Kuzul

Jim Leyland is heading back to the World Series. Already sporting an elusive World Series ring, could it be possible he will soon have one for each hand? No other current manager has more than one. With Tony LaRussa stepping down last year (he has three) and Joe Torre's retirement after the 2010 season (he has four), Leyland can become the only active manager with more than one. But does that make him an elite manager? To be a member of the club you not only need lots of wins, but you absolutely must have at least one ring. Still there are some managers who own a ring but do not have a great number of wins. So what about two championships? Is that enough for elite status? Rating managers can certainly be subjective. Wins and championships make it easy, but other factors like game strategy, likeability, evaluating player talent, ...

The ongoing circus that is the L.A. Dodgers ownership situation has introduced its latest acts. We’re a long way from learning who will buy the team from the departing Frank McCourt, but at least the field is narrowing. The Los Angeles Times reports that at least eight bidders (of MLB’s maximum of 10) are still in the running to buy the team from McCourt. Among the contenders are hedge-fund manager Steven Cohen, a group led by former Lakers icon Magic Johnson and another group including real estate developer Rick Caruso and former Dodgers manager Joe Torre. At this point, many Dodger fans will be glad just to be rid of McCourt, but bringing in a new owner who can provide some sanity is just as important. Of the candidates announced thus far, Torre and his partners would be the best bets for a long-term solution in L.A. Cohen’s base is ...

New Year's Day is nearly upon us, and perhaps no MLB team is looking forward to a fresh start in 2011 more than the Los Angeles Dodgers.From the ugly proceedings of the McCourt divorce to the departure of Manny Ramirez to the retirement of Joe Torre, the Dodgers had their fair share of pitfalls in a year that saw them fail to capture a third consecutive NL West division title.But it wasn't all bad for the Boys in Blue. The long-awaited emergence of young stars like Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley gave general manager Ned Colletti plenty of reason to hope that his team will see better days sooner rather than later.That being said, let's have a look at some of the most notable ups and downs for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2010.Begin Slideshow

Throughout the years, the Yankees have established themselves as the most successful franchise in all of sports. Along with this winning attitude has come a slight air of arrogance among the front office.The Yankees have made a habit of mistreating their loyal stars when it comes to the end of their careers and possibly their last contracts. Although baseball is a business and they will argue that it is nothing personal, it is concerning that we seem to see this again and again.Once again, we are seeing this take place with the current Yankee captain, Derek Jeter. Let's take a look at Jeter's situation and some other Yankees that have gone through a similar experience.Begin Slideshow

Making a Hall of Fame case for the legendary player, manager and world series champion By Howard G. Ruben For most hardcore Dodgers fans, the ongoing melodrama between Jamie and Frank McCourt has more than frayed our collective nerves, worn our patience and bored us to tears.  While the battling ex-Bostonians met recently with L.A. Superior Court Judge Peter Lichtman about a proposal to settle the case of who owns the team, I had a rare serendipitous opportunity to meet former manager Joe Torre who was sitting outside a local food court waiting for his wife.  The five minute conversation that ensued more than made up for the endless stories about who did what to whom and who deserves to own one of sport’s most hallowed franchises. Joe Torre is not only a future lock for the Hall of Fame as a manager; he’s a hell of a nice guy and one of the classiest ...

The recent sad news about Sparky Anderson has unfortunately made it clear that the baseball world is about to lose one of its most beloved people.Sparky's one of a kind, no doubt about that. Luckily for us, when it comes to other beloved baseball personalities, he's hardly alone.Here are the top 25 beloved people in baseball history.Begin Slideshow

Sparky Anderson has been placed in hospice care with complications stemming from dementia, his family announced in a statement Wednesday.The 76-year-old Anderson won three World Series titles and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.His sparkling managerial record speaks for itself. In the end, he will undoubtedly be remembered as one of baseball's all-time greats.Let's take a look at where Sparky Anderson ranks among the best managers in Major League Baseball since 1960.Begin Slideshow

Derek Jeter is one of the classiest guys in the Major Leagues and will go down as one of the best Yankees players in the history of the team. With manager Joe Girardi's contract figured out after he signed a three-year deal worth around $9 million it is now Jeter who will be the primary focus of the team. Brian Cashman knows he's in for a delicate negotiation, but he needs to be sure Jeter signs on the Yankees' terms. Cashman is not afraid to make the tough decisions as he showed no mercy when he offered Bernie Williams a non-roster spring training invite. Williams looked at the offer as an insult and did not accept. Williams was one of the best center fielders in the game during his time along with his offensive output as a switch-hitter, yet there was Cashman making the cold-blooded decision. When it came time to offer Joe ...

Now that the search for their general manager is over, the Mets can now concentrate on getting a manager.  At the moment, they are in the early stages.  Many names are being mentioned, and we all know that only a few will become serious contenders for the job. Sandy Alderson said in yesterday's press conference that he would like a fiery manager.  That gave this whole situation new life.  Now people are saying that Wally Backman has a real shot to get the job because he fits Sandy's description of a fiery guy.  The truth is that there is not one front-runner for getting the job.  Everybody has an equal chance right now, and interviews are just beginning to take place. Here are 11 people who the Mets might be interested in for their new manager. Begin Slideshow

It’s official. Joe Girardi will remain the New York Yankees' skipper for three more seasons. Many Yankees fans have been quick to blame Girardi for the team’s failure to repeat as World Series Champions. Fans were frustrated all season with Girardi, blaming any loss on unnecessary pitching changes or playing it by the book/binder. I personally didn’t agree with the hyper-criticism most of the time. It isn’t going to accomplish anything. In 2009, Girardi was praised for moving Derek Jeter from the two-hole to the leadoff spot. This season, fans constantly complained about getting Jeter out of the spot, blaming Girardi and not Jeter’s problems at the plate. Winning a World Series, followed by a trip to the ALCS is an excellent track record by my standards. Does that mean I agree with every move Joe Girardi made? No, it doesn't. There are always ...