Even amid impeachment probe, both sides cheer for the Nationals
WASHINGTON — As he took the podium last week in the White House briefing room, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney was a familiar Washington figure — a former congressman and D.C. transplant who cheers for the team that calls Capitol Hill home. “I did want to come out here...
Trump critic gets 1st pitch at World Series game that Trump will attend
WASHINGTON — A day after President Donald Trump said he plans to attend Game 5 of the World Series, the Washington Nationals announced the ceremonial first pitch at that game will be thrown by chef José Andrés, a vocal critic of Trump. Four years ago, Andrés withdrew from plans to...
Nationals’ Game 3 starter Sanchez unheralded but effective
WASHINGTON — Anibal Sanchez is not as highly touted — or as highly paid — as the three members of the Washington Nationals’ starting staff who already have pitched in this World Series. All he has done this postseason, though, is go 1-0 with a 0.71 ERA in two starts,...
Astros fire Brandon Taubman after investigation of ALCS incident
Houston Astros assistant general manager Brandon Taubman has been terminated less than a week after an alleged incident between him and a group of female reporters. The Astros announced Taubman’s firing Thursday. “Our initial investigation led us to believe that Brandon Taubman’s inappropriate comments were not directed toward any reporter....
AP source: Rebuilding Padres hire rookie manager Jayce Tingler
SAN DIEGO — A person familiar with the decision says the rebuilding San Diego Padres have hired Jayce Tingler from the Texas Rangers as their new manager. The person spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the hiring hasn’t been announced. Tingler has most recently been the...
Chicago Cubs hire David Ross to replace Joe Maddon as manager
CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs hired former catcher David Ross to replace Joe Maddon as their manager Thursday, hoping he can help them get back to the playoffs after missing out for the first since 2014. The Cubs announced a three-year deal with Ross with a club option for the...
AP source: Phillies hiring Joe Girardi as manager
PHILADELPHIA — A person familiar with the deal says the Philadelphia Phillies are hiring former Yankees manager Joe Girardi to replace Gabe Kapler. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the team has not announced the decision. Kapler was fired after an injury-depleted team...
First Call: Would Steelers trade Artie Burns?; Eddie Olczyk takes a jab at PiratesVideo
In Thursday’s “First Call,” the “Trump Ump” has local ties. Artie Burns is a potential trade target. And even Eddie Olczyk takes a jab at the Pirates during a hockey broadcast. Why bother? NFL.com has a list of trade ideas for each team before the deadline hits on Oct. 29....
Nationals rout Astros, take commanding World Series leadVideo
HOUSTON — Stephen Strasburg’s time had come. Famously held out of the postseason seven years ago, Strasburg delivered on the biggest stage of all Wednesday night. The right-hander outpitched fellow ace Justin Verlander, overcoming a shaky start to help the Washington Nationals beat the Houston Astros 12-3 for a commanding...
Justin Verlander poised to make outstanding play, throws ball off legVideo
It had the makings of being an absolutely sensational play during the World Series from a future Hall of Famer. Only it wasn’t. In fact, it was a dud in every sense of the word. During the fourth inning of Wednesday’s Game 2 between the Washington Nationals and the Houston...
Simone Biles adds a twist to the ceremonial pitch for Game 2 of the World SeriesVideo
Her toss will never go down in history, but her windup? The judges gave it 10s. Gymnast Simone Biles threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Game 2 of the World Series but what made it notable was her twisting backflip before the gold medal olympian threw to the plate....
MLB to look into umpire tweet referencing gun, Trump critics
HOUSTON — Commissioner Rob Manfred says Major League Baseball will look into a politicized tweet by umpire Rob Drake that referenced a rifle and criticism of President Donald Trump. Drake posted this message to Twitter on Tuesday: “I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT...
First Call: Hockey coach threatens to burn ref’s car; Le’Veon Bell mad at NFL broadcastVideo
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Le’Veon Bell is defending his struggling quarterback. Some rumblings about that Emmanuel Sanders trade. And a hockey coach may have gotten a little too mad at a referee. Strange sense of humor Remember when Bill Cowher stuffed a photograph in a referee’s pocket? Yeah. This is...
Tim Benz: Gerrit Cole finally derailed in Game 1 of World SeriesVideo
He’s not a machine. He’s a man! After winning 19 straight decisions (counting the playoffs) since May 22, that was becoming a debate when examining former Pirates pitcher Gerrit Cole. But Tuesday night in Game 1 of the World Series, the Washington Nationals proved that if he bleeds… Washington beat...
Juan Soto, Nationals top Gerrit Cole, Astros in World Series openerVideo
HOUSTON — Juan Soto and the Washington Nationals quickly derailed the Cole Express. A 20-year-old prodigy with a passion for the big moment, Soto homered onto the train tracks high above the left field wall and hit a two-run double as the Nationals tagged Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros...
Juan Soto, Nationals top Gerrit Cole, Astros in World Series opener
HOUSTON — Juan Soto and the Washington Nationals quickly derailed the Cole Express. A 20-year-old prodigy with a passion for the big moment, Soto homered onto the train tracks high above the left field wall and hit a two-run double as the Nationals tagged Gerrit Cole and the Houston Astros,...
Ascending Astros soar from baseball’s bottom to topVideo
HOUSTON — After losing 100 games in three straight seasons, the Houston Astros are in position to become the first team to win 100 in four consecutive years. A core of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman and George Springer has been supplemented with stud starting pitchers Justin Verlander, Gerrit...
Report: Astros exec Brandon Taubman yelled at female reporters after clinching World Series berth
On the eve of Game 1 of the World Series, the Houston Astros were dealing with a situation off the field. A Sports Illustrated report paints an unflattering picture of Astros assistant general manager Brandon Taubman. During a celebration in the Astros locker room following a 6-4 ALCS clinching win...
‘Old guys’ play key roles in getting Nationals to World Series
WASHINGTON — NL MVP candidate Anthony Rendon surveyed his teammates scattered around the Nationals Park diamond, whooping it up after clinching a World Series berth. There were starting pitchers Max Scherzer and Anibal Sanchez, each 35 — and each responsible for taking a no-hit bid into at least the seventh...
MLB umpire Eric Cooper dies at 52; worked playoffs 2 weeks ago
Eric Cooper, the Major League Baseball umpire who worked the AL Division Series two weeks ago, has died. He was 52. Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Cooper’s death Sunday. Cooper died after having a blood clot. He had knee surgery earlier in the week and was recuperating at his father’s home...
In year of home run, pitchers take spotlight in Astros-Nationals World Series
Now this is a serious World Series throw-down. Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke vs. Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin — all of them All-Star starters, still pitching at their peak. It’s a mound meeting every fan can enjoy, the Houston Astros against the Washington Nationals. Capital...
Jose Altuve hits walk-off HR in ninth against Yankees, Astros advance to World SeriesVideo
HOUSTON — Jose Altuve, the 5-foot-6 driving force of Houston, delivered a swing that will play in Astros’ highlights forever. Altuve homered off Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the ninth inning and Houston outlasted the New York Yankees 6-4 Saturday night to advance to the World Series for the...
Yankees defeat Verlander, Astros to stay alive in ALCSVideo
NEW YORK — DJ LeMahieu drove Justin Verlander’s second pitch over the wall, then Aaron Hicks sent the fans at Yankee Stadium into a frenzy with a three-run homer off the foul pole later in the first inning. And just like that, the Bronx Bombers were back — in the...
Jeannette native Cody Elias at forefront of digital streaming with ‘A’s Cast Live’
He did not hit a home run or strike out a batter, but Cody Elias played a significant role for Oakland A’s during their run to the American League wild-card game. In his first year with the organization, the 30-year-old Jeannette native garnered significant attention for his role on “A’s...
Astros power past Yankees for 3-1 ALCS lead with Verlander up next
NEW YORK — They have the pitching, and they don’t need the pitches. Certainly, the Houston Astros have confidence for good reason on the brink of another World Series. “It’s Justin Verlander,” reliever Ryan Pressly said. George Springer and Carlos Correa each hit three-run homers and the Astros got another...
