Trump says he won’t throw out first pitch at Yankees game
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump won’t be throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium next month after all. Trump tweeted Sunday that he won’t be able to make the trip because of his “strong focus” on the coronavirus, vaccines and the economy. Trump said in the tweet: “We will...
Indians wear road jerseys in home opener to honor minoritiesVideo
CLEVELAND — For their delayed home opener, the Indians elected to wear their blue road jerseys with “Cleveland” on the front as a unified statement of solidarity for minorities as the team contemplates a name change. Owner Paul Dolan recently announced the franchise is considering changing its name from Indians,...
With no crowds, Wrigleyville has different feel for CubsVideo
CHICAGO — Laurie Shaw heard the roar of the crowd and let out a laugh. The Chicago Cubs were about to open their season at long last against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, and it sure sounded like a packed house at Wrigley Field. Of course, no fans were allowed...
Giants pitcher Sam Coonrod explains why he didn’t kneel during Black Lives Matter moment of unityVideo
LOS ANGELES — Citing his faith as a Christian man and his desire to remain consistent in his beliefs, Giants reliever Sam Coonrod explained why he didn’t kneel during a pregame moment of unity at Dodger Stadium Thursday. “I meant no ill will by it,” Coonrod said. “I don’t think...
MLB opener was most-viewed regular-season game in 9 yearsVideo
BRISTOL, Conn. — The pandemic-delayed Major League Baseball opener was the sport’s most-watched regular-season game on any network in nine years. The New York Yankees’ rain-shortened 4-1 win at the Washington Nationals on Thursday night averaged 4 million viewers on ESPN, according to Nielsen fast national ratings. The game peaked...
Blue Jays to play in Buffalo minor league park amid pandemic
TORONTO — The displaced Toronto Blue Jays will play in Buffalo, N.Y., this year amid the pandemic. The Blue Jays said in a statement Friday that the greater part of their home schedule will be played at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, home of the club’s Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons. General...
Mookie Betts will not receive all money from Dodgers until 2044Video
Mookie Betts will not receive all of his money from his $365 million, 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers until he is approaching his 52nd birthday in 2044, according to contract details obtained by The Associated Press. He has a $65 million signing bonus that is guaranteed against work...
Nationals and Yankees kneel ahead of Opening Day national anthem
Players for the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees all took a knee prior to the playing of the National Anthem ahead of Thursday’s first game of the coronavirus-delayed 2020 MLB season. The athletes also held a black ribbon while kneeling to honor the Black Lives Matter movement during the...
Dr. Anthony Fauci’s first pitch for MLB’s return misses its markVideo
The trajectory for Dr. Anthony Fauci’s first pitch for Opening Day would be favorable for any disease-related projection model. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, had his initial toss go straight into the ground Thursday before the New York Yankees and Washington Nationals contest. Dr....
Yankees, Nationals kneel in Black Lives Matter salute; Fauci tosses 1st pitchVideo
WASHINGTON — The Washington Nationals and New York Yankees knelt in unison before the first game of the baseball season as part of an Opening Day ceremony Thursday night that featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement, the coronavirus pandemic — including an off-the-mark first pitch by Dr. Anthony...
Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw to miss Thursday’s opener with back issueVideo
LOS ANGELES — Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw went on the injured list because of a back issue hours before he was scheduled to start Thursday night for Los Angeles against the San Francisco Giants on Opening Day of the shortened season. Manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw’s back stiffened up in...
Indians to meet with Native Americans on potential new nameVideo
CLEVELAND — Before the Cleveland Indians make a definitive decision on changing their name, they’ll listen to those they may have most offended over the past 105 years. Owner Paul Dolan said the team will speak to Native American groups as one of the preliminary steps in the potential name...
MLB expanding playoffs to 16 teams for this seasonVideo
NEW YORK — MLB and the players’ union agreed Thursday to expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 16 for the pandemic-delayed season, a decision that makes it likely teams with losing records will reach the postseason. The agreement was reached hours before the season opener between the New York...
Nationals star Juan Soto positive for covid-19, out for openerVideo
WASHINGTON — Washington Nationals slugger Juan Soto tested positive for covid-19 and was put on the injured list Thursday, forcing him to miss the start of the pandemic-delayed season. “You feel bad for him. He’s a great player. The fans want to see him. And it affects our lineup,” Nationals...
MLB predictions: Who will be this year’s big winners?
Tribune-Review staff writer Chris Adamski offers his predictions for the 2020 MLB season, including award winners and playoff and championship participants. National League MVP Ronald Acuna, Braves Before he turned 22 in December, Acuna had accumulated 67 home runs, 53 steals, 205 runs and 165 RBIs — in just 267...
Angels’ Mike Trout confirms he’ll play this year with baby on way
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout is confident enough in baseball’s safety rules to stay on the field during the coronavirus pandemic. Trout has decided to play for the Los Angeles Angels in the shortened baseball season, although his year will be paused in a few weeks by the birth of...
Fox taking fans to the ballgame with a virtual crowd
LOS ANGELES — Fox will be taking viewers out to the ballgame by adding a virtual crowd in parks during its baseball telecasts this season. The network revealed on Thursday that it will include computer-generated fans in the stands beginning with their three games on Saturday. Fox begins its coverage...
Dodgers, Mookie Betts agree to 12-year, $365 million contract extensionVideo
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers and outfielder Mookie Betts agreed to a 12-year, $365 million contract extension Wednesday that should keep Betts in Los Angeles for the rest of his career. It is the second-largest deal in Major League Baseball history, exceeded only by the 12-year, $426.5 million...
Opening day amid virus: Masked men, empty parks, odd sounds
Opening day, at last. A baseball season that was on the brink before it ever began because of the virus outbreak is set to start Thursday night when excitable Max Scherzer and the World Series champion Washington Nationals host $324 million ace Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees. When...
MLB preview 2020: American League team-by-team breakdownVideo
AL East New York Yankees 2019: 103-59, first place, lost to Houston in ALCS. Manager: Aaron Boone (third season). He’s Here: RHP Gerrit Cole, C Erik Kratz, C Chris Iannetta, C Josh Thole, RHP Nick Tropeano, LHP Luis Avilán. He’s Outta Here: LHP CC Sabathia, SS Didi Gregorius, 1B Edwin...
Hit or error? MLB official scorers work remotely thru virusVideo
MIAMI — As an official scorer for MLB, Ron Jernick has worked at the World Series, the All-Star Game and the World Baseball Classic. This season, he will work at home. Baseball is back, but because of the coronavirus, official scorers this season will rule remotely on hits and errors...
Giants manager Gabe Kapler, players kneel during anthem
OAKLAND, Calif. — San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler plans to use his position to speak out against racial injustice and provide a voice for those who aren’t heard. Kapler and several of his players knelt during the national anthem before their 6-2 exhibition victory against the Oakland Athletics. Kapler...
Fauci to throw 1st pitch at Yankees-Nationals opener in DC
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the first game of Major League Baseball’s pandemic-delayed regular season. The Washington Nationals announced Monday that Fauci — a self-described fan of the reigning World Series champions — accepted the team’s...
Braves remove ‘Chop On’ sign, slogan, but no call on chant
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves have removed a “Chop On” sign that sat near an entrance to Truist Park and are still considering their stance on the fans’ tomahawk chop chant. The removal of the wooden sign came as the team changed its slogan from “Chop On” to “For The...
Broken bats: NL pitchers ponder season with no swings
Three or four hours before a National League game, they’d be cackling around the cage. Madison Bumgarner and buddies — or pitchers from any home team, really — taking batting practice under an afternoon sun in an otherwise empty ballpark. After all the bunting drills, when they finally got to...
