INSIDER
Daughter of former MLB pitcher Greg Swindell missing after visiting bar with ex-boyfriend
Read full article: Daughter of former MLB pitcher Greg Swindell missing after visiting bar with ex-boyfriendThe daughter of former all-star Major League Baseball pitcher Greg Swindell is missing, according to authorities.
Funding plans revealed for San Antonio Missions’ downtown baseball stadium
Read full article: Funding plans revealed for San Antonio Missions’ downtown baseball stadiumThe details on how a potential San Antonio Missions’ downtown baseball stadium would be financed were revealed Wednesday during a city council meeting.
San Antonio Missions’ future downtown stadium must meet MLB player facility standards
Read full article: San Antonio Missions’ future downtown stadium must meet MLB player facility standardsNelson Wolff Municipal Stadium, the current home of the San Antonio Missions, does not meet Major League Baseball player facility standards for minor league team affiliates, according to the team’s owners.
Residents, businesses have mixed reactions to San Antonio Missions’ proposed new downtown baseball stadium
Read full article: Residents, businesses have mixed reactions to San Antonio Missions’ proposed new downtown baseball stadiumThe San Antonio Missions are expected to have a new ballpark built in downtown San Antonio by April 2028, according to a letter from Bexar County and the City of San Antonio to Major League Baseball.
Downtown baseball stadium for San Antonio Missions expected to open by 2028, letter to MLB says
Read full article: Downtown baseball stadium for San Antonio Missions expected to open by 2028, letter to MLB saysThe San Antonio Missions are set to have a new ballpark built in downtown San Antonio by April 2028, according to a letter from the City of San Antonio sent to Major League Baseball.
Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez hits for cycle against Mariners
Read full article: Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez hits for cycle against MarinersAstros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez hit for the cycle against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, becoming the 10th player in Houston history to accomplish the feat.
‘We can’t wait to watch’: New Braunfels community excited for Jordan Westburg’s MLB All-Star appearance
Read full article: ‘We can’t wait to watch’: New Braunfels community excited for Jordan Westburg’s MLB All-Star appearanceThe outfield wall at New Braunfels High School’s baseball field has four plaques representing the players who have made it to the MLB from their program.
Phillies get MLB-leading 8th All-Star with Sánchez replacing Atlanta's Chris Sale
Read full article: Phillies get MLB-leading 8th All-Star with Sánchez replacing Atlanta's Chris SalePhiladelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez is set for his first All-Star Game appearance as the replacement for Chris Sale.
Dodgers blast 5 homers - 4 in 6th inning - in 15-2 rout of World Series champion Rangers
Read full article: Dodgers blast 5 homers - 4 in 6th inning - in 15-2 rout of World Series champion RangersShohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernández and Jason Heyward homered in a seven-run sixth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers routed the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers 15-2.
Contreras hits 3-run homer off Verlander to give Brewers 4-2 win over Astros
Read full article: Contreras hits 3-run homer off Verlander to give Brewers 4-2 win over AstrosWilliam Contreras hit a go-ahead three-run homer off Justin Verlander in the fifth inning to give the Milwaukee Brewers a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros.
Astros' Verlander to make second and likely final rehab start Saturday for Double-A Corpus Christi
Read full article: Astros' Verlander to make second and likely final rehab start Saturday for Double-A Corpus ChristiHouston ace Justin Verlander is scheduled to make his second and likely final rehabilitation start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday night.
Semien has go-ahead hit, Rangers overcome Seager’s 2-run error in 7-2 win over Astros
Read full article: Semien has go-ahead hit, Rangers overcome Seager’s 2-run error in 7-2 win over AstrosMarcus Semien hit a tiebreaking single, six Texas relievers limited Houston to three hits over 5 1/3 innings, and the Rangers overcame Corey Seager’s two-run error to beat the Astros 7-2 on Saturday night.
AL West Preview: Astros still top the division while Rangers are reigning World Series champions
Read full article: AL West Preview: Astros still top the division while Rangers are reigning World Series championsThe Texas Rangers are reigning World Series champions for the first time and have an opportunity to become the first team in a quarter-century to win back-to-back titles.
Texas Rangers games will continue to air on regional networks under reworked deals
Read full article: Texas Rangers games will continue to air on regional networks under reworked dealsCleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers broadcasts are expected to remain on their regional sports networks for at least one more season.
Astros agree to 1-year deals with 6 players, including All-Stars Framber Valdez and Kyle Tucker
Read full article: Astros agree to 1-year deals with 6 players, including All-Stars Framber Valdez and Kyle TuckerThe Houston Astros have agreed with six players on one-year contracts that avoided arbitration, including All-Star lefty Framber Valdez and outfielder Kyle Tucker.
Rangers sign veteran reliever Castillo and 6 others to minor deals with spring invites
Read full article: Rangers sign veteran reliever Castillo and 6 others to minor deals with spring invitesVeteran reliever Diego Castillo is among seven free agents who have signed minor league contracts with the Texas Rangers that include invitations to spring training with the World Series champions.
Astros GM says team has no interest in trading Alex Bregman
Read full article: Astros GM says team has no interest in trading Alex BregmanHouston Astros general manager Dana Brown says the team isn’t exploring trades for Alex Bregman, even though the All-Star third baseman’s contract is set to expire after the 2024 season.
Joe Espada introduced as manager of Astros, replacing Dusty Baker, who retired last month
Read full article: Joe Espada introduced as manager of Astros, replacing Dusty Baker, who retired last monthJoe Espada was introduced as manager of the Houston Astros on Monday, replacing Dusty Baker, who retired last month.
San Antonio native Josh Jung brings home World Series title with historic Rangers win
Read full article: San Antonio native Josh Jung brings home World Series title with historic Rangers winThe Texas Rangers World Series championship was a historic win not only for the franchise but for San Antonio fans who have followed rookie Josh Jung.
Texas Rangers win first World Series title with 5-0 victory over Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5
Read full article: Texas Rangers win first World Series title with 5-0 victory over Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 5Nathan Eovaldi pitched six gutsy innings, Mitch Garver broke a scoreless tie with an RBI single in the seventh and the Texas Rangers won their first World Series championship by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-0 in Game 5.
Baseball newborn babies at North Central Baptist Hospital ready to cheer on Texas Rangers
Read full article: Baseball newborn babies at North Central Baptist Hospital ready to cheer on Texas RangersThe tiniest baseball fans are ready to cheer on the Texas Rangers as they prepare for game 3 of the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Abreu gives up 2-run homer in Astros' Game 7 loss after suspension upheld but pushed to next year
Read full article: Abreu gives up 2-run homer in Astros' Game 7 loss after suspension upheld but pushed to next yearBryan Abreu gave up Nathaniel Lowe’s two-run homer in the Houston Astros’ 11-4 loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 7 of the AL Championship Series after his two-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Adolis García delayed until the start of next season.
Rangers build big early lead off Valdez, hold on for 5-4 win over Astros to take 2-0 lead in ALCS
Read full article: Rangers build big early lead off Valdez, hold on for 5-4 win over Astros to take 2-0 lead in ALCSJonah Heim homered, Nathan Eovaldi pitched six effective innings and the Texas Rangers beat Framber Valdez and Houston Astros 5-4 for a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.
MLB playoffs back at the Globe with Texas Rangers part of them, and not neutral 3 years after COVID
Read full article: MLB playoffs back at the Globe with Texas Rangers part of them, and not neutral 3 years after COVIDThere was a World Series and other postseason games played at Globe Life Field even before Texas Rangers fans got to see their own team do anything in the stadium with a retractable roof.
MLB game time drops 24 minutes to 2:40 with pitch clock. Players steal most bases since 1987
Read full article: MLB game time drops 24 minutes to 2:40 with pitch clock. Players steal most bases since 1987The average time of a nine-inning major league game dropped to 2 hours, 40 minutes in the first year of the pitch clock, a 24-minute decrease in a season of change that resulted in a spike in batting average and the most stolen bases in nearly 40 years.
The Rays are finalizing plans for a new stadium, which means MLB expansion could be on deck
Read full article: The Rays are finalizing plans for a new stadium, which means MLB expansion could be on deckThe Tampa Bay Rays are finalizing plans for a new ballpark in downtown St. Petersburg, which is a positive development for baseball fans in Florida.
Rangers drop from AL West lead as Twins win 7-6 in 13 innings, overcoming 5-run deficit
Read full article: Rangers drop from AL West lead as Twins win 7-6 in 13 innings, overcoming 5-run deficitJonathan Hernández walked three batters in the 13th inning, among a season-high 10 walks by Texas pitchers, and the Rangers dropped out of first place in the AL West for the first time since early April with a 7-6 loss to the Minnesota Twins.
MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseason
Read full article: MLB open to consider increasing time on pitch clock in postseasonBaseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will consider increasing time on the pitch clock for the postseason but is reluctant to adjust an innovation the sport considers a great success.
Astros rally for 12-11 win to take series over AL West-leading Texas after blowing 8-run lead
Read full article: Astros rally for 12-11 win to take series over AL West-leading Texas after blowing 8-run leadJosé Abreu and Chas McCormick had back-to-back RBI doubles in the ninth inning and the second-place Houston Astros beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 12-11 after blowing an eight-run lead.
Ohtani becomes 2-way All-Star for 3rd straight year; 8 Braves selected for July 11 game
Read full article: Ohtani becomes 2-way All-Star for 3rd straight year; 8 Braves selected for July 11 gameShohei Ohtani became a two-way All-Star for the third straight year when he was picked for the American League pitching staff, and eight Atlanta Braves were chosen for the July 11 game in Seattle — the most of any team since 2012.
Overturned outs are prompting confusion, frustration over MLB's blocking-the-plate rule
Read full article: Overturned outs are prompting confusion, frustration over MLB's blocking-the-plate ruleThe rules have changed since Bob Melvin and Bruce Bochy were big league catchers when big collisions with runners trying to score were just part of the game.
MLB commissioner suspects many pitchers are using banned sticky stuff
Read full article: MLB commissioner suspects many pitchers are using banned sticky stuffBaseball Commissioner Rob Manfred thinks the use of banned sticky stuff is more widespread than the three pitchers ejected this season for illegal grip aids.
From swords to fishing lures to "sprinklers," MLB celebrations have become full-scale productions
Read full article: From swords to fishing lures to "sprinklers," MLB celebrations have become full-scale productionsMajor League Baseball celebrations have turned into a full-on production for some teams.
Seager 3 RBIs, Jung’s 9th HR leads Rangers over Rockies 13-3 for 3-game sweep
Read full article: Seager 3 RBIs, Jung’s 9th HR leads Rangers over Rockies 13-3 for 3-game sweepCorey Seager hit a two-run homer in a five-run second inning and an RBI double in a six-run fifth, helping the Texas Rangers rout the Colorado Rockies 13-3 on for a three-game sweep.
Former New Braunfels HS star named baseball’s Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year
Read full article: Former New Braunfels HS star named baseball’s Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the YearA former New Braunfels High School baseball star has been named the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year for the 2022 season, according to MLB.com.
Valdez has MLB-record 25th quality start, Astros down A's
Read full article: Valdez has MLB-record 25th quality start, Astros down A'sFramber Valdez set an MLB record with his 25th straight quality start, and Yordan Alvarez and Martin Maldonado had four RBIs each to help the Houston Astros build an early lead in an 11-2 rout of the Oakland Athletics.
Clark says push to unionize minor leaguers off to good start
Read full article: Clark says push to unionize minor leaguers off to good startMajor League Baseball Players Association head Tony Clark is confident that at least 30% of minor league players will sign union authorization cards in the coming days and weeks.
Houston Astros welcome citizens of Uvalde for ‘Uvalde Strong Day’
Read full article: Houston Astros welcome citizens of Uvalde for ‘Uvalde Strong Day’Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros welcomed citizens of Uvalde on Sunday for “Uvalde Strong Day” as part of their game against the Oakland Athletics.
Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. to begin rehab assignment with Missions this weekend
Read full article: Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. to begin rehab assignment with Missions this weekendStar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A San Antonio this weekend.
Alamo City could strike out with San Antonio Missions due to MLB facility requirements
Read full article: Alamo City could strike out with San Antonio Missions due to MLB facility requirementsMajor League Baseball is looking to enhance player experience in the minor league, but the decision comes at a price that could cost San Antonio its double-A team, the Missions.
MacArthur’s Jung, Boerne’s Phillips headline locals selected in 2022 MLB Draft
Read full article: MacArthur’s Jung, Boerne’s Phillips headline locals selected in 2022 MLB DraftJace Jung and Cole Phillips are just two of the newest local talents from the greater San Antonio area to enter the Major Leagues.
Senators ask MLB why antitrust exemption needed in minors
Read full article: Senators ask MLB why antitrust exemption needed in minorsLeaders of the Senate Judiciary Committee have asked baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred to explain the impact of potential legislation stripping the sport’s antitrust exemption from covering the sport’s relationship with minor league players.
5 reasons why attending spring training is a home-run experience
Read full article: 5 reasons why attending spring training is a home-run experienceBaseball’s regular season begins this week, so that means the abbreviated spring training session for teams, which started late due to the offseason lockout, is over.
MLB tests pitch clock, anti-shift, bigger bases in minors
Read full article: MLB tests pitch clock, anti-shift, bigger bases in minorsPitchers, catchers and batters will be able to appeal calls from human umpires to “robo umps” in the Low-A Southeast League this season, while pitch clocks, anti-shift rules and larger bases will be tried in the minors ahead of possible big league use in 2023.
Former player, labor lawyer lead MLB into 9th work stoppage
Read full article: Former player, labor lawyer lead MLB into 9th work stoppageTony Clark was a minor league prospect in the Detroit Tigers’ system and Rob Manfred a junior lawyer on management’s legal team during Major League Baseball’s last work stoppage.
‘Field of Dreams’ game ends in cinematic fashion, with 2-run homer in the 9th
Read full article: ‘Field of Dreams’ game ends in cinematic fashion, with 2-run homer in the 9thTim Anderson recently admitted he has never watched “Field of Dreams.” Well, he just submitted a pretty good script for a sequel.
San Antonio Spur Derrick White hits home run at MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game, named MVP
Read full article: San Antonio Spur Derrick White hits home run at MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game, named MVPSan Antonio Spurs’ Derrick White made moves off the basketball court this weekend, winning MVP in the MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game in Denver.
MLB took its All-Star game out of Georgia to protest voting laws. Now Ted Cruz wants to strip it of its anti-trust immunity.
Read full article: MLB took its All-Star game out of Georgia to protest voting laws. Now Ted Cruz wants to strip it of its anti-trust immunity.Abbott won’t throw first pitch at Texas Rangers game after MLB moves All-Star Game out of Atlanta
Read full article: Abbott won’t throw first pitch at Texas Rangers game after MLB moves All-Star Game out of AtlantaGov. Greg Abbott has declined an invitation to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the home opener of the Texas Rangers over Major League Baseball’s decision to move its All-Star Game from Atlanta in response to Georgia’s new election integrity laws.
Why baseball is experimenting with bigger bases in the minor leagues
Read full article: Why baseball is experimenting with bigger bases in the minor leaguesThe Major League Baseball season opened last week, but while it was a festive day in many cities around the country, a lot of eyes were expected to be on the minor leagues and various rules changes.
2 MLB players test positive for COVID-19 in past week
Read full article: 2 MLB players test positive for COVID-19 in past week(AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)NEW YORK – Two major league players and two staff members were positive for COVID-19 during the past week among 13,978 tests, a 0.03% positive rate. The positive tests were among 11 of the 30 teams. Including intake testing upon arrival at spring training, there have been 33 positive tests — 25 players, eight staff — among 78,227 tests, a positive rate of 0.04%. The positive tests were among 18 teams. All players on 40-man rosters and players with minor league contracts invited to big league training camps are screened.
Super Bowl marks the latest event to see pioneering women achieve breakthroughs in sports
Read full article: Super Bowl marks the latest event to see pioneering women achieve breakthroughs in sportsLine judge Sarah Thomas #53 looks on before Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Last month’s Super Bowl LV in Tampa proved to serve as another breakthrough for women in sports, in a stretch of months that’s been full of them. Locust and Javadifar followed in the footsteps of Katie Sowers, an assistant for the San Francisco 49ers who became the first woman to coach in a Super Bowl last year. They’re now added to the list of other women who have broken barriers in sports recently. In January, the Boston Red Sox hired Bianca Smith as a minor league coach, becoming the first Black woman to coach in professional baseball.
Astros’ Baker gets COVID-19 vaccine after initial reticence
Read full article: Astros’ Baker gets COVID-19 vaccine after initial reticenceHouston 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 – Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said he had been vaccinated against COVID-19 as the team began spring training Thursday. But the 71-year-old Baker, who is Black, understands the reticence of some in his community to get the vaccine because of this country’s history with medical studies on Black people without permission. “I was very aware of the experiment and so was my mom and dad,” Baker said. Though Baker decided getting the vaccine was right for him, he won’t try to change the mind of people who are “staunchly against” getting it.
San Antonio Missions reunite with Padres, sign 10-year development license
Read full article: San Antonio Missions reunite with Padres, sign 10-year development licenseSAN ANTONIO – Double-A baseball is returning to the San Antonio area courtesy of a familiar franchise. On Thursday afternoon, the San Antonio Missions announced via press release that they have signed a “professional development license (PDL) with San Diego Padres” and will operate as their Minor League Affiliate for the upcoming season. “We are excited to come to an agreement with the San Diego Padres,” Missions President Burl Yarbrough said in the press release. We look to continue that success with San Diego for many years to come. We are thrilled to have professional baseball back in San Antonio for the 2021 season.”“We’re thrilled to continue our established relationship with San Antonio,” explained Padres Senior Director of Player Development Sam Geaney.
If he were alive in 2021, baseball great Satchel Paige would have lots to celebrate
Read full article: If he were alive in 2021, baseball great Satchel Paige would have lots to celebrate(Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive)If Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Satchel Paige were alive today (he died in 1982), 2021 would already be a great year for him. First came the news at the end of 2020 that MLB retroactively will give the Negro Leagues Major League status. During his induction speech at the Hall of Fame, he explained how he developed that rubber arm as a youngster playing minor league baseball in Canada. “We played up in Canada and if I didn’t pitch every day, they didn’t want the ball club,” Paige said during his speech, according to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. I pitched, in all, 165 ball games in a row because if I didn’t pitch, they didn’t want the club in town, let alone there.