g league appearance, he didnt permit an earned run in 5 2-3

One way to realize just how long its been since the Chicago Cubs last reached the World Series is to look at how much the game has changed since then, on and off the field.The Cubs are making their first appearance since 1945 and chasing their first title since 1908.Some of the ways the game has changed since the Cubs lost Game 7 to the Detroit Tigers some 71 years ago:INTEGRATION: Jackie Robinson became the first black player to reach the major leagues in 1947, two years after the Cubs last World Series appearance. Baseball has turned into a virtual melting pot in the seven decades since. The Cubs roster includes players from Cuba (reliever Aroldis Chapman and outfielder Jorge Soler), along with Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, as well as the United States.EXPANSION: There were 16 teams in the majors in 1945, including two in St. Louis, Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago, and three in New York. The total is up to 30 now.GO WEST: There were no major league franchises west of St. Louis in 1945. The Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles and the New York Giants headed to San Francisco in 1958. In 1969, the Seattle Pilots showed up -- they went 64-98 in their first year, then became the Milwaukee Brewers.DIVISIONAL PLAY: There were no divisions in 1945, just eight teams in both the American League and National League. They split into East and West divisions in 1969. Then a Central was created in 1994, with the Cubs shifting from the NL East to the NL Central.PLAYOFFS PLUS: Extra teams and divisions resulted in expanded playoffs. The League Championship Series began in 1969, the Division Series started in 1995 and a one-game wild-card playoff came in 2012. A longer postseason pushed the World Series deep into October and beyond. If the Cubs and Cleveland go the distance this year, Game 7 would be on Nov. 2.FREE AGENCY: When Phil Cavarretta and Peanuts Lowrey helped lead the Cubs to the 1945 Series, they were bound to the team until they were traded or released. Curt Flood tested baseballs reserve clause in the early 1970s and took his case to the U.S. Supreme Court, helping pave the way for players to move around as free agents. Jon Lester, John Lackey and Ben Zobrist are among the players the Cubs acquired this way.DESIGNATED HITTER: The designated hitter joined the American League lineup in 1973. The DH debate is still hot, with the leagues playing by different rules. When this years World Series opens at the AL park, both teams will use the DH; when the Cubs host, the pitchers will hit.LIGHTS AT WRIGLEY: The Cubs were the last team in the majors to play only day games. That changed when lights were installed at Wrigley Field in 1988. The games there have always been played outdoors on green grass, never under a dome or on artificial turf, trends that became popular starting with the Astrodome in the mid-1960s.Mike Daniels Youth Jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Rashan Gary Packers Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Paul-Hornung-Jersey/ . -- If this was Aaron Gordons final home game at Arizona, and it almost certainly was, then he went out in style. Bart Starr Womens Jersey . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Mike Daniels Womens Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday.NEW YORK -- His day done, Zoilo Almonte stood in a corner of the Yankees clubhouse and pulled out a cellphone. As his teammates showered up, got dressed and left, the rookie lingered in his dirt-smudged uniform, talking away. There was plenty for him to talk about. Almonte provided much-needed pop in his first major league start, homering and adding two singles Friday night that led New York over the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2. "It was a sign that things are starting to be where they should be," Almonte said through a translator. Almonte started in place of slumping left fielder Vernon Wells and quickly delivered, a day after getting a pinch single for his first hit. The 24-year-old was promoted from Triple-A this week, joining an injury-ravaged team thats had trouble scoring. "Im still a little nervous. Its not easy for me," he said. Almonte also showed off a strong arm in helping the Yankees win for the third time in 10 games. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he admired Almontes "pretty swing" a couple of years ago in spring training. Almonte pressed in camp this season, did well in the minors -- hitting .297 with six home runs and 36 RBIs -- and earned this opportunity. "Hes been on our radar for a while," Girardi said, later adding, "the time has arrived." David Phelps (5-4) beat Roberto Hernandez (4-8) and the Rays for the second time in a month. Tampa Bay was trying for its first three-game winning streak in June. Phelps gave up two runs in 5 2-3 innings. The Yankees used four relievers to finish it, with Mariano Rivera closing in a non-save situation. Before Almontes solo homer in the sixth inning made it 5-2, the Yankees played a lot of small ball. Robinson Cano hit a sacrifice fly in the first and Ichiro Suzuki got an RBI with a soft comebacker in the third. The next inning, Jayson Nix grounded into a bases-loaded double play for a 3-2 lead and David Adams followed with an infield hit for another run. "We werentt awful tonight," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.dddddddddddd "We just had some bad baseball luck on our side." The switch-hitting Almonte went 3 for 4, making him 4 for 6 in the majors. His home run sailed over the right-centre wall and was caught on the fly in the Yankees bullpen by coach Mike Harkey. Almonte said he would have his teammates sign the ball, then present it to his mother. Asked if hed ever had a better day, he said: "Today and when my son was born." Almonte got a hug from Cano, his fellow Dominican, when he reached the dugout. Cheered by festive fans on a pleasant first night of summer, Almonte emerged for a brief curtain call. Lyle Overbay singled home a run with two outs in the Yankees eighth. That gave Almonte one more at-bat, but he struck out. Ben Zobrist hit an RBI single in the Tampa Bay third. Luke Scott hit a single that made it 2-all in the fourth and the Rays went on to load the bases with one out. Matt Joyce hit a fly ball that Almonte caught on the run at medium depth, and his swift throw forced Scott to hold at third base. Desmond Jennings flied out to end the threat. NOTES: Rays LHP David Price (left triceps strain) gave up two runs and two hits in 2 1-3 innings for Class-A Charlotte in his first rehabilitation start. The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner struck out four and walked two. ... RHP Alex Colome will be promoted from Triple-A to start for the Rays on Saturday. In his only big league appearance, he didnt permit an earned run in 5 2-3 innings and beat Miami on May 30. ... LHP CC Sabathia (7-5, 3.93 ERA) starts Saturday for the Yankees. Hes lost twice to the Rays this season and four straight times overall. ... The Rays signed first-round draft pick Nick Ciuffo. The 18-year-old catcher from South Carolina will join Tampa Bays team in the rookie level Gulf Coast League. ... Only one other major leaguer has had the first name of Zoilo -- 1965 AL MVP Zoilo Versalles. ... Wells is in a 9-for-87 rut. ' ' '