As Red Sox Nation continues to celebrate Boston’s second World Championship since 2004, an exhibit of artifacts and historical treasures from the 103rd World Series, featuring the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies, will open at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. on Friday, November 9, with a 10 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Throughout the World Series, the Hall of Fame collected historic treasures that will be added to the Museum’s World Series exhibit, “Autumn Glory: A Postseason Celebration.” Those items from the 2007 World Series to be featured in the exhibit:

·The glove worn by Red Sox closer JONATHAN PAPELBON during the 2007 World Series;

·The warm-up pullover worn by Red Sox manager TERRY FRANCONA, who has won each of his first 8 World Series games managed;

·The bat used by Red Sox rookie JACOBY ELLSBURY to collect four hits in Game 3, the third rookie in history to collect four hits in a World Series game;

·The jersey worn by Red Sox captain JASON VARITEK in Games 3 and 4;

·The spikes worn by DAISUKE MATSUZAKA in Game Three, becoming the first Japanese-born pitcher to start and win a World Series game;

·The cap worn by JON LESTER, Boston’s Game Four starting pitcher;

·The bat used by DUSTIN PEDROIA to hit a lead-off home run in Game One of the Series;

·Dirt from the pitching mound at Coors Field, site of the first World Series game played in Colorado;

·Jersey worn by Colorado’s TODD HELTON in Game One of the Series;

·Bat used by Colorado’s MATT HOLLIDAY in Games Three and Four of the Series;

·Ball from the Humidor at Coors Field;

·Press Pins from Boston and Colorado;

·Commemorative edition of 103rd World Series program; and

·Front pages from Boston Globe and Boston Herald proclaiming Red Sox victory.
 

Additionally, the cap worn by Series Most Valuable Player, MIKE LOWELL, will be added to “Baseball As America,” the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s national exhibition tour, currently on display at the Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas through January 13, 2008, when the tour begins its first stop of 2008, at a location to be announced. “Baseball As America” will visit Boston’s Museum of Science from June 15-Sept. 1, 2008.

The Kansas City Royals have announced that Gil Meche has been named the 2007 Bruce Rice Pitcher of the Year and Mark Grudzielanek has been named the 2007 Les Milgram Player of the Year. The awards were voted on by the Kansas City Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Meche, 29, was an American League All-Star in his first season with the Royals.  He posted a 9-13 record, but set career highs in starts (34), innings (216), ERA (3.67) and quality starts (23) while equaling his career high with 156 strikeouts. Meche tied for the A.L. lead in starts and finished eighth in innings pitched. His 3.67 ERA was the best by a Royals starting pitcher since Kevin Appier posted a 3.40 ERA in 1997 while his 23 quality starts were the most by a KC hurler since 1993.

Grudzielanek, 37, hit .302 with 32 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 51 RBI and 70 runs scored in his second season with the Royals.

As you may or may not have known, Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman broke the hammate bone in his left hand while swinging a bat last week. Here's the latest update on his status from the Nationals...

Ryan Zimmerman had successful surgery performed by Dr. Richard Barth late Wednesday at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC. During the procedure, Zimmerman’s fractured hook of the hammate bone was excised from his left hand without difficulty.

Ryan was discharged shortly after the procedure.

He will be in a splint for approximately one week. Upon removal, he’ll also have sutures removed and almost immediately begin light rehab.

He is expected to fully recover in 4-6 weeks.