Mark Shapiro Recalls Terry Francona’s $2K First Pitch Bet

9 months ago

Mark Shapiro Recalls Terry Francona’s $2K First Pitch Bet

Francona once joked with Shapiro's son Caden before a ceremonial pitch in Cleveland: “Short hop your dad and hit him in the b*lls… I’ll collect $100 from every player, you’ll get $2,000.” Former Cleveland President Shapiro laughed that his daughter threw a perfect strike, but Caden bounced it. “He didn’t get me,” he said of the playful moment.

By Tanish Chachra

Other articles from MLB

Braves Release Erick Fedde After Disastrous Month on Mound

9 months ago

Braves Release Erick Fedde After Disastrous Month on Mound

Fedde was hired by Atlanta Braves from St. Louis less than a month ago. He posted an 8.10 ERA in five outings, including six runs Friday, after a 5.22 ERA with the Cardinals. Reliever Aaron Bummer hit the IL, while Wander Suero and Hunter Stratton were called up. Atlanta is 11 games back and sits out of postseason.

By Tanish Chachra

Phillies Need Vintage Aaron Nola After Zack Wheeler’s Season-Ending Blow

9 months ago

Phillies Need Vintage Aaron Nola After Zack Wheeler’s Season-Ending Blow

“I need to step up,” said Nola. He logged six innings for the first time since May, earning his first win in months. Now 6.52 ERA, the righty showed improved velocity and command. Rob Thomson said, “I expect good things out of Nola.” Phillies can’t afford an all-lefty rotation entering October. "We’re going to do our best," Nola added.

By Tanish Chachra

Trevor Rogers Joins Walter Johnson in Historic Orioles Run

9 months ago

Trevor Rogers Joins Walter Johnson in Historic Orioles Run

“Since ERA became official in 1913, Rogers is the second AL pitcher with sub-1.50 ERA, sub-.800 WHIP and no HBPs through 12 starts,” OptaSTATS noted. The other was Johnson in 1914. Rogers has a career-high 4.6 WAR, surpassing six innings in nearly every start, giving Baltimore a rare rotation bright spot amid five starters on the IL.

By Tanish Chachra

Michael Conforto’s Dodgers Roster Spot in Jeopardy Amid Struggles

9 months ago

Michael Conforto’s Dodgers Roster Spot in Jeopardy Amid Struggles

As Kike Hernandez, Hyeseong Kim, Max Muncy and Tommy Edman near returns, Conforto’s place is at risk. Signed for $17M for 2025, he’s batting .183 with nine homers, 28 RBIs and a -0.9 WAR. “It’s becoming harder to defend putting him in the lineup,” Ken Rosenthal wrote. With L.A. tied atop the NL West, patience may soon run out.

By Tanish Chachra

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Left In Disbelief After Dalton Rushing’s HR vs. Padres

9 months ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Left In Disbelief After Dalton Rushing’s HR vs. Padres

Rookie Dalton Rushing smashed a clutch homer against the Padres, leaving teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto stunned as cameras caught his wide-eyed reaction. Fans joked the ace “didn’t know run support was possible.” The viral moment spotlighted Rushing’s rising-star status and energized Los Angeles. With the Dodgers and Padres sitting 1-2 in the NL West, the rivalry’s emotions are peaking.

By Tanish Chachra

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