There may be a new record-setting deal in the MLB with right-hander Gerrit Cole at the center of it all. The 29-year old, who had a fantastic 2019 season with the Houston Astros, has got the attention of the New York Yankees who have made this a clear offseason priority and have ownership-level approval to offer Cole a huge deal.

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New York is preparing for a bidding war with the Los Angeles Angels which executives expect to go well beyond $250 million, setting Cole up to smash David Price‘s $217 million contract for a pitcher.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in Cole, although other priorities lie with potential bids for right-hander Stephen Strasburg and third basemen Anthony Rendon.

Cole’s agent, Scott Boras, has yet to solicit offers, but with interest coming from multiple teams, the deal’s timeline will most likely be expedited.

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The Yankees have shown a shift in the willingness to partake in big-money free-agent signings. In January 2014, free agent pitcher Masahiro Tanaka saw a $175 million contract and in 2017, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton signed one worth $295 million. The Yankees will have their hands full as a number of young stars will see escalating salaries, those including outfielder Aaron Judge, catcher Gary Sanchez, and infielder Gleyber Torres.

Cole is no stranger to the Yankees. In 2008, New York chose Cole 28th overall in the draft, but he went to UCLA instead. Three years later, he went number one overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Cole’s 2018 season with the Astros saw a 15-5 record with a 2.88 ERA. This year proved even better, posting a 20-5 record with a 2.50 ERA. He finished second to teammate Justin Verlander in American League Cy Young voting.

Although the Yankees have prioritized signing Cole, they have also said they will be pursuing the reigning World Series MVP Strasburg who opted out of the four years and $100 million left on his contract with the Nationals.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

The Yankees would prove to be a powerhouse in the American League East by adding Cole to their roster. And for Cole, it seems a very large payday is bound to make it his way.

When the Chicago Cubs tendered contracts for the 2020 season to six arbitration-eligible players on Monday, infielder Addison Russell was not among the group. This means after five years with the Cubs, at 25 years old Russell will become a free agent; this decision was precipitated by two years of controversy surrounding the infielder.

Russell was suspended near the end of the 2018 season for violating the MLB’s domestic abuse policy. In 2019, he was tendered a contract by the Cubs, however, he sat out the first 28 games of the season due to the aforementioned suspension. Following that, last summer Russell was demoted to the minor leagues because, in his words, he needed to become “more familiar” with the team’s signs.

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Cubs president Theo Epstein explained the decision made by the organization on Monday:

“We decided to non-tender Addison Russell today simply because the role we expected him to play for the 2020 Cubs was inconsistent with how he would have been treated in the salary arbitration process,” Epstein said in a statement. “In the year since we decided to tender Addison a contract last November, he has lived up to his promise to put in the important self-improvement work necessary off the field and has shown growth, as a person, as a partner, as a parent and as a citizen. We hope and believe that Addison’s work will continue, and we have offered our continued support of him and his family, including [ex-wife] Melisa [Reidy].

“In the last year, the organization has also put in the important work necessary to bolster our domestic violence prevention training for all employees, all major league players, all minor league players and all staff. We also offered healthy relationship workshops for the players’ partners and provided intensive, expert domestic violence prevention training for player-facing staff. This heightened training and our increased community involvement on the urgent issue of domestic violence prevention will continue indefinitely. We wish Addison and his family well.”

While the Cubs decided to non-tender the former all-star on Monday, they tendered contracts to 25 players, including ones not yet eligible for arbitration. The anticipation will be high surrounding the Cubs as they soon enter the 2020 season.

Bryce Harper who? The Washington Nationals took game one of the World Series against the Houston Astros behind a new young outfield phenom, Juan Soto. Soto is three days shy of 21, but was the reason the Nats stole game one in Minute Maid Park. Like many teams, the Astros, who are heavy favorites to win the series, can’t figure out how to pitch to Soto. He was the force that swung the game into an important Nationals victory.

Astros ace Gerrit Cole lost his first game in five months; an incredible streak that can’t be understated. Washington scored five runs off Cole — two of them on home runs — as the Astros right-hander surrendered eight hits and lost for the first time since May 22 against the Chicago White Sox. During the streak, Cole went 19-0 with a 1.59 earned run average, and his team went 23-2 in that span, including three straight wins in the postseason.

“He’s human, he was bound to lose one eventually, ” said George Springer, the Astros outfielder who missed a potential game-tying home run by inches in the eighth inning. “They got the hits when they needed them, but he’s our guy and when he gets the ball again I’m sure he will be ready to go.”

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A big credit to the five runs Cole allowed was thanks to Soto’s three RBIs that carried the Nationals to victory. Soto hit a home run in the second and then lined a ball off the wall in left field to push home two more runs and gave the Nationals a 5-2 lead.

Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred issued a warning to Oakland city officials that he could move the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas if they don’t drop their lawsuit over the future of Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. This threat was confirmed by Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf in a TV interview on Tuesday.

City councilman Larry Reid was told by Manfred earlier his week that Vegas would be a potential relocation site for the A’s. Oakland and Alameda County currently have ownership of the Coliseum and the city wants Alameda County to sell the rest of its share to Oakland, rather than the Athletics organization.

“The reports of that are accurate,” Schaaf told KTVU-TV. “[Las Vegas] is the city that came out of his mouth.”

By mentioning Las Vegas, Manfred tugged at the hearts of Oakland fans, as they will be losing their football team, the Oakland Raiders, to Las Vegan next season.

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“Obviously he chose his city wisely as far as exposing a pain-point that all Oaklanders feel about losing our sports teams,” Schaaf said.

Oakland sued Alameda County to block the sale of its share of the Coliseum to the Athletics. The team hoped that would subsidize the cost of a new privately owned stadium. A judge issued a temporary restraining order last week blocking the transaction.

Schaaf told KTVU that the city’s lawsuit was filed “over my objection.”

“I don’t think that it serves the public when two governmental agencies are suing each other. It certainly is my direction that the city and the county work collaboratively. We are co-owners of this land,” Schaaf continued. “The board of supervisors are so well-intentioned. They want to do right by their constituents, which are our constituents, so I believe we will get something done collaboratively and put this lawsuit behind us.”

The next lawsuit hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14

The Houston Astros are in unfamiliar territory as they lost game four of the ALDS to the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday night. These past three years, the Astros have cruised through the ALDS, defeating the Boston Red Sox in four games and sweeping the Cleveland Indians last year. The Rays have proven to be a different team in comparison to previous opponents.

Houston’s ace Justin Verlander didn’t rise to the occasion as he allowed four runs in 3.2 innings of work against Tampa. Those runs were more than enough for the Rays who handled the Astros bats efficiently, only allowing a single run to score. The Rays are now outscoring Houston in the series, even through the 1-2-3 punch of aces Verlander, Gerrit Cole and Zack Greinke.

Two straight bad  pitching performances have put the Astros in a spot they are not accustomed to.

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It now comes down to a do-or-die game five in Houston. The Astros will be deploying Cy Young candidate Cole, who already took care of the Rays once in game two, allowing one run in the contest. He showed how he had the single season best strikeout rate of 13.8 over nine innings when he struck out 15 in his last start against Tampa. He achieved that high number by getting the Rays lineup to swing and miss at 33 separate pitches. They could not figure him out.

The Rays will start Tyler Glasnow who boasts a 1.78 ERA in 12 starts this season. If it weren’t for an injury during the season, Glasnow might have been right up there to compete for Cy Young honors. If the Rays could pull this win off at Minute Maid Park, it would be the upset of the decade against one of the most successful teams in baseball as of recent years.

Game five will be Thursday at 7:07 p.m. on FS1.

It was all a favorable game for the Milwaukee Brewers, until it wasn’t.

A walk for Trent Grisham, followed by a home run for Yasmani Grandal made the game 2-0 immediately. It took 7 pitches for the Brewers to take a 2-0 lead in the first inning against the Washington Nationals. Max Scherzer was looking for his first playoff win as a National. He allowed another home run in the second inning to Eric Thames as the Brew Crew took a 3-0 lead. The game felt over right as it began.

It wasn’t until a solo shot in the third by Trea Turner made the score 3-1 in the Brewers favor. And then there was nothing. From innings four through seven, both offenses were quiet. A double here, a man in scoring position there, but nothing really came close to changing the result of this game. Hope was fading for the Nationals.

It was all but over when the Brewers called in All Star reliever Josh Hader. Hader looked uncharacteristically shaky, but was still getting the job done. He struck out OF Victor Robles but got a bad call when Michael Taylor was hit by a pitch that arguably could’ve been ruled a foul ball as it hit the knob of the bat at around the same time it hit Taylor’s hand. He struck out Turner and then the wheels fell off.

Ryan Zimmerman singled to center to put runners on the corners. Anthony Rendon, on a full count, walked to load the bases with two outs. Juan Soto came up to bat and on the third pitch lined one to right field to Grisham, who was replacing injured MVP, Christian Yelich. On a hit that at most should’ve tied the game, the ball went right under Grisham’s glove and allowed the Nationals to clear the bases and take the lead in the bottom of the eighth, 4-3.

The Brewers season ended soon after, only getting a man on first in the final inning. As their season ends the Brewers watch in disappointment as a NLDS berth slipped right through their fingertips. Even after losing their MVP, they persevered. Even with a call that could’ve gone either way and an off day for an elite closer, the game just barely could not sink in the Brewers favor. The Nationals will face the Dodgers in the NLDS on October 3.

It was all a favorable season for the Milwaukee Brewers, until it wasn’t.

Felix Hernandez was all tears as he finished what could be his last start as a Seattle Mariner.

Fans stood up and gave him a loud standing ovation as he hugged coach Scott Servais and his teammates, including Kyle Seager, who was also noticeably crying as well. It was an emotional send-off to one of the most dominant pitchers of the 2000’s and arguably the best pitcher in Mariners’ history, ranking just higher than Hall of Famer Randy Johnson, due to Johnson’s departure to Arizona.

In 2011, a group of fans kept growing in the left field bleachers who came with yellow ‘K’s’ printed on their shirts to cheer Hernandez on. The marketing department advertised them as the ‘King’s Court.’ Over time, the group expanded from that area. On Thursday, the whole field became the King’s Court.

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Always considered a class act among all of baseball, his entire 15 year career has been spent with the Mariners; a rare feat in sports today, especially in a smaller market team without a championship.

King Felix, as he is so called (the nickname started in the Minor Leagues back in 2005), was a picture of consistency at the highest level for over a decade. Hernandez is one of only 23 pitchers in the 150 year history of the game to pitch a perfect game (as opposed to a no-hitter where walks and errors allow a player on base, a perfect game allows no one on base for nine innings), and is one of 92 pitchers to pitch and immaculate inning (three batters up, nine strikeouts).  He also led the league in wins, ERA twice, was the AL Cy Young award winner in  2010, is a six time All-Star, and more. As for his team, he is the Mariners all-time leader is strikeouts, wins and WAR.

Like Ken Griffey, Jr before him and his teammate Ichiro Suzuki before him, and era of Mariners faithful might be over in Seattle. Who’s next?

Although the New York Yankees won their first contest during Thursday’s double–header slate in the Bronx, Aaron Boone watched from the clubhouse after an earlier ejection left he Yankee dugout one man short.

After starting things off by calling out both Aaron Judge and Brett Gardner on strikes that appeared to fly far beyond each hitter’s strike zone, rookie umpire Brennan Miller began to hear rumblings from the Yankee dugout. Boone, the author of those rumblings, repeatedly offered criticisms for Miller, asking him “tighten things up” while also sprinkling in some expletives.

With an Gardner angrily smashing his bat around the Yankee dugout, Boone persisted to shout at Miller as D.J. LeMahieu took yet another called strike well outside the zone. Despite Miller acknowledging Boone’s criticisms as he repeatedly stated, “Aaron I heard you,” the Yankee skipper proceed to voice his displeasure with Brennan. Moments later, Brennan turned and ejected Boone, warranting a visit from him before exiting the field where he exclaimed, “My guys are f—ing savages in that f—ing box, right? And you’re having a piece of s— start to this game. I feel bad for you, but f—ing get better.”

Boone’s rant not only ignited the the crowd at Yankee Stadium, but also his team’s play. During an explosive fifth inning which began with a rare infield single for Gary Sanchez, the Bombers added three runs and surged into the lead. Starting pitcher Domingo German also found his groove soon after the event, shutting the door and pitching five straight scoreless innings after giving up two early home runs. An Aaron Hicks home run during the following inning stretched the lead out to four runs, as the Yankees went on to win 6–2.

“Personally, I fed off that energy. It gave me a boost to concentrate and go out there, do my job and try to get this victory for him, because he went out there and fought for us. I felt that it was my responsibility to go back out there and return the favor,” said German following the game.

First basemen Luke Voit also issued his appreciation for Boone’s fire after the day’s second game, which the Yankees also won, as he stated, “Not a lot of coaches I think would back it up and use that type of word, but I think we appreciate it — and we are a bunch of savages.”

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW 

In response, the MLB handed down a one–game suspension for Boone. However, don’t expect it to slow down the  “savages,” as they enter an interleague series against the Colorado Rockies this weekend, looking to add to their MLB best record.

Jonathon Lucroy and Jake Marisnick both now face delays ahead the MLB’s second half after the two collided last Sunday when Marisnick’s Astros took on Lucroy’s Los Angeles Angels. Looking to score, Marisnick ran straight into Lucroy, who awaited a throw home to plate before Marisnick steamrolled into him. Although the collision stands responsible for each player’s momentary absence, alternative reasons sideline each player. Marisnick received a two–game suspension after the incident, Lucroy received an ticket to the hospital as he’s expected to miss some time after the collision left him with a broken nose and concussion.

Although the league painted Marisnick as the villain after the game by claiming he violated the MLB’s home plate collision rule and then suspending him, Marisnick appeared apologetic both right after the hit and during the following days. Immediately after the play, Marisnick joined other concerned Angels players around Lucroy who remained on the ground and bleeding until the medical staff arrived.

After the game, Marisnick spoke on the matter. “I watched the play again and it looks — he just drops right in front of me and once I kind of made a decision, it was too late,” he said. “It was a bad play and I hope he’s ok.” Marisnick spoke again during his first suspended game on Thursday as he commented, “I’ve seen a lot of takes on it, and obviously everybody has their own opinion. But I know deep down in my heart that I had no intent to hurt, or make contact, with him.”

Despite Marisnick’s self–proclaimed innocence, other players around the league such as fan favorite St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina who called the the incident a “bulls––t play.” Angels manager voiced his opinions as well as he simply stated, “it certainly didn’t look like a clean play.” Not too long ago, hits such as this occurred frequently as simply “a part of the game.” However, in 2014 the league added new rules aiming to protect catchers from accidents such as this.

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The time in which Lucroy’s injuries plan to keep the Angels without his services remains undetermined at the time. Los Angeles currently sits 6.5 games behind the second American League wild card spot as the season’s second phase now commences. Meanwhile, the Astros continue to push towards another American League Central crown, already totaling 57 wins so far this season.

Still recovering from a gunshot wound, former Boston Red Sox star and future Hall of Famer David Ortiz underwent a third surgery earlier this week after complications arose.

Ortiz’s wife, Tiffany, offered some light to the public as Ortiz remains hospitalized as she simply claimed that her husband, “is recovering well and in good spirits.” The gunshot from an alleged mistaken identity incident on June 9 left Dominican Republic doctors with no choice but to remove parts of Ortiz’s gallbladder and intestine before the Red Sox sent an air ambulance to fly Ortiz to the United States before undergoing his second surgery a day later. Dominican authorities have arrested nearly 12 suspects who allegedly contributed to the attack, including an apparent “mastermind” named Víctor Hugo Gómez on June 28.

Just recently retired, Ortiz reigns as a Boston sports legend, as he won three World Series titles with the Red Sox in 2004, 2007, and 2013. Ortiz also hit 541 home runs during his 20 year MLB career, the tied for the 15th most in baseball history. To honor Ortiz, the Red Sox even named both a bridge and road adjacent to Fenway Park after him.

“We continue to be incredibly appreciative of the kindness and compassion shown to David and to our entire family during this difficult time,” said Ortiz’s wife once more when adding to her statement. Since the attack, the support and praise for Ortiz only to grows louder each day, as nearly all cities and teams engaged within the sporting world quickly joined the always passionate Boston fan base to voice their best wishes for the beloved slugger.

Ortiz continues his recovery while Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon found himself watching his team play out the final frames against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday from the clubhouse, rather than the dugout.

Infuriated by multiple pitches thrown up and in towards his team’s hitters throughout the game, Maddon charged towards the Pittsburgh dugout before longtime umpire Joe West restrained and eventually ejected him. Helping keep Maddon from getting too out of hand was Kris Bryant, who sped over from the on deck circle to catch Maddon as he continued to trot towards Pittsburgh manager, Clint Hurdle, with aggressive intentions.

“I mean, pent-up frustration is one thing, but when your guys keep getting thrown at their head that’s another thing too,” said Maddon after the game ended. A high inside fastball throw at Javier Baez from Pirates pitcher Jordan Lyles in the fourth inning finally set Maddon ablaze. Baez managed to foul the ball off his bat’s knob to defend himself but later struck out.

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Although Lyles illustrated his honest approach to the game mentioning that he hasn’t hit an opposing player all year, he partially sympathized with Maddon after the game. “Nobody likes the ball up and in, so I can understand there is some angst involved,” said Lyles. “There’s always going to be angst involved in the game of baseball. A manager is always going to try to protect his team and share his feelings.”

The following inning, Pirates pitcher Clay Holmes hit Cubs third basemen David Bote‘s head with a pitch, likely warranting an “I told you so” moment from Maddon while watching the game unfold from inside the clubhouse. “I have no issues with pitching inside. I’m an advocate, but when you [throw] that many pitches, not just that tonight, but it’s been that way somewhat during the entire series,” said Maddon later.

The Cubs went on to win the game by an 11–3 score, despite their protective manager’s absence during the game’s closing innings.

Emotions expectedly ran high for the Los Angeles Angels Tuesday night as the team played their first game since teammate, Tyler Skaggs, tragically passed away at 27 age this week. Although the Angels gathered themselves to put together a 9–4 over the Texas Rangers, nothing overshadowed what was a night entirely dedicated to Skaggs’s memory.

Three–time MVP winner Mike Trout lead the team, as he always does, bravely issuing an emotional post–game statement about his late teammate and friend while also detailing his thoughts throughout the game’s course. Other players and coaches soon followed Trout, as multiple Angels who knew Skaggs well spoke on the matter, with most eventually tearing up.

Skaggs was found unresponsive and declared dead just prior to the team’s Monday game agains the Rangers. What exactly caused Skaggs’s death remains undetermined with the investigation ongoing. The league wasted no time addressing the situation, quickly cancelling the game soon after the news broke. Although the team played the following day, no pregame music, lineup hype, or fireworks took place as the players just looked to get through what was likely the most difficult game of each of their careers. The game did add a moment of silence, as both teams trotted out to honor Skaggs, with Angels players holding onto his jersey along the way. “We wanted to take him out there with us one more time,” said teammate Andrew Heaney.” The pitcher’s mound also paid tribute to Skaggs, with his #45 inked into the dirt.

The Rangers felt compelled to honor Skaggs’s to their best ability as the game’s host, also refraining from celebratory practices while still giving their opponents a fair and competitive game. Rangers manager Chris Woodward commented after the game as he stated, “It felt different, there’s no doubt. But we felt like that was the right thing to do for them. To not make it too much hoopla in the game.” Other players across the game commemorated Skaggs as well. Patrick Corbin, Skaggs’s best friend, wore #45 during his start for the Washington Nationals, giving up one ER over seven innings while doing so. Other ballparks both Wednesday night and Tuesday night held their own individual moments of silence to honor Skaggs as well.

The Angels plan to add a #45 patch to their jerseys ahead the season’s second portion, keeping their late teammate beside them as they try and move forward from this unfortunate tragedy.

The long ball will never go out of style in baseball, as it often gives the game its most exciting moments. Now more than ever, it stands as the apparent favorite option for sluggers to drive in runs. Just two years ago in 2017, hitters broke the record more most home runs hit in a season with 6,105. This year’s home run totals jeopardize that colossal figure however, as the league currently continues a pace poising to deliver 6,591 home runs by the season’s end, having tallied 3,003 already.

In response, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred turned to science for an explanation for the phenomenon. After assembling multiple scientists to investigate the baseball manufacturing process and its potential to effect home run frequency, the league sought out to discover any potential “juicing” of the baseballs, aiming to reveal what’s behind the increasing home run totals.

The company burdened with making the MLB‘s baseballs is Rawlings, which after the investigation helped Manfred confirm that no influential changes to the way in which they create the baseballs has occurred. Manfred stated, “[Rawlings] hasn’t changed their process in any meaningful way. They haven’t changed their materials.” However, Manfred’s team hypothesized that today’s expanding technology has allowed Rawling to center the pill they place towards each baseball’s center more accurately, possibly effecting the ball’s drag. Manfred explained as he stated, “We think one of the things that may be happening is they’re getting better at centering the pill, [which] creates less drag. In addition to that, there’s all these man-made issues: hand-stitched, where it’s stored after it’s made, where it’s stored at the ballpark, who puts the mud on the ball, how much mud they put on the ball. It’s really difficult to isolate any single cause. But we do think it’s a drag issue.”

This past May, hitters drove out 1,135 home runs, the most hit during any month in MLB history. Players such as Christian Yelich, Pete Alonso, Cody Bellinger, Hunter Renfroe, and Gary Sanchez primarily contribute to the cause, as they lead the league in home run totals, all hitting over 22 thus far.  With no concrete or fixable issue present, MLB pitchers will most likely continue to sigh as the slug fest poises to continue.

“I told him: `If you don’t want me to watch the ball you can go in the ocean and get it,”’ Muncy said. “Honestly, I thought it was probably one of my tamer bat-flips that I’ve ever done. I didn’t actually think it was anything outrageous. I took one or two steps out of the box, started jogging, and that was really all it was.”

This is the message that Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Max Muncy delivered during the Dodgers 1-0 win over the San Francisco Giants Sunday in his postgame interview. Muncy hammered a 92 mph fastball left over the plate from Madison Bumgarner over the wall and into McCovey Cove behind the stadium. Muncy then took his time to watch the ball fly out of the stadium before trotting slowly around the basepaths, much to the unhappiness of Bumgarner.

“He just struck a pose and walked further than I liked,” Bumgarner said. “They want to let everybody be themselves. Let me be myself, Bumgarner said. I just as soon fight than walk or whatever. Just do your thing, I’ll do mine.”

“It was kind of an old-school baseball game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “You get two No. 1’s going head to head. We saw the best of Madison Bumgarner and matched Walker pitch for pitch. Fortunately for us, we scored one more than they did.”

This game was the first 1-0 loss for the Giants at Oracle Park since 2015. Ironically, the starting pitcher for the Giants in that game was also Bumgarner. The Giants offense continues to prove to be lackadaisical this season, now sitting at just 2 for 27 in their last five games with runners in scoring position.

For the Dodgers, this win did not but continue to strengthen their stranglehold of a lead on the NL West this season. The Dodgers now lead the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks, the two teams tied for second in their division, by 11 games in just the second week of June.

One of the best-known Red Sox legends and former DH, David Ortiz, took a gunshot wound Sunday night at a nightclub in the Dominican Republic. According to ESPN, police officials say Ortiz was ambushed by a man on a motorcycle and shot Ortiz in the back and lower abdomen at point-blank range around 9:00 p.m. local time. Ortiz is currently stable after undergoing surgery, with an update on his status still to come.

There is surveillance footage showing the suspect coming off his motorcycle and shooting Ortiz one time in the back. Only the suspect’s legs are visible, while bystanders cause havoc after the bullet was shot.

Ortiz’s father, Leo Ortiz, said to reporters that, “he is resting right now. He is stable,” according to CNN, he said in Spanish. “Doctors say that David is out of danger, thank God,” Leo said, according to ESPN. “What they have told me post-op is that the doctors believe he will recover quickly. Big Papi will be around for a long time.”

Multiple suspects are currently in custody, but it’s currently unclear if the motorcyclist is one of the suspects detained. According to ESPN, The group of doctors in the surgery had to remove parts of Ortiz’s colon and intestines. His gallbladder was also reportedly removed and he suffered liver damage.

Ortiz grew up in the Dominican Republic, before moving to the States to play baseball 20 years ago. He is most well-known for his 14 seasons with the Boston Red Sox, winning two world series, one in 2004 after lifting the Red Sox “curse” of not winning a World Series since 1918, and in 2013 shortly after the Boston Marathon bombing. Ortiz won the finals MVP that season, tributing their performance to those who suffered from the bombing.

“This jersey that we wear today, it doesn’t say Red Sox. It says Boston,” Ortiz said, according to CNN.

Beginning Monday night in the Bronx, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets begin their first Subway Series of 2019. For the Yankees and Mets, two teams that play under 10 miles apart from another, their seasons could not have begun more different from one another.

For the Yankees, despite dealing with a mountain of injuries thus far, have been keeping things peaceful and quiet at 1 E 161 Street. Coupled with the early struggles this season by the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, the Yankees enter tonight’s game at 40-24 overall and tied for first place in the AL East with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Yankees have been slumping recently, going just 2-5 in their last seven games including blowing a 5-0 lead yesterday against the Cleveland Indians before eventually winning in 10 innings.

After the game, Aaron Hicks told the media that, “These are the kind of games you need,” Hicks said. “It was a hard-fought game, a lot of back and forth and we needed to win to end this road trip.”

For the Mets, things this season have been loud and the product on the field has been mediocre. As the Mets continue to fight and claw their way around the 500 mark, Mets Manager, Mickey Callaway, appears to be on the hot seat, despite a recent vote of confidence from new Mets general manager, Brodie Van Wagenen. Since the vote of confidence, however, the Mets have gone 12-8, as they look tonight to get back to a .500 record for the first time since May 28.

“We’re gonna be very, very, very excited going into Yankee Stadium,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “I think the city is going to be excited.”

For the Yankees, Japanese right-hander, Masahiro Tanaka (3-5, 3.42 ERA), will make his first start tonight following the birth of his second child. For the Mets, it will be Jason Vargas (2-3, 3.57 ERA) getting the start for them tonight. After a rough start to the season, Vargas has pitched to 1.85 ERA in his last seven starts including a shutout last time out against the San Francisco Giants.

To catch the first game of the Subway Series tonight, tune into either YES or SNY at 7:00 EST.

The Chicago Cubs have one of the most in-depth team histories in the MLB. Most often, it includes some sort of thing that prevents them from winning the World Series. However, in 2016, 108 years after their last championship, the Cubs returned to the top of baseball. The “curse of the billy goat,” the infamous black cat of 1969, and Steve Bartman were all hexes of the past. A seven-game series against the Cleveland Indians led to Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Jon Lester bringing a title to the North Side.

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Theo Epstein, as president of baseball operations, rebuilt the Cubs into a winner and killed their championship drought as he did 12 years earlier for the Boston Red Sox. In just his second season, Bryant won an MVP and that same year Kyle Hendricks anchored down the rotation.

The Cubs have one of the most faithful fan bases in sports. A 108-year championship drought will do that to you. However, that doesn’t mean that the Cubs were sad. Hall of Famer Ernie Banks played for the Cubs from 1953 to 1971. The Cubs weren’t very good those years. Despite that, he became known or his sunny disposition and his love of the game, as well as his oft-repeated catchphrase: “Let’s play two.” That’s not to dismiss other Cubs greats Ron Santo, Ryne Sandberg and Andre Dawson.

If you want to see the Cubs, you’ll have to head to one of the most famous baseball stadiums in history, Wrigley Field. But while it is 115 years old, it’s filled with modern amenities. A multi-year restoration/expansion project along Sheffield Avenue and Clark Street has brought fans video boards, expanded concessions, improved parking options, an open-air plaza, a boutique hotel and more.

On April 8, the Cubs kick off a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tickets for that game start at $54. Following that three-game series, the Los Angeles Angels come to Chicago. They’ll play three games and each serves as a potential preview of the 2019 World Series.

Here’s the Cubs’ home schedule for the month of April:

4/8 – VS Pittsburgh Pirates

4/10 – VS Pittsburgh Pirates

4/11 – VS Pittsburgh Pirates

4/ 12 – VS Los Angeles Angels

4/13 – VS Los Angeles Angels

4/14 – VS Los Angeles Angels

4/19 – VS Arizona Diamondbacks

4/20 – VS Arizona Diamondbacks

4/21 – VS Arizona Diamondbacks

4/23 – VS Los Angeles Dodgers

4/24 – VS Los Angeles Dodgers

4/25 – VS Los Angeles Dodgers

If most teams lost a player like Bryce Harper to the Philadelphia Phillies, their divisional rival, and got next to nothing in return, they’d be crushed. Yet the Washington Nationals weren’t. Instead, they doubled down on premier pitching talent in Max Scherzer and Stephen Strausberg and brought in two-time All-Star Patrick Corbin to anchor down the middle of the rotation. That’s not to mention that Trea Turner, Anthony Rendon, and Juan Soto are part of a budding Nationals team that was never quite able to get over the hump with Harper. The newly acquired Brian Dozier is sure to contribute as well.

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With playing in one of the most competitive divisions, the NL East, and a stadium that feels unique due to the Presidential mascot races around the park and famed Washington, D.C., cherry blossom trees just past the outfield walls, the 42,000-seat stadium has cemented the Nationals. Even the nosebleeds are worth it, providing sights of the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument.

When the Montreal Expos fled Canada in 2005, D.C. baseball fans were delighted. After losing the Senators to Minnesota in 1961, the nation’s capital was left without the national pastime. Montreal’s plight changed that. The team caught on almost immediately with fans and after drafting Strausberg and Harper, they found consistent success though not postseason glory. But with ownership deadset on putting together a winning team, fans can’t complain.

The team has consistently produced young players that have risen through their organization and turned into premier athletes. The front office has been smart with signings and brought in players that can be conducive to success.

On Tuesday, April 2, Harper makes his return to DC with his new team. This will be a game filled with emotions and tempers running high. Tickets range from $10 to $161. They play one more game against the Phillies before heading on a road trip.

The Nationals will head back home on April 12 to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. For only $17, you can see great baseball and walkway with a free Juan Soto bobblehead. The Pirates play in DC again on the 13 and 14.

Then, the Nationals host the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday, April 16. Expect to see some pitching battles as San Francisco features one of the game’s aces in Madison Bumgarner. Tickets are only $10 for the first matchup and stay at that level for the remaining three games in the series.

As the Nationals continue to be competitive and fight for the NL East title, make sure to head out and see them. With three all-stars in the rotation and two solid hurlers rounding it out, you’ll always be in for a treat.

Below is the Nationals home schedule for the month of April:

4/2 – VS Philadelphia Phillies

4/3 – VS Philadelphia Phillies

4/12 – VS Pittsburgh Pirates

4/13 – VS Pittsburgh Pirates

4/14 – VS Pittsburgh Pirates

4/16 – VS San Francisco Giants

4/17 – VS San Francisco Giants

4/18 – VS San Francisco Giants

4/26 – VS San Diego Padres

4/27 – VS San Diego Padres

4/28 – VS San Diego Padres

4/29 – VS St. Louis Cardinals

4/20 – VS St. Louis Cardinals

The Atlanta Braves landed power-hitting left fielder Adam Duvall on Monday night in a four-player trade with the Cincinnati Reds.

Reds’ Adam Duvall Traded To Braves

The Reds acquired righty pitchers Matt Wisler and Lucas Sims, as well as outfielder Preston Tucker, as part of the deal.

Duvall, 29, counts 15 home runs and 61 RBIs this season, although he is hitting just .205. His OPS+ in 2018 has been a low 83, according to CBS Sports. The outfielder isn’t scheduled to become a free agent until the 2021 season is over. Duvall was an NL All-Star in 2016.

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In other free agency news, Washington Nationals president and general manager Mike Rizzo announced Tuesday afternoon that All-Star right fielder Bryce Harper won’t be traded before Tuesday’s 4pm EST non-waiver deadline. Harper won this year’s Home Run Derby.

Some baseball pundits had predicted Harper to be sent to the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs or Arizona Diamondbacks, but Rizzo made clear that the outfielder is staying in Washington The Nationals (52-53) are third in the NL East, 5.5 games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies and five games behind the second-place Braves. All signs seem to indicate that Harper wasn’t traded partly because they were not offered a valuable enough player in return.

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale provided further insight into the Nationals’ current roster plans, citing Rizzo:

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