Báez, Lindor apologize for thumbs-down jab at Mets fans
NEW YORK — Javier Báez and Francisco Lindor have apologized to Mets fans after Báez revealed that a thumbs-down celebration gesture adopted by players was in part a dig at New York fans who have booed the underperforming ballclub. Báez and Lindor took turns saying they were sorry less than...
Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard tests positive for covid-19Video
NEW YORK — Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard encountered another hurdle in his recovery from Tommy John surgery Sunday when he was scratched from a rehab start because he tested positive for covid-19, a person familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition...
Police investigation of Dodgers’ Trevor Bauer handed to prosecutorsVideo
LOS ANGELES — Police on Friday presented to prosecutors their investigation of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer in the case of a woman who said he choked her into unconsciousness, punched her repeatedly and had anal sex with her without her consent during two sexual encounters. The Pasadena Police...
Orioles snap 19-game skid with 10-6 win over Angels
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles snapped their 19-game losing streak Wednesday night, rallying to beat Los Angeles, 10-6, after a shaky start by Shohei Ohtani left the Angels’ bullpen with too much to do. The Angels were up 6-2 in the fourth inning and 6-4 when Ohtani left the game...
Resurgent Votto pounding homers again, keeping Reds in race
CINCINNATI — In the midst of a sensational, homer-crashing career resurgence, Joey Votto talked recently about getting his 2,000th hit. The 37-year-old Reds first baseman recalled how he had the ball from his first major league hit in 2007 but a few years later gave it to his dog Maris...
First Call: Joe Schobert recaps 1st game with Steelers; former Steeler injured in Baltimore; former Pirate shines in Tampa
Monday’s “First Call” looks at linebacker Joe Schobert’s first game as a Pittsburgh Steeler. Also, there is a twist that may have had him playing in Baltimore instead. One ex-Pirate shines, and another gets hurt during a battle of American League powerhouses. And Pittsburgh braces itself for the long-awaited, uh,...
Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera hits 500th career home runVideo
TORONTO — Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera became the 28th major-league player to hit 500 home runs, reaching the milestone in the sixth inning Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 38-year-old Cabrera connected on a 1-1 pitch from left-hander Steven Matz, sending the ball over the scoreboard in right-center...
MLB to end 70-year partnership with Topps trading cards
Major League Baseball is ending a 70-year relationship with trading card company Topps after signing a new partnership with a rival company. The loss of the MLB partnership immediately scuttled a deal announced earlier this year that would have made Topps a publicly traded company. The special-purpose acquisition company Mudrick...
Mookie Betts feeling ‘really good,’ eyes return soon to Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Mookie Betts says he’s feeling “really, really good” and is eager to return soon to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup from a stint on the injured list with right hip inflammation. The All-Star outfielder has been on the IL since Aug. 8. He was diagnosed with a...
A’s ace Chris Bassitt out of hospital after being hit in head by line driveVideo
OAKLAND, Calif. — Oakland Athletics ace Chris Bassitt has a broken bone in his cheek that will need surgery to repair but he sustained no eye damage after being struck on the side of the head by a line drive. Bassitt was taken to a hospital after getting hit by...
Tigers analyst Jack Morris suspended for Ohtani remarksVideo
DETROIT — Detroit Tigers broadcaster Jack Morris has been suspended indefinitely for racist comments he made about Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani during a game on Tuesday. When asked by play-by-play announcer Matt Shepard how the Tigers should pitch to Ohtani in the sixth inning, Morris adopted an exaggerated...
Woman says violence by Trevor Bauer left her in pain, fearVideo
LOS ANGELES — A woman seeking a five-year restraining order against Trevor Bauer testified Tuesday that her horror grew as bruises emerged and her pain surged the day after a sexual encounter in which she said the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher choked her into unconsciousness and punched her repeatedly. The...
First Call: Oddsmakers set line on hot seat for Mike Tomlin; Gerrit Cole returns; Joe Burrow still out
Tuesday’s “First Call” tries to gauge how hot the seat really is (or isn’t) for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Gerrit Cole returned to the mound in the Bronx. We’ve found a team struggling even worse than the Pirates. And Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow isn’t ready for game action...
Trevor Bauer lawyer: Woman made him believe she wanted rougher sex
LOS ANGELES — An attorney for Trevor Bauer told a judge Monday that the Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher had every reason to believe that a woman wanted the choking and other rough treatment he gave her in two sexual encounters that led to her seeking a five-year restraining order against...
‘Holy Grail’ baseball card of Pirates legend Honus Wagner fetches record $6.6M
A 1909 Honus Wagner baseball card has sold for more than $6.6 million, according to Robert Edward Auctions based in New Jersey. The price shattered a previous record of $5.2 million that was paid for a sports card — 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card and the 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite...
Diamondbacks rookie Tyler Gilbert no-hits Padres in his MLB debutVideo
PHOENIX — Tyler Gilbert became the first pitcher in 68 years to throw a no-hitter in his first big league start, lifting the Arizona Diamondbacks over the San Diego Padres, 7-0, Saturday night with the record-tying eighth no-hitter in the majors this season. Gilbert joined Bumpus Jones in his major-league...
White Sox walk off Yankees in Field of Dreams game
DYERSVILLE, Iowa — Tim Anderson hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning into the cornfield to end the Field of Dreams game in cinematic fashion, as the Chicago White Sox outslugged the New York Yankees 9-8 Thursday night in the first Major League Baseball game in Iowa. Anderson, who...
Cubs release former ace Jake Arrieta after rough return to teamVideo
CHICAGO — Jake Arrieta, who won a Cy Young Award and helped the Chicago Cubs capture a drought-busting World Series championship in his first stint with the club, was released Thursday after struggling in his second go-round. Arrieta was informed Wednesday after getting tagged for eight runs in a 10-0...
Brewers’ Corbin Burnes strikes out 10 in a row, ties MLB record
CHICAGO — Milwaukee right-hander Corbin Burnes struck out 10 straight, tying the major-league record, against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday night at Wrigley Field. Hall of Famer Tom Seaver of the New York Mets fanned 10 straight against San Diego in 1970. Philadelphia ace Aaron Nola struck out 10 Mets...
MLB set to make Iowa debut for ‘Field of Dreams’ gameVideo
More than three decades after “Field of Dreams” seeped into the country’s cultural consciousness, with a one-year delay caused by the pandemic, one of the most famous cornfields in Hollywood history finally gets the opportunity to host real major league ball. “Is this heaven?” the ghost of John Kinsella asked...
Rockies say fan wasn’t yelling racial slur at Marlins player
DENVER — The Colorado Rockies said a fan suspected of repeatedly yelling a racial slur at Florida outfielder Lewis Brinson was actually hollering at “Dinger,” the club’s purple, polka-dotted dinosaur mascot. “After a thorough investigation that included calls, emails and video clips from concerned fans, media and broadcast partners, the...
Yankees covid-19 outbreak continues as Anthony Rizzo tests positiveVideo
NEW YORK — Newcomer Anthony Rizzo has become the latest Yankees player to test positive for the coronavirus. Rizzo is the fourth New York player within the past week to be sidelined by covid-19, joining starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery and catcher Gary Sanchez. Rizzo tested positive after...
Phillies retire Halladay’s No. 34 in tribute to late ace
On the same diamond where Roy Halladay pitched himself into baseball history and the hearts of Philadelphia fans, the Phillies retired the late Hall of Famer’s No. 34 jersey in a touching tribute Sunday. Former teammates Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Raúl Ibañez as well as pitching coach Rich Dubee...
Power surge puts Norwin grad JJ Matijevic on doorstep of major leagues
Left, right, center. Doesn’t matter. JJ Matijevic can spray the baseball all over the park — and deep into the bleachers — with some of the best middle-order hitters in the minor leagues. But the Norwin graduate wants to prove he can hit home runs in the majors, too. He...
Indians get 15-year lease agreement, ending relocation talk
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a 15-year lease extension at Progressive Field, keeping them at their downtown ballpark through 2036 and ending speculation the franchise would relocate. The agreement, which was announced Thursday and still needs legislative approval, includes two additional five-year options that could make it...
