One of game’s characters, Guardians manager Terry Francona, a New Brighton native, set to end career defined by class, touch
CLEVELAND — At some point in the next few days, Terry Francona will hop on his celebrated scooter, zip along the underground concrete concourses of Progressive Field and leave the ballpark he’s called home the past 11 seasons for the final time. His ride is nearly over. Although he hasn’t...
Greg Fulton: Remembering Stan Musial, one of Pa.’s finest ballplayers
It was 60 years ago this month when Stan “the Man” Musial appeared in his final game for the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the end of a career that found him chosen as league MVP three times, winning seven batting titles, being selected to the All-Star team more than...
With the future of AM unclear, a look back at the powerful role radio plays in baseball history
NEW YORK — Growing up in the Boston suburbs, Suzyn Waldman fell madly in love with two things: baseball and Broadway shows. During the 1950s and ’60s, the long arm of AM radio brought both into her home. “I can still hear Ned Martin of the Red Sox reciting poetry...
Tampa Bay Rays finalizing new ballpark in St. Petersburg as part of a larger urban project
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The playoff-bound Tampa Bay Rays put the finishing touches Tuesday on plans for a new 30,000-seat ballpark in St. Petersburg as part of a $6.5 billion development project that includes affordable housing, retail, bars and restaurants and a Black history museum. The site is on the...
Yankees’ Anthony Misiewicz released from hospital after being struck in face vs. Pirates
Yankees reliever Anthony Misiewicz was released from Allegheny General Hospital after taking a line drive to the face, and New York placed him on the seven-day concussion injured list Saturday. The 28-year-old was struck by a 100.6 mph liner from the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Ji Hwan Bae in the sixth inning...
Former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel suffers stroke during medical procedureVideo
ST. LOUIS — Former manager Charlie Manuel suffered a stroke Saturday while undergoing a medical procedure in a Florida hospital, the Philadelphia Phillies announced. “The hospital was able to attend to Charlie immediately and subsequently remove a blood clot,” the team said. “The next 24 hours will be crucial to...
Angels star Shohei Ohtani out for season with oblique injury, to have elbow surgeryVideo
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Shohei Ohtani will have surgery soon on the ligament tear in his pitching elbow after the Los Angeles Angels’ two-way star was ruled out for the rest of the season Saturday with an oblique injury. Ohtani and the Angels, out of playoff contention, decided to wrap up...
Analysis: Ronald Acuna-Mookie Betts showdown for NL MVP highlights award racesVideo
Ronald Acuna Jr. has the kind of numbers that make the young Atlanta Braves star a no-doubter for the National League MVP award. Then again, so does Los Angeles Dodgers standout Mookie Betts and his teammate, Freddie Freeman. It’s getting close to the postseason for Major League Baseball, which also...
Alex Rodriguez ratted out Manny Ramirez, Ryan Braun to feds in PED probe, report says
Alex Rodriguez told federal agents nine years ago that three Major League Baseball All-Stars — Manny Ramirez, Ryan Braun and an unnamed player — were performance-enhancing drug clients of Biogenesis founder Anthony Bosch, according to an ESPN report. In 2014, then-New York Yankees star had been summoned by federal agents...
Rangers RHP Scherzer to miss rest of regular season because of strained muscle in shoulderVideo
TORONTO — Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer will miss the rest of the regular season, and likely wouldn’t be able to pitch in the playoffs if they make the postseason, because of a strained muscle in his shoulder. Rangers general manager Chris Young said an MRI on Wednesday revealed a...
Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías arrested, reportedly on suspicion of domestic violence
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers pitcher Julio Urías was arrested Sunday night and his Los Angeles County Jail booking sheet indicates he was detained in connection with a suspected felony offense. Urías was released Monday morning on $50,000 bond. TMZ and ESPN reported Urías was charged with felony domestic violence, citing...
MLB won’t extend pitch clock for postseason
NEW YORK — MLB is keeping the pitch clock the same for the postseason as it was for the regular season, brushing aside complaints from some players. Following an MLB executive council meeting this week, the commissioner’s office informed the competition committee there will be no change, a decision first...
Ronald Acuna becomes 1st player with 30 HRs and 60 stolen bases
LOS ANGELES — Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a long grand slam in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday night, becoming the first player in major-league history with 30 home runs and 60 stolen bases in the same season. Acuna sent a 429-foot shot to deep...
2 arrested and charged in on-field incident with Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr.Video
DENVER — The Denver Police Department arrested two adult males who went onto the field and made physical contact with Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. during Monday’s game at Coors Field, according to police reports obtained by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The males were both charged with trespassing and disturbing the...
First Call: Ex-Steelers QB could start in Arizona; pricey Roberto Clemente bat auction; Aaron Donald’s new ring trend
Friday’s “First Call” sees a former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback on the move. John Lynch’s real opinions on the Nick Bosa situation may be shining through in San Francisco. A piece of Roberto Clemente memorabilia is up for auction. And Penn Hills product Aaron Donald may have started a very unique...
Reports: Nationals pitcher, World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg to retireVideo
WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg has decided to retire, ending a career that began as a No. 1 draft pick, included 2019 World Series MVP honors and was derailed by injuries, according to multiple reports. Strasburg is expected to hold a news conference before a game at Nationals...
White Sox fire executive VP Ken Williams, GM Rick Hahn
CHICAGO — The Chicago White Sox fired executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn on Tuesday, cutting ties with their leadership on the baseball side amid another disappointing season. Williams was in his 11th season in his position after serving as the club’s general manager for 12...
Guardians manager Terry Francona hints that this could be his final seasonVideo
CLEVELAND — Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona has had serious talks with the organization about his future, hinting that this could be his final season. The winningest manager in club history, the 64-year-old Francona, who has dealt with major health issues in recent years, did not announce his retirement Tuesday....
Rays’ Wander Franco moved to administrative leave while MLB, Dominican authorities investigate
NEW YORK — Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave indefinitely by Major League Baseball on Tuesday while authorities in the Dominican Republic investigate the All-Star shortstop for an alleged relationship with a minor. The 22-year-old will be paid and receive service time while on administrative leave under an agreement...
Nationals and Phillies are kids for a day, mingling among Little Leaguers
WILLIAMSPORT — Bryce Harper stretched his left arm and flashed goosebumps to Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber — just a trio of Philadelphia Phillies who were exhilarated Little League World Series fans for a moment, not high-priced sluggers in a pennant race. The Phillies raised their arms in celebration when...
For Ian Happ, vision of Wrigley Field comes to life through partnership with artistVideo
CHICAGO — Not long after Ian Happ got called up to the majors in 2017 by the Chicago Cubs — a boyhood dream realized with a storied franchise coming off a historic championship run — he was looking for pictures to hang in his apartment. From that simple desire came...
Former Pirates 2B Josh Harrison signs minor-league deal with AL West-leading Texas RangersVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — The AL West-leading Texas Rangers signed two-time All-Star infielder Josh Harrison to a minor-league contract Tuesday, two weeks after he was released by the Philadelphia Phillies. Harrison, a former Pittsburgh Pirate, hit .204 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 40 games this season for the Phillies,...
First Call: Ex-Steeler looks to land with Jets; Bradenton preps for Paul Skenes’ debut; Browns and 49ers injury updates
Tuesday’s “First Call” has news about a potential new home for a former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman. Bradenton is getting excited for the debut of Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. There’s injury news from Cleveland and San Francisco. And the NFL mourns the loss of a former player who died far...
Dominican authorities investigate Rays’ Wander Franco for an alleged relationship with a minor
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Authorities in the Dominican Republic are investigating Tampa Bay Rays All-Star shortstop Wander Franco for an alleged relationship with a minor, according to a statement Monday from the office of the attorney general in his native country. The Rays, meanwhile, placed the 22-year-old on the restricted...
MLB looking into social media posts involving Rays shortstop Wander Franco
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Major League Baseball is looking into social media posts involving Rays shortstop Wander Franco, Tampa Bay said Sunday. Franco did not play Sunday in the 9-2 loss to Cleveland. “During today’s game, we were made aware of the social media posts that are circulating regarding Wander...
