LeBron James reportedly becomes partner in group that owns Red SoxVideo
LeBron James is becoming a part-owner of the Boston Red Sox. A person with knowledge of the situation said Tuesday that James — the Los Angeles Lakers star — and his longtime business partner Maverick Carter now are partners in the Fenway Sports Group. The person, who did not reveal...
YouTube to broadcast 21 games as part of 3rd MLB season
NEW YORK — YouTube will broadcast a Major League Baseball package of games for a third season, The series of 21 telecasts start at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday, April 7, when the Boston Red Sox host the AL champion Tampa Bay Rays in the finale of a two-game series, MLB and...
Nick Markakis retires after 15 years with Braves, Orioles
ATLANTA — Outfielder Nick Markakis has retired after 15-year career with the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles. The 37-year-od Markakis, who was a free agent, told The Athletic in a story published Friday that he was done playing after accumulating 2,388 hits, earning his lone All-Star selection in 2018 and...
Reds star Joey Votto out after positive covid-19 testVideo
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto is out indefinitely after testing positive for covid-19 at spring training, the team said Wednesday. The Reds put Votto on the injured list, and he gave the team permission to announce he was sidelined because he had tested positive for the...
Texas Rangers in line to be 1st team back to full capacity
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Texas Rangers could have a full house for their home opener next month after debuting their new 40,518-seat stadium without fans in the stands for their games last season. If that happens, the Rangers could be the first team in Major League Baseball or any major...
Indians’ Jose Ramirez, Franmil Reyes isolated after covid-19 violations
CLEVELAND — For the third time in less than a year, the Cleveland Indians are having to isolate players because they broke covid-19 protocols. Third baseman Jose Ramirez and slugger Franmil Reyes are being kept away from their teammates at spring training in Arizona after they reported to the team...
Aaron Boone feels better with pacemaker, to return to Yankees this weekendVideo
NEW YORK — Aaron Boone felt something was wrong. “I guess I was having more episodes this winter of just kind of getting up and feeling real light-headed and almost like at times was going to pass out and just having more days of fatigue on simple matters,” the New...
Major League Baseball to hold first Lou Gehrig Day on June 2
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball will hold its first Lou Gehrig Day on June 2, adding Gehrig to Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente on the short list of players honored throughout the big leagues. Each home team will have “4-ALS” logos in ballparks to mark Gehrig’s No. 4, and...
Braves’ Freddie Freeman celebrates his new baby ‘twins with a twist’Video
Freddie Freeman found a way to top the double honors of winning the NL MVP and Hank Aaron Award. The Atlanta Braves first baseman’s bigger thrill is having two new baby boys. He describes his babies, Brandon and Maximus Turner, as his “twins with a twist.” The twist is they...
Indians manager Terry Francona: Team didn’t cover up for former pitching coachVideo
CLEVELAND — Indians manager Terry Francona said no one in the Cleveland organization “covered up” for former pitching coach Mickey Callaway, who is under investigation by Major League Baseball following allegations of sexual harassment. In a story Tuesday, The Athletic reported 12 current and former Indians employees have come forward...
Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera hopes to reach 500 HRs, 3,000 hits this yearVideo
DETROIT — These last few seasons have been difficult for Miguel Cabrera. Now, the Detroit Tigers slugger has a chance to remind baseball fans just how much he has accomplished. Specifically, Cabrera has an opportunity to reach two major milestones in 2021. He is 13 home runs shy of 500...
Brewers’ Christian Yelich eager for fresh start after 2020 strugglesVideo
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich never has believed the results of one season have any carryover effect into the next year. He didn’t think that when he was coming off an MVP season in 2018 or a second straight batting title in ’19. Nor does he feel that way now...
Plum’s Alex Kirilloff ready to be regular for Twins, but on Opening Day?Video
MINNEAPOLIS — Alex Kirilloff never has played in a regular-season major league game. The Plum product is on track to soon become Minnesota’s regular left fielder. “We know what he’s capable of. We’re going to have to wait and see how this spring plays out,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. There’s...
Reds’ Joey Votto wants to get back ‘to being dangerous’Video
Joey Votto is determined to be a power hitter again. “I want to get back to being dangerous,” Votto said Monday from the Cincinnati Reds’ spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz. Besides, guys who crush the ball into the seats and punctuate it with a bat flip are just more...
Angels’ Mike Trout hears his playoff clock tickingVideo
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mike Trout is beginning a new season with the same old question. How long will the Los Angeles Angels’ three-time AL MVP have to wait for his first playoff victory? “It’s definitely weighed on me,” Trout said Monday before the Angels’ first full workout of spring training...
Mariners CEO Kevin Mather resigns after video commentsVideo
In one 45-minute conversation, Kevin Mather undermined the Seattle Mariners far beyond being the organization with the longest playoff drought in baseball. He took insensitive shots at a former All-Star from Japan and a top prospect from the Dominican Republic for their English skills. He admitted to the team possibly...
Ex-Pirate Chris Archer hoping to re-establish himself with RaysVideo
Chris Archer is back in familiar surroundings, eager to re-establish himself with the Tampa Bay Rays. The 32-year-old former Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher is three seasons removed from a being a two-time All-Star and the ace of a rotation the AL champions are revamping after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers...
That ’70s Show: Loss by loss, a unique era of baseball fades
The affection engulfs Clint Hurdle’s voice as he appraises the list of those recently gone — childhood idols who became teammates and opponents, teammates and opponents who became acquaintances, acquaintances who became dear friends. The 1970s memories surface fast for the man who has spent his entire adult life in...
Rockies oufielder Ian Desmond opts out, leaves door open for returnVideo
DENVER — Ian Desmond provided a calming voice to help the Colorado Rockies stick together soon after losing star third baseman Nolan Arenado in a blockbuster trade. That just might be the veteran outfielder’s biggest contribution this season. Desmond decided Sunday to opt out for a second straight season. He...
Price, Posey, MLBers who opted out for virus excited for ’21Video
David Price spent much of 2020 in front of his television, watching from afar as his Los Angeles Dodgers chased an elusive World Series championship. Trepidation about playing baseball through a pandemic trumped his urge to play, but that doesn’t mean the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner never thought...
Cole says MLB players are concerned about lack of competitivenessVideo
New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole and other baseball players will be pushing for changes that make more teams competitive as they think about looming labor negotiations that could lead to a work stoppage at the start of 2022. Many veterans who are not top stars have taken substantial paycuts...
Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow announces retirement from professional baseballVideo
Tim Tebow is hanging up the helmet. Again. Tebow, the former Broncos and Jets quarterback announced his retirement from professional baseball after five years in the New York Mets organization on Wednesday. The best play of Tim Tebow’s professional sports career. pic.twitter.com/xFr1JwmqxJ— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) February 18, 2021 The former...
Padres lock up Fernando Tatis Jr. to record 14-year, $340M contractVideo
SAN DIEGO — The Padres hope to never have to see Fernando Tatis Jr. play a game in another uniform. The team and its star shortstop took a giant step toward that aim Wednesday by agreeing to terms on a 14-year contract, according to multiple sources. The deal is worth...
Indians saves leader Cody Allen retires at 32
CLEVELAND — Cody Allen, the Cleveland Indians’ career saves leader and an underappreciated closer for the team, retired at age 32. The Indians announced Allen’s retirement Wednesday on Twitter, posting: “From a 23rd round draft pick to the franchise saves (leader). Congrats on a great career, Cody.” Allen spent seven...
Baseball Hall of Fame cancels traditional ceremony, moves indoors
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Baseball’s Hall of Fame has canceled its traditional outdoor induction ceremony for the second straight summer because of the pandemic and plans an indoor, televised event for Derek Jeter and others being honored. Jeter, Larry Walker, Ted Simmons and late players’ association executive director Marvin Miller were...