Enter Mariano Rivera: Yankees closer awaits place in Baseball Hall of FameVideo
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — It never changed for Mariano Rivera — from his childhood in the fishing village of Puerto Caimito in Panama to the pitcher’s mound at Yankee Stadium. “I always wanted to be the last guy to kick the ball or took the last shot at the basket. Give...
First Call: Ron Francis introduced in Seattle, Phillies closer pops off
Friday’s “First Call” features Ron Francis’ introduction in Seattle, power from a former Pittsburgh Pirate, injury issues with the Ravens, Aaron Boone’s fully translated fit of rage in New York, and emotions getting out of control from Philadelphia’s bullpen. Francis fans Former Penguins star Ron Francis made his debut in...
Yankees manager Aaron Boone is nice about cursing out rookie umpire after getting tossed
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone certainly got his money’s worth after he was ejected from the opener in Thursday’s doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays. Apparently Boone was upset with rookie umpire Brennan Miller’s generous strike zone. Boone’s carping in the second inning after Brett Gardner was called out...
Royals trade right-hander Homer Bailey to A’s for prospect
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals traded Homer Bailey to the Oakland Athletics for minor league infielder Kevin Merrell on Sunday after scratching the veteran right-hander about 45 minutes before his scheduled start of their series finale against Detroit. The 33-year-old Bailey has rebounded this season with the...
Angels reflect on honoring Tyler Skaggs with amazing no-hitterVideo
ANAHEIM, Calif. — When the Los Angeles Angels think about Tyler Skaggs in the months and years ahead, Andrew Heaney is grateful they’ll have the memory of one incredible night to assuage their sadness. With Skaggs’ name and No. 45 on all of their jerseys Friday night, the Angels played...
Angels complete combined no hitter on eve of Tyler Skaggs’ birthday
Los Angeles Angels pitchers Taylor Cole and Felix Pena threw a combined no-hitter Friday night against the Seattle Mariners, on the eve of what would have been Tyler Skaggs’ 28th birthday. Skaggs’ mother, Debbie, took his place on the mound surrounded by his wife, Carli, his stepfather and stepbrother, to...
Dwight Gooden charged with cocaine possession
HOLMDEL, N.J. — Former New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden was charged with drug possession in New Jersey after a traffic stop last month. Gooden’s car was stopped by police in Holmdel, about 20 miles from New York, early on June 7 for failure to maintain a lane and driving...
First Call: Redskins’ Josh Norman leaps over bull; Jagr trade anniversary; stealing 1st base
In Friday’s “First Call,” an NFL player tries “bull jumping.” A dumb rule change is on trial in minor league baseball. And an unhappy Penguin anniversary. Is this covered in his contract? There is a leaping penalty in football. But I don’t think this is it. Redskins cornerback Josh Norman...
Oops! MLB All-Star scoreboard has rough night in Cleveland
CLEVELAND — The only errors on the scoreboard at the All-Star Game were by the scoreboard. At least one player noticed — and wasn’t too pleased. The giant board at Progressive Field was filled with mistakes Tuesday night, including a couple of misspelled names, a wrong picture and a pair...
Trade deadline, NL Central race, home run pace highlights MLB 2nd half
CHICAGO — Francisco Lindor and the Cleveland Indians, looking up at Nelson Cruz and the surprising Minnesota Twins. Matt Chapman and the Oakland Athletics, trying to run down Jose Altuve and the Houston Astros. Max Scherzer and the Washington Nationals, chasing Ronald Acuna Jr. and the Atlanta Braves. Baseball ramps...
Andrew McCutchen’s wife, Maria, throws him an All-Star partyVideo
Former Pirate Andrew McCutchen went to the All-Star game five times during his years in Black and Gold. He hasn’t been back since 2015. And he probably wouldn’t have made it this year either as a member of the Phillies. Even though McCutchen had 10 home runs through June 3,...
Justin Verlander, Hyun-Jin Ryu tabbed starting pitchers for MLB All-Star Game
CLEVELAND — Sitting next to Justin Verlander, American League manager Alex Cora cheekily declared “we’ve got the opener” as he described his pitching plans. Touché! Houston’s ace has been among the players most critical of some teams’ practice of using relief pitchers as ersatz starters for an inning or two....
Who’s on second? All-Star Game set to trot out free runners
CLEVELAND — Picture this, baseball fans: The All-Star Game is tied 4-4 on Tuesday night at Progressive Field, with New York Yankees flamethrower Aroldis Chapman set to face New York Mets rookie sensation Pete Alonso to start the top of the 10th inning. But, wait! Before the first pitch, the...
Pirates prospect Will Craig hit twice as Futures Game ends in 2-2 tie
CLEVELAND — Texas prospect Sam Huff’s two-run homer in the seventh inning rallied the American League to a 2-2 tie with the National League on Sunday night — and provided the first glimpse of an All-Star tiebreaker — in the Futures Game. This year’s format was changed with the game...
Angels try to get handle on raw emotion after Tyler Skaggs death
ARLINGTON, Texas — Mike Trout led a parade of Los Angeles Angels into the interview room of the Texas Rangers for the first interaction with reporters since teammate Tyler Skaggs died. The two-time AL MVP tried to smile when it was his turn to talk, only to find himself fighting...
Fantasy sports podcast: NHL keepers hurt by new teams; MLB run barrage
It’s our weekly fantasy sports podcast with Jeff Erickson of Rotowire. This week we get into major player changes affecting hockey and basketball fantasy leagues. We’ve seen a ton of player movement in the NHL. Jeff and I each give you one player that has changed teams who could kill...
Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs dies at 27; found in hotel room
ARLINGTON, Texas— Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died Monday at the age of 27, stunning Major League Baseball and leading to the postponement of the team’s game against the Texas Rangers. Skaggs was with the team in Texas when he was found unresponsive in his hotel room, police said....
Ex-Blackhawk star Brendan McKay goes 0 for 4 in hitting debut with Rays
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays two-way player Brendan McKay went 0 for 4 in his major league hitting debut against the Baltimore Orioles, two days after winning his first game as a starting pitcher. McKay was the designated hitter Monday night and batted eighth in the Rays’ 6-3...
Mets apologize to 2 members of 1969 team for ceremony error
NEW YORK — In the latest embarrassment for the New York Mets, the team has publicly apologized to two living members of its 1969 World Series championship team who were included in a video montage of dead players during the 50th anniversary celebration. With a message that filled up one...
Ex-Pirates slugger Bobby Bonilla made another $1.19 million
Today isn’t former Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Bobby Bonilla’s birthday, but just like every July 1 for the next 16 years, he has nearly 1.2 million reasons to celebrate. Thanks to a deferred contract put in place when Bonilla was released by the New York Mets following the 1999 season, Bonilla...
Astros bringing 6 all-stars to showcase in Cleveland
NEW YORK — Last time the Houston Astros went to Cleveland, they made a boozy, bubbly mess in the visiting locker room. Now they’re invading the home clubhouse. Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole and four of their Astros teammates will lead the American League squad at the All-Star Game in Cleveland...
Ye Olde Slugfest: Yanks top Red Sox 17-13 in MLB Euro debut
LONDON — Rest assured, British fans: Most baseball games are not like this, not even the crazy ones between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. Major League Baseball arrived in Europe on Saturday night with Ye Olde Slugfest. Each team scored six runs in a first inning that...
Blackhawk grad Brendan McKay wins MLB pitching debut for Rays
Blackhawk graduate Brendan McKay didn’t disappoint in his major league debut Saturday. Given an audition with the Tampa Bay Rays, McKay took a perfect game into the sixth inning and wound up throwing six shutout innings, giving up only one hit and one walk while striking out three. He earned...
Rays officially add Blackhawk’s Brendan McKay, who will debut Saturday
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays two-way prospect and Blackhawk graduate Brendan McKay will get two outings on a big league mound to show what he has got. The Rays added McKay to the taxi squad in preparation for his major league debut, a start Saturday against Texas. “Without...
Yankees, Red Sox set to bring America’s pastime to London fans
LONDON — High cheese comes to the land of high tea Saturday. When Boston’s Rick Porcello throws the first pitch to the New York Yankees at Olympic Stadium, the national pastime of the onetime colony will try to plant itself in the mother country. After looking at the cozy distance...
