Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

As the Boston Herald put it "Chumps to Champs." MVP David Ortiz was the dominant bat as the Red Sox took the World Series in six games over the Cardinals. After hitting an unworldly .688 over the first five games, St. Louis changed their strategy last night -- simply not giving him anything to hit. Four walks, three intentional, as he scored twice while Boston nailed down the series with a 6 - 1 victory. The intimidating look, complete with mirrored sunglasses almost makes him seem like Robocop. More vitally, he helped symbolize his city's renaissance. In a season that began with the tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombing, Ortiz's emotional speech about "our bleeping city" and the B Strong patches were a marching call as the Red Sox turned around 2012's 69-win failure into their third World Series crown of the century -- the most in baseball.

Marco Scutaro was one of the players leading the San Francisco Giants to their second World Series championship of the decade. He especially sparkled in the NLCS, where he was named MVP after batting .500 as the Giants rallied to beat the Cardinals. It was the high point of a career marked by heady play and hustle, rather than great statistics. But whether as a Met (where he first made the majors), Athletic, Blue Jay, Red Sox or Rockie, Scutaro always caught my eye as a player that helped his team win. While 2013 didn't prove to an encore for the team, and Scutaro's season ended in mid-September after a hand injury, I wouldn't count either out when things begin anew for 2014. Scutaro turns 38 today and shares his October 30th birthday with one of the Giants' New York legends, Hall of Famer Bill Terry .

The Red Sox moved to within a win of their third World Series title in 10 years with a 3 - 1 Monday night victory in St. Louis. And the difference maker on the field was Jon Lester. Winning for the second time in the Series, he outpitched Cardinals ace Adam Wainwright. The lefty's only mistake was Matt Holliday's 4th inning home run. Lester struck out seven in his 7-2/3 innings and left the Red Sox in command as the action shifts back to Fenway for what could be a series-clinching game six on Wednesday. And if the Red Sox take the series, they will win it on their home field -- something they have not done since 1918. Back then, their best pitcher was also a lefthander. Yes, that was Babe Ruth! (Before you ask, this shot of the very intense Mr. Lester was taken in 2011 when the Sox visited the Phillies.)

This picture depicts a scene similar to the one just before the game-ending play of World Series game four. A runner taking his lead off 1st base and trying to take advantage of the pitcher. Kolten Wong of the Cardinals took too big a lead. When Koji Uehara picked off Wong with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, they made history as the first time a World Series game ended on a pick-off play. And that came just a day after game three became the first ever to end on an obstruction call. What else is left of uncharted baseball territory? Could game five end on a triple play? Stay tuned ;)

It's May 2008, the final season for Shea Stadium. Its successor Citi Field is rising in the parking lot just beyond left and center field. Thus, this somewhat awkward "old meets new" view. Yet, looking down the right field line, things hardly seem to have changed since 1964, save for darker seat colors and a bit more advertising.

In late May, I was in Trenton to cover the rehab game for Yankees Mark Teixeira and Kevin Youkilis (above). With the ballpark packed for a Thursday morning 10:30 start, plenty of fans realized it was a chance to get autographs from a major league star likely appearing there for one day only. Kevin did a nice job signing balls, shirts and programs as he returned to Trenton, where he played for the Thunder in 2002, its final year as a Red Sox farm club. The optimism of this day didn't last long for either player, as both Youk and Tex played only a handful of games before their respective injuries (Youkilis' back and Teixeira's hand) sidelined them for the rest of the year.

With the World Series between the Red Sox and Cardinals getting underway tonight, here are some displays from the 2008 All Star Game Fanfest: (above) programs from the 1956 and '57 series; (below) the first of the Yankees 27 World Championship flags. Now come those questions tied into baseball's fall classic: Who will emerge as the unexpected hero, joining Al Weis, Bucky Dent and David Eckstein in World Series lore? Which team will surprise -- and which will disappoint? Were the Cards or Red Sox your pre-season picks to make it here? And which team will bring the trophy home by Halloween? I picked the Tigers and Giants back in March, so clearly my crystal ball was a bit clouded. How was yours? I've been to three World Series: saw Games 1 & 2 at Philadelphia in 1980, covered all the Mets home games in '86 and went to Game 6 in 2003 as the Marlins stunned the Yankees. How about yourself? Ever been to baseball's Fall Classic? Click onto the word "comme...

Baseball's biggest headline yesterday was Jim Leyland stepping down as manager of the Detroit Tigers. While he said, "It's time" at Monday's press conference, he'd actually made the decision earlier. Feeling worn down, and with his 69th birthday approaching, he told GM Dave Dombrowski that this would be his final season in the Detroit dugout. Leyland had apparently told the team Saturday night after their game six elimination by the Red Sox in the ALCS. History should judge Jim Leyland kindly -- the Tigers made the playoffs four times in his eight seasons as manager. They won two pennants, but lost to the Cardinals in 2006 and Giants in 2012. And while he never brought Detroit a title, his teams -- generously payrolled by pizza magnate owner Mike Ilyich -- have often been in the conversation about the best in the game. Add that to a World Series championship with the 1997 Marlins and his early 1990s Pirates, which won three straight division titles, and you...

The greatest starting pitcher in Yankees history turns 85 today, Whitey Ford was, like teammate Phil Rizzuto, the rare native New Yorker to excel for his home town team. 236 career victories, a longstanding record World Series scoreless streak and the 1961 Cy Young Award are just some of the highlights on his ticket to Cooperstown. These days, he and Yogi Berra are introduced together on Old Timer's Day as the greatest living Yankees. The best battery in team history -- and perhaps, in the history of the game.

Some ballplayers come up bigger than their numbers. Whether you call it "grit" or "overachieving," Shane Victorino (seen here in April 2011) was known for that spirit during his run with the Phillies -- which coincided with their five-year reign as NL East champs (and 2008 World Series winners). Last night, despite injuries that forced to him only hit right-handed, the Red Sox right fielder delivered the biggest hit of the ALCS -- a grand slam homer in the bottom of the 7th off Detroit reliever Jose Veres. Turning on a curveball that he sent flying into Fenway's Monster Seats above its fabled left field wall, "The Flyin' Hawaiian" bought lifted the Red Sox from behind for a 5 - 2 series-clinching victory. A stunning end to a a tension packed game as Boston gets ready for its third world series in 10 seasons. Isn't it ironic that after the Phils traded him to the Dodgers mid-season in 2012 when they felt he was in decline and the rebooted Dod...

May 2nd, 2010: David Wright of the Mets taking batting practice before a Sunday night game at Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia. It's a couple of hours before gametime and the ballpark is still nearly empty. Only a few fans are on hand to watch.

Sunset over a ballpark adds a terrific splash of color above the fans and the action. Add the cozier surroundings of a minor league park, and you have this view from August 30th, 2013 at New Britain Stadium.

Looking back on October 16th, 2003, the first name that comes to mind is Aaron Boone, whose home run leading off the bottom of the 11th inning gave the Yankees a 6-5 win in game seven of the ALCS. Almost overlooked was perhaps the greatest performance of Mariano Rivera's career. Entering a tie game in the top of the 9th, he turned in three innings of shutout relief -- for the first time in his career -- under the most intense pressure. Mo was the last line of defense -- holding the Red Sox bats in check, while the Yankees tried in vain to push a run home in the 9th and 10th. Yes, Boone made the difference in the 11th and grabbed ownership of the night. But without Mariano on the mound, there is no Aaron Boone moment.

Hyun-Jin Ryu (seen above at Citi Field back in April) and fellow standout rookie Yasiel Puig helped turn things around for the Dodgers Monday night in NLCS game three. Ryu tossed seven shutout innings -- not allowing a hit until the fifth and then surrendering just two more -- while Puig had a pair of hits, including an RBI-triple, in a 3-0 victory over the Cardinals. That followed a run-scoring double by another Dodger who'd been slumping, Adrian Gonzalez. Have you noticed how many no-hit bids there've been in just the last few days of this post-season? Max Scherzer and Anibal Sanchez with long stretches of dominance over the weekend. Now comes Ryu's impressive work proving again that pitching produces victories -- especially in October.

Right up till 11 last night, I was planning to post a Joe Girardi photo today, since it's birthday. Then, just four outs from the Tigers taking a two-games-to-none lead and heading home... the baseball world turned -- suddenly! David Ortiz and Jarrod Saltalamacchia delivered the biggest hits as the Red Sox, down 5-0 after seven innings, rallied to beat the Tigers 6-5 last night and even the American League Championship Series. With Max Scherzer taking a no-hitter into the 6th, Detroit looked to be in great position. Scherzer left after seven with a 5-1, before Jim Leyland's bullpen faltered. Big Papi stunned Detroit and electrified Fenway when he crushed Joaquin Benoit's first pitch for game-tieing grand slam in the 8th inning. Saltalamacchia (seen here in Spring Training), capped the comeback with a walk-off single in the bottom off the 9th, bringing home Jonny Gomes. It was a day of dramatic finishes in Boston. Just hours earlier and 30 miles away in Foxboro, Tom Brady...

Miguel Cabrera (seen above in August against the Mets) delivered the power to back a superb pitching effort by Justin Verlander as the Tigers eliminated the A's 3 - 0 in the fifth and deciding game of their ALDS. The 2012 American League Triple Crown winner had been slowed in recent weeks by a groin injury, But in the 3rd inning, he connected off Oakland's Sonny Gray to give Detroit a lead that Verlander -- who took a no-hitter into the 7th inning -- held securely. Now it's onto the League Championship series matching two strong offenses, the Tigers and Red Sox.

Back on TV in the 1960s, Mister Freeze was one of the bad guys -- another of the sinister villains challenging Batman twice a week. Roll the time machine back to the present: David Freese (seen here in June against the Mets) delivered the biggest blow as the Cardinals eliminated the Pirates in the fifth game on the NLDS. The 2011 post-season hero was back to his old tricks -- his two-run second inning homer gave St. Louis the early lead. And with Adam Wainwright tossing a complete-game eight-hitter, the Cards advanced to face the Dodgers with a 6-1 win. Could Victor Buono or George Sanders (from TV's BATMAN) have done as well?

One of the more recognizable Boston Beards, the former Phillie and Dodger delivered the tie-breaking single for the Red Sox as they elimated the Rays last night in the ALDS. After an unhappy 2012, where he batted .a combined .255 for non-contenders in Philadelphia and Atlanta, he moved to Fenway, where again became an igniter -- batting close to .300 (.294) and helping ignite rallies for the rejuvenated Red Sox. Long known as a player who did all the little things that help a team win, last night "The Flyin' Hawaiian" didn't smack it long or hard -- his infield single did just enough to bring in the run that put his team ahead to stay.

Juan Uribe (seen here against the Mets in April), isn't one of the Dodgers' high profile superstars. He lacks the explosiveness of Carl Crawford, the youth exuberance of Yasil Puig, the overall excellence of Matt Kemp, the sweet swing of Hanley Ramirez or the power of Adrian Gonzalez. But he's got a resume that includes being named MVP of the 2010 NLCS, while playing for the arch-rival Giants. Well, the biggest story Monday was Mr. Uribe. His two-run homer in the bottom of the 8th inning brought the Dodgers from behind for a series clinching 4-3 win over the Braves. Now it's on to the Championship Series, just a round away from the World Series -- thanks to one of the least-heralded of the boys from Chavez Ravine.

Clint Hurdle's Pirates have taken a surprising two games to one lead over the Cardinals in their National League Division Series. Having led Pittsburgh to its first winning season -- and first playoff appearance -- since 1992, the onetime Royals and Mets outfielder has overseen the resurgence of baseball in the city whose sports scene has long been dominated by the suddenly faltering Steelers.

60 years ago today, October 5th, 1953, Billy Martin brought the Yankees to a place no baseball team had ever gone before. His walk-off single (I know, the term had yet to be coined) in the bottom of the 9th drove in Hank Bauer to give the Yanks a 4-3 win over the Dodgers in the sixth (and final) game of the World Series -- as the Bronx Bombers became the first club ever to win five consecutive World Series Championships! It was quite a fall classic for Martin, who hit .500 (12 hits in 24 times up) with 8 RBIs, including the series-ending hit off Brooklyn's Clem Labine. And he was nearly as impressive when the Yanks returned to the fall classic in 1955 and '56, when he hit .320 and .296, respectively. That's where he earned his reputation as a clutch player in the eyes of Yankee fans. But then there was that temper! A feisty player during his career, his antics -- depicted here so vividly on the cover of the Yankees 1983 Media Guide (one of his five terms as Yankee ski...

From August 2007: the distinctive delivery of Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez on display as the Mets visit the Nationals at RFK Stadium. How many young players tried -- and gave up on -- emulating his unique windup?

Tampa Bay's Desmond Jennings had a pair of hits, including a two-run 4th inning double to break open Wednesday's American League's Wild Card game. While the Rays built a lead, pitchers Alex Cobb and Joel Peralta kept dousing Indians scoring threats. Tampa Bay escapes Cleveland with a 4 - 0 victory, stunning a team that ended the regular season with 10 straight victories. Despite opening the post-season with two straight elimination games on the road, Tampa Bay moves on to face the Red Sox beginning Friday in the AL Division Series.

Russell Martin, who joined the Pirates last winter, grabbed the headlines belting two home runs last night as the Pirates beat the Reds 6 - 2 in the National League Wild Card Game. He became the first Pittsburgh player since Bob Robertson in 1971 with a multiple-home run post-season game. (The bigger surprise is that such Pirate legends as Stargell, Bonds and Clemente never did that in playoff or World Series action.) Martin also became the first catcher with postseason home runs for three different teams -- having done so for the 2008 Dodgers and for the Yankees last year. Yankee fans remain puzzled over why the club didn't make a stronger effort to hold onto Martin last winter. While certainly no Jorge Posada, the gap between his performance and Chris Stewart was clear.

Led by pitcher David Price and 3rd baseman Evan Longoria (above), the Rays defeated the Rangers 5 - 2 in the American League's play-in game, While Price grabbed the biggest headlines by firing a complete game, let's focus on the Tampa Bay 3rd baseman, the team's top power source. He smacked a two-run home run in the 3rd inning. Three innings later, he scored on David DeJesus' RBI double. All told, Longoria had three hits, falling a triple shy of the cycle. Next, a Wednesday showdown with the Indians, with the winner moving onto the Division Series against the Red Sox.