Brewers’ Christian Yelich eager for fresh start after 2020 strugglesVideo
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich never has believed the results of one season have any carryover effect into the next year. He didn’t think that when he was coming off an MVP season in 2018 or a second straight batting title in ’19. Nor does he feel that way now...
Plum’s Alex Kirilloff ready to be regular for Twins, but on Opening Day?Video
MINNEAPOLIS — Alex Kirilloff never has played in a regular-season major league game. The Plum product is on track to soon become Minnesota’s regular left fielder. “We know what he’s capable of. We’re going to have to wait and see how this spring plays out,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. There’s...
Reds’ Joey Votto wants to get back ‘to being dangerous’Video
Joey Votto is determined to be a power hitter again. “I want to get back to being dangerous,” Votto said Monday from the Cincinnati Reds’ spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz. Besides, guys who crush the ball into the seats and punctuate it with a bat flip are just more...
Angels’ Mike Trout hears his playoff clock tickingVideo
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout is beginning a new season with the same old question. How long will the Los Angeles Angels’ three-time AL MVP have to wait for his first playoff victory? “It’s definitely weighed on me,” Trout said Monday before the Angels’ first full workout of spring training...
Mariners CEO Kevin Mather resigns after video commentsVideo
In one 45-minute conversation, Kevin Mather undermined the Seattle Mariners far beyond being the organization with the longest playoff drought in baseball. He took insensitive shots at a former All-Star from Japan and a top prospect from the Dominican Republic for their English skills. He admitted to the team possibly...
Ex-Pirate Chris Archer hoping to re-establish himself with RaysVideo
Chris Archer is back in familiar surroundings, eager to re-establish himself with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 32-year-old former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher is three seasons removed from a being a two-time All-Star and the ace of a rotation the AL champions are revamping after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers...
That ’70s Show: Loss by loss, a unique era of baseball fades
The affection engulfs Clint Hurdle’s voice as he appraises the list of those recently gone — childhood idols who became teammates and opponents, teammates and opponents who became acquaintances, acquaintances who became dear friends. The 1970s memories surface fast for the man who has spent his entire adult life in...
Rockies oufielder Ian Desmond opts out, leaves door open for returnVideo
DENVER — Ian Desmond provided a calming voice to help the Colorado Rockies stick together soon after losing star third baseman Nolan Arenado in a blockbuster trade. That just might be the veteran outfielder’s biggest contribution this season. Desmond decided Sunday to opt out for a second straight season. He...
Price, Posey, MLBers who opted out for virus excited for ’21Video
David Price spent much of 2020 in front of his television, watching from afar as his Los Angeles Dodgers chased an elusive World Series championship. Trepidation about playing baseball through a pandemic trumped his urge to play, but that doesn’t mean the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner never thought...
Cole says MLB players are concerned about lack of competitivenessVideo
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole and other baseball players will be pushing for changes that make more teams competitive as they think about looming labor negotiations that could lead to a work stoppage at the start of 2022. Many veterans who are not top stars have taken substantial paycuts...
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow announces retirement from professional baseballVideo
Tim Tebow is hanging up the helmet. Again. Tebow, the former Broncos and Jets quarterback announced his retirement from professional baseball after five years in the New York Mets organization on Wednesday. The best play of Tim Tebow’s professional sports career. pic.twitter.com/xFr1JwmqxJ— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) February 18, 2021 The former...
Padres lock up Fernando Tatis Jr. to record 14-year, $340M contractVideo
SAN DIEGO — The Padres hope to never have to see Fernando Tatis Jr. play a game in another uniform. The team and its star shortstop took a giant step toward that aim Wednesday by agreeing to terms on a 14-year contract, according to multiple sources. The deal is worth...
Indians saves leader Cody Allen retires at 32
CLEVELAND — Cody Allen, the Cleveland Indians’ career saves leader and an underappreciated closer for the team, retired at age 32. The Indians announced Allen’s retirement Wednesday on Twitter, posting: “From a 23rd round draft pick to the franchise saves (leader). Congrats on a great career, Cody.” Allen spent seven...
Baseball Hall of Fame cancels traditional ceremony, moves indoors
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Baseball’s Hall of Fame has canceled its traditional outdoor induction ceremony for the second straight summer because of the pandemic and plans an indoor, televised event for Derek Jeter and others being honored. Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and late players’ association executive director Marvin Miller were...
Red Sox deal OF Andrew Benintendi to Royals in 3-team trade
BOSTON — The Red Sox sent Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in a three-team trade that also included the New York Mets, parting with the final member of the outfield trio that helped Boston win the 2018 World Series. The Red Sox traded Benintendi along with...
Phillies finalize $28M, 2-year deal with Didi GregoriusVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Shortstop Didi Gregorius and the Philadelphia Phillies finalized a $28 million, two-year contract Wednesday. Gregorius, who turns 31 next week, batted .284 with 10 homers, 40 RBIs and an .827 OPS in 60 games in his first season with the Phillies. He hit .274 and averaged 20 homers...
MLB players to wear electronic tracers, face discipline
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball players, on-field staff and non-playing personnel who require access to them at ballparks must wear electronic tracing wristbands from the start of spring training and face discipline for violations. Players will be encouraged to get vaccines but are not required to get them. That...
MLB keeping 7-inning doubleheaders, runners on 2nd in extras
NEW YORK — Seven-inning doubleheaders and runners on second base to start extra innings will return for a second straight season under an agreement for 2021 health protocols reached Monday between Major League Baseball and the players’ association. The deal did not include last year’s experimental rule to extend the...
AP: MLB alters ball amid HR surge, expects subtle changesVideo
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball has slightly deadened its baseballs amid a years-long surge in home runs. MLB anticipates the changes will be subtle, and a memo to teams last week cited an independent lab found the new balls will fly 1 to 2 feet shorter when hit over...
Longtime ESPN baseball correspondent Pedro Gomez dies at 58Video
Pedro Gomez, a longtime baseball correspondent for ESPN who covered more than 25 World Series, has died. He was 58. Gomez died unexpectedly at home Sunday, his family said in a statement. No cause of death was given. “Pedro was far more than a media personality. He was a Dad,...
Rangers deal Elvis Andrus to A’s for DH Khris Davis
Elvis is leaving Texas. Veteran infielder Elvis Andrus was traded to the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, just over two months after the Texas Rangers said the only player remaining from their only two World Series appearances no longer would be the starting shortstop after 12 seasons in that role. Texas...
Bronx Boosters: Yankee Stadium becomes mass vaccination site
NEW YORK — Yankee Stadium was opened as a covid-19 mass vaccination site Friday by officials trying to boost inoculation rates in surrounding Bronx neighborhoods hard hit by the pandemic. The megasite is being restricted to residents of the New York City borough with the highest percentage of positive coronavirus...
NL Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer joins World Series champion Dodgers
LOS ANGELES — Trevor Bauer is coming home to pitch for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner announced his decision on Friday in a two-minute video posted to his Twitter account that ended with him saying, “And I can’t wait Dodger fans.”...
Indians president said team unaware of Mickey Callaway’s behaviorVideo
CLEVELAND — Troubled by what might have happened under his watch, Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said the team was unaware of inappropriate behavior toward women by former pitching coach Mickey Callaway while he was with the club. Antonetti said he became “distraught” and “disturbed” in learning of...
MLB average salary falls for 3rd straight year
NEW YORK — The average Major League Baseball salary dropped for an unprecedented third straight year, even before the shortened season caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The Major League Baseball Players Association said Thursday the 2020 average would have been $3.89 million if a full season had been played....
