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The last week in MLB was about a club winning the World Series for the first time since 1988, and a pair of teams in the American League hire new managers.
Los Angeles Dodgers Win World Series for First Time Since 1988
The Los Angeles Dodgers have done something that has not happened since 1988, as they won the World Series 4-2 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
FINALLY!
For the first time since 1988, the LA @Dodgers are World Series Champions! pic.twitter.com/EMIWlxaEaX
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 28, 2020
The Dodgers won Game 6 by a 3-1 score against the Rays.
When the @Dodgers needed an RBI, Corey Seager came through all #postseason. pic.twitter.com/8zE10TNHgB
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 28, 2020
Shortstop Corey Seager was selected as World Series MVP as he went eight-for-20 in the Fall Classic with two home runs and six walks.
Seager is the eighth player to win MVP in both the World Series and League Championship Series and the first since Madison Bumgarner in 2014, per Sarah Langs of MLB.com.
Players to win LCS & WS MVP in same PS:
2020 Corey Seager
2014 Madison Bumgarner
2011 David Freese
2008 Cole Hamels
1997 Livan Hernandez
1988 Orel Hershiser
1982 Darrell Porter
1979 Willie Stargell@AndrewSimonMLB wrote about all of them, you should read https://t.co/Ddcj9Ikwqa— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 28, 2020
Seager is the first shortstop to win World Series MVP in 10 years, per MLB Stats.
Corey Seager becomes the first SS to win #WorldSeries MVP in 10 years. pic.twitter.com/0U4eH6oOsx
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 28, 2020
There was some controversy as Rays’ manager Kevin Cash took out starting pitcher Blake Snell in the sixth inning.
Snell was locked in as he yielded just two hits, struck out nine batters, and did not issue a free pass on 73 pitches.
When Snell was removed, he was supposed to face the Dodgers lineup the third time, but this was Cy Young Snell.
The Dodgers were having a tough time against Snell and Cash taking him out, did the Dodgers a huge favor.
The Dodgers had a stellar regular season and capped off the postseason by winning the title.
After 4 years of heartbreak, the @Dodgers finished the job. pic.twitter.com/fThe2Jw7sf
— MLB (@MLB) October 28, 2020
Chicago White Sox Hire Tony La Russa as New Manager
The Chicago White Sox have hired Tony La Russa as their new manager, per a team announcement.
Tony La Russa, a member of baseball’s Hall of Fame, the third-winningest manager in baseball history, a three-time World Series champion and a four-time winner of the Manager of the Year Award, has been named the new manager of the Chicago White Sox. pic.twitter.com/RKP24rleHP
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) October 29, 2020
The White Sox and La Russa have agreed to a multi-year contract, per Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
La Russa and the White Sox have agreed to terms on a multi-year contract.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) October 29, 2020
La Russa is 76 years old and last managed in the majors in 2011, when he guided the St. Louis Cardinals to a World Series title.
He has won three titles and is third all-time with 2,728 wins as a manager.
La Russa was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 by the Veteran’s Committee.
This marks the first time a Hall of Fame manager has returned after being inducted, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
This is the first time a Hall of Fame manager has returned to manage after being inducted. When La Russa was selected for Cooperstown in 2014 the belief was that he was retired. He obviously changed his mind. #WhiteSox
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 29, 2020
La Russa began his managerial career with the White Sox in 1979.
He is the oldest manager in MLB since Jack McKeon, who was 80 when he managed 90 games for the Miami Marlins in 2011, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
NEWS: Tony La Russa, who turned 76 this month, is the #WhiteSox new manager. He is the oldest manager in @MLB since Jack McKeon, who was 80 when he managed 90 games for the @Marlins in 2011. @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 29, 2020
The hiring was very surprising as the White Sox have a young roster with plenty of talent, and there is a legitimate concern of how La Russa will relate to the young players for the White Sox.
La Russa replaces Rick Renteria, who was let go in mid-October, though the team made their first playoff appearance since 2008.
The White Sox have a talented roster, and it will be up to La Russa to get the best out of them.
Detroit Tigers Hire AJ Hinch as New Manager
The Detroit Tigers have selected AJ Hinch to be their new manager after signing him to a multi-year contract, per a team announcement.
The Detroit Tigers today named A.J. Hinch as the 39th manager in franchise history, agreeing to terms on a multi-year contract. pic.twitter.com/AHALJU1wGw
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) October 30, 2020
Houston Astros fired Hinch, and MLB suspended him for the 2020 season after an investigation into the Astros sign-stealing scandal.
Hinch has a 570-452 record in seven years with the Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Astros had a winning record in all five seasons with Hinch as a manager, including three straight seasons winning at least 100 games.
Hinch has mentioned regret for his role in the cheating scandal.
He becomes the 39th manager in Tigers franchise history.
The prior manager Ron Gardenhire retired in September due to health concerns.
The Tigers compiled a 23-35 record during the 2020 campaign, marking the fourth straight year they had a losing record.
The team is hopeful Hinch can similarly guide their young roster to what he did with the Astros.
The Tigers have made three top-five picks in the MLB draft since 2018 with two first overall (Casey Mize, Spencer Torkelson).
The club will have the third overall pick next summer.
Hinch has shown he can guide young players, and maybe within a couple of years, the Tigers will be contending for a division title.
Author Profile
- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
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