Buck Showalter’s Orioles not only exceeded any reasonable expectations by winning 93 games, they were also historically good in close games, which should earn Showalter the AL Manager of the Year Award.

Buck Showalter’s Orioles not only exceeded any reasonable expectations by winning 93 games, they were also historically good in close games, which should earn Showalter the AL Manager of the Year Award.

Baseball had never had a player so hyped and so hounded so long before Bryce Harper’s debut. Kudos to him, then, for turning in a season worthy of an award and for carrying himself in a respectable manner in the process.

As Major League Baseball pauses with the rest of the nation on Veterans Day to honor and appreciate those who have served in the armed forces, it stands and salutes as a sport forever linked with the military, in many different ways and in many different eras.

R.A. Dickey accepted the Branch Rickey Award for humanitarian service in baseball and related his story of perseverance to a group of Denver schoolchildren.

The Twins agreed to terms on Minor League deals with right-handed reliever Tim Wood and catcher Eric Fryer, the Twins announced Saturday. The deals include invitations to Major League Spring Training.

A three-time National League Manager of the Year with the Giants (1993, ’97, 2000), Dusty Baker has been in the top five in the balloting seven times, with runner-up finishes with the 2003 Cubs and ’10 Reds.

A three-time National League Manager of the Year with the Giants (1993, ’97, 2000), Dusty Baker has been in the top five in the balloting seven times, with runner-up finishes with the 2003 Cubs and ’10 Reds.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and Rangers right-hander Yu Darvish are finalists for the American League Rookie of the Year Award. In any other year, they would be anxiously awaiting Monday night’s announcement of the results from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America voting to see if they won.

There was never any doubt about Mike Trout as Rookie of the Year. The only question is whether he’s the Rookie of All Time.

There was never any doubt about Mike Trout as Rookie of the Year. The only question is whether he’s the Rookie of All Time.

If Arizona’s Wade Miley doesn’t win the National League Rookie of the Year Award there should be an investigation.

R.A. Dickey’s body of work is as hard to beat as his darting knuckler is to hit. He was 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA, putting together a .769 winning percentage for a .457 Mets team. Stunning.

Hired to fill the shoes vacated by future Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa in St. Louis, Mike Matheny answered most questions anyone could have had about whether the 41-year-old former big league catcher was ready to handle the field manager duties for one of the most storied franchises in baseball.

The Urban Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., held its annual MLB Umpire Camp this week, drawing a young and talented group of prospective arbiters who hail from diverse backgrounds and entry points to the game.

CC Sabathia used his prized left arm for something other than retiring opposing hitters on Saturday, helping repaint the Hoboken Boys and Girls Club, which was ravaged by Hurricane Sandy.

Johnny Damon is currently sharing his baseball knowledge and talents in Thailand for the World Baseball Classic qualifier, but he’s hoping for another shot in the big leagues in 2013.