Category: Baseball

June’s Greatest Sho: A Look Back at Ohtani’s Best Month in the Majors

ANAHEIM, Calif.—Shohei Ohtani’s walkup music most of last season was the theme to “The Greatest Showman.” After the Los Angeles Angels star’s June, he should consider returning to it. The Japanese two-way phenom has amazed fans, teammates and opponents since coming to the majors in 2018. June, though was “The Greatest Sho” at the plate….


Betts Hits MLB-Record 10th Leadoff Homer in First Half to Help Dodgers Rout Angels 10–5

LOS ANGELES—The Dodgers ended the first half of the season with a bang. All-Star Mookie Betts hit his 10th leadoff homer—tying the most in the first half in major league history—and Los Angeles homered five times for the second straight game to beat the slumping Angels 10–5 on Saturday night, July 8. “I think Mookie…


Betts Hits Two of Dodgers’ Five Homers and Drives in Four Runs in 11–4 Victory Over Angels

LOS ANGELES—The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t trade for Mookie Betts three years ago to be an infielder. However, his offensive production when starting on the dirt is better than when he’s patrolling the outfield. Betts hit a pair of solo homers and drove in four runs, fellow All-Star Freddie Freeman went deep and the Dodgers…


Martinez and Peralta Homer Back-to-Back, Rallying Dodgers Past Pirates 6–4

LOS ANGELES—J.D. Martinez and David Peralta homered back-to-back in the fifth inning, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers rally from a four-run deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6–4 on Wednesday night, July 5. Martinez connected on an 0-2 pitch from reliever Roansy Contreras (3–7) for his 20th homer, a go-ahead, three-run shot to left-center that…


Padres Draw 11 Walks While Finishing Sweep of Angels

Fernando Tatis Jr. had three hits and San Diego drew 11 walks en route to a 5–3 win over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, July 5, that completed the Padres’ first three-game sweep of the season. The Angels, who were swept by the Padres for the first time since 1999, have lost seven…


Mike Trout Has Surgery on His Broken Left Wrist; Timetable for Return Unknown

SAN DIEGO—All-Star center fielder Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels had surgery on his fractured left wrist Wednesday, July 5, two days after he was injured fouling off a pitch. “I just talked to Mike; he just got out of surgery. He feels great,” manager Phil Nevin said before the Angels finished a series…


Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, Anthony Rendon Exit With Injuries

The Angels saw two more stars sustain injuries on Tuesday as Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon exited Los Angeles’ road game against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani ending his pitching performance in the sixth inning due to a blister on his right middle finger. The nail on the same finger broke in the right-hander’s most…


Baseball Book Classics

Many people have a soft spot for baseball, America’s national pastime. Although having some enthusiasm for the sport won’t hurt, the following books are likely to be a hit even with those who don’t have a special interest in the game. For young children is Earnest L. Thayer’s classic baseball poem, “Casey at the Bat,”…


Muncy Homers, Roberts Gets 700th Win as Manager in Dodgers’ 5-2 Victory Over Pirates

LOS ANGELES—Max Muncy not only hit his 19th homer of the season Monday night, he was the first to congratulate Dave Roberts for his 700th win as the Dodgers’ manager after Los Angeles’ 5–2 in over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Even if it took a couple minutes for Roberts to realize it. “Muncy and a couple…


Ohtani Becomes 2-way All-Star for 3rd Straight Year; 8 Braves Selected for July 11 Game

NEW YORK—Shohei Ohtani became a two-way All-Star for the third straight year when he was picked for the American League pitching staff on Sunday, and eight Atlanta Braves were chosen for the July 11 game in Seattle—the most of any team since 2012. Ohtani was elected to the pitching staff by players 10 days after…