Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Baseball already honors its best rookies, pitchers, most valuable players, those who make the most notable comebacks and best overall offensive players (Silver Sluggers). Could there still be room for one more? Should there be a trophy for a player making the biggest year-to-year improvement? The NBA already designates a Most Improved Player. Is it time for baseball to follow with one of its own? If so, here's a nomination for Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts . The native of Aruba dramatically upped his performance in 2015 and emerged as one of Boston's foundation players as it reloads this off-season. Batting average leaped by 80 points; almost twice the amount of RBIs; cutting his strikeouts; continued strong infield defense. Can you think of another American Leaguer who improved as much as Bogarts did last season? Feel free if you like to nominate one of your own. Just hit "add a comment" at the bottom of this page. (Bogaerts is seen here April 12th against ...

Two years after visiting Cleveland Stadium, we were back for another Yankees-Indians series. But this time, it was brand spanking new Jacobs Field. The second of baseball's new wave in parks didn't take as clearly a retro direction as Camden Yards, but was just as clearly designed for the national pastime. The seats, angled toward home plate, seem to hug the field. The ballpark is named not for a sponsor, but the owners at the time, the Jacobs Family. The outside architecture leans modern, with plenty of glass and metal. The timing was ideal -- thanks to smart drafts and trades by GM John Hart, Cleveland was a contender again and playing in front of sell-out crowds. A year later, the Indians would win their first of six AL Central titles in seven years, and make their first appearance in the World Series since 1954. Eventually, that run came to an end; after the Jacobs sold the club to the Dolan family (relatives of the New Yorkers who own Madison Square Garden), John ...

...you share it with the Yankee Clipper. Joe DiMaggio was born in San Francisco but made his fame in New York. He had the golden touch -- playing for the most famous team in sports, he married the greatest of movie stars (although the union didn't last long) and in retirement, cherished the title of "Baseball's Greatest Living Player." Joe D, number 5 -- then there's that other number forever linked to him: 56. Is his 56-game hitting streak baseball's most unbreakable record? His grace and elegance -- let's be honest, can you envision him in a dirty, tattered uniform? -- and enduring image place him on the Yankees "Mount Rushmore." Here's an interesting note: the three players born November 25th who've played the most games all have Yankee connections: there's Joe DiMaggio at 1736; Nick Swisher, second at 1527; and Bucky Dent, 1392. All played on World Series champs, too. ( This is the plaque honoring Joe in the outdoor counterp...

Baseball continued -- and this season, quite successfully -- at Wrigley Field in 2015, while the refurbishing project moved foward. Dennis and I took a long walk around the classic ballpark as the blocks around it are transformed and upgraded while maintaining its appeal. Two hours before gametime on May 14th, all the action is outside -- with crews working on what will eventually become an outdoor plaza, full of shops and eateries. A hotel and office space is also on the drawing board. The goal is for Wrigley to still be Wrigley. But 101 years into its life, a ballpark needs to be more of a revenue generator. Look inside and you can still see the walkways, the girders, the structure as it was in 1914. The home plate entrance is a bit more "enthusiastic" than it was on our last visit during the early '90s. And the bleacher entrance retains its character as well. Next Tuesday, I'll zero in on the famous apartment buildings -- with their rooftop seati...

When did the orchestrated victory line become commonplace in baseball?? Go back 10, 20 or 50 years, and I honestly don't recall almost every regular season win end in such a fashion. Maybe the pitcher and catcher hug or swap high fives? Even before we called them walk-offs, a batter who abruptly ended a game got his congratulations. But when did this scene evolve into baseball's counterpart of the encore and cast bow at the end of a show? ( This image is from the end of the August 2nd Mets victory over the Nationals. Reliever Tyler Clippard  -- #46 on the far left -- just got the final out.)

There were no surprises -- nor should there have been -- when Josh Donaldson of the Blue Jays and Bryce Harper of the Nationals earned Most Valuable Player honors in American and National Leagues for 2015. Let's start with Donaldson: acquired from Oakland the previous winter, he joined Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion to form a powerful heart of Toronto's batting order. Here's a good look at his mighty swing from an April game against the Yankees. Donaldson's 2015 numbers: a .297 average (.351 on base%) with double 41's -- 41 homers and 41 doubles. He hit even better with runners in scoring position (.352). And thanks to those other big bats behind him, he led the majors in runs scored. Below, get a look at him playing 3rd defense... (He's the first AL 3rd baseman to be named MVP since George Brett in 1980.) Harper's selection was just as obvious: on becoming the youngest NL MVP since Johnny Bench in 1970, he batted .330 (with a .460 on-base ...

We visited Cleveland Stadium in June 1992 for a Yankees-Indians series. When we returned two years later, the Indians had moved to Jacobs (now Progressive) Field, while the Browns were about to play their final NFL season in this hulking venue that opened in 1931 and hosted its first baseball game a year later.

Who could have imagined that when the Twins let David Ortiz go at the end of the 2002 season, he'd go onto become one of the most beloved players in Red Sox history -- and arguably, the greatest DH ever? Yet, that's exactly what's happened over the past 13 seasons. A power-hitter who delivers in the clutch, he became the common thread connecting the Boston teams that shook off "the curse." Looming and feared as the game changer in the middle of the Sox lineup, Ortiz also crafted a lovable, larger-than-life image that translates well into commercials . Yesterday, the day before he turned 40 -- and fresh off a 2015 where he belted 37 home runs and drove in more than 100 -- he announced that he'll retire after next season. Three World Series championships and 445 regular season home runs later, " Big Papi " is likely on his way to Cooperstown. While David Ortiz is the best player with a November 18th birthday, he's far from the only r...

This Traveling Tuesday episode spotlights the Braves Spring Training home, Champion Stadium in Orlando. Located on Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando, it's been Atlanta's pre-season home since 1997. But with the original 20 year lease coming to an end, how much beyond 2016 they remain is up in the air. A very Florida/Spanish look along the ballpark's exterior. Inside, it's the Braves hosting the Mets last March 10th. One of its nicer features avoids the massive clutter of advertising on the video board: notice how the decorative pennants past the left field fence carry sponsor IDs. The outfield berm provides a uniquely Florida seating experience. Below, let your eyes follow the line as the fans watch the ump, with the runner on third ahead of him and the batter at the plate.  And where would we be without racing mascots? Sponsored, of course.

Bunting can be such a useful tool in a team's strategy. It can be incredibly disruptive -- especially when the other side doesn't expect it. But mastering the skill isn't easy. From last June 24th (shot from the upper deck box seats), here's Yankee shortstop Didi Gregorius, trying unsuccessfully to advance a runner against the Phillies. I can almost hear the ghost of Phil Rizzuto screaming out "No, you huckleberry! That's not the way to do it!"

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons will still have an A on his cap in 2016 -- but it will represent the Angels instead of Atlanta. The slick-fielding shortstop was traded Thursday in the biggest deal of the General Managers meetings in Boca Raton. There's another aspect of this trade: Andrelton was swapped for Aybar -- Erick Aybar goes to Atlanta, along with two of the Angels top pitching prospects, lefty Sean Newcomb and righthander Chris Ellis. About to turns 32, Aybar has been a better hitter over his career -- batting .270 or better in seven of the last eight seasons. So the Braves cash in Simmons, who appeared to be a building block as they plan their 2017 move to a new suburban stadium, for a shorter-term middle infielder and two more young arms. Puzzling? At first glance, I'd say so.

From April 2009: the Pepsi Porch was one of Citi Field's most distinctive quirks. Those overhanging right field seats made an inviting target for lefthanded hitters (most recently Michael Conforto in World Series game four). Of course, being 21st century baseball, it was the result of a sponsorship deal -- which we learned earlier this week had come to an end. Another feature in these images was already gone by 2015: the Mo-Zone party space (sponsored by Modell's Sporting Goods) behind the right field space. This season, that section of wall bore the name Honda. So farewell to a seven-season run for the Pepsi Porch as we await word on who will replace Pepsi on the Porch. Care to take a guess? Procter and Gamble? Progresso? The New York Times says that Coca Cola is in talks with the Mets -- perhaps for a Coke Corner?

The Red Sox honor The Greatest Generation in a special display case on the interior concourse of Fenway Park. Dedicated to those who set baseball aside to serve during World War Two, the combination of photos, plaques and memorabilia is unique for a ball park. (Above) One of Ted Williams' aviator jackets from his service as a Marine pilot. (Below) Wiliams is in the upper left corner of this photo. I am not 100% sure of the others pictured with him. If you recognize anyone else seen there, please leave a comment. Finally, below, a list of all the Red Sox personnel -- even some names that might surprise you, such as early 1980s manager (and longtime Yankee) Ralph Houk -- who served in World War II.  

  During the off-season, I'll be sharing some images from this year's baseball travel every Tuesday. An absolute highlight was visiting Fenway Park in early September. Not only is the ballpark still a gem -- but the Red Sox have done a good job turning the blocks surrounding the park into a baseball-themed plaza. After passing through the security checkpoints, you enter an open area full of shops, food stands and other Sox-centric places and symbols. The red banners alongside the ballpark represent World Championships; blue ones are for pennant winners.  What jumps at you from these pictures?  The foodstand below is named for the Red Sox most famous native of Cuba. Does anyone know the story behind the vintage baseball-shaped sign below? If you do, please leave a comment. If you have a Fenway memory, share it here. Entering the park, it's clean and classy, the tradition of over 100 years reaffirmed.  The reality is that advertising subsidizes...