Cardinals clinch NL Central; Cubs lose in Joe Maddon’s finaleVideo
ST. LOUIS — Jack Flaherty, Paul Goldschmidt and the St. Louis Cardinals quickly drained any drama from a final-day playoff chase. They were totally fine with that. The Cardinals clinched the NL Central in their last game of the regular season, using Flaherty’s arm and Goldschmidt’s bat Sunday to win...
Manager Joe Maddon, Cubs part waysVideo
From the moment Joe Maddon joined the Chicago Cubs, taking the reins in a Wrigleyville bar five years ago, he talked about winning. He was the right manager at the right time for a franchise that had experienced mostly terrible timing for more than a century. Right until his time...
Hal Steinbrenner: Yankees never gave up through injury adversityVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — New York Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner thinks manager Aaron Boone has the team ready for the postseason after an unprecedented run of injuries. New York won the AL East for the first time since 2012 and will open the playoffs in the Division Series at home Oct....
First Call: Steelers’ Bud Dupree a good fit for Eagles?; Charlie Morton sizzles; Baker Mayfield vs. Rex Ryan
In “First Call” Thursday, trade talk surrounds a Pittsburgh Steeler. Baker Mayfield responds to Rex Ryan. And Charlie Morton shines again. City of Brotherly Bud? The Steelers have been busy trading for players in recent weeks. Now there’s one suggestion that Pennsylvania’s other team should try to snag a current...
First Call: Video of alleged Antonio Brown furniture toss emerges; Gerrit Cole’s K record
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” video emerges of the alleged furniture-tossing incident involving Antonio Brown. Also, Brown is not getting paid by the New England Patriots. Gerrit Cole is a strikeout machine. And the Pirates help start a party in Washington. Video emerges A television station in Miami aired video of...
Royals manager Ned Yost to retire as club’s career wins leader
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ned Yost did something few thought possible when he took over the Kansas City Royals in 2010: He not only built the organization into a winner but delivered the long-suffering organization its first World Series title in three decades. Now, he’s leaving the next rebuilding job...
Braves’ Ronald Acuna Jr. joins elite list after blasting 40th home runVideo
At a young age, Ronald Acuna Jr. has made history quickly. Acuna, the Atlanta Braves phenom, hit his 40th home run Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies to join Mel Ott and Eddie Matthews as the only MLB players 21 or younger to hit 40 home runs in a season. In...
First Call: Bracing for Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown hype; Dickerson’s done; mascot battle royal?
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a Steelers fan nightmare, a magical Major League Baseball moment, two stunning NFL gambling lines, and bad news for a former Pirate. I’m not ready for this The slow burn on this topic will start to simmer over the next 48 hours or so. Former Steelers...
Phillies outfielder Corey Dickerson out for season with a broken footVideo
ATLANTA — The Phillies’ path to a wild-card spot is difficult enough, but it became even more challenging Tuesday when they announced that Corey Dickerson’s season is over because of a fractured left foot. Corey Dickerson’s season — and very possibly his Phillies career — is over after he was...
First Call: Gerrit Cole’s runaway 2019 continues; ex-Penguin Ryan Reaves injured
In Friday’s “First Call,” the “Cole Train” looks to keep rolling. Injury issues for a former Penguin. Some early MLB struggles for a WPIAL star. Meanwhile another WPIAL legend is going into the West Virginia Hall of Fame. Ten in a row? Former Pirate Gerrit Cole looks to continue his...
Fantasy sports podcast: Concerns about Steelers players, loading up versus Dolphins
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. Some people are worried about Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in fantasy play after Week 1. Jeff tells us why you shouldn’t buy into that concern. How many Patriots should you play against Miami? And how heavy should you invest...
First Call: Are Bill Belichick, Tom Brady already tired of Antonio Brown attention?; New home run record
In “First Call” this Thursday, we see how New England is reacting to the news about the lawsuit against Antonio Brown. The helmet saga surrounding Brown may be resurfacing, too. An MLB home run record. And a significant horse-racing scandal. Fed up already? When we found out Antonio Brown was...
Hero’s welcome for David Ortiz at Fenway Park
BOSTON — Former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz had a chance to thank his adoring fans at Fenway Park exactly three months after he was shot in the back while in his native Dominican Republic. In his first public appearance since June 9, when he was seriously injured in a...
First Call: New Coyote Phil Kessel speaks; Cowboys’ Ezekiel Elliott gets huge contract
Wednesday’s “First Call” features details on Ezekiel Elliott’s new contract. Phil Kessel speaks for the first time as an Arizona Coyote. Austin Meadows homers again. And two local pitchers break new ground in the Major Leagues. Kessel the Coyote Phil Kessel may have been traded to Arizona two months ago,...
Astros’ Justin Verlander throws no-hitter for 3rd time in careerVideo
TORONTO — Justin Verlander pitched his third career no-hitter, punctuating a dominant season with an overpowering performance to lead the Houston Astros past the Toronto Blue Jays, 2-0, on Sunday. Verlander struck out 14 and allowed just one runner, walking Cavan Biggio with one out in the first inning. “I...
Tyler Skaggs’ autopsy: Fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol led to death by choking on vomit
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs had the opioids fentanyl and oxycodone along with alcohol in his system when he was found dead in his Texas hotel room July 1, according to a toxicology report that will be released Friday by the Tarrant County medical examiner’s office. The cause...
First Call: Gerrit Cole piles up more strikeouts; JuJu Smith-Schuster continues to ‘be lit’
In “First Call” Thursday, Gerrit Cole dials up the heat. JuJu Smith-Schuster continues to show how marketable he really is. Carli Lloyd keeps the hype going about her place-kicking career. And Alison Riske is up for Round 2 at the U.S. Open. Gas from Gerrit Former Pirate Gerrit Cole dialed...
Mets trying to produce another miracle
NEW YORK — Two months ago, as the New York Mets commemorated the 50th anniversary of a most improbable World Series title, 74-year-old alum Ed Kranepool stood at a Citi Field lectern and tried to encourage a languishing team. “They can do it like we did. You gotta believe in...
Mark Madden: Verlander conflict more interesting than anything he might say
All heck broke loose Wednesday when a Detroit baseball writer was briefly barred from the Houston Astros clubhouse because Astros (ex-Tigers) pitcher Justin Verlander perceives a bad history with said writer, whom he labeled “unethical.” The writer, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press, had his entrance to the clubhouse...
MLB bans players from Venezuelan Winter League
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is banning players from participating in the Venezuelan Winter League in one of the first public repercussions of new U.S. economic sanctions against the Venezuelan government. MLB said Thursday it is in contact with the U.S. government to determine how to proceed under the...
Indians get different results by keeping routine the same
CLEVELAND — The Indians clubhouse is buzzing with activity about three hours before a three-game series opener against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, whose season could be over by October. For a stretch, Cleveland’s postseason plans were in serious doubt. As players kill time before the first...
Andrew McCutchen posts gender reveal for Baby #2 on Instagram
Former Pittsburgh Pirates star Andrew McCutchen is a fan of gender reveals. He did one back in 2017 when he and his wife, Maria Hanslovan, announced the sex of their first child, a son: Steel. He’s done it again — this time for Baby No. 2. View this post on...
First Call: Bill Guerin close to leaving Penguins?; Alex Rodriguez’s SUV robbed
Tuesday’s “First Call” takes a look at Bill Guerin’s future, Alex Rodriguez’s stolen jewelry, a kicker who copies “Sid the Kid” and Tate Martell losing another quarterback battle. Ripple effect? How does a guy from Raleigh pulling out of a job opportunity in Minnesota impact the hockey team in Pittsburgh?...
Report: $500K stolen from Alex Rodriguez’s rental car in San FranciscoVideo
Someone needs to tell Alex Rodriguez a rental car is not the safest place to keep $500,000 worth of jewelry and electronics. On Sunday night, ESPN broadcaster Rodriquez was in San Francisco to call the game between the Giants and Philadelphia Phillies. Alex Rodriguez had about half a million dollars...
Yasiel Puig drops appeal of 3-game suspension for brawl vs. Pirates
CLEVELAND — Indians outfielder Yasiel Puig has dropped the appeal for his three-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl when he was with Cincinnati. Puig will begin serving his ban Monday night when the Indians, who have climbed back into a tie for first in the AL Central, open...
