Phillies’ Andrew McCutchen dresses as Black Panther in injury updateVideo
Philadelphia Phillies Andrew McCutchen’s baseball season ended earlier this month when the outfielder tore his ACL. But his filmmaking career might be getting a boost. The prolific social-media maven wore a Black Panther mask in a sepia-toned movie on Instagram to post an injury update. The movie with the caption,...
The Ex-Rays: Tampa Bay gets OK from MLB to explore Montreal
NEW YORK — The Ex-Rays? Starved for fans despite success on the field, the Tampa Bay Rays have been given the go-ahead by Major League Baseball to look into playing a split season in Montreal. No timetable for the possible plan was announced. An idea under consideration is for the...
The Ex-Rays: Tampa Bay gets OK from MLB to explore Montreal
NEW YORK — The Ex-Rays? Starved for fans despite success on the field, the Tampa Bay Rays have been given the go-ahead by MLB to look into playing a split season in Montreal. No timetable for the possible plan was announced. An idea under consideration is for the Rays to...
David Ortiz shooting suspect charged with drug possession
NEWARK, N.J. — One of the suspects in the shooting of former baseball star David Ortiz was charged Thursday with drug and firearm possession in New Jersey. Rolfi Ferreira-Cruz was indicted on cocaine and heroin possession charges and also a charge of conspiracy to distribute drugs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office...
First Call: Trace McSorley’s new gig; Max Scherzer’s shiner; NHL rule changes
For Thursday’s “First Call,” Trace McSorley expands his horizons. Can the NHL do what the NFL can’t? A youth umpire brings about parental chaos. Max Scherzer’s black eye is a golden moment. What’s next? Penn State product Trace McSorley may be returning punts for the Ravens. McSorley has always wanted...
Dominican AG: David Ortiz shooting result of mistaken identity
The Dominican Republic’s lead prosecutor said former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was not the target of a shooting in a nightclub in his hometown on June 9. Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez said the target was another man, dressed similarly to Ortiz, who was seated with the ex-baseball star...
Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer to start despite broken nose
WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer is scheduled to pitch Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, a day after breaking his nose during batting practice. Scherzer was injured Tuesday when he took a ball off his face while attempting a bunt. The team says a CT scan was negative....
Fantasy sports podcast: Penguins lead hockey interest, MLB offense soars, NBA chaos
We’ve moved up our Rotowire fantasy sports podcast for the week. Good timing. There’s a lot to get to in the fantasy sports world with Jeff Erickson. That record-setting Padres-Rockies series over the weekend was reason enough. Then there is the injury to Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard and the improvement...
Babe Ruth Yankees jersey sells for record $5.64 million
Babe Ruth is still producing eye-popping numbers 84 years after his baseball career ended. A Yankees jersey said to have been worn by him during the team’s “Murderers’ Row” period of the late 1920s fetched $5.64 million at an auction over the weekend. That set a record, by more than...
Fan takes in baseball game while enjoying tub of mayonnaise
File this one under … huh? A fan took in a Memphis Redbirds minor league baseball game this weekend while enjoying a tub of mayonnaise. Mayo. Out of the jar. Alone. Cameras captured the man at various times during the game eating the mayonnaise and the Redbirds’ Twitter account posted...
John Steigerwald: Home runs can no longer save baseballVideo
“Chicks dig the long ball.” That was the message delivered in a 1998 Nike commercial. It was the answer given by two skinny pitchers, who were asked why they were training so hard. Mark McGwire, who was on his way to 70 home runs that year and looked like an...
Slugger Edwin Encarnacion to join Yankees on Monday
CHICAGO — Edwin Encarnacion will find himself in a familiar spot after he joins the New York Yankees on Monday. Manager Aaron Boone plans to use the AL home run leader as his team’s primary designated hitter once the 36-year-old slugger arrives. The AL East leaders acquired Encarnacion and cash...
Quick work, luck saved David Ortiz, surgeons say in 1st interview
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — The assassin’s point-blank gunshot pierced the right side of David Ortiz’s back, tore through his liver and intestines and exited just to the right of his navel, still traveling fast enough to lodge in a companion’s thigh. “Please don’t let me die,” Ortiz pleaded again...
Detroit Tigers select Pitt product, Norwin grad Connor Perry in 28th round
A couple of major league teams called during Day 2 of the MLB Draft, but they decided to pass on Connor Perry. More calls came during Day 3. Still, nothing. Perry’s nerves were tested, but during the 28th round, he got a call from the Detroit Tigers. The conversation went...
6 suspects, including gunman, arrested in David Ortiz shooting; 1 suspect wanted in Reading
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — An alleged gunman and five accomplices have been detained in the shooting of former Red Sox superstar David Ortiz, Dominican officials said Wednesday, while providing no information about why a group of young men would try to kill their country’s most beloved sports hero. Four...
Five suspects detained in shooting of former Red Sox star David Ortiz
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — An alleged gunman and five accomplices were detained in the shooting of former Red Sox superstar David Ortiz, Dominican officials said Wednesday, while providing no information about why a group of young men would try to kill their country’s most beloved sports hero. Four other...
David Ortiz undergoes more surgery in Boston after shooting
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz is recovering in Boston from a two-hour exploratory surgery after being shot at a bar in his native Dominican Republic. Ortiz spokesman Leo López told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Ortiz is expected to stay in intensive care...
Ex-Red Sox slugger David Ortiz flown to Boston after being shot in a bar
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — David Ortiz was flown to Boston for more medical care Monday after the former Red Sox slugger was ambushed by a gunman at a bar in his native Dominican Republic, authorities said. The 43-year-old was in stable condition in intensive care at a Santo Domingo...
First Call: MLB world offers prayers for David Ortiz; A.J. Green wants to stay with Bengals
In Monday’s “First Call,” an update on David Ortiz’s health after he was shot over the weekend. A.J. Green wants to remain a Bengal. Tensions rise in the N.L. West. Praying for Papi Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez reached out to former teammate David Ortiz on Sunday night after Ortiz...
Ex-Red Sox slugger David Ortiz shot at Dominican bar, recovering after surgeryVideo
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz was hospitalized Monday following surgery for a gunshot wound after being ambushed by a man in a bar in his native Dominican Republic, authorities said. Dominican National Police Director Ney Aldrin Bautista Almonte said Ortiz was at the...
Craig Kimbrel on Cubs: ‘I’m happy where I am’
CHICAGO — After missing more than one-third of a season while waiting for the right offer, Craig Kimbrel found a home with the Chicago Cubs. “Am I disappointed at where I am? No. not all at all. I’m very happy where I am,” Kimbrel said Friday after the Cubs finalized...
Cubs reach $43M deal with free-agent closer Craig KimbrelVideo
CHICAGO — At the start of spring training, when Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said he had no money to spend, Pedro Strop was asked if the Cubs could use free agent Craig Kimbrel in the bullpen. “I’m never going to say we don’t need a guy like that,” Strop replied....
Sons of former MLB players highlight Day 2 of draft
NEW YORK — Grant McCray will get a chance to leave his mark on professional baseball, but he’ll have a tough time making one as dramatic as his famous father. The Florida high school outfielder, drafted in the third round by San Francisco on Tuesday, is the son of former...
MLB’s Rob Manfred doesn’t expect protective nets to change in season
SEATTLE — MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said he does not expect teams to make changes to the protective netting around ballparks during the season, although he expects conversations to continue about whether netting should be extended. Manfred’s comments Tuesday came less than a week after a young child was struck...
Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen out for season with torn ACLVideo
SAN DIEGO — Andrew McCutchen tore his ACL in a rundown and will miss the rest of the season, causing the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies to again reshuffle their outfield. McCutchen hurt his left knee during Monday night’s game against San Diego and an MRI revealed the injury. “It’s not...
