Mets players and coaches at Citi Field on Thursday for the team’s optional workout prior to Friday’s Game 3 of the World Series wore NYPD hats to publicly honor officer Randolph Holder, who was killed while on duty last week and promoted posthumously to high detective at his funeral Wednesday.

The first thing that must be understood about what’s happening in the Toronto front office right now is that Mark Shapiro was never not going to be involved in the baseball side of the operation.

Foley’s NY Pub & Restaurant in Midtown has long been considered the No. 1 baseball bar in New York, and the unofficial home away from home for scores of umpires, ballplayers and writers over the years. But a few days ago, Foley’s took on a slightly different persona.

Andy Green is the Padres’ choice to be their new manager, and he will be introduced at a Thursday afternoon news conference at Petco Park.

While there had been some discussion among the Royals’ coaching staff during the regular season of using designated hitter Kendrys Morales in the outfield in the World Series, it doesn’t appear that will be the case. Royals manager Ned Yost said Morales will be on the bench in the Series for the two or three games under National League rules here at Citi Field.

Whether the Royals win or lose this year’s World Series, their fans know they have witnessed the rebirth of an organization — a model one that should contend for championships for years to come, and reminiscent of the Royals’ glory years.

Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris said he’s cancer-free after undergoing surgery for a cancerous growth on his thyroid. Norris made the announcement on his Instagram account, posting a photo of himself with the scar from the procedure.

In the fourth inning of Game 2 of the World Series, Royals pitcher Johnny Cueto threw a first-pitch fastball far enough inside to make Daniel Murphy duck his head, spin out of the way and flash a wry smile. Though Murphy wound up walking in the plate appearance, the episode served to demonstrate both of the ways in which the Royals have attacked him this week.

David Wright’s first World Series hasn’t exactly gone as planned. On Monday’s media day, Wright waxed eloquent about heading into the Fall Classic with the Mets for the first time in his 12-year career. He was thrilled.

If the “six degrees of separation” concept applies to the real world, then the baseball world, with its myriad leagues, levels and opportunities for players to have been on a team together, operates on about three degrees of separation.

The Kansas City Royals are back in the World Series, and they are halfway to the four wins they’ll need for their first title since 1985. One of the big reasons for their recent run of success is their defense, and that excellence has been acknowledged for the second consecutive year.

Don Mattingly has agreed to a four-year deal to be the next manager of the Miami Marlins, VICE Sports reported early Thursday morning. The club has not confirmed.

After leading the Blue Jays to their first postseason berth in more than 20 years, general manager Alex Anthopoulos is reportedly leaving the organization after turning down a contract extension. The club has not confirmed.

The Royals don’t bang as much as chisel. Their work caused Mets standout right-hander Jacob deGrom to crumble during a four-run fifth inning en route to a 7-1 victory in Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday night.

Fans at Kauffman Stadium took Wednesday night’s 7-1 victory over the Mets in Game 2 of the World Series to demonstrate that Johnny Cueto’s name can be bellowed in honor, not mockery.

The Royals’ philosophy is borne out of necessity. Because of their Kauffman Stadium surroundings and their general composition, they have to be a contact-oriented club. It’s their fundamental makeup, and, so far in this World Series, it’s a signature strength that is prevailing quite convincingly against the signature strength of the Mets.

Johnny Cueto two-hit the Mets as the Royals roared to a 7-1 win on Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium to take a 2-0 lead in the World Series.