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• Braves Hire Johnny Washington As Hitting Coordinator
The Braves are hiring Johnny Washington as minor league hitting coordinator, reports Sam Blum of The Athletic. The 41-year-old has spent the last two seasons as MLB hitting coach with the Angels. Washington is an experienced instructor who has three seasons as a big league hitting coach on his résumé. He held that role for…...2026
• A’s Hire Barry Enright As Pitching Coordinator
The Athletics are hiring Barry Enright as pitching coordinator and director of pitching in their player development department, reports Sam Blum of The Athletic. Enright has spent the past couple seasons as pitching coach of the Angels. A former reliever who pitched parts of four seasons in the big leagues, Enright moved into coaching in…...2026
• Angels Notes: Ward, Rodriguez, Bellinger
The Angels’ trade of outfielder Taylor Ward for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez stands as one of the most notable and most surprising deals of the young offseason. The swap caught Ward himself off guard, as he told Sam Blum of The Athletic, but the outfielder expressed gratitude to the Halos and had nothing but good things…...2025
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• Angels To Make Significant Coaching Changes
Manager Kurt Suzuki won’t be the only fresh face in the Angels’ dugout next season. Sam Blum of The Athletic reports that Los Angeles is expected to have an almost entirely new coaching staff in 2026. It’s unclear whether any coaches will return. Hitting coach Johnny Washington and pitching coach Barry Enright are among the…...2025
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• Albert Pujols No Longer A Candidate In Angels’ Managerial Search
Albert Pujols won’t be the next manager of the Angels, according to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman writes that Pujols and the club have broken off talks due to differences between the sides regarding “coaches, resources, and compensation.” The Athletic’s Sam Blum reports that while circumstances could change, it’s believed…...2025
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• Angels Planning To Interview Torii Hunter, Kurt Suzuki For Manager
The Angels plan to interview Torii Hunter and Kurt Suzuki in their managerial search, reports Sam Blum of The Athletic. That comes less than a week after The Athletic reported that Albert Pujols was in talks for the position. Blum writes that while Pujols remains the favorite, owner Arte Moreno is now opting for a…...2025
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• Outside The Confines: New White Sox ownership. Eventually.

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images It’s been a long time coming, but it’ll be still be a long time happening. Happy Friday, everyone. The big news around baseball right now is that the White Sox might finally be seeing a change in ownership, but it won’t be happening any time soon. The plan will see billionaire Justin Ishbia take a controlling stake in the Sox by... 2029. So while hope ...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl

Photo by Allan Dranberg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The Rockies are the worst team in baseball, maybe ever. The Tigers have the best record in baseball. A look ahead to the trade deadline and draft. And other MLB news. Good morning. Russell Dorsey explains why the Rockies situation this year is much worse than last season’s White Sox, and how things are kind of looking up for the So...2025
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• Angels To Place Mike Trout On 10-Day Injured List With Bone Bruise
The Angels are placing veteran star Mike Trout on the injured list, Ron Washington told reporters (including Sam Blum of The Athletic) after tonight’s game against the Tigers. Trout is dealing with a bone bruise on his left knee, though Washington emphasized that the injury is not considered “too serious” and that there’s been no structural…...2025
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• Outside The Confines: What’s wrong with the Braves?

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Some trends are emerging to start the season, like the Braves struggling and the Padres’ strong pitching. The minor league parks are looking a little bush league. And other news from MLB. Good morning. After winning their first eight games, the Dodgers are 3-6 and in third place in the National League West. I still wouldn’t bet against them winning 100 g...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history

Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Department of Defense dishonors a hero before reversing course. The pitching injuries are stacking up. The Orioles set a record and no one noticed. A high school baseball powerhouse. Good morning. No comments today. I know most of you would be respectful, but better safe than sorry. The Department of Defense temporarily removed a article praising...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories

Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Injuries, excitement, sneaky showcases... Spring Training has it all. We’re finally into spring training in a real way, with actual gameplay and so much is going on. Pitchers are getting fired up about ABS... and ABS might also be proving some players have been lying about their height. Three Twins players had a scary near-miss, meanwh...2025
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• Anthony Rendon To Undergo Hip Surgery, Facing “Long-Term” Absence
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is slated to undergo hip surgery and will face a “long-term” absence, general manager Perry Minasian announced to the Angels beat this morning (link via Sam Blum of The Athletic). Rendon, 34, is entering the sixth season of a seven-year, $245MM contract that has proved a catastrophic misstep for the…...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Max Scherzer is headed to the Six

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images The Blue Jays are taking a chance on the former Cy Young winner Happy Friday everyone! We’re wrapping up January, and in two weeks Spring Training will begin. One of the bigger names on the table has found a new home as Max Scherzer has signed a one-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays were clearly gunning for some new pitching talent, but mis...2025
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• Outside The Confines: The rich get richer

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images The Dodgers make yet another impact signing and the Yankees, of all teams, complain. Some other minor signings and a look at who is left on the market. Seattle is where bats go to die. Good morning. The rich get richer as the Dodgers have signed reliever Kirby Yates to a one-year, $13 million deal. Bradford Doolittle asks if you split the Dodgers ...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Stadium news abounds

Photo by Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images The Rays and the A’s are both moving forward... probably. In today’s news we have a mixed bag of everything: will Juan Soto crack the $700 million mark for his contract? Should Shohei Ohtani play the field? What does the Luis Severino signing mean for the pitching market? But the biggest news is from two ongoing stadium sagas. In Tampa B...2024
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• Tampa Bay Rays pay tribute to Orlando with old AA minor league cap
The Tampa Bay Rays are going to great lengths honor and help the victims of the Orlando shooting tonight. The Tampa Bay Rays organized a night to honor the victims of the nightclub massacre that took place in Orlando last weekend. On Friday the Rays sold tickets to a game against the San Francisco Giants for just $5 and committed to donating all of the proceeds to the Pulse Victims Fund. The Rays ...2016

2026
"The Athletics are hiring Barry Enright as pitching coordinator and director of pitching in their player development department, reports Sam Blum of The Athletic."

2025
"Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is slated to undergo hip surgery and will face a “long-term” absence, general manager Perry Minasian announced to the Angels beat this morning (link via Sam Blum of The Athletic)."

2024
"The Angels released catcher Francisco Mejia from his minor league deal today, as noted by Sam Blum of The Athletic."

2023
"Giolito will make his team debut tomorrow against Toronto, tweets Sam Blum of The…"

2022
"Drew Butera has made the leap from the roster to the coaching staff, as Sam Blum of The Athletic reports that Butera will now act as the bullpen catcher for the Angels."

2021
"The Angels are moving right-hander Dylan Bundy to the bullpen, manager Joe Maddon told reporters (including Sam Blum of the Athletic)."

2019
"Via Sam Blum of the Dallas Morning News, Rhule had a meeting with his players in New Orleans (where they’re playing in the Sugar Bowl) and was upfront with [more]"

2018
"16, but Adams told Sam Blum of The Daily Progress on Frid"

2016
"com/HMSjn8ZD1Y — Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) June 17, 2016 The Rays are sticking to their standard home uniform aside from the cap, serving an interesting blend of new and old for the Rays on the field."

• Angels, Albert Pujols Discussing Managerial Deal
6:22pm: Bob Nightengale of USA Today writes that the Angels have not yet made Pujols an official offer, though he confirms that the interview went well. 6:00pm: It seems the Angels have made up their mind about their next manager, though he still has to agree. According to a report from Sam Blum and Katie…...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Shohei Ohtani keeps getting better

Peter Aiken-Imagn Images He just achieved a new personal best. Happy Monday, everyone! We’re getting awfully close to the All-Star break, which feels impossible to say, because surely the season just started a month ago, but that also means we’ve got all sorts of fun news and speculation. For starters, bona fide double-threat Shohei Ohtani just outdid himself, setting a new personal best...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl
2025

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• Outside The Confines: What’s wrong with the Braves?
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?

Photo by Mark Taylor/Getty Images The issues surrounding baseball stadiums. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reveals his contract demands. The decline of first base. The Mariners’ front office are criticized and other news from around MLB. Good morning. Jeff Passan looks at the issue of two major league teams playing in minor league stadiums this season. He examines what it means for the Athletics...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
2025

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• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over

Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images And the Red Sox are the winners. The biggest lingering question of the offseason free agent market has finally been answered, and that’s: Who will sign Alex Bregman? The three biggest contenders were our own Cubs, the Detroit Tigers, and the Boston Red Sox. Despite a reportedly large offer from the Tigers, it was the Red Sox who won out and signed the forme...2025
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• Anthony Rendon To Undergo Hip Surgery, Facing “Long-Term” Absence
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Max Scherzer is headed to the Six
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl
2025

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• The Cubs had an unusual starting time last week. So did the Angels — and their players were angry

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images There’s an explanation, and it’s part of the CBA. You might have noticed that the scheduled 6 p.m. CT starting time for last Wednesday’s Cubs/Dodgers game at Wrigley Field didn’t match any usual night-game time for a game during the week. Those are usually 6:40 p.m. CT in April, May and September, and 7:05 p.m. CT the rest of the year. (Hint, Cubs: Many...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

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• Cub Tracks rhesus pieces

Photo by Gusti Aldi/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news, notes, and commentary, four days a week, rain or shine. Too much monkey business? Roll out the barrel! WELCOME to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers, ground from #Cubs, #MiLB, and #MLB baseball, overheated, steeped in ...2024
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• Ranking the Rockies: No. 46, Kris Bryant

Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images Injuries again plagued Bryant in the third year of his ill-fated contract Welcome to the 2024 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2024. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseba...2024
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• Outside The Confines: A retiring Angel

Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images The much maligned umpire has announced his retirement Usually, when we report news on retirements, it’s about a long-tenured player, or a multi-World Series-winning team manager, but the absolute biggest news of the week was the announcement that umpire Angel Hernandez was planning to retire. Umpires bear a certain amount of negativity from MLB fans, bu...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Them’s the breaks

Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images The Braves lost their superstar for the season. The Yankees are soaring and the Dodgers are struggling. And other news from MLB and baseball. Good morning. Reigning National League Most Valuable Player Ronald Acuña Jr. is out for the season with a torn ACL in his left knee. He tore his right ACL back in 2021 and missed the rest of that season as well. Dan...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Opening Week is here!

Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images The pre-season ends this week, real baseball is almost here! Well, friends, we have officially made it. This is the last Monday without baseball! (Well, regular season baseball. that is.) It’s so thrilling to realize that this is the week baseball begins in earnest and we can switch from saying “Spring training doesn’t count” to “it’s ...2024
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• Wednesday Rockpile: Making sense of Kris Bryant’s comments

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Colorado Rockies news and links for Wednesday, March 6, 2024 Does Kris Bryant regret signing with the Colorado Rockies? The baseball world was sent into a tizzy last week when Sam Blum of The Athletic published an article entitled “Kris Bryant left the spotlight behind in Chicago; in Colorado, his burden is different.” In the article, Bryant discusses his ...2024
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• Cub Tracks C’s the future

Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty Images #Cubs, #MLB, and #MiLB news and notes, links and discussion, plus more or less scientific food for thought. The young Cubs are showing why they’re held in such high regard. These are indeed interesting times. WELCOME to today’s episode of Cub Tracks news and notes™, a greatest-hits collection of Chicago-style beat writers and bloggers...2024
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• Outside The Confines: The Rays may soon have new owners

Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images Nothing is final until it’s final, of course. Happy Friday, everyone! In today’s news breakdown we have a little bit of everything. The Dodgers’ owner has spent an awful lot of money on another sports franchise. The Rays might be selling, but those two topics are unrelated. The A’s don’t have enough money. A Pirates player almost came to bl...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Jackie Robinson Day moments

Photo by Aaron Gash/MLB Photos via Getty Images Yesterday was one of baseball’s most meaningful days. Jackie Robinson Day is a big event in baseball. All 30 clubs play, and all players wear the number 42—retired throughout MLB—to honor the late, great Jackie Robinson. While the event itself is typically a joyful one, recalling the barriers broken by Robinson that paved the way for so many ...2025
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• Outside The Confines: What’s wrong with the Braves?
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?
2025

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• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over
2025

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• Outside the Confines: Winning the press conference

Photo by New York Yankees/Getty Images More on Roki Sasaki and the Dodgers. The Hall of Fame inductees met the media. Anthony Santander’s deal is not what it seems. And other news from around MLB. Good morning. Jeff Passan has the story of why Roki Sasaki decided to sign with the Dodgers. Yes, in many ways it is obvious, but Passan has a bunch of details you may not be aware of. Jack Har...2025
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• Outside The Confines: A very merry OTC

Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images Merry Christmas, everyone! Happy Holidays, dear BCB readers! If you celebrate Christmas, I hope today brings you lots of joy and a delightfully filling dinner. If you’re not a Christmas person, I hope your Wednesday is still lovely and fulfilling. News will be light, but I would never leave your OTC stockings empty! Let’s dive into your mid-wee...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Stadium news abounds
2024

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• Outside The Confines: An ‘intriguing’ winter

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images The Reds and Royals make a deal. Chinese Taipei wins Premier12 in a shocking upset. A survey of the free agent market and other news from around baseball. Good morning. Thanksgiving week is officially underway. Have an intriguing holiday. We had one trade this past Friday as the Reds traded Jonathan India and Joey Wiemer to the Royals for Brady Singer...2024
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• Cub Tracks rhesus pieces
2024

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• Drew Butera Retires
Drew Butera has made the leap from the roster to the coaching staff, as Sam Blum of The Athletic reports that Butera will now act as the bullpen catcher for the Angels. Butera was selected by the Mets in the fifth round of the 2005 draft but was traded before making it to the big…...2022
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• Angels Nearing Deal With Archie Bradley
The Angels are close to finalizing an agreement with free-agent reliever Archie Bradley, tweets Sam Blum of The Athletic. The right-hander is headed to Arizona (where the Halos have their Spring Training facility) at the moment, Blum adds. Bradley is a client of BBI Sports Group. More to come....2022
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• Anthony Rendon To Undergo Hip Surgery, Facing “Long-Term” Absence
2025

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• Angels Designate Jared Walsh For Assignment
The Angels announced Thursday that they’ve designated first baseman/outfielder Jared Walsh for assignment and transferred righty Ben Joyce to the 60-day injured list. That pair of transactions opens space on the roster for newly acquired right-handers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. Giolito will make his team debut tomorrow against Toronto, tweets Sam Blum of The…...2023
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• Angels To Interview Ron Washington
The Angels are interviewing Braves third base coach Ron Washington tonight as they continue their managerial search, reports Sam Blum of the Athletic (X link). Jon Heyman of the New York Post indicated yesterday that Washington was on the Halos’ radar. Washington continues to search for his first lead job since he resigned from the…...2023
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• Ron Washington Meeting with Angels Tonight About Managerial Position, Per Report

Photo by Kelly Gavin/MLB Photos via Getty Images The long-time MLB coach could potentially get his next and long awaited shot at managing. With the MLB offseason officially underway, many around baseball will be focused on which players may go to new teams over the next several weeks and months. However, there are also plenty of managerial vacancies that remain open, and the Angels could ...2023
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• Angels Reinstate Anthony Rendon, Designate Mike Ford
The Angels have reinstated third baseman Anthony Rendon from the 60-day injured list, reports Sam Blum of The Athletic. First baseman Mike Ford was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. More to come....2022
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• Astros, Ty Buttrey Agree To Minor League Deal
The Astros have agreed to a minor league contract with reliever Ty Buttrey, as first reported by Sam Blum of the Athletic (Twitter link). He’ll get a non-roster look in big league camp this spring. Buttrey has pitched in parts of three MLB seasons, all of which came as a member of the Angels. His best…...2023

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3346. Sam Blum

• Outside The Confines: Liar, liar, pants on fire...

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports MLB’s latest snafu invloves see-through pants. In 2022 we saw tensions between MLB and MLBPA lead to a delayed start to the season. Now, while there isn’t a lockout looming, there are new issues brewing between MLB and its players, as there are mounting complaints about something unexpected... pants. While MLB is adamant there have been no major changes made t...2024
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• Outside The Confines: No Rays of sunshine

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images Things are going wrong fast for the Rays. Also the Angels, who bet big on one last year with Shohei Ohtani. And other news from around MLB Just a few months ago, the Tampa Bay Rays were the biggest story in the game for the best start to a season since the 1984 Tigers. Now, they’re the biggest story in the game for not-as-pleasant reasons. The Tampa Bay Ray...2023
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• Outside The Confines: Tigers on the prowl
2025

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• The Cubs had an unusual starting time last week. So did the Angels — and their players were angry
2025

Continue with Michael Reaves
• Outside The Confines: Jackie Robinson Day moments
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

Check it out Jackie Robinson
• Outside The Confines: Who’s on first?
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
2025

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• Outside The Confines: The Alex Bregman sweepstakes are over
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Max Scherzer is headed to the Six
2025

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• Outside The Confines: The rich get richer
2025

Visit the page Richard Rodriguez
• Outside The Confines: An ‘intriguing’ winter
2024

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• Outside The Confines: Shohei Ohtani keeps getting better
2025

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• Outside The Confines: First to 20!

Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images Oh course Shohei Ohtani is among the best yet again. Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week, Shohei Ohtani became the first player to 20 home runs, and we’re only 1⁄3 of the way through the season. Too soon to start crossing our fingers for a 60 home run season? Never! We also have more news bites, looking at a baseball book club; how the Nationals continu...2025
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• Outside The Confines: Jackie Robinson Day moments
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Vandalizing history
2025

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• Outside The Confines: Spring Training stories
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• Outside the Confines: Winning the press conference
2025

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• Outside The Confines: An ‘intriguing’ winter
2024

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• Outside The Confines: The Rickwood Field game brings history to the spotlight

Photo by Russell Kilgore Jr./MLB Photos via Getty Images Baseball remembers Willie Mays and other Negro League legends. The two big stories of the latter half of the week go hand in hand, with the Rickwood Field game happening on Thursday, just after the passing of the iconic Willie Mays late Tuesday. The memory of Mays and also remembering Negro Leagues legends of the past is a huge part ...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Don’t bet on it

Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports MLB announces suspensions in a major gambling scandal. A look ahead to the trade deadline. And other news from around baseball. Good morning. If you’re going to get caught doing something stupid that’s going to get you into a lot of trouble, don’t do it for some spare change. Al has already written on this story, but Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano was per...2024
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• Outside The Confines: Them’s the breaks
2024

Continue with Justin Berl buzz