Mark Madden: Ichiro’s performance speaks for itself, even if he wasn’t a unanimous Hall of Fame selection
Ichiro Suzuki just got elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Ichiro was one vote shy of unanimous. The same happened with Derek Jeter in 2020: He got every vote but one. Like then, there’s a battle cry to reveal who didn’t vote for Ichiro. Baseball’s gatekeepers are marching through...
Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Billy Wagner elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
NEW YORK — Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese player chosen for baseball’s Hall of Fame, falling one vote shy of unanimous when he was elected Tuesday along with CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner. Suzuki received 393 of 394 votes from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Sabathia was on...
Prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki says he intends to sign with Los Angeles Dodgers
OS ANGELES — Prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki says in an Instagram post he intends to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers. A 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph, Sasaki will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in a move that many baseball...
Mets and lefty reliever A.J. Minter agree to 2-year contract
NEW YORK — Turning their attention to the bullpen, the New York Mets have agreed with free agent left-hander A.J. Minter on a two-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press on Friday. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement...
‘Mr. Baseball’ Bob Uecker, Brewers announcer, dies at 90
MILWAUKEE — Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who after a short playing career earned the moniker “Mr. Baseball” and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90. The team announced Uecker died Thursday morning, calling it “one of the most difficult days in...
Roki Sasaki won’t sign with New York Yankees, Texas Rangers or San Francisco GiantsVideo
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees, Texas Rangers and San Francisco Giants have been informed Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki won’t be signing with them. Giants general manager Zack Minasian announced during a news conference Monday to introduce Justin Verlander that San Francisco no longer was in contention. Sasaki’s decision...
Former Baltimore Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz dies at 37
BALTIMORE — Brian Matusz, the left-handed pitcher who spent eight seasons in the major leagues, mostly with the Baltimore Orioles as they returned to prominence a decade ago, has died. He was 37. The Orioles and the University of San Diego announced Matusz’s death Tuesday night, with USD saying it...
Justin Verlander agrees to $15 million, 1-year deal with Giants
SAN FRANCISCO — Justin Verlander and the San Francisco Giants agreed to a $15 million, one-year contract, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The person spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was pending a physical. It’s the latest big...
Dodgers trade Gavin Lux to Reds after signing South Korean infielder Hyeseong KimVideo
LOS ANGELES — Second baseman Gavin Lux was traded from the Dodgers to the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, three days after Los Angeles agreed to a $12.5 million, three-year contract with infielder Hyeseong Kim. Los Angeles received minor-league outfielder Mike Sirota, a grand-nephew of Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford,...
Future of sports world integrates technology advancement, soaring revenue, fan experienceVideo
Editor’s note: One-fourth of the way through this century, TribLive is looking ahead to the next 25 years, using the events of the past 25 as a road map of what possibly is to come. This installment of the occasional series looks at the future of sports. Payment to college...
Lenny Randle, major leaguer repeatedly in the spotlight for 12 seasons, dies at 75Video
MURRIETA, Calif. — Lenny Randle, a big league player for 12 seasons who spoke five languages, performed stand-up comedy, was dubbed “The Most Interesting Man in Baseball” and was suspended for punching his Texas Rangers manager, has died. He was 75. Randle died Sunday at his home in Murrieta, California,...
Corbin Burnes, Arizona Diamondbacks agree to $210 million, 6-year deal, AP source says
PHOENIX — Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $210 million, six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press late Friday night. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a successful physical. The 30-year-old Burnes...
Tigers sign former Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres to a $15 million, 1-year dealVideo
DETROIT — The Detroit Tigers signed former New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres to a $15 million, one-year contract Friday. The two-time All-Star gets a slight raise from his $14.2 million salary with the Yankees. His agreement includes a one-time assignment bonus of $500,000. Torres hit .265 with 138...
Shohei Ohtani wins 3rd AP Male Athlete of the Year award, tying Michael Jordan for 1 shy of record
LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is keeping elite company. The Japanese superstar caps 2024 by winning The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, tying him with basketball great Michael Jordan. He trails only four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James. “I’m very honored,”...
Sean Manaea to re-sign with Mets for $75 million over 3 years, AP source says
NEW YORK — Sean Manaea is set to return to the New York Mets on a $75 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the agreement told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Monday because the deal was subject to a successful physical....
Stolen base king Rickey Henderson dies at 65
OAKLAND, Calif. — Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, the brash speedster who shattered stolen base records and redefined baseball’s leadoff position, has died. He was 65. Henderson died Friday. The Athletics said Saturday they were “shocked and heartbroken by his passing,” but did not specify a cause of death. Known...
Christian Walker agrees to $60 million, 3-year contract with Astros, AP source saysVideo
Gold Glove first baseman Christian Walker and the Houston Astros agreed Friday to a $60 million, three-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told the Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. Houston acquired infielder Isaac Paredes from...
Cubs ‘ready to move forward’ with Sammy Sosa after the slugger’s public apology for past ‘mistakes’
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are welcoming Sammy Sosa back to the organization following the slugger’s public apology for past “mistakes.” Sosa released a statement Thursday, paving the way for the former National League MVP, who has been estranged from the organization since he left the Cubs after the 2004...
MLB study: Velocity, max efforts likely causing pitching injuries; rule changes should be considered
NEW YORK — A yearlong study by Major League Baseball concluded rising velocities, pitch shaping and emphasis on maximum effort are the likely causes of the vast increase in pitcher injuries and recommended exploring rules changes to address the problem. The 62-page report released Tuesday said the trends extended to...
Kyle Tucker open to long-term deal with Cubs after trade
CHICAGO — Kyle Tucker played his first major-league games at Wrigley Field when the Houston Astros visited the Chicago Cubs in April. It was cold, he said, and a lot of fun. “Those fans love their Cubs,” Tucker said. “That’s kind of how it felt from, you know, the visiting...
Reports: Yankees agree to acquire Cody Bellinger from Cubs for pitcher Cody PoteetVideo
NEW YORK — The New York Yankees agreed to acquire outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday for right-hander Cody Poteet, according to multiple reports. Chicago will send the Yankees $5 million as part of the trade. The 29-year-old Bellinger, whose father Clay helped the Yankees win World...
Left-hander Max Fried and Yankees finalize $218 million, 8-year contract
NEW YORK — Left-hander Max Fried and the New York Yankees finalized a $218 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. The deal was agreed to last week at the winter meetings after the Yankees lost outfielder Juan Soto to the rival Mets. Fried’s deal is the largest for a left-handed pitcher...
Yankees get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb DurbinVideo
NEW YORK — After acquiring Juan Soto for a one-year rental and failing to keep him as a free agent, the New York Yankees are taking the same chance with Devin Williams. New York acquired the All-Star closer from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb...
Cubs acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in trade with the Astros, AP source saysVideo
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs are acquiring All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker in a trade with the Houston Astros, paying a big price for one of baseball’s best hitters, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to the Associated Press on Friday on condition of anonymity because the...
Juan Soto introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year dealVideo
NEW YORK — The New York Mets wanted Juan Soto to know his future with them could be set in stone. When the free agent outfielder traveled to owner Steve Cohen’s house in Beverly Hills, Calif., for a presentation last month, the team showed a video that included an image...
