The Latest Breaking News from Jim Leyland

Todd Helton, Adrián Beltré, and Joe Mauer have been elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame, joining baseball's elite class of players. Read more here.

Counsell had high praise for the exciting young player at the winter meetings this week.

The Pirates went 57-104 in 1985. That was the summer of the Pittsburgh Drug Trials. Cocaine was sold and used in the team's clubhouse. The city was a national joke both on and off the field. It was the darkest moment in franchise history.

CHICAGO — No, Osvaldo Bido, they aren’t all this bad. The Pirates and their fans certainly hope not, anyway.

So what does the baseball world think of the job Terry Francona did managing the low-budget Cleveland Guardians to another American League Central division title and a wild-card matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday afternoon?

PITTSBURGH — By next Sunday, if it hasn't already, the looming launch of the NFL season will have fully swallowed what remains of our baseball consciousness around here.

PITTSBURGH — I'm pretty lucky to be working in an amazing sports town. I have covered some incredible coaches and managers, including six Hall of Famers. Chuck Tanner might be the nicest man I ever met in sports. Herb Brooks was a fascinating character, as are Eddie Johnston, Michel Therrien…

Both the franchise’s baseball and business sides know what they must do to succeed.

DETROIT — Time may heal most things, but it rarely changes the circumstances.