New York – Baseball players proposed a 70-game regular-season schedule Thursday, a plan immediately rejected by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred with the sides 10 games and about $275 million apart on plans to start the coronavirus-delayed season. As part of the union proposal, players would wear advertisement patches on their […]
MLB and players remain at impasse; Rob Manfred says deadline near
New York – Baseball players proposed a 70-game regular-season schedule Thursday, a plan immediately rejected by baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred with the sides 10 games and about $275 million apart on plans to start the coronavirus-delayed season. As part of the union proposal, players would wear advertisement patches on their […]
Tigers could be ready to roar in 2020
The following is the second of a two-part NPB preview concluding with the 2020 Central League. In order of predicted finish: Hanshin Tigers Manager: Akihiro Yano 2019 record: 69-68-6 (3rd) RELATED STORIES The Tigers had an eventful spring, with three players, including pitcher Shintaro Fujinami, testing positive for COVID-19. All […]
Loaded Hawks ready to reclaim PL crown
The following is the first of a two-part NPB preview beginning with the 2020 Pacific League. In order of predicted finish: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Manager: Kimiyasu Kudo 2019 record: 76-62-5 (2nd) The Hawks’ recent success makes it really easy to forget their last PL pennant came two Japan Series titles […]
NPB set to return in altered form amid pandemic
Yudai Fujioka hit a home run in his home ballpark, but there was no one around to cheer. After an silent trip around the bases, Fujioka walked along the front of the Chiba Lotte Marines dugout with his hand up ready to high-five everyone on the bench. While some of […]
MLB, MLBPA heads reach framework for possible season
New York – After days of angry exchanges over money between Major League Baseball and the players’ association, Commissioner Rob Manfred started to doubt whether there would be a 2020 season and said as much on national television. He then called union head Tony Clark and offered to fly from […]
BayStars closer Yasuaki Yamasaki hopes to convey positive message to fans when NPB season begins
Yasuaki Yamasaki was as nervous as he’d ever been during his career. The Yokohama BayStars closer has pitched in All-Star games, the Climax Series and the Japan Series. In November, he took the mound in the ninth inning of the Premier12 final to secure title for Samurai Japan at Tokyo […]
MLB season of 50 games would raise questions about champion, statistics among some fans
New York – Fresh off a robust round of batting practice in Central Park, softball slugger Todd Montgomery squared up his Mets cap and took a swing at hardball questions involving his favorite team. Would Jacob deGrom be worthy of a third straight Cy Young Award if he goes 4-2 […]
Former Cy Young winner Mike McCormick dies at age 81
CORNELIUS, NORTH CAROLINA – Longtime Giants pitcher Mike McCormick, who won the Cy Young Award in 1967, has died. He was 81. The Giants say McCormick died Saturday at his home in North Carolina after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. McCormick played 16 years in the majors from 1956-71 […]
Seibu’s Zach Neal relishes rare opportunity to pitch on opening day
Zach Neal knew he was going to be the Seibu Lions’ opening day starter. He just didn’t know for sure there would actually be an opening day. Neal was tapped to start the opener back in February, before COVID-19 rose to pandemic levels, delayed the start of the season and […]