Free Republic

As Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson and his pioneering contributions to the game, I can’t help but think about the fact that the league is reporting a historically low number of Black American players in its ranks: only 6%. I think this is a teachable moment at a time when diversity efforts across various arenas (no pun intended) have come under attack. Major League Baseball, unfortunately, is a prime example of what it looks like to talk the talk without always walking the walk.

The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is facing federal charges related to his alleged theft of millions from the slugger, a source with direct knowledge of the investigation confirmed to ESPN late Wednesday. The New York Times was first to report Wednesday that Ippei Mizuhara, 39, is in negotiations to plead guilty and that the investigation is racing toward a conclusion. The probe started just three weeks ago when news broke that at least $4.5 million was transmitted from Ohtani's bank account to a California bookmaker under federal investigation. In the first of a pair of...

The Athletics, as part of their efforts to relocate to Las Vegas in time for the 2028 season, will play their home games for the 2025-27 seasons at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, the team announced on Thursday. The deal includes an option for a fourth season. The A's lease with the City of Oakland is set to expire at the end of this season, yet the A's rejected a five-year extension on the lease of Oakland Coliseum. That, plus an apparent desire to retain as much of their local broadcasting revenue as possible (a factor that my have...

HOUSTON -- Jason and Brady Johnston’s day on Saturday started in Aledo, Texas. The father and son jumped in their car at around 8 a.m. and began their trek towards Houston, which would be the first stop of their Spring Break trip. After the four-plus-hour journey, including a stop for lunch in College Station, the duo arrived at Minute Maid Park around 4:15 p.m. to attend the Savannah Bananas' first game in a Major League stadium. “We’re very excited,” Jason said. “It looks like a great show. Just seeing the dances, the crazy plays and flips and all of that.”...

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — MLB's new uniform reveal hasn't gone very well. Now some of the rampant criticism has moved below the belt. Major League Baseball Players Association deputy executive director Bruce Meyer confirmed on Thursday that the organization is relaying concerns from players to MLB about the new pants, which are somewhat see-through. The complaints — first reported by ESPN — are part of broader scorn for the new uniforms, which are designed by Nike and manufactured by Fanatics.

As my colleague Nick Arama reported on Saturday morning, left-wing, virtue-signaling, multimillionaire actress Alyssa Milano had the intestinal fortitude on Thursday to ask her fans to help pay for her son's traveling baseball team's trip to Cooperstown, N.Y., home of Major League Baseball's Hall of Fame. My son’s baseball team is raising money for their Cooperstown trip. Any amount would be so greatly appreciated. You can read more about the team and make a donation here:Why all the gall— Wait. We're talking about Alyssa Milano. Never mind.My son’s baseball team is raising money for their Cooperstown trip. Any amount would...

LOS ANGELES — Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani signed a record-shattering $700 million contract today with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which will net him about 58 bucks after taxes. "I am very happy to have signed the largest baseball contract of all time," said Ohtani through an interpreter. "I am thankful the Dodgers believe I am worth $700 million, which I am told after taxes will allow me to purchase two full-size sandwiches from Jimmy John's. I am hoping to finally try the Italian Night Club." Considered by some to be the most talented baseball player in history, Ohtani will earn...

"The Yankees are profoundly saddened by the passing of former United States secretary of state Henry Kissinger, who performed varied and vital diplomatic and advisory roles throughout his distinguished career. A lifelong friend of the Yankees organization, he was a frequent welcome guest of the Steinbrenner family at Yankee Stadium. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be deeply missed.”

Voter turnout actually increased after Georgia's Voter Laws were changed... The opposite of the supposed voter "suppression" that the MLB saw.

Frank Howard, the beloved Washington Senators slugger and four-time All-Star, has passed away at 87. Howard's death was announced by the Washington Nationals – a club he never technically played for, but which honored him with a statue outside its stadium, nonetheless. 'We are deeply saddened to share that Washington Senators legend Frank Howard has passed away at the age of 87,' read the club statement. 'We join Frank's loved ones in mourning.' A native of Columbus, Howard was a two-sport star at Ohio State, where he played both baseball and basketball. In fact, he proved so skilled at the...

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt was captured on film while seeming to be calmly reading his Bible alone in the dugout before he started in the pivotal Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.The MLB player was preparing to start the final game of the series, an elimination game to see which team would advance to the World Series.The Diamondbacks went on to win. Pfaadt pitched four innings with seven strikeouts, allowing two runs in the 4-2 victory. However, much of the attention was on photographs of the pitcher waiting in the dugout as...

AZ vs TX

Ian Kinsler wasn't repping the Rangers or Astros last night, the former MLB star had a bigger cause on his mind than the ALCS ... the 4x All-Star, who is Jewish, threw out the first pitch wearing a Team Israel jersey. Kinsler is a special assistant to the Rangers general manager ... and the organization invited him to kick off Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX with the ceremonial first pitch.

I'm completely embarrassed by the dismal performance by Dave Roberts and the Dodgers. They'll always be my team but this was disgusting.

Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson, whose deft glovework and folksy manner made him one of the most beloved and accomplished athletes in Baltimore history, has died. He was 86. "We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson," his family and the Baltimore Orioles said in a joint statement. "An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of baseball." The statement did not say how Robinson died. The Orioles held a moment of silence before their...

Man, this is scary right here; the number of things that could've gone wrong are just through the roof, and Ronald Acuna, Jr. is lucky he came out of this uninjured. Watch what happened last night when two fans ran onto the field and made their way, seemingly unimpeded, to MVP candidate Ronald Acuna Jr. VIDEO AT LINK............. Nuh-uh dude, not on my watch, I'm sorry. First of all, Acuna is lucky, sure. But I'm gonna go ahead and say those two fans are luckier than he. Because if that was my baseball team, we'd have cleared the bench and...

Exciting. Great crowd. This was Michael Lorenzen's debut (recent trade acquisition) in Philly. I'd say he did well and may become a favorite.

Cubs are in Tampa in June and Miami in August. Does anyone have information on the hotels/resorts where most of the fans stay? We have done spring training in Scottsdale/Mesa and love staying a place next to Old Scottsdale and foods and beverages within walking and crawling distance. With the balanced schedule we are now trying to follow more road games. Please advise. GRRRR🇺🇸🇺🇸😘🌭⚾️

OAKLAND -- Domingo Germán tossed Major League Baseball's first perfect game since 2012 in the Yankees' 11-0 win over the A's on Wednesday night at the Coliseum. It was the fourth perfect game in franchise history, and the first since David Cone against the Expos in 1999. After allowing 17 runs (15 earned) over 5 1/3 innings in his previous two starts, Germán entered Wednesday with the potential to make the wrong kind of history by becoming just the fifth pitcher in franchise history to allow seven-plus runs in three straight games. Instead, Germán snapped a streak of another kind...

Throughout the month of June, Americans from all walks of life have gone about their business surrounded by rainbow Pride flags. They are everywhere you look, from restaurants to online shopping to even everyone’s favorite escape, sports. As the alphabet mafia set their sights on major league sports, how are these teams responding to the other portions of their customer base? Are they giving in so they don’t become the next Bud Light or Target? Some are, but some are actually listening to their fan base. One of those teams is the Texas Rangers. The Rangers are the only team...