The Kansas City Royals are still a dark horse favourite as far as the World Series goes, but KC is rapidly turning into the peoples choice after beating Oakland 9-8 in that Wild Card game extra-inning thriller and then wiping out the L.A. Angels three straight in their A.L Division series. Going all the way still wont be an easy task. Since the advent of the original Wild Card format, only four teams have gone on to win the World Series from that position. In the American League that would be the Angels in 2002 and Boston in 2007. The Red Sox incidently have made to the postseason through the back door Wild Card route more than any other franchise, seven times in all. The two National League Wild Card World Series winners over that 20-year span were the Florida Marlins in 1997 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011. The Rockies and Cards have made it to the Playoffs as Wild Cards most frequently among the Senior Circuit clubs at three times apiece. We talk so much about what pitching means to success, and it certainly does. But the Atlanta Braves are an interesting case. Theyve made it twice to playoffs as a Wild Card team, however they havent won a single playoff series in over a decade. This despite having the second-best ERA in the Majors over the past nine years at 3.75. The Braves pitching coach over those nine years has been Roger McDowell, he of the Magic Loogie Seinfeld episode. Concussions have come to the fore as a major problem in pro and amateur sports over the past few years, Baseball is no exception, but the bulk of concerns in the Majors surrounds one position, catcher. In these playoffs alone, Royals star catcher Salvatore Perez was hit in the head on the follow-through of a Josh Hamilton swing in Game 2 of their series. Perez was left dazed and suffering from concussion-like symptoms, but fortunately is alright. Then Sunday, in Game 3 of the Orioles series, Tigers catcher Alex Avila took a foul ball right off the jaw and had to leave the game. Its not the first time it has happened to Avila and it has caused some to worry about his long-term future in the game. Just doing a rough count, I came up with seven other catchers who have had concussions or at least concussion-like symptoms. The Twins Joe Mauer heads the list. He has become a 1B/DH type after getting hit in the mask a number of times. He may never catch full-time again. The others on the list include the Blue Jays Dioner Navarro, the Yankees Brian McCann, Bostons David Ross and Oaklands John Jasso in the American League along with the Mets Travis DArnaud, the Phillies Carlos Ruiz and the Giants Hector Sanchez. That was only a quick search - I know there are more. Baseball has already done its best to eliminate home plate collisions, but Im honestly not sure what can be done about foul tips and follow through swings. Being a catcher has always been a hazardous occupation and to a certain degree at least it always will be. The Search is On For the bulk of 30 Major League clubs, the off-season has already begun. Houston has already hired A.J. Hinch as its new manager, and the Astros old skipper Bo Porter has surfaced as the Braves third base coach. Texas and Arizona are still looking for new managers. Of the eight candidates the Rangers are considering and interviewing, two have former ties to the Blue Jays. One is Clevelands bullpen coach and former Jays catcher Kevin Cash, and the other is John Farrells bench coach Torey Lovullo, who was also a coach on Farrells staff with the Blue Jays for two years. The Rangers are also close to adding two assistants to GM Jon Daniels. The first is former Jays third base prospect Michael Young, who went on to star with Texas and the Phillies, and the other is former Jays reliever Darren Oliver. Arizona is also interviewing eight candidates including Don Wakamatsu, who was Farrells bench coach with the Jays, and Diamondbacks hitting coach Turner Ward who came off the bench with the Blue Jays when they won the World Series in 1992 and 1993. Also on the list is Sandy Alomar Jr., Robbies brother, who has been coaching in Cleveland the past few years. Popularity Poll There has never really been a question as to which team is more popular in Chicago. But this point only further serves to drive the point home. The Cubs and White Sox finished with identical records and both missed the Playoffs by a mile yet the North side Cubs drew one million more fans than the South siders. Wholesale Baltimore Ravens Jerseys . Its great to be back for another season in Banditland, and Im looking forward to another competitive season with my teammates, said Tavares. Joe Flacco Jersey . Thaddeus Young scored seven of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, Evan Turner added 22 points, and the 76ers hung on for their first road win since Nov. 1, beating the depleted Los Angeles Lakers 111-104 on Sunday night. http://www.cheapravensjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-miles-boykin-jersey . According to a report from ESPN, sources said Manuels college coach Jimbo Fisher told teams he didnt think Manuel had the tools to be an NFL starter. Trace McSorley Jersey . - Maxence Parrot of Bromont, Que. Jonathan Ogden Jersey .Y. - DeMarre Carroll felt as though he couldnt miss in the second quarter as he outscored the Brooklyn Nets 14-13 all by himself.VANCOUVER - Offensive lineman Ben Archibald has retired, the B.C. Lions announced Friday. The CFL club has also released veteran linebacker Anton McKenzie. Archibald spent three seasons with B.C. after signing as a free agent in 2011. He began his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders in 08. Overall, Archibald appeared in 102 career regular-season games, six playoff contests and two Grey Cup victories (08 with Calgary, 11 with B.C.). "I was very blessed to enjoy a great CFL career," Archibald said in a statement. "I am grateful for the opportunity to have played for two great organizations in Calgary and B.C. and I will always treasure the memories from my time in the CFL." Added Lions GM Wally Buono: "BBen brought a quiet professionalism to the B.dddddddddddd. Lions and he was a great example of the complete player; good on the field, good in the dressing room and a great role model as a husband, father and teammate. We wish him and his family the very best in the future." McKenzie spent five seasons with B.C., appearing in 69 regular-season games. He began his CFL career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and earned Grey Cup rings with both clubs (07 with Saskatchewan, 11 with B.C.) "Anton gave everything he had each and every time he had the opportunity to do so," Lions head coach Mike Benevides said. "He has a very bright future ahead of him and were grateful for his services as a Lion." 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