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...
Yankees pitcher Domingo German entering inpatient treatment for alcohol abuseVideo
NEW YORK — New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German has voluntarily entered inpatient treatment for alcohol abuse, the team announced Wednesday. Germán, who threw a perfect game at Oakland in late June, was placed on the restricted list two days before his 31st birthday. “It is critical that Domingo completely...
MLB trade deadline analysis: AL West leaders load up on starting pitchersVideo
The arms race in the AL West began with Lucas Giolito and quickly escalated. After the Los Angeles Angels acquired Giolito and signaled their intentions to make a bid for the postseason, division rivals Texas and Houston answered with some big moves of their own, acquiring Max Scherzer and Justin...
Astros’ Framber Valdez throws no-hitter vs. Guardians on 93 pitches
HOUSTON — Framber Valdez was determined to improve this month after a subpar July where he posted a 7.29 ERA. On the first day of August he certainly did that. Valdez threw the 16th no-hitter in Houston Astros history in a 2-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday night....
First Call: Browns alleged to have ‘trashed’ charter flight; Steelers CB options after Cory Trice’s injury; Pirates’ trade graded well
Wednesday’s “First Call” has the Pittsburgh Steelers’ attempts to buffer the loss of Cory Trice at cornerback. We look at grades for the Pirates’ big trade and track a former Bucco’s movement to a new team. And we have to share in the latest laugh at the expense of the...
Numerous MLB contenders load up at trade deadlineVideo
CHICAGO — In a matter of days, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer went from teammates on the New York Mets to opposite sides of a Lone Star rivalry. That’s how it goes this time of year. Verlander was shipped from New York to Houston ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, returning...
Mets trading 3-time Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander to AstrosVideo
HOUSTON — The Astros are bringing back Justin Verlander, acquiring the three-time Cy Young Award winner from the New York Mets in a trade deadline blockbuster Tuesday, Houston owner Jim Crane told the Associated Press. The Astros are sending top outfield prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford to New York....
After trading Max Scherzer to Texas, GM Billy Eppler says the Mets are not rebuildingVideo
NEW YORK — After trading Max Scherzer to the Texas Rangers, general manager Billy Eppler insisted the New York Mets are not tearing down their underachieving team. “I do want to be clear that it’s not a rebuild. It’s not a fire sale,” Eppler said Sunday at Citi Field. “It’s...
Rangers acquire 3-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer from Mets
SAN DIEGO — The opportunistic Texas Rangers, seeking an upgrade for their rotation, finalized a deal with the New York Mets to acquire three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer. Texas is sending 21-year-old middle-infield prospect Luisangel Acuna to the Mets in the deal. Scherzer, who turned 39 on Thursday,...
Cardinals’ Mikolas suspended 5 games and fined for intentionally throwing at Cubs’ HappVideo
NEW YORK — St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Miles Mikolas was suspended for five games and fined an undisclosed amount by MLB on Friday for intentionally throwing at Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol was suspended for one game and fined as a result of Mikolas’ actions...
Christian Yelich’s resurgence playing vital role in Brewers’ quest for NL Central title
MILWAUKEE — Christian Yelich heard all the talk about whether he ever could recapture the MVP form he showed early in his Milwaukee Brewers tenure. Eventually, he realized he needed to stop listening to it. That attitude has him playing as well as he has since those peak seasons. “If...
Angels GM says Shohei Ohtani is staying less than week before MLB trade deadline
DETROIT — Shohei Ohtani looked his manager in the eye, and in just a few words, left no doubt of his intentions. “I’ll finish it,” Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin recalled Ohtani telling him after the eighth inning of what became his first complete game in MLB. “He wanted...
