30 photos for 30 teams: MLB's year in pictures

There is no shortage of storylines that develop over a course of a major-league season, though oftentimes one significant moment stands out.

Whether it be celebrating a World Series title, saying goodbye to a career, hitting a series-clinching home run, or throwing a punch at the opposition, there are iconic moments during a season that end up burned into memory years after they happen.

Here is a look at 30 photos representing the biggest story from each MLB team in 2016:

Atlanta Braves

The Braves said goodbye to Turner Field in October as they prepare to move into SunTrust Park in 2017. Opened in 1997, the stadium hosted the National League Division Series 11 times, NL Championship Series four times, and the 1999 World Series in which the Braves were swept by the Yankees.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Buyer's remorse? The Diamondbacks were the surprise winners of the Zack Greinke sweepstakes last winter, handing the right-hander a six-year, $206.5-million contract. The three-time All-Star's first season in the desert was a disaster however, as he went 13-7 with a 4.37 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 26 starts.

Baltimore Orioles

In one of the most highly criticized decisions of Buck Showalter's managerial career, the Orioles skipper decided not to use All-Star closer Zach Britton in the American League wild-card game. Instead, Showalter watched on as Ubaldo Jimenez gave up a three-run, walk-off home run to Edwin Encarnacion in extra innings.

Boston Red Sox

David Ortiz put together one of the finest final seasons in professional sports before heading off into retirement. The 41-year-old hit .315/.401/.620 with 38 home runs, 48 doubles, and 127 RBIs in 151 games, finishing with a league-leading 1.021 OPS.

Chicago Cubs

The Cubs snapped their 108-year World Series drought with a dramatic extra-innings win over the Indians in Game 7. Chicago trailed in the series 3-1 before becoming the fourth team in World Series history to rally and win it all.

Chicago White Sox

Chris Sale dominated headlines on the South Side for a number of reasons. The All-Star left-hander feuded with the front office for banning Adam LaRoche's son in the clubhouse, cut up the team's alternate jerseys, and started the All-Star Game before finally being traded to Boston in early December.

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds pitching staff was on the wrong side of history in 2016, surrendering a major-league record 258 home runs. Twenty-eight different pitchers gave up a homer for Cincinnati, led by 31 from starter Dan Straily.

Cleveland Indians

In what will go down as one of the greatest World Series games in history, Rajai Davis clubbed a game-tying, two-run home run off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman in the eighth inning of Game 7. The Indians would end up losing in extra innings, but for a few short minutes there was complete ecstasy in Cleveland.

Colorado Rockies

Rockies rookie Trevor Story penned his own fairy tale in the early months of the season, with his first career hit coming as a three-run homer off Greinke in just his second major-league at-bat. He'd homer off Greinke again the following at-bat and would eventually wrap up his season by setting the NL rookie shortstop record with 27 home runs in just 97 games.

Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander bounced back in a big way in 2016, going 16-9 with a 3.04 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 254 strikeouts in 34 starts. He'd finish second in Cy Young voting despite receiving more first-place votes than Rick Porcello, much to the dismay of his fiancee Kate Upton.

Houston Astros

The Astros failed to reach the postseason due to a poor start, despite the solid performance of Jose Altuve. The four-time All-Star hit .338/.531/.928 with 24 home runs, 42 doubles, five triples, and 30 stolen bases to finish third in AL MVP voting.

Kansas City Royals

The Royals began their World Series defense with a chip on their shoulders and hot-tempered right-hander Yordano Ventura found himself in the middle of it all. In June, Ventura incited a benches-clearing brawl after drilling Manny Machado in the ribs. Machado would receive a four-game suspension, while Ventura received eight games.

Los Angeles Angels

Despite an impressive season from Mookie Betts, Angels star Mike Trout claimed his second AL MVP award following a year in which he hit .315/.441/.550 with 29 home runs, 30 stolen bases, and 100 RBIs in 159 games. Trout is just the fifth player in league history to win two MVPs before his age-25 season, joining Hall of Famers Jimmie Foxx, Stan Musial, Mickey Mantle, and Johnny Bench.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully called it a career in 2016, retiring after serving as the voice of the Dodgers for 67 seasons. The 89-year-old, who is the longest tenured broadcaster for a single professional sports team, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November from U.S. President Barack Obama.

Miami Marlins

The baseball community was devastated following the shocking death of Jose Fernandez on Sept. 25. The 24-year-old was killed during an early morning accident off the coast of Miami when the boat he was traveling in hit a jetty.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers parted ways with another franchise staple last summer when they traded Jonathan Lucroy to Texas in August. The two-time All-Star had spent his entire seven-year career in Milwaukee and leaves ranked second in hits, doubles, triples, and home runs all time among Brewers catchers.

Minnesota Twins

The Twins surprised everyone in 2015 finishing second in the division, and above .500 for the first time since 2010. Things came crashing down in 2016, however, as the club posted a league-worst 103 losses which was also good for the worst record since the club moved to Minnesota in 1961.

New York Mets

Fresh off a trip to the World Series, the Mets were poised for big things in 2016 before injuries decimated the roster. The club reached the NL wild-card game despite Jacob deGrom, Steven Matz, and Matt Harvey all missing significant time, but what could have been had they stayed healthy.

New York Yankees

The Yankees rebuild turned into something special as Gary Sanchez put on one of the most impressive two-month stretches in league history. The 24-year-old hit 20 home runs in just 53 games - joining Wally Berger (1930) as the fastest players to reach the plateau. Sanchez also became just the 10th rookie catcher in history to hit at least 20 homers.

Oakland Athletics

Less than two seasons after inking Billy Butler to a three-year, $30-million deal, the Athletics released the struggling slugger following a clubhouse fight with teammate Danny Valencia. Both players were fined for the incident but not suspended, though Butler would land on the seven-day concussion list.

Philadelphia Phillies

Ryan Howard capped off 13 seasons with the Phillies with a tearful goodbye as the former Rookie of the Year and NL MVP saw his contract come to an end. Howard, who made $190 million with Philadelphia, ranks second in franchise history in home runs and third in RBIs.

Pittsburgh Pirates

After losing back-to-back wild-card games, 2016 was no easier on the Pirates as the club finished 78-83, finishing under .500 for the first time since 2012. If that wasn't bad enough, Pirates fans have spent the offseason listening to trade rumors about star outfielder Andrew McCutchen.

San Diego Padres

One week after the death of his wife, Yangervis Solarte returned to San Diego's lineup to a standing ovation. The Padres third baseman would follow by lining a single to left field and pointed to the sky as he rounded first base.

San Francisco Giants

Matt Moore couldn't have come any closer to making history in August, losing a no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning. The left-hander allowed a bloop single on his 133rd pitch in just his fifth start with San Francisco. It would have been the fifth Giants' no-hitter in as many seasons.

Seattle Mariners

Ken Griffey Jr. became the first No. 1 draft pick to be enshrined into the Hall of Fame during an emotional ceremony in late July. The 13-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner received 99.32 percent of the vote to land in Cooperstown, and capped off the honor by flipping his signature cap backwards.

St. Louis Cardinals

The Cardinals missed the postseason for the first time in six seasons after missing out on the second wild-card spot by one game. It was also the first time since 2012 that St. Louis failed to win the AL Central.

Tampa Bay Rays

Rays ace Chris Archer was the recipient of some tough luck as the right-hander finished the season with a league-leading 19 losses. Archer posted a 4.02 ERA over 33 starts, but averaged just 3.48 runs of support per start - the fifth-lowest among qualified starters.

Texas Rangers

After they were eliminated by Toronto in Game 5 of the ALDS in 2015, the Rangers once again had their season ended at the hands of the Blue Jays in 2016. A Rougned Odor error in the 10th inning of Game 3 allowed Josh Donaldson to score the winning run as the Rangers were swept by the Blue Jays.

Toronto Blue Jays

In what eventually proved to be his final season with the Blue Jays, Encarnacion gave fans a moment to remember. The slugger blasted a walk-off, three-run home run to advance past the Orioles in the AL wild-card game.

Washington Nationals

The Nationals franchise postseason woes continued as they fell in five games to the Dodgers in the NLDS, failing to advance to the championship series. The club has been bounced in the NLDS in three of the last five seasons, and haven't advanced to the NLCS since 1981 when they were the Expos.