Mets to play Phillies in London in 2024
LONDON — The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies will play in London next season, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said Friday. The teams will play at London Stadium in the third MLB series in the British capital. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox played in London in 2019,...
Rob Manfred says granting sign-stealing Astros immunity was ‘maybe not my best decision ever’Video
Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said if he could do it over again, he may not have granted immunity to Houston Astros players while investigating the team’s sign-stealing scandal. Manfred oversaw MLB’s investigation that confirmed the Astros stole signs with banned electronics en route to a 2017 World Series title. Manager...
MLB views the UK as a gateway to European growth, with eyes on Paris and Germany
LONDON — London seems like a no-brainer for a European road trip. Paris is all but assured next. Why not throw in Germany and the Netherlands? Major League Baseball has big plans for Europe, starting with an English reintroduction to the sport this weekend when the St. Louis Cardinals and...
MLB to stage Negro Leagues tribute game at Alabama’s Rickwood Field next June
NEW YORK — MLB will stage a Negro Leagues tribute game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., on June 20, 2024, between the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals. The 10,800-seat stadium, opened in 1910, is the oldest professional ballpark in the U.S. and a National Historic Site. The...
Reds’ veteran Joey Votto returns to lineup after 10-month absence because of injuriesVideo
CINCINNATI — It took more than 10 months for Joey Votto to return to the Cincinnati Reds because of multiple surgeries. Now he is joining a team that is a surprise contender in the NL Central. The 39-year-old former MVP first baseman returned to the starting lineup Monday, batting sixth...
Young Red Sox fan throws back prized foul ball — and older brother can’t believe it
There’s no crying in baseball — unless your younger brother throws back a foul ball that was gifted to him. That was the case at the Boston Red Sox game Sunday at Fenway Park. The New York Yankees’ Jake Bauers hit a foul ball in the third inning that was...
Braves cut Charlie Culberson before infielder’s father was to throw 1st pitch
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves designated infielder Charlie Culberson for assignment hours before his father was set to throw out a ceremonial first pitch on Father’s Day. Culberson, a 34-year-old from Rome, Georgia, was cut before Sunday’s game against Colorado. He was brought up from Triple-A Gwinnett on May 19...
MLB to start months-long approval process for Oakland Athletics’ move to Las VegasVideo
NEW YORK — MLB will start a months-long approval process for Oakland Athletics’ proposed move to Las Vegas, which appears set to become the second shift of a franchise in the last half-century. A day after the Nevada Legislature approved $380 million in public financing for a ballpark on the...
MLB to start months-long approval process for Oakland Athletics’ move to Las Vegas
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball will start a months-long approval process for Oakland Athletics’ proposed move to Las Vegas, which appears set to become the second shift of a franchise in the last half-century. A day after the Nevada Legislature approved $380 million in public financing for a ballpark...
First Call: Video of another epic Antonio Brown interview; ’Melo’s son may have an interest in Pitt; Reds closing on PiratesVideo
Thursday’s “First Call” features the latest head-scratching incident involving former Pittsburgh Steeler Antonio Brown. And, yes, his shirt is still missing. Carmelo Anthony’s son may have an interest in Pitt. The TV ratings for the Stanley Cup Final were bad. And there is a late-charging addition to the National League...
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on how long before ILB Mark Robinson may start
According to some of the Pittsburgh Steelers at OTAs, inside linebacker Mark Robinson is making a noticeable jump in his second year. Not just because of growth after his rookie season. But he also made a position switch from running back at Ole Miss before his final year with the...
First Call: Mike Tomlin showers praise on Stan Savran; Danny Smith on kickoff controversy; Brewers blow it in the 9th
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin showers praise on the late Stan Savran. Danny Smith has some curious remarks on the new kickoff rule. A blown lead by the Brewers helps the Pirates in the National League standings. And Phil Kessel is a Stanley Cup champion, again. All that in Wednesday’s...
Defiant A’s fans plan ‘Reverse Boycott’ at Oakland ColiseumVideo
OAKLAND, Calif. — Dawn Pieper will show her love for the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night in the spirit of her late husband, Jay, who is the reason she became such a loyal supporter. Lifelong fan Gabriel Hernandez will cheer his heart out in hopes everyone in attendance can make...
Ohtani struggles on mound, with 4.88 ERA in last 8 startsVideo
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Dominant on the mound for much of the past three seasons, Shohei Ohtani has struggled over the last six weeks. The two-way Japanese star is 2-2 with a 4.88 ERA in his last eight starts. He has allowed at least three runs in all but two of...
Mark Madden’s hot take: Hey fans, don’t be stupid — cash in
Whenever a fan is in the presence of a big-time athlete, the fan should remember that the athlete doesn’t care about him or her. You won’t be friends. It’s an empty encounter, so don’t feel bad about wanting a selfie, autograph, whatever. (Be polite.) This especially goes if you have...
Blue Jays cut pitcher Anthony Bass after latest anti-LGBTQ+ comments
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays cut pitcher Anthony Bass on Friday, one day after the right-handed reliever said he didn’t think an anti-LGBTQ+ social media post he shared last month was hateful. The move came hours before Bass was set to catch a ceremonial first pitch from Toronto LGBTQ+...
First Call: Just 1 safety rated higher than Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick; Mets limp into Pittsburgh to play Pirates
Friday’s “First Call” looks at a flailing opponent for the Pirates at PNC Park this weekend. It’s the anniversary of a memorable night in Pittsburgh hockey history. A Steelers All-Pro is deemed to be second best at his position. And the Pirates get a little help on their off day....
Belmont cancels racing, Nationals postpone game due to poor air quality from Canada wildfires
Racing at Belmont Park was canceled and the Washington Nationals’ home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was postponed Thursday because of poor air quality from wildfires in Canada. It’s the second straight day the continuing fires north of the border have impacted sports in the Northeastern United States. Several Major...
First Call: Steelers’ preseason kickoff times set; Oneil Cruz has a Statcast challenger in the division; wildfires cancel games
Thursday’s “First Call” has the remaining details about the Steelers preseason schedule. The teams directly in front of and behind the Pirates in the standings lit it up on Wednesday. Plus some eerie photos of Yankee Stadium as the Canadian wildfires are forcing Major League Baseball cancellations. Now it’s known...
Reds’ Elly De la Cruz hits 1st big-league homer, then triples
CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Reds newcomer Elly De la Cruz hit his first major-league homer with a 458-foot, two-run drive off the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Noah Syndergaard on Wednesday night and then tripled in an 8-6 win. With fellow rookie Matt McLain on second base, De la Cruz hit an 0-1...
Plum product Alex Kirilloff takes ‘exciting’ step with improved plate discipline
His surgically repaired wrist now healed, Alex Kirilloff is back in the big leagues and back with the Twins as a transformed hitter. The son of a hitting instructor has been known for his bat since the Twins made him the 2016 MLB draft’s 15th overall pick out of Plum...
Rangers ace Jacob deGrom to have season-ending surgeryVideo
ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas ace Jacob deGrom will have season-ending surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, cutting short his first season with the AL West-leading Rangers after the oft-injured right-hander signed a $185 million, five-year contract. “We’ve got a special group here, and to...
Roger Craig, former MLB pitcher and manager who was World Series fixture, dies at 93
NEW YORK — Roger Craig, who pitched for three championship teams during his major league career and then managed the San Francisco Giants to the 1989 World Series that was interrupted by a massive earthquake, has died. He was 93. A spokesperson for the Giants said the team was informed...
MLB takes over Padres broadcasts Wednesday after Bally misses payment
Major League Baseball will take over broadcasts of San Diego Padres games beginning Wednesday after Diamond Sports missed a rights fees payment to the regional sports network’s parent company and let the grace period expire. Diamond Sports, which owns 19 networks under the Bally Sports banner, said in a statement...
New Hampshire town recognized for historic role in racially integrating baseball in the 1940s
NASHUA, N.H. — The conversation around racial integration in baseball often revolves around Jackie Robinson, who broke the major league color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. But a year earlier, history was being made in the small town of Nashua, New Hampshire. It was here that Hall of...