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...
Bruce Bochy returning to Giants’ ballpark, likely loving reception
SAN FRANCISCO — Bruce Bochy landed in San Francisco on Sunday night with plenty of sunlight left to recognize his old surroundings and ponder the fond memories. And three World Series trophies. The Texas Rangers manager began thinking about the long list of people to thank for his special time...
First Call: Cam Heyward not thrilled with top 100 list; ex-Steeler injured, ex-Pirate’s rare HR accomplishment
Thursday’s “First Call” illustrates why Pittsburgh Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward is unhappy with his NFL Network top 100 ranking. We look at some movement from the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns. Plus, ex-Pirate Josh Bell just pulled off a significant accomplishment, and an ex-Steeler pulls up lame in another...
Michael Lorenzen throws 14th no-hitter in Phillies history
PHILADELPHIA — Michael Lorenzen threw the 14th no-hitter in Philadelphia Phillies history, a dazzling performance in only his second start with his new team, which beat the Washington Nationals, 7-0, on Wednesday night. The 31-year-old Lorenzen (7-7) struck out five, walked four and improved to 2-0 since he was acquired...
Rays All-Star pitcher Shane McClanahan likely to miss the rest of the season
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Tampa Bay Rays All-Star left-hander Shane McClanahan’s may not pitch again this season. Rays manager Kevin Cash said before Tuesday night’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals that McClanahan will have his arm evaluated soon but it is “highy unlikely” that he will pitch again this...
Norwin’s Max McDowell promoted to Triple-A with Phillies
For the third straight season, Max McDowell will be on the doorstep of a major league call-up. A Norwin alum and eighth-year minor leaguer, McDowell received a promotion Monday when he was elevated to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The 29-year-old catcher played...
Baltimore Orioles play-by-play man reportedly removed from broadcasts for mundane pre-game clipVideo
Kevin Brown has been MASN’s play-by-play broadcaster for the Baltimore Orioles for just two years, and is clearly a respected voice in the business. But that apparently didn’t stop Baltimore’s flagship sports network MASN from removing the broadcaster from games since July 23, calling the O’s series against the Philadelphia...
Soaring Orioles hovering atop the American League, and their future could be even brighterVideo
BALTIMORE — A weekend in the life of the Baltimore Orioles: — On Friday night, they welcomed their former manager back to town, pounding Buck Showalter’s New York Mets, 10-3. Rookie infielder Jordan Westburg hit a 424-foot home run, and middle reliever Mike Baumann improved to 9-0 on the season....
MLB suspends Chicago’s Tim Anderson 6 games, Cleveland’s José Ramírez 3 for fightingVideo
CLEVELAND — Tim Anderson’s decision to pick a fight with José Ramírez cost him more than a sore jaw. Chicago’s shortstop was suspended six games and Ramírez for three games by Major League Baseball for throwing punches and touching off a lengthy, wild brawl between the White Sox and Guardians...
President Biden hosts Astros, says he can relate to Dusty Baker, oldest manager to win World Series
WASHINGTON — At 73, Dusty Baker became the oldest manager ever to win the World Series when the Houston Astros took the title last year. On Monday at a White House celebration for the team, President Joe Biden said he could relate. “People counted you out saying you were past...
Tim Anderson out, Jose Ramirez in after wild MLB brawlVideo
CLEVELAND — Tim Anderson was not in the Chicago White Sox’s starting lineup Sunday and Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez is playing as MLB weighs likely discipline following a fight and wild brawl in Saturday night’s game. Anderson and Ramirez threw punches at second base, and the Guardians’ All-Star third baseman knocked...
Reds’ Lyon Richardson enters record books with 1st 2 career pitches
CINCINNTI — Washington’s CJ Abrams and Lane Thomas hit Lyon Richardson’s first two major-league pitches for home runs in the game against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. Over the last 50 seasons, the right-handed Richardson, 23, is the only pitcher to allow a home run on each of the first...
Former Phillies World Series MVP Cole Hamels retires
SAN DIEGO — Former World Series MVP Cole Hamels retired after his attempt at a comeback with his hometown San Diego Padres fell short. The Padres, who signed Hamels to a minor-league contract in February, announced Hamels’ retirement Friday. The left-hander’s agent, John Boggs, confirmed the 15-year veteran was calling...
Verlander is back with the Astros after a ‘whirlwind’ few days following his trade from the MetsVideo
NEW YORK — The Houston Astros hat and T-shirt were familiar to Justin Verlander. But the chaotic process that landed him at Yankee Stadium on Thursday was unlike anything the three-time Cy Young Award winner has experienced in an 18-year career. “It was just a whirlwind, man,” Verlander said in...
Cape Cod Baseball League celebrates 100 years as pathway from college to majorsVideo
BOURNE, Mass. — Pete Alonso didn’t hit a home run the summer he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He made a different kind of connection. On a day off during his time with the Bourne Braves during the summer of 2015, Alonso headed out to Provincetown, at the...
