The Yankees finished the season eight victories shy of their ultimate goal, and while many clubs would gladly sign up for a division title and entry into the League Championship Series, that just isn’t good enough around 161st Street and River Avenue.

MLB’s work with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the RBI program and Breaking Barriers program will be at center stage Saturday prior to Game 3 of the World Series.

Brian Sabean’s 16th season as general manager of the San Francisco Giants might be his most satisfying.

Giants outfielder Angel Pagan has come a long way since the sometimes-overaggressive style of his youth earned him the nickname “Caballo Loco.”

A day after Commissioner Bud Selig showed his support for the Rays’ attempt to get a new stadium, St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster denied the team’s request on Friday to explore potential sites in Hillsborough County, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Tigers catcher Alex Avila and assistant general manager Al Avila once joked about winning a World Series together. Now that they’ve gotten a chance, the father-son tandem wants to make it a reality.

The question of Justin Verlander’s availability to start again came up Friday, and it was shot down as soon as the Game 4 part of the question could be mentioned.

There is no denying the Indians have respect for Travis Hafner. That is evident in the organization’s unwillingness to come straight out and announce that the designated hitter’s club option for next season will not be picked up.

The Giants are competing in their second World Series in three seasons, and general manager Brian Sabean has been the architect of all that success.

As he indicated earlier this week, manager Bruce Bochy said Friday that he is leaning toward employing backup catcher Hector Sanchez as the Giants’ designated hitter for the World Series games at Comerica Park.

Tall right-hander Chris Volstad was claimed off outright waivers by Kansas City on Friday from the Chicago Cubs. Volstad becomes the 40th player on the Royals’ 40-man roster.

After a disappointing 2012 season, Tim Lincecum has excelled in a relief role in the playoffs. However, the Giants’ mentality, beyond a shadow of a doubt, will be to do everything in their power to try to get Lincecum back on track as a starter in 2013.

The guy who throws 86 mph and the guy who had nearly a 6.00 ERA down the stretch shut the Tigers down. So, naturally, they’re looking forward to the guy who threw the perfect game and the guy who finished fourth in the National League in ERA in 2011.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said Friday the club will consider extending ace starter Clayton Kershaw’s contract, but a more immediate concern is the upcoming free-agency period that begins after the World Series.

A full-blown media phenomenon at the World Series two years ago, injured Giants closer Brian Wilson has a new role in 2012 — pumping up his teammates instead of shutting down opponents — and the man behind the beard is playing it with equal gusto.

During this first offseason in charge for Rick Hahn, with Ken Williams’ highly successful 12-year-run as general manager ending with him being promoted to executive vice president, there will be a number of tough calls for the organization to make.

Two months after being acquired as the $100 million throw-in to the blockbuster trade with Boston, Carl Crawford was introduced as the new left fielder at a Dodger Stadium press conference on Friday.