INSIDER
President Biden hosts Astros, says he can relate to Dusty Baker, oldest manager to win World Series
Read full article: President Biden hosts Astros, says he can relate to Dusty Baker, oldest manager to win World SeriesPresident Joe Biden says he can relate to Dusty Baker, the oldest manager to win the World Series.
Alvarez blasts Baker, Astros to World Series title vs Phils
Read full article: Alvarez blasts Baker, Astros to World Series title vs PhilsYordan Alvarez hit a towering three-run homer and the Houston Astros clinched their second World Series title in six seasons with a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6.
Pirates' Castro suspended 1 game for phone flap, he appeals
Read full article: Pirates' Castro suspended 1 game for phone flap, he appealsPittsburgh Pirates infielder Rodolfo Castro has been suspended for one game by Major League Baseball on Tuesday for having a cellphone in his back pocket during a game last week.
Yankees were fined $100,000 for improper use of dugout phone
Read full article: Yankees were fined $100,000 for improper use of dugout phoneThe New York Yankees were fined $100,000 by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred for using their dugout phone to relay information about opposing teams’ signs during the 2015 season and part of 2016.
White Sox reliever implies Astros may be stealing signs
Read full article: White Sox reliever implies Astros may be stealing signsWhite Sox reliever Ryan Tepera implied that Houston may have been stealing signs in Games 1 and 2 of their AL Division Series after Chicago won the third game Sunday night.
Salty fans, hot Yankees greet Astros in return to Bronx
Read full article: Salty fans, hot Yankees greet Astros in return to BronxBoos and bad words streamed loudly from the seats in the Houston Astros’ return to Yankee Stadium, and New York got a homer and four hits from Giancarlo Stanton to sate those spiteful fans with a 7-3 victory.
Luhnow files $22M breach of contract lawsuit against Astros
Read full article: Luhnow files $22M breach of contract lawsuit against AstrosFormer Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against the team, seeking more than $22 million in salary owed under his deal when he was fired in January. Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch were suspended for the season last Jan. 13 by Manfred and fired by the Astros later that day. The team was fined $5 million and stripped of its first- and second-round draft picks in both 2020 and 2021. The contract called for disputes to go to an arbitration with Manfred or his designee, but Luhnow asked that to be set aside because of Manfred’s involvement. The lawyers say Hinch later told Manfred he failed to disclose to Luhnow the use of electronic equipment.
Astros overcome adversity to come 1 win shy of World Series
Read full article: Astros overcome adversity to come 1 win shy of World SeriesHouston Astros manager Dusty Baker Jr. walks out to the infield for the national anthem before Game 7 of a baseball American League Championship Series between the Houston Astros and the Tampa Bay Rays, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)HOUSTON – The Houston Astros overcame injuries to several top stars and dealt with the fallout from their sign-stealing scandal to come a win shy of reaching the World Series for the third time in four seasons. The Astros fell into an 0-3 hole in the AL Championship Series before beating the Tampa Bay Rays in three straight games to force a Game 7. But their powerful offense was stifled by former Astros pitcher Charlie Morton in a 4-2 loss, and the Astros are heading home instead of to their second straight World Series. “I haven’t really thought about that yet,” the 2017 World Series MVP said.
Say goodnight to the bad guys: Astros fall short in Game 7
Read full article: Say goodnight to the bad guys: Astros fall short in Game 7(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)SAN DIEGO – The Houston Astros spent this odyssey of a season as baseball's biggest villains. When Aledmys Diaz flied out with a runner on first to end Game 7 of the AL Championship Series, the bad guys finally lost. “The legacy of this group is that these guys are ballplayers, and these guys are men," said Baker, who took over the team in January. This was just a bunch of guys coming together and wanting to play damn good baseball and wanting to go to another World Series. Houston's lineup of veteran hitters simply kept slugging, and the Astros fought to the brink of the World Series.
Bang! Bang! Astros thump away vs Oakland, return to ALCS
Read full article: Bang! Bang! Astros thump away vs Oakland, return to ALCSHouston Astros' George Springer, left, celebrates with Carlos Correa after the Astros defeated the Oakland Athletics in Game 4 of a baseball American League Division Series in Los Angeles, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020. “We have young guys that are leaning on the veterans and the veterans are taking care of them right now. The Astros and A's combined for 24 homers — 12 each — the most in a postseason series of five games or fewer. The scandal led to season-long suspensions of Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch, who both were fired. BACK TO THE ALCSThe Astros became the third team in AL history since 1969 to reach four straight AL Championship Series.
LEADING OFF: Marlins, Pads advance, all Division Series set
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Marlins, Pads advance, all Division Series setSan Diego Padres pose for a photo after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 in Game 3 of a National League wild-card baseball series Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in San Diego. First-year San Diego manager Jayce Tingler used nine pitchers, the most employed in a nine-inning shutout in any big league game since 1901. Next up is the Division Series, and all four matchups are intradivision -- AL West vs. NL West and AL East vs. NL East. New York hasn’t visited the San Diego ballpark since 2016. Detroit general manager Al Avila says the team isn’t ruling out the possibility of hiring Hinch or Cora for its managerial vacancy.
Avila says Tigers aren't ruling out Hinch, Cora for manager
Read full article: Avila says Tigers aren't ruling out Hinch, Cora for managerDETROIT – Tigers general manager Al Avila said Friday that Detroit is not ruling out the possibility of hiring A.J. Hinch or Alex Cora for its manager vacancy. Hinch and Cora were suspended through the 2020 postseason for their roles in the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal. The Astros fired Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow on Jan. 13 and Cora lost his job managing the Boston Red Sox the following day.. Cora spent the 2017 season as bench coach on Hinch's staff with Houston. Avila said it is important that the next manager be able to help with talent evaluation, since there are important decisions to make throughout the roster.
LEADING OFF: Cubs' Darvish tries to save season vs Marlins
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Cubs' Darvish tries to save season vs MarlinsA look at what's happening around the majors Friday:___TRY AGAINThe Cubs and Marlins resume their series a day after poor weather caused a postponement at Wrigley Field. He wasn’t in the starting lineup for Thursday’s postponed game, but manager Don Mattingly had not ruled out using him. The ace right-hander was a steady presence for the Cubs throughout the pandemic-shortened season, joining the NL Cy Young Award conversation. The Marlins will counter with 22-year-old Sixto Sánchez, who debuted Aug. 22 and posted a 3.46 ERA in seven starts. “That’s the thing.”The Braves won’t play again until Tuesday, when they’ll open an NL Division Series against either the Cubs or Marlins in Houston.
Dodgers' Kelly suspended 8 games for buzzing, mocking Astros
Read full article: Dodgers' Kelly suspended 8 games for buzzing, mocking AstrosLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (17) talks toward Houston Astros' Carlos Correa (1) after the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Houston. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was suspended one game and Astros manager Dusty Baker was fined an undisclosed amount. Kelly, a hard thrower with a touch of wildness, has previously been suspended in his career for throwing at a batter. I really dont think there was intent behind that. The Dodgers had harsh words for the Astros during spring training, but Roberts said before the game that he didnt think his team would retaliate.
Benches clear in first Astros-Dodgers game since scandal
Read full article: Benches clear in first Astros-Dodgers game since scandalLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (17) looks back at Houston Astros' Carlos Correa (1) after the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Houston. The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. There were two outs in the inning when Kelly threw an errant breaking ball over Correas head. Correa started walking toward him and the players exchanged words, prompting the benches to clear. Order was restored after a couple of minutes, but Houston manager Dusty Baker was still upset before play resumed and got in the face on an umpire.
Benches clear as Dodgers beat Astros 5-2
Read full article: Benches clear as Dodgers beat Astros 5-2Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly (17) looks back at Houston Astros' Carlos Correa (1) after the sixth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 28, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)HOUSTON The Houston Astros are trying to put their sign-stealing scandal behind them. The fracas occurred after Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly threw high-and-tight pitches to Astros stars Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa in the sixth inning. There were two outs in the inning when Kelly threw an errant breaking ball over Correas head. UP NEXTRight-hander Dustin May (0-0, 2.08 ERA) will start for the Dodgers when the series wraps up on Wednesday night.
Baker wins debut, Astros top M's in 1st game post sign scam
Read full article: Baker wins debut, Astros top M's in 1st game post sign scamHouston Astros manager Dusty Baker (12) kneels for social justice with players before a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners Friday, July 24, 2020, in Houston. The 71-year-old Baker posted a victory in his 3,500th regular-season game as a manager. Houston tied it at 2 on an RBI single by Altuve that chased starter Marco Gonzales (0-1). Martn Maldonado tied it with an RBI single in the Houston third an added an RBI with a single in the sixth. Hell be opposed by Seattle RHP Taijuan Walker, who appeared in just one game last season after having Tommy John surgery in 2018.
LEADING OFF: Bigger playoffs, new Texas park, Dbacks' MadBum
Read full article: LEADING OFF: Bigger playoffs, new Texas park, Dbacks' MadBumThe setting sun shines through the windows of Globe Life Field during the third inning of a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Colorado Rockies Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. The first round will be a best-of-three series and the pairings will be 1 vs. 8, 2-7, 3-6 and 4-5. BRAND NEW HOMEThe Texas Rangers officially open Globe Life Field, their new $1.2 billion stadium with a retractable roof. Bumgarner signed an $85 million, five-year deal with the D-backs during the offseason after spending 11 years in San Francisco. Roberts said Kershaw might be able to return as early as the team's series against the Diamondbacks that begins July 30.
'It's over now' - Astros eager to put scandal behind them
Read full article: 'It's over now' - Astros eager to put scandal behind themHOUSTON The Houston Astros spent the offseason reeling from a sign-stealing scandal that cost manager AJ Hinch and general manager Jeff Luhnow their jobs. The change didnt stop the Astros from being the villains of baseball this spring. The Astros are preparing for the possibility of being without designated hitter Yordan Alvarez for the start of the season and potentially longer. The Astros are counting on McCullers to have a big season in his return after missing last season following Tommy John surgery. Tucker, who can play outfield and first base, has appeared in just 50 MLB games over the past two seasons.
Astros hope to move on from cheating scandal as MLB restarts
Read full article: Astros hope to move on from cheating scandal as MLB restartsHOUSTON The first round of spring training was dominated by fallout from the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scam. New manager Dusty Baker, a respected MLB veteran, helped the team navigate reaction to the scandal during the first spring training, which was stopped on March 12 because of the virus. None of us have been through this before in spring training, the emotions that were out there." Several Houston players were dinged in spring training games before the pause. Some opponents had called for retaliation against the Astros, irritated that no Houston players were disciplined for their roles in the scandal.
Acing it: Success of Nats, Astros puts attention on starters
Read full article: Acing it: Success of Nats, Astros puts attention on startersWashington went against baseball's trend toward bulked-up bullpens, dedicating 39 percent of its payroll to three starting pitchers: Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. It is the narrative of whoever won the World Series," Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Tuesday. "I think as you look back at the World Series champions the last five, 10 years, they're all great teams and they all get there in slightly different ways." Starting pitchers averaged 5.2 innings this year, the lowest since baseballreference's figures began in 1925. Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow described elite starting pitchers in the same way billionaires covet luxury yachts.