LONDON -- Sam Allardyce pledged to make England proud of its perennially-underperforming national team after being hired as its manager on Friday, following an embarrassing European Championship showing under Roy Hodgson.In a break from previous lengthy deals for managers, the English Football Association only handed Allardyce an initial two-year contract through the 2018 World Cup after securing his release from Premier League club Sunderland.Allardyce takes over one of footballs most high-profile and challenging jobs after a 25-year management career that yielded no major trophies but won him plaudits for over-achieving with modest teams.It is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted, Allardyce said. For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football. I will do everything I can to help England do well and give our nation the success our fans deserve.Above all, we have to make the people and the whole country proud.The 61-year-old Allardyce, like Hodgson, was never selected by England during his playing career.Hodgsons hopes of extending his four-year stint with England were dashed when its Euro 2016 campaign ended in June with a humbling loss to Iceland in the round of 16.The FA also said Allardyce has a mandate to shape a strong, purposeful team identity and maximize the performance potential of a young, talented England squad at a major tournament.Allardyces immediate priority is to take England to the 2018 World Cup, with qualifying starting in September.I know we have talented, committed players, Allardyce said, and it is time for us to deliver.Allardyce has never managed a leading club, once joking if his name was Allardici he would have secured one of the top Premier League jobs that typically go to foreign coaches.Allardyces only experience outside England is in the now-defunct UEFA Cup with Bolton, where he spent eight years. It was while at Bolton, where Allardyce spent much of his playing career, that he was overlooked for the England job in 2006.Allardyce, who has also managed Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham, has a reputation for improving struggling teams -- qualities which the FA recognized in hiring a respected and passionate homegrown coach.His excellent managerial credentials, including his ability to realize the potential of players and teams, develop a strong team ethos and embrace modern methods that enhance performance, made him the outstanding choice, FA chief executive Martin Glenn said.Allardyces appointment was the result of what Glenn called a thorough process over three weeks.We could not help but be energized by his personal perspective on Englands future and how it complemented the extensive work that we are looking to build on at St. Georges Park, Glenn said, referencing the England team training base in central England.Allardyces England debut will be a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 1, before taking his team to Slovakia for the first World Cup qualifier on Sept. 4. 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Big Papi, Kris Bryant and Bryce Harper are just a few of the big-name offensive stars leading their teams into the postseason.Theres Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista, Troy Tulowitzki and Edwin Encarnacion on Toronto alone. Adrian Beltre, Carlos Beltran, Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Utley are some of the other recognizable names.Often, guys like Craig Counsell, Adam Kennedy, Cody Ross, David Freese and Marco Scutaro emerge as October heroes.Counsell (2001 Diamondbacks), Kennedy (2002 Angels), Ross (2010 Giants), Freese (2011 Cardinals) and Scutaro (2012 Giants) each were MVPs of the league championship series. All of their teams went on to win the World Series. Only Freese and Scutaro ever made it to an All-Star game -- once each.Heres a Pick 6 of lesser-known players who could shine when the bright lights are on this month:TREA TURNER: Only Daniel Murphy had a higher batting average for the Nationals than their rookie centerfielder. Turner hit .342 with 13 homers, 40 RBI and 33 stolen bases after coming up from the minors to stay in July. While Harper, the 2015 NL MVP, slumped and Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth had down years, Turner was a big addition for the NL East champions.YASMANI GRANDAL: He may have been the best bargain on baseballs highest-priced roster. The Dodgers paid Grandal $693,000, or less than 1 percent of their $227 million payroll. The switch-hitting catcher tied Justin Turner for the team lead with 27 homers and had 772 RBI in only 390 at-bats.ddddddddddddBEN ZOBRIST: Its easy to overlook Zobrist on a Cubs team that includes Bryant, Anthony Rizzo and Jason Heyward. But Zobrist was an All-Star second baseman, started 29 games in the outfield and usually hit cleanup behind Bryant and Rizzo in Joe Maddons lineup. He finished with a .272 average, 18 homers, 72 RBI and team-high 96 walks.XANDER BOGAERTS: While eyes are on David Ortiz and his farewell ride, Bogaerts has emerged as a star on a team filled with outstanding players. Bogaerts hit .294 with 21 homers and 89 RBI. He already got a taste of the postseason in 2013 when Boston won the World Series, hitting .296 in 12 games.ROUGNED ODOR: Hes known more for delivering a hard right fist to Bautistas jaw, but Odor led the Rangers with 33 homers. The second baseman hit .271 and drove in 88 runs.JOSE RAMIREZ: He started at three infield spots and left field and led Indians with a .312 batting average. Ramirez, the starting third baseman, also had 46 doubles, 76 RBI and stole 22 bases.BONUS PICK: Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis is the unsung hero in a lineup filled with sluggers -- six players had at least 20 homers. 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