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.
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.
Astros dismiss sign-stealing implications by Chisox pitcher
Read full article: Astros dismiss sign-stealing implications by Chisox pitcherThe Houston Astros have found themselves in familiar territory, brushing aside comments by Chicago White Sox reliever Ryan Tepera after he implied they stole signs while winning the first two games of the AL Division Series in their ballpark.
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.
At 71, Baker unsure if he’d like to manage Astros beyond ’21
Read full article: At 71, Baker unsure if he’d like to manage Astros beyond ’21HOUSTON – Dusty Baker isn’t sure if he’d like to manage the Houston Astros beyond the upcoming season. At 71, Baker is entering the last year of his contract with the Astros. After going 29-31 in the regular season, the Astros came within one game of reaching the World Series. A three-time National League Manager of the Year, Baker came to the Astros after managing the Washington Nationals, who let him go after a 97-65 season in 2017. Baker is no longer the oldest manager in the majors after the 76-year-old Tony La Russa was hired to manage the White Sox this offseason.
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 good night to the bad guys: Astros fall short in Game 7
Read full article: Say good night 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. Ridiculed, roasted and ripped all year long, the Astros still summoned enough October heart and poise to reach the brink of another World Series. Manager Dusty Baker's club even came agonizingly close to matching the biggest playoff comeback in baseball history in a wild ALCS. But several Astros veterans from those tainted seasons remain on the team, and the players weren’t sanctioned.
Correa powers Astros past A's 11-6 to clinch ALDS
Read full article: Correa powers Astros past A's 11-6 to clinch ALDSThe Astros and A's combined for 24 homers — 12 each — the most in a postseason series of five games or less. The Astros' sign-stealing scheme used during their title run was revealed last year by former teammate and current A's pitcher Mike Fiers, who didn't pitch in this postseason series. The scandal led to season-long suspensions of Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch, who both were fired. Frankie Montas couldn’t withstand Houston’s onslaught in the fourth, when the Astros sent 10 batters to the plate and scored five. 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.
Astros to playoffs with losing record after loss to Texas
Read full article: Astros to playoffs with losing record after loss to TexasARLINGTON, Texas – The Houston Astros are going into the playoffs with a losing record after Rougned Odor homered twice Sunday for Texas in an 8-4 win, the third in a row for the Rangers over the defending American League champions. Odor had a three-run homer before rookie center fielder Leody Taveras' two-run single in the fourth, the second game in a row Texas had a five-run inning. Houston and the Milwaukee Brewers — also 29-31 — are the first teams to ever qualify for the postseason with losing records. They instead finished at .367, better than only their 1972 and 1973 teams — their first two seasons in Texas. Oakland ended Houston's three-year reign as AL West champs, during which the Astros won the 2017 World Series.
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.
Benches clear in first Astros-Dodgers game since scandal
Read full article: Benches clear in first Astros-Dodgers game since scandalHOUSTON Benches cleared Tuesday night in the first game between the Astros and Dodgers since it was revealed that Houston stole signs en route to a 2017 World Series championship that came at Los Angeles' expense. 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.
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.
Astros pick up Bakers contract option for 2021 season
Read full article: Astros pick up Bakers contract option for 2021 seasonHOUSTON The Houston Astros have picked up the option for the 2021 season on manager Dusty Baker's contract. The 71-year-old Baker is in his 23rd year as a manager after starting in 1993 with the San Francisco Giants. A three-time National League Manager of the Year, Baker came to the Astros after managing the Washington Nationals, who let him go after a 97-65 season in 2017. Baker is thrilled to get another year on his contract after managing a season more than once without a deal for the next year. Were excited to see him in an Astros uniform again next year.The Astros also picked up the contract options for next season for third base coach Gary Pettis and pitching coach Brent Strom, who were both retained after Hinch's dismissal.
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.