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One of the Marlins biggest improvements in 2014 involved their defense. After thoroughly struggling in 2013, the Fish took a major step forward. Much of that growth surrounded a few young players that are coming into their own in the field.
By now, any baseball fan who has enjoyed this spectacular postseason has noticed one of the more prominent Marlins’ fans front and center. Articles have been written on sites ranging from Deadspin, SB Nation, and even USA Today all referencing Laurence Leavy, the man in the bright orange Marlins shirt. Leavy is a lawyer from Florida, and a long-time season ticket holder. Even television shows like Around the Horn have talked about him.
-Giancarlo Stanton the first Miami Marlins player to win Hank Aaron Award | The Miami Herald
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw and an 88-mile-an-hour fastball to the face from Brewers pitcher Mike Fiers will probably prevent Giancarlo Stanton from earning the National League’s highest honor this season.
-Miami Marlins' OF Giancarlo Stanton wins Hank Aaron Award - Sun Sentinel
Clayton Kershaw may edge out Giancarlo Stanton for the 2014 National League Most Valuable Player award next month. If that’s the case, Stanton can take solace in a pretty good consolation prize. Before Game 4 of the World Series Saturday night in San Francisco, Stanton received the Hank Aaron Award, given to the best overall offensive performer in each league. Angels’ outfielder Mike Trout was the AL recipient.
-DeSclafani on point for AFL's rolling Rafters | marlins.com
Though there's plenty of baseball left to be played, the Salt River Rafters are in a good position when the Arizona Fall League winds down. The Rafters collected their fourth straight win Thursday night, defeating Surprise, 5-3, in the fifth game to use the 20-second pitch clock. "We have a little bit of everything," Salt River manager Andy Haines said. "We have a chance every night, they come out and set the tone, and offensively everyone contributes up and down the lineup. It's a fun group."
-Trout, Stanton win 2014 Hank Aaron Award | marlins.com
SAN FRANCISCO -- Mike Trout of the Angels and Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins were named the 2014 winners of the Hank Aaron Award, given annually to the most outstanding offensive performer in each league. Commissioner Bud Selig made the presentation before Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday at AT&T Park.
Around The League
There have been some terrific individual performances this postseason, but it has been the postseason of the manager -- until Game 4, when the managers took a back seat to the truly great players on the field, who were doing truly great things.
-Pedro's final start for Red Sox a memorable one | MLB.com
Ten years ago, the Red Sox and their fans were in the midst of an 86-year wait for a World Series championship. And after falling in the deepest of holes -- 3-0 against the Yankees in the American League Championship Series -- everything changed. Boston would become the first -- and still only -- team in history to win a postseason series after trailing 3-0. Manager Terry Francona's team went on to win its final eight games of that postseason. MLB.com is doing retrospective pieces on the anniversary date of all eight of those wins -- with remembrances from key voices, continuing with the 4-1 victory in Game 3 of the World Series.
-By land or sea: McCovey Cove gives fans unique experience | MLB.com
SAN FRANCISCO -- It's often been said that there's nowhere better to watch a baseball game than inside AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. The festive atmosphere. The food. The gorgeous setting on the bay. The garlic fries. And, oh yeah, the world-class baseball team it houses that has made winning National League pennants an even-year habit.
-Statcast: Dyson wows with incredible diving grab | MLB.com
Though the Giants eventually ran away with an 11-4 win in Game 4 of the World Series on Saturday night at AT&T Park, some more great defense from the Royals might have prevented them from grabbing the lead sooner. Kansas City remained ahead, 4-3, with one out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth inning, when San Francisco's Juan Perez hit a shallow fly ball to center field off reliever Danny Duffy. The blooper easily could have landed for a hit, if not for a spectacular grab by Royals center fielder Jarrod Dyson, captured by the Statcast tracking technology.