ARLINGTON, Texas — The World Series matchup between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays is a rare meeting of baseball’s best for the title, and a matchup of organizations with Andrew Friedman’s imprint. Friedman was the Rays’ director of baseball operations from 2004-05 and then general manager from...
Single Site for World Series This Year, First Time Since 1944
NEW YORK — The World Series will be played entirely at the Texas Rangers’ new ballpark in Arlington, Texas, as part of a bubble agreement between Major League Baseball and the players’ association, the first time the sport’s championship will be played entirely at one site since 1944. As part...
MLB Stars Hammer Manfred Over 'Piece of Metal' Trophy Crack
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Players who have won a World Series — and those who have come up short — seethed Monday at Commissioner Rob Manfred's reference to the sport's championship trophy as merely a "piece of metal," saying that comment reflected a disconnect between baseball's boss and those who produce...
Sticking to Script: Bregman, Astros Discuss Sign Stealing
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Alex Bregman spoke for about 30 seconds and said he was sorry, but did not say why. He said he had learned, but did not say what. On a patch of grass between the Houston Astros' spring training building and fields, under a sun obscured...
LA City Council Says Dodgers Should Be Awarded Series Titles
LOS ANGELES — With Los Angeles fans reeling from news that two of the Dodgers' recent World Series opponents were linked to a cheating scandal that tipped off batters to what pitch was about to be thrown, the City Council voted Tuesday to ask Major League Baseball to strip the...
Larsen, Who Threw Only Perfect World Series Game, Dies at 90
NEW YORK — Don Larsen, the journeyman pitcher who reached the heights of baseball glory when he threw a perfect game in 1956 with the New York Yankees for the only no-hitter in World Series history, died Wednesday night. He was 90. He died of esophageal cancer while in hospice...
Nationals Top Astros in Game 7 to Win 1st World Series Title
HOUSTON — Stephen Strasburg paraded the MVP trophy for delirious fans packed behind the dugout. Max Scherzer tearfully hugged his teammates. Gerardo Parra did the Baby Shark chop, Sean Doolittle flapped snow angels next to the mound. Almost out of contention in May, champs in October. Howie Kendrick, Anthony Rendon and...
With Each Pitch at Series, Call Gets Louder for Robot Umps
HOUSTON — From the box seats to the far reaches of the bleachers, all 40,000 umpires in the stands at Nationals Park were sure they could tell: Gerrit Cole's fastball to Victor Robles missed the strike zone. By at least an inch, clearly. That's not how Lance Barksdale saw it....
Astros Fire Exec Taubman After Rant at Female Reporters
WASHINGTON — The Houston Astros fired assistant general manager Brandon Taubman on Thursday for directing inappropriate comments at female reporters during a clubhouse celebration, announcing the decision in the middle of the World Series and putting a renewed spotlight on domestic violence in baseball. Sports Illustrated reported Taubman, during the...
Very Complex: Nats, Astros Share Spring Site, Meet in Series
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Asked how his Washington Nationals figured out Gerrit Cole in the World Series opener, Juan Soto didn’t have to look far for an answer. “I’m glad I face him in spring training,” Soto said. In fact, all of the Houston Astros and Nationals see a...