Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani to start MLB All-Star Game
Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels were elected Friday to start in the July 19 All-Star Game along with outfielders Mookie Betts and Trea Turner of the host Dodgers. Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk and Miami second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. were voted to start as first-time...
First Call: Steelers’ Cam Heyward unhappy with ESPN poll; interesting odds after Baker Mayfield trade; Pirates trade chip emerges
In Thursday’s “First Call,” Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward is feeling a bit slighted by an ESPN poll. We’ve got a follow-up on a potential free agent acquisition for the Steelers. One Pirate is getting attention on the Major League Baseball trade market. And we check on the adjusted...
Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper vows to return to Phillies this seasonVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Bryce Harper has three pins in his left thumb, a cast on his left hand and an unyielding belief that he will return from injury this season to try and lead the Phillies to their first playoff appearance in 11 years. “I’ll be back,” Harper said. With those...
Astros’ Kyle Tucker tries to steal home amid PitchCom malfunction
HOUSTON — Houston’s Kyle Tucker was thrown out Thursday night when he tried to steal home while New York Yankees starter Luis Severino tinkered with his malfunctioning PitchCom device. Alex Bregman had just hit a two-run double to put Houston up 2-0, and Tucker was on third with two outs...
First Call: Where Steelers’ Chris Boswell ranks among NFL kickers; Pirates host hot division-leading Brewers
In Thursday’s “First Call,” we find out where Steelers kicker Chris Boswell ranks among the best at his position in the NFL — and within his own division. A former WPIAL star is looking to imprint his team’s NFL success a bit more this season. And the Pirates may be...
St. Petersburg mayor reopens talks on future of Rays stadium site
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, is reopening talks about the future of the Tropicana Field site where baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays play their home games. Mayor Ken Welch said Wednesday that two previous proposals for the 86-acre downtown location are being scrapped, with a new...
Bryce Harper set for thumb surgery; Phillies hope he returns this yearVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Phillies slugger Bryce Harper will have surgery Wednesday to repair his broken left thumb, and the team hopes the 2021 NL MVP can play again this season. Manager Rob Thomson did not offer a timetable for Harper’s return Tuesday, only saying he hoped Philadelphia’s franchise player would return...
First Call: Could USFL give Steelers OLB depth?; Deshaun Watson update; memorable Pirates anniversary
Monday’s “First Call” suggests an unconventional plan toward finding a solution to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ lack of depth at outside linebacker. There is an update on the Deshaun Watson situation. Josh Allen’s interesting angle to the Buffalo Bills playoff loss. We’ve got a look at the next opponent for the...
Melee mayhem: Big brawl, 8 ejected, Angels top Mariners 2-1Video
ANAHEIM, Calif. — A lengthy bench-clearing brawl resulted in the ejections of six players and both managers in the second inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Three of the first four hitters in the Mariners’ lineup were ejected, and three Angels pitchers...
Phils’ Bryce Harper on IL with broken thumb, no date for returnVideo
SAN DIEGO — Reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a broken left thumb and the Philadelphia Phillies haven’t yet announced a timeline for his return. Former No. 1 overall draft pick Mickey Moniak was recalled from Triple-A to take Harper’s roster spot....
Norwin grad Matijevic homers again in Astros’ no-hit win over Yankees
When the baseball finally landed in the second deck high above the field at historic Yankee Stadium, JJ Matijevic had his second big-league hit. Two hits. Two home runs. Matijevic, who started at first base, hit another solo homer as the Houston Astros no-hit the New York Yankees, 3-0, on...
Former Pirates 1st-round pick Mark Appel finally reaches majors with PhilliesVideo
SAN DIEGO — Mark Appel is a big league ballplayer nine years after he was selected No. 1 overall in the amateur draft and 10 years after the Pittsburgh Pirates picked him in the first round. Appel was promoted by the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander, who turns 31 on July...
Emotional Freddie Freeman given ovation, World Series ring in return to AtlantaVideo
ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman expected to be emotional during his anticipated return to Atlanta. He wasn’t prepared for the flood of feelings — and tears — that came before his first game back as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. A rush of them forced him...
Aaron Judge, Yankees agree to $19 million deal, avoid hearingVideo
NEW YORK — Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees avoided an arbitration hearing Friday by agreeing to a $19 million, one-year contract, a deal that leaves the slugger on track to become a free agent after the World Series. Unable to agree to a long-term deal in talks that...
First Call: Contract terms reported for new Steeler Larry Ogunjobi; update on Deshaun Watson situation in Cleveland
Friday’s “First Call” looks at Larry Ogunjobi’s contract. We honor the passing of an NFL Hall of Famer. Jameson Taillon may be losing a little mojo in New York. And we have the latest news on the Deshaun Watson front in Cleveland. Learning about Larry’s money Terms of Larry Ogunjobi’s...
First Call: Dan Marino honors Tony Siragusa; Andrew McCutchen’s big night; Pirates position player’s outing on the mound
Thursday’s “First Call” shares memories of former Pitt Panther Tony Siragusa. A Pirates position player has an interesting experience on the mound. Andrew McCutchen has a big night in Milwaukee. And we check in on a few former Pirates who had up-and-down starts with their new teams. Brutal day in...
MLB standardizing procedures for rubbing baseballs, removal from humidorsVideo
NEW YORK — Major League Baseball is standardizing procedures for rubbing baseballs and their removal from humidors in an effort to establish more consistency amid complaints about slickness that followed the crackdown on sticky substances. MLB has been working on standards over the course of the season in response to...
First Call: Rashard Mendenhall insists he shouldn’t be blamed for Super Bowl fumble; stats behind Jack Suwinski’s big day
A former Pittsburgh Steeler is opening himself up for criticism. An ex-NFL linebacker has an odd opinion about Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Monday’s Major League Baseball schedule could be tough for some MLB hitters. And a few deep-dive stats made Jack Suwinski’s big day at PNC Park even more...
Norwin grad JJ Matijevic homers for 1st MLB hit
JJ Matijevic’s first major-league hit was a home run. Because of course it was. The Houston Astros rookie power hitter, called up for the second time this season, launched a solo homer into the Crawford Boxes in left field at Minute Maid Park on Sunday night in Houston for his...
Brewers DFA two-time All-Star OF Lorenzo CainVideo
CINCINNATI — On the same date that he reached 10 years of major-league service, the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday designated for assignment two-time All-Star outfielder Lorenzo Cain. Cain, 36, hit .179 with one home run and nine RBIs over 43 games this season. “It just got to a point where...
Angels’ Anthony Rendon to have wrist surgery, miss rest of seasonVideo
SEATTLE — Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon will undergo surgery for a right wrist injury and miss the rest of the season, the team announced Friday. Rendon aggravated a previous injury to the wrist during Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers and has not played since. Rendon...
Norwin alum JJ Matijevic recalled to majors with Houston Astros
Things are looking up again for JJ Matijevic. The power hitter was promoted to the Houston Astros for the second time this season from Triple-A Sugar Land. The Astros’ No. 30-ranked prospect out of Norwin has hit 12 home runs and driven in 35 runs this season. The first baseman...
Orioles CEO insists team won’t leave Baltimore
BALTIMORE — Orioles CEO John Angelos said Monday the team will remain in Baltimore — and that he and his parents have never contemplated otherwise. Angelos’ comments — released by the team — came days after he was sued by his brother Lou Angelos. Lou claimed in last week’s lawsuit...
Mic’d up during ESPN Sunday night MLB games draws rave reviews
MLB has taken its fair share of criticism for changes trying to get younger fans interested in the game, but there has been one this season that has generated rave reviews. MLB expanded letting players being mic’d up and interviewed during games after doing it on a limited basis from...
First Call: Steelers praise (and omissions) in all-time defensive player list; Ravens may add pass rusher; Gerrit Cole gets rocked
Friday’s “First Call” raises some Pittsburgh Steelers-related questions about an all-time NFL list. The Baltimore Ravens may be adding a familiar name. Celebrating Dave Parker’s birthday. And Gerrit Cole has a rough night for the Yankees. Someone missing? Earlier this week, CBS Sports.com posted a ranking of the top-10 NFL...
