Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. recently suggested that giving hitters chin music would solve the problem of sign stealing in baseball.
Cal Ripken Jr. suggests throwing at batters would fix sign stealing — HardballTalk | NBC Sports
Major League Baseball is eager to start its season. The league reportedly proposed starting a second training camp in June with the regular season following in July to its players association. An Opening Day on July 1 has been floated around, optimistically speaking, but everything rides on two things. The coronavirus, and the players’ actual…
Red Sox’s Collin McHugh Says MLB Can’t Make Return Mandatory For Players — NESN.com
Collin McHugh, who the Boston Red Sox signed a week before the original spring training got shut down, told MassLive’s Chris Cotillo that the league can’t force players to play if they’re uncomfortable with it. Here’s what McHugh had to say: We’re in a situation right now where you can’t make this mandatory. You can’t tell a guy you have to come play or else your roster spot is not going to be here when you come back. You can’t tell a guy to risk his life and the life of his family and the lives of anyone he chooses to be around to come play this game. There’s probably going to have to be some waivers signed and whatever else you need to have done to make guys feel comfortable coming back. Then, MLB and the teams are going to have to do everything in their power so that we go about this in the best way possible and don’t just start playing games, but really set an example of how to do this, how to do it well and how to do it safely. I’m probably in the minority here because I see baseball for what it is, which is an amazing game but not an essential activity. We’ve got a lot of things going on in this world that we need to happen and need to get going, and we need to do it in a safe manner. It’s going to be really hard to get the risk level down to zero no matter what we’re doing. As long as this virus is still out there and as long as we don’t have a treatment or vaccine, there’s going to be risk inherent in leaving your house. For me, as a major league baseball player and as a husband and father, I want to make sure I’m protecting myself and my family, first and foremost. With all this anticipation for sports to come back, how the players feel about returning to play has been overlooked. At the end of the day, it’s their call.
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/05/red-soxs-collin-mchugh-says-mlb-cant-make-return-mandatory-for-players/
AP study: MLB average at around $4.4M for 5th year in row Jacksonville Journal Courier Read More: https://ift.tt/2SH2LZj
AP study: MLB average at around $4.4M for 5th year in row – Jacksonville Journal Courier — West Central Connected
Pedro Martinez is going above and beyond to help the Dominican Republic cope with the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, and he’s not doing it alone. The Hall of Fame pitcher has developed a coalition of more than 40 Major League Baseball players to create the “Step Up to the Plate” fund aimed at supporting…
Pedro Martinez Forms Coalition To Help Dominican Republic Amid COVID-19 Outbreak — NESN.com
The Hall of Fame pitcher has developed a coalition of more than 40 Major League Baseball players to create the “Step Up to the Plate” fund aimed at supporting coronavirus relief efforts in the Dominican Republic, according to ESPN’s Marly Rivera. So far, the coalition (run by the Pedro Martinez Foundation) has raised more than $550,000 for items like essential supplies, personal protective equipment, food and more. “The Dominican Republic has always been my home, and right now it truly needs our help,” Martinez said on a video call with ESPN, per Rivera. “Being supported in this effort by so many of my fellow players is an honor. These are people without the most basic needs, and we are blessed to be in a position to help, and it is our duty to do so.” A number of past and present MLB players (all of which hail from the Dominican Republic) have pitched in their efforts, including fellow Red Sox legend David Ortiz. Martinez’s wife, Carolina, is helping lead the charge. “The focus of the help we’re providing will be twofold,” Carolina, who happens to be the director of the Pedro Martinez Foundation, said. “First, we are providing food to needy families, especially to the many that have lost their jobs. Players will be in charge of distributing meal kits in their respective communities. Second, we are providing protective equipment to our medical personnel. As it happened all over the world, the Dominican Republic is short on medical supplies to deal with a pandemic of this magnitude. It’s amazing and humbling to see all these players and artists come together to support our homeland.” Martinez said he’s received MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s word that the league will help the cause. Read more at:
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/05/pedro-martinez-forms-coalition-to-help-dominican-republic-amid-covid-19-outbreak/
It feels like yesterday Jon Lester signed a six-year, $155 million contract with the Cubs, squashing any chance of the pitcher returning to the Red Sox in free agency months after Boston dealt him to the Oakland Athletics at the 2014 Major League Baseball trade deadline. In reality, however, it’s been more than half a…
Jon Lester Sure Sounds Open To Red Sox Return If Opportunity Arises — NESN.com
A handful of former major leaguers are on the rosters of teams in the KBO League, which kicks off its regular season in about nine hours.
The MLB connection to the KBO League — HardballTalk | NBC Sports
The KBO League, South Korea’s highest professional baseball league, will begin its regular season in about nine hours from the time of this posting. ESPN will broadcast the games “generally on ESPN2 and the ESPN App.”
For many Americans, who only watch Major League Baseball, watching Korean baseball will bring in a whole host of unknown faces and talents. There are, however, a handful of former major leaguers currently on KBO rosters. If you’re looking for a familiar face, you may find one here:
Doosan Bears
Hanwha Eagles
Kia Tigers
Kiwoom Heroes
KT Wiz
LG Twins
Lotte Giants
NC Dinos
Samsung Lions
SK Wyverns
It feels like a lifetime since the Boston Red Sox traded Mookie Betts to the Los Angeles Dodgers. As you likely may know, Betts and pitcher David Price were sent to the Dodgers on Feb. 11 in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. All five players participated in spring…
Alex Verdugo Says It’d Be ‘Crazy’ If Mookie Betts Never Played For Dodgers — NESN.com
As you likely may know, Betts and pitcher David Price were sent to the Dodgers on Feb. 11 in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo and prospects Jeter Downs and Connor Wong. All five players participated in spring training before Opening Day was indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19outbreak. And there’s a chance Betts, who’ll be a free agent following the 2020 season, might never play a game for the Dodgers depending on Major League Baseball’s decision regarding the season. On Monday, Verdugo weighed in on the possibility of that happening. “That would be pretty crazy,” Verdugo said, per MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. “That would be pretty nuts. I really haven’t thought about it much, but I think it’s tough. It’s a tough situation, if that is the scenario, for the Dodgers. That’s part of life. We can’t expect these things. I think for the Dodgers, that’s tough. That’s a tough deal. But everything happens for a reason.” It certainly would make for an unusual situation for Betts should the season be canceled. And while some suggest the season could begin as early as July, nothing is certain right now.
Read more at: https://nesn.com/2020/05/alex-verdugo-says-itd-be-crazy-if-mookie-betts-never-played-for-dodgers/
Former Oakland A’s pitcher Matt Keough died Friday, the team announced. He was 64 years old. Keough’s son, Shane Keough, posted a tribute to the 1978 All-Star on social media. “My favorite place was always on your shoulders,” the post reads. “It makes me smile knowing McCoy will be there with you; right there on…
Oakland A’s All-Star pitcher, coach and scout dies at age 64 — Times-Standard
SHAYNA RUBIN |PUBLISHED: May 2, 2020 at 9:50 p.m. | UPDATED: May 2, 2020 at 10:20 p.m.
Former Oakland A’s pitcher Matt Keough died Friday, the team announced. He was 64 years old.
Keough’s son, Shane Keough, posted a tribute to the 1978 All-Star on social media.
“My favorite place was always on your shoulders,” the post reads. “It makes me smile knowing McCoy will be there with you; right there on your shoulders. It wasn’t always perfect but I wouldn’t change it for the world. You taught me more than you’ll ever know and I hope that I make you proud. Kick back and enjoy the eternal sunshine. Till I see you again – I love dad.”https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tWIeVlRhS/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=12&wp=500&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.times-standard.com&rp=%2F2020%2F05%2F02%2Foakland-as-all-star-pitcher-coach-and-scout-dies-at-age-64%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A9313.039999920875%7D
Keough was an Athletic for seven seasons from 1977 to 1983. He was named to the American League All-Star team his rookie year, going on to post a 3.24 ERA that season. He was also named the 1980 comeback player of the year after winning 16 games, notching 20 complete games and finishing the season with a 2.92 ERA.
Keough had stints with the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. He pitched for Japan’s Hanshin Tigers from 1987 to 1990. The right-handed pitcher returned to the States and attempted an MLB comeback with the California Angels, but in 1992 was struck in the head by San Francisco Giants’ John Patterson’s screaming foul ball while sitting in Scottsdale Stadium’s visiting dugout during a spring training game. The then-36-year-old had emergency surgery, effectively ending his baseball playing career.
Keough went on to become an A’s as a special assistant and pitching advisor. He also worked in the executive offices for the Angels and as a scout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
“Matt was a great baseball man and a proud Oakland A,” said A’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Billy Beane. “He had an incredible passion for the game and we were lucky to have him and his wealth of knowledge alongside us for the years he worked as a Special Assistant. He left an unforgettable impression on everyone he touched in baseball. Our sincere condolences are with the entire Keough family tonight.”
The A’s drafted his son, Shane, in 2005, where he stayed in the lower minor leagues for four seasons before his release in 2010. His father Marty Keough is an Oakland native and former outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Cubs from 1956 to 1966. His uncle, Joe Keough, was an outfielder who played 34 games for the A’s in 1968 before playing four seasons with the Kansas City Royals.
His daughter, Kara, lost her infant son three weeks prior to her father’s death. The former “Real Housewives of Orange County” personality posted a tribute on social media.
“Daddy, please take care of my son,” the post on Instagram reads. “Teach him the circle changeup and how to find forever friends. You’re on grandpa duty in heaven now. Xoxo, Hammerhead.”https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tTTeQJxYH/embed/captioned/?cr=1&v=12&wp=500&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.times-standard.com&rp=%2F2020%2F05%2F02%2Foakland-as-all-star-pitcher-coach-and-scout-dies-at-age-64%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A9348.17499993369%7D
Keough is also survived by his son, Colton.
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The NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball would need thousands of virus tests every week if those leagues can resume playing games. That remains the biggest challenge to address before most sports can resume, especially in a time where getting tested has been problematic and frustrating for many Americans. All the leagues are trying to come up with solutions that would allow them to restart play without facing massive criticism for taking up so many testing resources. Restarting sports is a key to rebooting the economy, however, none of the leagues want to be blamed for taking tests away from the general public.
For sports, COVID-19 testing remains a major hurdle — WTTV CBS4Indy
Clase, who hits triple digits on the radar gun, was the primary piece coming back to Cleveland in the Corey Kluber trade.
Indians pitcher Emmanuel Clase suspended 80 games for PEDs — HardballTalk | NBC Sports
“America needs baseball. It’s the sign of getting back to normal. Any chance?” McConnell said.
Mitch McConnell called Rob Manfred to push for baseball’s return — HardballTalk | NBC Sports
BLUE JAYS ANNOUNCE TICKET POLICY FOR GAMES THROUGH MAY 31
Refunds and account credits now available for games originally scheduled in March, April, and May
The Toronto Blue Jays today announce the team’s ticket policy for games through May 31.
Refunds for games scheduled to take place between March 26 to May 31, inclusive, are now available for all ticket and suite products. Purchasers of Season Ticket Memberships, Ticket Packs, Group tickets, and Executive Suite licences will receive an account credit, with the option to obtain a refund, while fans with single game tickets can request a refund through their Ticketmaster account. Fans who purchased tickets from a secondary site should reach out to the company’s customer service department.
Affected ticket buyers will be contacted directly with more information about their options. Fans can also visit bluejays.com/tickets.
The Blue Jays would like to thank fans for their incredible support and patience during this difficult time. The club will continue to communicate updates about the 2020 schedule as they become available.
– BLUE JAYS –
The view from left field 