Mike McCann's Field of Fotos

Congratulations to R.A. Dickey. This afternoon in the season's final home game at Citi Field, he went the first 7-2/3 innings and struck out 13 (to tie his career-high) as he earned his 20th win in the Mets 6 - 5 win over the Pirates. The knuckleballer became the team's first pitcher to win 20 since Frank Viola in 1990 -- and the first knuckleballer with a 20-win-season since Joe Niekro in 1980! A big assist goes to teammate David Wright, whose three-run home capped the Mets scoring.

A big factor in the A's 2012 turnaround has been the arrival of power-hitting outfielders Yoenis Cespedes (above) and Josh Reddick. Cespedes, the Cuban expat, has lived up to the hype of that impressive YouTube video that his agents posted before he signed with Oakland. Reddick, the key player who came in the trade with Boston for reliever Andrew Bailey, may have exceeded expectations with 29 home runs in his first full season in the majors. Along with a group of impressive young pitchers, the Athletics are among the leaders for an American League wild card. They're not the Bash Brothers... yet. But they certainly can give Oakland fans plenty of hope for the next couple of seasons.

This has not been the best of seasons for CC Sabathia. The Yankees ace has, despite posting 13 victories, been on the disabled list twice and has had trouble holding leads. But today, the Minnesota Twins proved to be the right medicine for the big lefthander. He pitched eight shutout innings and struck out 10, as the Yanks won 8 - 0 and Sabathia ran his personal winning streak against Minnesota to 10. That's just what Joe Girardi needed to see, with the Yankees eyeing a likely post-season spot.

Yankee catcher Russell Martin belting the game-winning homer in the bottom of the 10th inning last night as the Yanks edged the Athletics 2 - 1. Watch it land in the Stadium's left field seats -- and note the dejection of Oakland left fielder Seth Smith.  Martin's teammates await at home plate for the now-requisite victory hug!

Jerry Coleman is more than just a baseball treasure. He embodies what's right in the American spirit. Seven decades in baseball as a player, manager and broadcaster and distinguished tours of duty as a Marine Corps pilot in both World War Two and Korea. A fine second baseman with the Yankees, he began his career working with legends Mel Allen, Red Barber and Phil Rizzuto before he returned to his native California. This weekend, the San Diego Padres unveiled a statue of Coleman at Petco Park to salute his 40 years with the club, which still includes a part-time broadcast role. The North County Times has more details on Jerry's latest honor.

The legendary owner and manager of the Philadelphia Athletics -- whose sesquicentennial will occur this December 22nd -- is honored with a statue outside Citizens Bank Park. Hats off to Frank Fitzpatrick of the Philadelphia Inquirer for this terrific story in today's paper on the Mack family's Massachusetts roots. An interesting sidebar: while Mr. Mack managed for 50 years in Philadelphia, he played his major league ball in Washington, Buffalo and Pittsburgh, but never for a team in the city of Brotherly Love!

After seven years in the Yankee farm system, Melky Mesa (seen here earlier this season vs. New Britain) was recalled by the Yankees a few days ago. With the club locked into a tight three-way race in the AL East, it's not guaranteed he'll see any action . But a 23 home run, 22 stolen base season (while cutting down on the strikeouts that plagued him) certainly raised the Dominican native's status in the organization.