Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

It was 29 years ago: Ronald Reagan was president, Johnny Carson was still TV's King of Late Night. You could still buy a Plymouth, Pontiac or Mercury. No one had heard of a Tesla -- or an iPad, for that matter. At the movies, it was Teen Wolf, Volunteers and After Hours. And on the radio, Top 40 radio meant "Money For Nothing," "Take on Me," "Saving All My Love for You" and "Dress You Up."  Dressed in white and blue, the Kansas City Royals outlasted the St. Louis Cardinals in the I-70 World Series, matching Missouri's two major league teams. Who would have imagined that would not only be the last Royals championship team, but also their last playoff team. With an offense built around young stars like Eric Hosmer (above), Salvador Perez, Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain, the Royals are finally back in the dance. They're home tonight to open the 2014 post-season, hosting the Athletics in the play-in game -- with the winner moving onto the

Jordan Zimmermann, seen here with teammate Jayson Werth at Citi Field on September 11th, served up a spectacular end to the regular season with a no-hitter against the Marlins. It was the first for Nationals since they moved to DC -- and the first no-hitter thrown by a Washington pitcher on their home turf since 1931! How impressive was the 28 year Wisconsin native? Out of 104 pitches thrown, only 25 were balls. Zimmermann struck out 10 and walked just one. And keep in mind, he was working with virtually no margin for error -- Ian Desmond's solo homer gave the Nationals their only run. And let's not overlook Steven Souza's leaping catch to nail down the final out. Even on an off-day, as seen above, you can see the confidence he exudes. Quite a way to ring down the curtain -- where, under rookie manager Matt Williams, the Nats had the best regular season record in the league, and will hold home field advantage in the NLDS (against the Wild Card survivor) and NLCS.

Led by the again-powerful bat of Albert Pujols, the Angels have put together the American League's best record so far this season. Since the All Star break, Mike Scioscia's club has caught and then pulled away from the Athletics, thanks to a balanced attack and quality pitching -- even with the mid-season loss of their young ace Garrett Richards. Now they await the wild card survivor for the ALDS with the hope of bringing a second World Series title to Orange County.

Frank Capra couldn't have scripted this any better. Last night, Derek Jeter's final game at Yankee Stadium was as successful as it could be: the rain stopped, the skies began to clear and The Captain took the field in the Bronx for the final time. He singled in the Yankees first run in the bottom of the 1st inning; moments later, he scored to tie the game. In the 7th, his bases-loaded grounder drove in the go-ahead run -- only to have the Orioles tie the game on a couple of home runs off David Robertson in the top of the 9th. Moments later, the disappointment turned into one final thrill. (These images are from Derek Jeter Day on September 7th.) Rookie Jose Pirela singled to lead off the inning; Antoan Richardson ran for him. Brett Gardner bunted him over. That set the stage for Jeter. Facing Orioles reliever Evan Meek, he hit a sharp grounder his favorite way -- between 1st and 2nd base -- allowing Richardson to score the winning run. Three RBIs on the night, capped by

...20-year old rookie Joe Torre made his debut for the Milwaukee Braves and singled in his first major league at-bat. Leading off the 8th inning against Pittsburgh's Harvey Haddix, he pinch hit for another future Hall of Famer, Warren Spahn. Milwaukee went onto beat the Pirates in 10 innings 4 - 2 on a two-run walk-off homer by yet another future Cooperstown enshrinee, Eddie Mathews. That career, on the field, and in the dugout as manager of the most recent Yankee dynasty, led to Joe's induction into the Hall of Fame in July, and the retirement of his uniform number-six in August.

The Giants appear on their way to at least a wild card. But their hopes for advancing in the post-season took a big hit Tuesday when they learned that center fielder and lead off man Angel Pagan needed back surgery and was done for the year. A .300 hitter with 16 stolen bases in 96 games, the former Met has been a steadily productive player since coming to San Francisco three years ago. Now, with less than a week before the playoffs begin -- likely starting with that "play-in" game against the Pirates -- manager Bruce Bochy has to replace Pagan's numbers and intangibles. As the San Francisco Chronicle  noted, the Giants were 56-35 in games Pagan started and 29-36 when he did not, a trend that's been consistent since his his arrival in 2012.

Andrew McCutchen homered for the only run in the Pirates 1 - 0 Monday night win over the Braves, as Pittsburgh edged closer to its second straight post-season appearance.  The home run was the 24th for the reigning National League MVP -- who's hitting .310 on the season and leading the National League in on-base percentage. With offense down all around baseball, McCutchen is going to be one of the most-feared batters entering the playoffs, along with Mike Trout, Nelson Cruz and Victor Martinez. Want to suggest any other names? Click on "comment" and share your thoughts.

After two-and-a-half months on the shelf, Masahiro Tanaka returned with an impressive start Sunday for the Yankees. With doubt about his slightly torn -- and then medicated -- elbow ligament would hold up, he passed his big test, going 5-1/3 innings against the Blue Jays, allowing just a run and five hits, while striking out four. (These images are from a June game also against Toronto.) While Tanaka and the Yankees are basically in uncharted territory in going the rehab route to avoid Tommy John surgery, this outing (and another one expected next weekend against the Red Sox) will go a long way to determining how much pitching depth the Yankees have heading into 2015 -- especially in light of Tanaka's 13-win rookie season in the US and the buzz he brought to everyone of his starts. Will he hold up in the long haul? No one knows that -- but Tanaka's performance certainly overcame a lot of skeptics who expected he couldn't avoid surgery. For now, he has.

Has any major league ballplayer ever had a bigger game on his 40th birthday than Joe Morgan? On September 19th, 1983, the future Hall of Famer, whose bat turned hot just in time to lift the "Wheeze Kids" Phillies to the top of the National League East, hit "the Big 4-0" by getting four hits in five times up. Two of the hits were home runs -- and the Phils needed 'em all, as the knocked off the Cubs 7 - 6. The Phils fought back twice in the game, overcoming 3 - 0 and 5 - 2 deficits to extend their winning streak to four (it would eventually reach 11 straight) as the Phils took the division and NLCS before falling to the Orioles in the World Series. This photo of Joe came at the 2013 BAT Dinner, the annual fundraiser benefiting needy ex-players.

To no one's surprise, the Marlins announced on Wednesday that their slugging superstar Giancarlo Stanton would not play again this season. Struck in the face last week by the Brewers' Mike Fiers -- a beaning that resulted in lacerations, broken bones and dental damage -- Stanton is expected to be ready for next spring training. That's encouraging news for one of baseball's brightest young stars. Stanton ends his 2014 in the conversation for National League MVP, with a league-leading 37 home runs, and a second-place 105 RBIs. If that wasn't enough, Stanton posted a career-best .395 on-base percentage. When I saw the Mets/Marlins game Tuesday night, I knew Stanton wouldn't be with the team. And I was touched to see how his teammates paid tribute to his absence -- by hanging his uniform in the middle of their dugout.

Wilmer Flores  (seen last Thursday against the Nationals), was touted as a good hit, OK-fielding middle infielder as he came up through the Mets farm system. But, until recently, the offensive half of his game was, at best, sporadic. Last night might have been the breakthrough the organization was waiting to see: two home runs and an RBI-double as New York crushed the Marlins 9 - 1. Of course, there's that old -- and often accurate -- line about not taking what you see in March or September too seriously. But for a Mets team that has seen Ruben Tejada's obvious limitations, Flores might be a home-grown (and cost-effective) solution in 2015 and beyond.

Jacob DeGrom  (seen here against the Yankees back in May) was just another unfamiliar pitcher when we first heard his name on spring training broadcasts. But since his recall in early May, he's turned into the most impressive rookie hurler in the National League. And last night, was perhaps his best outing yet -- one that put his name in the record books. He began last night's game against the Marlins by striking out the first eight batters. That tied the modern day Major League record, held by Jim Deshaies, who as an '86 Astro, struck out eight consecutive Dodgers to open a game. But there was even more to come after the streak -- the 26-year-old struck out 13 in his seven innings of work. In an organization that boasts of Matt Harvey, Zack Wheeler and yet-to-be-recalled Noah Syndergaard, DeGrom has not only entered the conversation, but has quickly moved front-and-center. His 8 - 6 on a sub-.500 club looks even more impressive when you add in 134 strikeouts in 134 inni

 FOX Sports has found a distinctive way to promote its portion of the post-season. Three separate "wraps" on the shuttle that runs between Times Square and Grand Central Station. Just curious, has FOX Sports wrapped any trains or buses where you live? While subway cars made ideal "moving billboards," have you seen other equally clever ways to spread the message?

Chris Young's tenure with the Mets was short and unhappy. Signed early last off-season to a one-year, $8-million deal, GM Sandy Alderson hoped the former D'backs and A's outfielder might -- after three consecutive seasons of decline -- recapture the form that made him a 2010 All Star. But his underwhelming performance made Alderson's decision look bad -- especially when Nelson Cruz, also a winter '14 free agent, signed with the Orioles and quickly became the anchor of their offense. Cruz, who signed just before spring training began, got a one-year deal for even less money than Young. Hitting just .205 in mid-August, the Mets pulled the plug. And no one would have been surprised had we never heard from Young again. Instead, the Yankees inked him to a minor league deal, and sent him to Scranton with the idea he'd serve as a backup outfielder when rosters expanded in September. But fate can play tricks -- sometimes bad, but sometimes VERY good. Thanks to injur

Giants 2nd baseman  Joe Panik  had one of the oddest "big" games I've ever heard of. Tuesday night, he had singles every time up, going 5-for-5 in a win over the Diamondbacks. Thanks to ESPN Stats and Info for noting that the suburban New York product is the first player since Adam Kennedy (with the 2009 A's) to have at least five hits and not score a run or drive in a runner. Funny, how some statistics look good, yet have no influence in how a game plays out. Panik, who has capably taken over for the injured Marco Scutaro, is hitting .424 (14-for-33) so far this month and .327 in his rookie season.

David Wright (seen here against the Dodgers back in May) saw his year of frustration come to an end on Tuesday. Doctors and team management convinced the Mets captain to shut things down for the season and begin a rehab program for his ailing left shoulder. Pain and weakness turned the onetime all star into a shell of himself, as he ends his 2014 with just 8 home runs and a .269 average -- but just .238 after the All Star break. Give Wright credit, he tried to play through pain after injuring his shoulder sliding into 2nd base back in June. But grit didn't equal productivity -- and the final straw might have come when doctors told him playing any more could worsen the injury and force surgery. So now Wright goes into the same question mark category as Matt Harvey -- a player on whom much of the Mets future hinges, whose recovery is vital for the team to become a contender in 2015 and beyond.

Paul O'Neill (above) and Derek Jeter each hit a pair of home runs as the Yankees clinched their second AL East title in three years with a 7-5 Fenway Park win over the Red Sox. It was the club's 7th divisional title since 1969 -- but the first one clinched on the road since the '78 playoff game which Bucky Dent won with his now iconic home run. Coming up clutch -- the big hits in the biggest moments -- helped earn O'Neill the nickname "The Warrior" and a plaque in Yankee Stadium's Monument Park. And his keen eye and quick wit have made him a valued member of the Yankees' TV team.

A beautiful day, an impressive ceremony and some impressive guests. Derek Jeter Day was held Sunday at Yankee Stadium. From Joe Torre to Michael Jordan and Cal Ripken, it was A-listers all the way. What else would you expect for the best shortshop in Yankee history -- the Captain of the dynasty that's included 5 World Series champions? A beautiful day, an impressive ceremony and some impressive guests. Derek Jeter Day was held Sunday at Yankee Stadium. From Joe Torre to Michael Jordan and Cal Ripken, it was A-listers all the way. What else would you expect for the best shortshop in Yankee history -- the Captain of the dynasty that's included 5 World Series champions? How many of the folks in the photo below can you name? The present day Yankees paid attention -- and sported special patches on their uniforms and caps. The visiting Royals were also watching intently. In a speech that was typical Jeter, concise and measured, he began thanking George Stein

The Ron Washington Show  closed Friday in Arlington. After two American League pennants and a wild card playoff appearance, in eight seasons, Washington resigned as the Rangers manager. After a disappointing 2013 and a injury-ravaged 2014 (not to mention the departure of team president Nolan Ryan), a change in the dugout wouldn't have surprised anyone. But a franchise that struggled for decades in Washington and Texas before finally becoming a steady winner in the late '90s -- and the again in recent years -- the likeable Washington leaves an impressive legacy -- for a franchise likely facing a lot of questions moving forward.

Scrambling to stay alive in the American League Wild Card chase, the Yankees came from behind Thursday night. Trailing the Red Sox 4 - 3 heading into the bottom of the 9th, Mark Teixeria tied the game with a leadoff homer off Boston closer Koji Uehara. That set the stage for Chase Headley -- who sent a souvenir into the right field seats to cap the comeback and a 5 - 4 victory. This was Headley's second walk-off hit since coming to the Yankees from San Diego -- his other came in the first game after the trade. A free agent at season's end, Headley is either showing the Yankees why he ought to be in their 2015 plans -- even though Alex Rodriguez returns from suspension next spring -- or spreading the word that he can be a difference maker for another contender. That earned him a Gatorade bath from teammates after he crossed home plate. Looking for a second image for this post, I found Headley receiving a "low five" from teammate Francisco Cervelli after homer

' Brian McCann's first year with the Yankees has proven to be a disappointment. The veteran catcher, after signing a five-year free agent deal last winter, was expected to be one of the power hitters and run producers in the middle of the batting order. Instead, his output was far below expectations. A lefty pull hitter who should thrive in Yankee Stadium has instead struggled.  So Wednesday night's performance -- especially as the team fights to stay alive in the Wild Card chase -- had to be encouraging. Not only did he homer for the second night in a row, but he went 4-for-4, driving in three of the Yankees five runs in a 5 - 1 victory over the Red Sox. 

J.D. Martinez is still "the other Martinez" on the Tigers. On a club that features such heavy hitters as Miguel Cabrera, Torii Hunter, Ian Kinsler and, yes, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez delivered Tuesday night's biggest hit -- and for a lineup that's struggled over the last month, one of the biggest of the year. Facing closer Cody Allen with two men on with the Tigers trailing 2 - 1 in the top of the 9th, Martinez rocked a game-changing three-run homer that brought Detroit from behind for a 4 - 2 victory. J.D. Martinez has been one of the pleasant surprises of the season. Cut by the last-place Astros in March, he joined the Tigers and was expected to be a bench player. But in this season where so many "proven hitters" disappointed, J.D. simply delivered and has become a regular member of the Detroit outfield. A Miami native, Martinez also owns a piece of his hometown's baseball history. In April 2012 while still with Houston, he hit the first regu

Here's one more reason to love baseball. It's rarer than rare for an NFL or NBA team having a terrible season to beat one of the better teams in its division on the road. And to go further, imagine that win claiming a place in history. Some notable labor was turned in Monday afternoon at Turner Field in Atlanta. In the first combined no-hitter in Phillies history, Cole Hamels worked the first six (and threw over 100 pitches, puffed up by five walks, leading to his early shower), before relievers Jake Diekman, Ken Giles and Jonathan Papelbon fired an inning each of perfect relief to complete the gem. (This was the first Philadelphia no-hitter since Roy Halladay's playoff opening no-no against the Reds in 2010.) The offense was largely provided by leadoff hitter Ben Revere (below). Coming into the game with just 15 RBIs on the season, he raised his total by a third, driving in five, three coming on a bases-loaded 7th inning triple. In what's turned into a l

These are Yankee Stadium's "Bob Uecker Seats," the farthest and highest reaches of the upper deck in left field. About as far away from the action as you can get and still be in the Bronx. Which sets me up to honor a big day in Uke's playing career --  September 1st, 1964  (drumroll, please): 50 years ago today... The light-hitting catcher's walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th drives in Julian Javier and gives the Cardinals a 5 - 4 win over the Braves -- moving them into 3rd place in the National League. Earlier, Uecker smacked his only home run of the season, which cut the Milwaukee deficit to 4 -3 in a game the Cardinals once trailed 4 - 0.