With shift limits, MLB general managers shift evaluations
LAS VEGAS — There’s been a shift in how general managers evaluate players — caused by restrictions on defensive positioning that start next season. “We, like I’m sure everybody, have done our due diligence to make sure that we’re in a good place as we’re entertaining opportunities in both trades...
Mets exercise $1.5M option on former Pirates slugger Daniel VogelbachVideo
LAS VEGAS — The New York Mets exercised a $1.5 million option on first baseman and designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach, preventing him from being eligible for salary arbitration. Vogelbach, a burly 29-year-old, was acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in late July and quickly became a fan favorite. He hit .255...
Yankees’ Anthony Rizzo, Mets’ Chris Bassitt turn down options to become free agentsVideo
LAS VEGAS — First baseman Anthony Rizzo became a free agent again when he declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees for 2023. Pitcher Chris Bassitt declined his $19 million option with the New York Mets and followed rotation mates Jacob deGrom and Taijuan Walker into free...
Norwin’s JJ Matijevic to get ring after Astros’ World Series win
The World Series had a nice ring to it for JJ Matijevic. The former Norwin star who had multiple call-ups from Triple-A to the major leagues this season, was a member of the World Champion Houston Astros’ taxi squad. That meant he was in the building during home games and...
This year’s World Series is 2nd-least watched on TV
LAS VEGAS — The Houston Astros’ six-game victory over the Philadelphia Phillies finished as the second least-watched World Series on television. The six games averaged 11,784,000 on Fox, down 1.3% from the 11,940,000 for the Atlanta Braves’ six-game win over the Astros last year and ahead of only the 9,946,000...
Bonds, Clemens, Palmeiro on Hall of Fame committee ballotVideo
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Steroids-tainted stars Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Rafael Palmeiro are on the eight-man ballot for the Hall of Fame’s contemporary baseball era committee, which meets Dec. 4 in San Diego. Albert Belle, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Dale Murphy and Curt Schilling also are on the ballot announced...
Judge, Díaz, Turner among 131 free agents after Series ends
HOUSTON — Aaron Judge, Edwin Díaz, Trea Turner, Dansby Swanson and Xander Bogaerts were among 131 players who became free agents on Sunday as baseball’s business season began just hours after the final out of the World Series. Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom and Carlos Rodón are set to join them...
Astros’ Jeremy Peña 1st rookie hitter to win World Series MVP
HOUSTON — Jeremy Peña’s key to success was keeping his head dry. Capping a freshman season like no other, he became the first rookie position player to win a World Series MVP award Saturday night after hitting .400 in the Houston Astros’ six-game victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. “The hardest...
Yordan Alvarez blasts Astros past Phillies to World Series title
HOUSTON — Yordan Alvarez hit a moon shot that sent Space City into a frenzy, and the Houston Astros to their second World Series title. While the stain on Houston’s first championship might never completely fade, Alvarez’s majestic three-run homer helped fashion a fresh crown for the Astros — and...
Astros aim to close out World Series over Phillies in Game 6Video
HOUSTON — Dusty Baker has been here before. It’s hard not to think of the last time the Astros’ manager was up 3-2 in the Fall Classic as he leads the team back to Houston on Saturday night for Game 6 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. In...
Justin Verlander gets World Series win, Astros lead Phillies 3-2Video
PHILADELPHIA — Justin Verlander overcame an early jolt to grit out the World Series win that long eluded him, rookie Jeremy Peña hit a go-ahead home run and the Houston Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 Thursday night to head home with a 3-2 lead. Buoyed by late defensive gems...
Cristian Javier, 3 Astros relievers pitch 2nd no-hitter in World Series history
PHILADELPHIA — Knocked around the night before, Cristian Javier and the Houston Astros desperately needed to figure how to keep Bryce Harper and the Phillies in the ballpark. How about a no-hitter? Would that do? Javier and Houston’s bullpen combined on just the second no-hitter in World Series history, silencing...
Phillies blast 5 homers, take World Series lead on Astros
PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper bashed a home run on the first World Series pitch he saw in Philadelphia and then figured out how the Phillies could hit a few more. The $330 million star offered quiet advice to Alec Bohm — and then it got really loud in Philadelphia. As...
If Astros win World Series, gambler will earn record payout
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A prolific Texas gambler with a knack for attention-getting bets stands to win nearly $75 million if the Houston Astros win the World Series, including what sportsbooks say would be the largest payout on a single legal sports bet in U.S. history. Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale...
Game 3 in World Series between Astros, Phillies rained out, rescheduled for TuesdayVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Game 3 of the World Series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros was postponed by rain Monday night with the matchup tied 1-1, pushing the entire Fall Classic schedule back one day. The rainout moved Game 3 to Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park, when the weather...
Phillies set to host Houston with World Series tied at 1-allVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Fresh from singing another rollicking chorus of “Fly, Eagles fly,” fans streamed out of Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday and quickly turned their attention from the NFL’s only unbeaten club to another Philly team, another sport and another building just a few hundred yards away. “Let’s go, Phillies!”...
Righty Lance McCullers inks left arm into an ode to HoustonVideo
HOUSTON — Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. wasn’t born in Houston, but he sure loves it now. Hailing from Tampa, Fla., McCullers might be the most vocal an Astro has ever been about his love for the Space City. “I only got one thing to say — and I’ve said...
Astros jump on Phillies in 1st inning, pull even in World Series
HOUSTON — Framber Valdez made a five-run lead stand up after Houston’s lightning first-inning burst, Alex Bregman homered and the Astros beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-2, Saturday night to tie the World Series at one game apiece. Just like in Game 1, the Astros rushed to a 5-0 lead. Unlike...
J.T. Realmuto, Phillies rally past Astros in 10 innings to open World Series
HOUSTON (AP) — J.T. Realmuto homered in the 10th inning and the Philadelphia Phillies, saved by right fielder Nick Castellanos’ sliding catch, rallied past the Houston Astros, 6-5, Friday night in the World Series opener. Down 5-0 early against Astros ace Justin Verlander, the Phillies became the first team in...
Phillies’ World Series run leads wild run of Philly successVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Miles Teller, fresh off hosting “Saturday Night Live” for the season premiere, had just hit Cabo San Lucas to vacation and celebrate his wife Keleigh’s 30th birthday. Faster than Maverick could reach Mach 10, Teller had a change of plans: The Philadelphia Phillies — the team he grew...
Kyle Schwarber powers Phillies in postseason with mythical homersVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Schwarber crushed a 98 mph slider beyond the center-field fence, and the ball disappeared into a thicket of English ivy, Arborvitae, Holly and other evergreen flourishing as the greenery backdrop at Citizens Bank Park. Most of Schwarber’s homers land in easy-to-track spots. This particular ball, hit against...
Cardinals’ Wainwright back in 2023; coaching staff to changeVideo
Adam Wainwright will pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals next season, choosing to return for an 18th and final year with the club even as longtime teammates Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina head into retirement. The 41-year-old Wainwright informed the NL Central champions of his decision to return shortly after...
Aaron Nola to start World Series Game 1 for Phillies, Zack Wheeler in Game 2Video
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies will start right-hander Aaron Nola in Game 1 of the World Series against the Houston Astros and last season’s NL Cy Young Award runner-up Zack Wheeler in Game 2. Game 1 of the World Series is Friday night in Houston. Game 2 is Saturday. “Any...
No Black players expected in World Series, a 1st since 1950
Looking around Memorial Stadium before Game 1 of the 1983 World Series, Philadelphia Phillies star Gary Matthews saw a lot of Black talent. Joe Morgan. Eddie Murray. Garry Maddox. Ken Singleton. Al Bumbry. Disco Dan Ford. And plenty more that night in Baltimore. “There were quite a few of us,”...
Harper gets World Series moment while Trout’s wait continues
Bryce Harper’s career arc from teenage sensation to full-blown superstar has been an 11-year process, hitting a crescendo Sunday night when his two-run homer in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series proved to be the deciding hit that sent his Philadelphia Phillies to their first World Series since 2009....