Before the 1998 Home Run Derby became one of the most memorable in league history — and before it forever cemented Coors Field’s reputation as a launchpad — the game’s preeminent superstar had to change his mind. Ken Griffey Jr. didn’t want to compete, citing his desire for a day off. But a persuasion committee put together by league executives, […]

The Home Run Derby returns with a bang after being canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Per usual, the competition is wide open, and bettors are licking their chops at the odds on some of these power hitters. Shohei Ohtani is the only competitor who ranks in the top five among MLB’s home run leaders as of this […]

Don Mattingly will return to manage the Miami Marlins in 2022, general manager Kim Ng said Thursday. Ng revealed the decision during Bally Sports Florida’s telecast of Miami’s game Thursday afternoon against the Los Angeles Dodgers, saying the Marlins will exercise the mutual option on Mattingly’s contract for 2022. “We’ve exercised our portion [of the contract], and Donnie has said […]

“Big Jake” will be a big loss for this year’s All-Star Game. Jacob deGrom, two-time Cy Young winner and de facto best pitcher in Major League Baseball, won’t be pitching (or, more tragically, hitting) in this year’s All-Star Game, much to the chagrin of baseball fans everywhere. FAGAN: Breaking down Jacob deGrom’s a Hall of Fame case deGrom is putting together a […]

Manager Bud Black coined a term for what often lacks from the Rockies’ sputtering road offense. He calls it “the big blow.” Translation: Timely hitting that grows run production in bunches. The Rockies, predictably, failed to land those haymakers on Wednesday night in a 6-4 loss at the Arizona Diamondbacks. Red-hot catcher Elias Diaz once again homered, but Colorado finished […]

Covers MLB for ESPN.com Former deputy editor of Page 2 Been with ESPN.com since 1995 New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso, secret weapons in tow, is ready to defend the Home Run Derby crown he captured in 2019, but Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is the No. 1 seed in this year’s bracket. The eight-man Home Run Derby field […]

Jesse joined ESPN Chicago in September 2009 and covers MLB for ESPN.com. CHICAGO — Cubs righty Jake Arrieta pushed back Tuesday night on the notion that he might be done as an effective starter after lasting just 1 2/3 innings for the second consecutive outing in Chicago’s 15-10 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. “Not even close,” Arrieta said after the […]

Royals play-by-play announcer Ryan Lefebvre learned the hard way Monday night there is never a good time to eulogize someone during a live broadcast. He also learned that Reds third baseman Nick Castellanos has terrible timing when it comes to home runs. Lefebvre in the top of the seventh took time to memorialize George A. Gorman, a World War II veteran […]

Aroldis Chapman had a Fourth of July to forget Sunday, giving up a home run rocket and facing red glares as the losing pitcher in the first game of the Yankees-Mets doubleheader. The Yankees left-hander came on to close Sunday’s opener in the top of the seventh with his team holding a 5-4 lead. Three batters and 15 pitches later, […]

Covers MLB for ESPN.com Former deputy editor of Page 2 Been with ESPN.com since 1995 The All-Star Game rosters are out and the various bodies entrusted with selecting the 32-man rosters for each league – the fans, the players and the commissioner’s office – did a good job, matching on 52 of the selections from my personal picks. Source: Read […]