MLB Notebook: A Brave new world

The 2021 Major League Baseball season has come to a close, as champions were crowned Tuesday night. The end of the World Series, of course, tops this week’s MLB roundup.

Braves Bring Title Back To Atlanta

The Atlanta Braves parlayed an outstanding second-half run into the postseason, and their momentum carried them to a six-game win over the Houston Astros in the World Series. It’s the first title for the Braves since 1995, and it was clinched with a 7-0 shutout of the AL champs earlier this week. A victory parade is scheduled for Friday.

Another Disappointment For Dusty

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker has long been considered one of the best skippers to never guide a club to World Series glory. His AL pennant with the Astros this year was just the second of his career, and he’s now gone 24 seasons as a manager without winning it all.

Baker did win a ring as a player in 1981, but a manager of his considerable reputation not having guided a team to the promised land remains a surprise.

Posey To Retire

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey is set to call it a career after 12 seasons in the Bay Area. The seven-time All-Star hit .302 over his career, with exactly 1,500 hits and an OPS of .831. He helped lead the Giants to World Series championships in 2010, 2012, and 2014, and he finished off his career by hitting .304 in 2021 as San Francisco won the NL West.

Up Next: Free Agency

Several big names are expected to change cities this offseason. Much was made of Joe Buck speculating about if he was announcing Braves star Freddie Freeman’s last at-bat for the club earlier this week, and the Astros may lose both Carlos Correa and Justin Verlander.

Other stars who may be the subject of bidding wars include Max Scherzer, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo.