NL East

The Atlanta Braves will name a new manager to their franchise for the first time since Bobby Cox joined the Braves for the second time in 1990.

"Multiple baseball sources have confirmed that the Braves will introduce Fredi Gonzalez as their new manager Thursday," reports MLB.com Atlanta Braves beat writer Mark Bowman.

Mr. Darcy Fournier

The debate about Pete Rose and his eligibility for placement in the Hall of Fame is well documented, with passionate arguments for and against his induction.

I am not a "fan” of Pete Rose. However, I am not oblivious to his contributions to the game, and the poor choices he made along the way.

I am equally not oblivious to the political football this has become, and how poorly this has been handled by just about everyone, Rose included.

Yesterday the San Francisco Giants came from behind to beat the Braves 3-2 and advance to the National League Championship Series. It was their second such victory in as many days and the fourth one run game of the four game series.

The path for the Philadelphia Phillies was far smoother. Roy Halladay threw the second post-season no-hitter of all-time, and Cole Hamels tossed a five-hit shutout as the Phillies easily swept the Cincinnati Reds.

Phillies’ ace RHP Roy Halladay thew a no-hitter in his FIRST ever playoff appearance, in the same season he threw a perfect game.

Doc cruised right through the Cincy lineup, whiffing eight batters and allowing only a fifth-inning walk as the only blemish on an otherwise perfect scorecard on his way to making baseball history.

Bobby Cox exited Turner Field Monday night for the last time as the Atlanta Braves' manager.

His emotional exit was seared into the memories of baseball fans worldwide, and no doubt a tear trickled down the cheeks of many, both male and female alike.

When the San Francisco Giants topped the Atlanta Braves 3-2 last night, they earned their first trip to the NLCS since 2002.

Waiting for them, of course, is the Philadelphia Phillies--the two-time defending champions of the National League.

The Phillies, based on both their success the last few years and the strength of their position players, are considered the favorites by most baseball fans and pundits.  But what of those Giants, a franchise that has not yet won a World Series since moving to the Bay?

Do they have a chance?

I can't tell you how much this pains me to say this being a diehard Giants fan. But a noble journalist puts his allegiances aside.

Here is an in-depth comparison of two teams, in amazing detail and quality (HD detail and quality). The main determinant in the series, I believe, will be the powerful offense of the Phils...and the three-runs-is-a-chore offense of the Giants.

Begin Slideshow

After the Alex Gonzalez throwing error to extend the seventh inning and ultimately give the San Francisco Giants the lead, it felt like the beginning of the end. From that moment until the bottom of the ninth when Melky Cabrera hit the ball to third off of Brian Wilson for a groundout, the only thing I could think about was Bobby Cox. The coach. The man. The legend.

The legendary career of Bobby Cox has finally come to a close.

In another one run game, the San Francisco Giants outlasted the Braves 3-2, thanks in part to Cody Ross’ two RBI night.

Every game of the series was decided by one run, but the Giants won three of four to send them into the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

**(Continue reading at GackSports.com)