MLB category, Page 31

Monday’s “First Call” features the scouting destination of Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin this past weekend. We also look ahead to the Pirates’ next series. Plus, a former Pirate is off to a torrid start, a big transfer win for West Virginia’s basketball team, and America comes up clutch in...

DENVER — Home plate used to be a place where the sociable Brandon Crawford would touch base with catchers and umpires. Just a casual conversation to catch up: How’s the family? What’s up? That sort of thing. These days, the San Francisco Giants infielder keeps the chatter to a minimum....

A new Pittsburgh Steeler is giving out draft advice to the franchise. A Penn State alum is unhappy with his franchise tag. A local baseball star just hit it rich. And college hockey is catching on with ESPN viewers. All that in Thursday’s “First Call.” Pat Pete playing GM? Appearing...

CLEVELAND — Umpire Larry Vanover is being evaluated for a concussion and other injuries at a hospital after being struck in the head with a relay throw during Wednesday’s game between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians. The 67-year-old Vanover was knocked down by the throw from Guardians All-Star...

ARLINGTON, Texas — Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager will miss at least four weeks after being placed on the injured list Wednesday with a left hamstring strain after getting hurt running the bases. General manager Chris Young said Seager had an MRI that showed a Grade 2 strain. Seager, who...

SALT LAKE CITY — While Major League Baseball has no current plans to add teams, the family that used to own the NBA’s Utah Jazz says it wants an expansion franchise. The Miller family and the Larry H. Miller Company said Wednesday a coalition calling itself Big League Utah has...

CHICAGO — All-Star outfielder Ian Happ and the Chicago Cubs agreed Wednesday to a $61 million, three-year contract covering 2024-26. Happ, a Mt. Lebanon native, agreed in January to a $10.85 million, one-year contract. His new deal calls for a $3 million signing bonus payable June 1 and salaries of...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The streaking Tampa Bay Rays are running out of superlatives to describe baseball’s best start in more than three decades. Remarkable, incredible, unbelievable — even crazy — are words players have used to describe the dominant, all-around team effort that has carried them to an 11-0...

PHOENIX — Thanks to the pitch clock, the action is moving much faster at Major League Baseball games. It also means a little less time for fans to enjoy a frosty adult beverage. To combat that time crunch, at least four teams — the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins...

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball’s new rules designed to speed pace of play and encourage more action seem to be working through the first 1 1/2 weeks of the season. Batting average is up 16 points, stolen bases have spiked 30% and the average game time is down 31...

Climate change is making major league sluggers into even hotter hitters, sending an extra 50 or so home runs a year over the fences, a new study found. Hotter, thinner air that allows balls to fly farther contributed a tiny bit to a surge in home runs since 2010, according...

What’s longer: 6,585 miles, or 2,749 days? For Plum’s Scott McGough, it took (repeatedly) traveling the former to take a meandering route in figuratively navigating the latter. A four-year trip to Japan ultimately led McGough back to the major leagues, a level he hadn’t pitched at since Sept. 20, 2015....

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved an initial five-year labor contract with minor league players on Monday that will more than double player salaries. The agreement was reached last Wednesday and ratified by players on Friday. Minor league players formed a bargaining unit during a rapid 17-day...

NEW YORK — Major League Baseball’s new rules are working as hoped through the first four days of the season. The average game time has dropped by 30 minutes, stolen bases have doubled and batting average has increased by 16 percentage points compared to last year’s opening weekend. Games averaged...

BY HOME FIELD SPORTS STAFF MLB Opening Weekend is upon us and that means that baseball is officially back! Baseball gives bettors a whole other opportunity to make money daily with a plethora of games being played across the country. Whether you’re betting on run lines, over/under totals, futures or...

BY GABE HENDERSON | Home Field Sports Dusty Baker’s Houston Astros lifted the Commissioner’s Trophy in triumph at Minute Maid Park less than six months ago. It’s now time for the dynasty to defend its crown as Opening Day is finally upon us. The offseason was filled with a ton...

BY SPENCER URQUHART | Home Field Sports Major League Baseball is stocked with superstars in 2023, and there’s no higher individual award than MVP in both the American League and National League. World Series odds are still the go-to for most MLB futures bettors, but both the AL and NL...