.4 million option a year ago, which manager Don Mattingly said made him a lame duck in the clubhouse, Mattingly emphasized that he “doesn’t want to be somewhere he’s not wanted.”

The long-running injury that hobbled Miguel Cabrera for the past few months finally has an official diagnosis: The three-time American League batting champion has a groin tear that is likely to require surgery.

Regardless whether national recognition follows, Yadier Molina has emerged as the face of a Cardinals franchise now seeking its third World Series championship since the catcher made his Major League debut.

Jim Leyland stepped down as manager of the Tigers on Monday, revealing his decision at a Comerica Park news conference. The decision ends Leyland’s eight-year tenure leading the team he grew up with, first as a Minor League catcher and then as a manager in its farm system. This season was his 50th in professional baseball.

The Dodgers have agreed to a four-year, $28 million deal with Cuban middle-infield prospect Alexander Guerrero, according to industry sources.

If you ask a dozen general managers to describe their prototype of what a Major League manager ought to be, there’s a good chance they’ll mention one name.

Magallanes second baseman Rougned Odor, the Rangers’ No. 3 prospect, picked up both of his hits in the club’s eight-run third inning, leading off with a single before punctuating the rally with a three-run homer in a 12-10 victory over Aragua in Venezuela.

The Red Sox, searching for their eighth title and third in the last 10 years, bring baseball’s most productive offense and a slew of battle-tested veterans. The Cardinals, looking for the franchise’s 12th championship and third in the last eight years, boast a young, lights-out pitching staff and probably the best situational-hitting team in the Majors.

Though most of the faces have changed, the 2004 World Series still rings fresh for Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny and the handful that are still in uniform — Chris Carpenter, Yadier Molina, John Mabry and Jose Oquendo.

The Red Sox and Cuban right-handed pitcher Dalier Hinojosa have agreed to terms on a Minor League deal worth $4.25 million, according to industry sources.