Forget Fenway Park — David Price and the Boston Red Sox are feeling every bit at home at the Flush Factory. And in Houston, George Springer and the Astros are just as likely to be talking Boogie Bombs as balls and strikes.

Bordered by the Cross Bronx Expressway to the north and East 161st Street to the south, Morrisania is comprised mostly of tenements and housing projects, a brick-laden landscape not exactly teeming with baseball diamonds. Just over a mile away, however, resides one of sports’ most successful franchises and one of the biggest influences in Alex Santos’ life.

NEW YORK (AP) — Derek Jeter returned to Yankee Stadium five years after his number 2 was retired and was honored for his induction to the Hall of Fame two years ago.<br><br>With his Hall plaque on a stand in front of the pitcher’s mound, Jeter spoke...

Jasson Dominguez has rocketed toward the top of baseball’s prospect rankings since signing as an international free agent in July 2019, a deal that featured a $5.1 million bonus courtesy of his favorite childhood team. The cardboard versions of the Yankees’ prized phenom have also catapulted up the sales charts at a record pace, causing a frenzied run on the handful of trading card sets that have featured the 18-year-old in the neophyte stage of his career.

Although it takes a significant number of people to stage the grand production that is a major league baseball game, what really matters ultimately gets decided between the white lines. From scoreboard technicians to peanut vendors, everyone plays their role from the time the umpire yells “play ball!” to when that all-important last out is made.

In part one of this series, we discussed the history of official scoring in New York City and flipped the pages of baseball’s rule book to Section 9.<br><br>Part two looks at how calls are appealed, formally and otherwise.

It’s not uncommon to see stars of stage and screen out at the ballpark rooting for their hometown teams or showing support for their favorite sluggers on social media. While Hollywood and hardball have always intertwined, it’s not every day you find a SAG member that wields a scorebook and possesses an intricate knowledge of sabermetrics.<br><br>Ellen Adair is that rare breed, an accomplished actor who’s appeared in some of TV’s biggest shows like Billions, Homeland, and The Sinner, yet can cite advan

Ellen Adair’s fandom goes well beyond cheering for her favorite players, as a passion for advanced analytics and how they’ve shaped the modern game have caused her to delve even further into how the Alex Bregmans and Bryce Harpers of the world are actually valued by front offices. She’s even been a co-host or guest on noted saber-centric podc

Right or wrong, subpar living conditions for minor league players have long been looked upon as an accepted part of life in professional baseball. Grinding it out at the lower levels has traditionally been considered a required rite of passage, sleeping on the floor while surviving on a diet of PB&J sandwiches all part of chasing the dream.

Serving your country is one of the most honorable paths a person can take, potentially sacrificing everything to protect others’ freedoms. When that service has reached its endpoint, however, the transition from military to civilian can be quite challenging.

The Riveras gathered in the bowels of Citi Field just before midnight on Wednesday, huddled together in a lounge reserved for players’ families. Accompanied by some close friends, their nervous energy was palpable even though the game had already ended.

Who says you can’t go home? Ex-NFL linebacker Doug Hogue is back in the city that raised him, hoping to impart what he’s learned along the way to a select group of student-athletes who suit up for one of Yonkers’ two high school football teams.

For these diverse clubs, the time spent in New York was about much more than just a berth in the 2017 WBC.<br><br>While advancing to South Korea was certainly one goal, advancing the sport in their respective nations is even more important in the long-term.

Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge sat side by side on the dais, together in public for the first time as Yankees teammates. Truly a big night in New York baseball.

In the end, Andrew Fox wasn't charged with an error. The 29-year-old had everything he needed to make one of life's biggest decisions on Tuesday night: the engagement ring, the perfect woman and a beautiful early autumn night at Yankee Stadium, which focused a camera on the couple and broadcast the big moment on the center field video board.

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Hicks was removed midgame after failing to catch consecutive drives to left that landed for run-scoring doubles in the fourth inning, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the New York Yankees 4-2 Friday night to close within 3 1/2 games in the AL East...

NEW YORK (AP) — Carlos Correa responded to booing Yankees fans with a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning, and the Minnesota Twins beat New York 4-3 on Thursday night to avoid a four-game sweep...

NEW YORK (AP) — The injury-riddled New York Yankees placed infielder DJ LeMahieu on the 10-day injured list Thursday with inflammation of his right second toe.<br><br>LeMahieu had been dealing with the injury for several weeks but managed to play through the discomfort...

NEW YORK (AP) — Mark Canha hit two clutch doubles and Pete Alonso singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the New York Mets a 7-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday night...

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge is turning walk-off home runs into a routine.<br><br>Judge hit his major league-leading 39th home run for his third walk-off long ball this season, lifting the New York Yankees over the Kansas City Royals 1-0 Thursday night...

NEW YORK (AP) — Taijuan Walker retired 18 in a row and pitched into the seventh inning, Francisco Lindor homered...

As was the case in many neighborhoods throughout New York City, the businesses around Yankee Stadium suffered devastating financial losses over the past year due to pandemic-related restrictions. What makes most of these storefronts, saloons and street vendors different, however, is their heavy dependence on the baseball fans that flood the area each time the Yankees play a home game.

NEW YORK (AP) — Andrew Benintendi wouldn’t say whether he will get vaccinated for COVID-19 now that he’s with the first-place New York Yankees rather than the last-place Kansas City Royals...

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees manager Aaron Boone packed two large suitcases Thursday and bid adieu to his family, not knowing when he’d see them again.<br><br>Right fielder Aaron Judge is packing, too, though he’s not a fan of Major League Baseball’s postseason arrangements.

NEW YORK (AP) -- Brett Gardner, DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit homered on consecutive pitches for the New York Yankees -- and that was just the start of the night's power surge.<br><br>By the time the Bombers' barrage was over, the Yankees had hit a record-setting 1.42 miles of home runs in a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. put Toronto ahead in the first inning with his 11th home run in the Bronx and Brandon Belt drove in four runs to lead the Blue Jays over the New York Yankees 6-1 Friday night.

NEW YORK (AP) — On another day of bad news for the banged-up Yankees, New York said left-hander James Paxton had a setback in his return from a strained left flexor tendon.

NEW YORK (AP) — Brandon Lowe homered for the fifth time in six games, Austin Meadows also connected and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL East-leading New York Yankees 6-3 Tuesday night.<br><br>The second-place Rays cut their deficit to 1 1/2 games in the opener of this three-game set. Tampa Bay has won four of five in the season series.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays two-way rookie Brendan McKay will have season-ending surgery on his left throwing shoulder Wednesday.<br><br>The 24-year-old McKay tested positive for the coronavirus in early July and missed most of the club’s preseason camp. He was cleared to resume activities July 31 and reported to the club’s alternate site, but then experienced stiffness in his pitching shoulder and was shut down last week.

NEW YORK (AP) — Injury fill-in Clint Frazier had three hits, including a home run, and scored twice in his season debut as the Yankees beat Atlanta 6-3 Wednesday night, sweeping a two-game set.

NEW YORK (AP) — Yankees star Aaron Judge was out of the lineup Wednesday night because of tightness in his lower body and it was uncertain whether the oft-injured slugger would return for the start of a weekend series against Boston.

Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson will remain on the injured list because of a strained right hamstring after feeling discomfort during a minor league rehabilitation assignment.

James Paxton was on turn to start against the Phillies Monday night in his club’s final Summer Camp exhibition. The big left-hander threw a simulated game instead, a decision driven solely by the unique schedule ahead.

If it ends up taking place, there will be nothing normal about the 2020 baseball season. With a 60-game schedule featuring restrictive travel, a plethora of new rules intended to keep everyone safe amid a pandemic and the strong chance that the entire thing will be played without fans in the seats, trying to predict outcomes or award winners may be a fruitless exercise.

Living in times of a pandemic has forced us all to rethink what normal is, making adjustments to our daily lives in an effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and to keep ourselves and those around us safe. For athletes who are typically in season this time of year, figuring out what to do next can prove daunting.

As we all come to grips with the new reality that is social distancing, newfound limitations have already bred creative ways to stay connected as a group while also helping to pass the time, the latter which seems like some kind of foreign concept at the moment. By the way, what day is it?

Minor league baseball players have historically had to deal with substandard living conditions, a dilemma often looked upon as a type of initiation rite for those battling to reach the majors. Sleeping in cramped quarters and surviving on cheap, unhealthy food was just considered par for the course.

Former Yankees captain Derek Jeter was elected to the Hall of Fame Tuesday evening, falling one vote short of becoming the second-ever unanimous selection and the second in two years after ex-teammate Mariano Rivera made a clean sweep of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballots in 2019.

January tends to be baseball’s slowest month. The Winter Meetings are over, the holidays have passed us by, and players and club personnel are quietly gearing up for spring training.<br><br>Sure, there are still free agents to be signed and potential trades to be made, but for the most part it’s a time where headline stories are few and far between. Not this year, thanks to a series of shocking events that commenced on a Monday so manic it would have rendered Susanna Hoffs speechless.

The Rays' season ended in disappointment, but they have an admirable foundation on which to build for next season.

Phil Hughes is no stranger to performing in front of a captive audience. The right-hander plied his craft before stadium crowds hundreds of times over a 12-year career in the big leagues.<br><br>A former All-Star and World Series champion, the 33-year-old has transitioned from breaking bats and ripping off fastballs to breaking cases and ripping packs.

NEW YORK (AP) — This is the next stop on Dellin Betances’ subway ride around New York.<br><br>After spending his first eight seasons in the majors with the crosstown Yankees, the New Yorker joined the club on a one-year contract with a player option for 2021

My guest appearance on The Dave Smith Show on SB Nation Radio following ALCS Game 6, previewing the upcoming World Series matchup between Houston and Washington.

Many fans were still settling into their seats on a picture-perfect Tuesday afternoon when Jose Altuve crushed Yankees right-hander Luis Severino’s third pitch of the game into the Houston bullpen. It was Altuve’s first home run in the ALCS and fourth this October, adding to an already-impressive playoff ledger and quickly quieting the crowd en route to a 4-1 victory that gave his club a two-games-to-one series lead.

Former Yankees left-hander Andy Pettitte threw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to ALCS Game 3 Tuesday, receiving a warm ovation on the same field where he had some special moments a decade ago.<br><br>A constant force on the October stage over an 18-year career, the crafty southpaw was a tried-and-true stopper that seemed to hurl a gem each time New York desperately needed a playoff victory. With the brim of his cap pulled down low and his glove shielding everything but a steely-eyed stare, Petti

NEW YORK (AP) — Houston Astros right fielder Josh Reddick called out Yankees fans for tossing water bottles, baseballs and other objects on the field during New York’s 4-1 loss in the AL Championship Series on Tuesday night.

With Cy Young Award favorites Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole on deck, getting off to a good start in the ALCS was crucial for the Yankees if they hope to reach their first World Series in a decade. They did just that on Saturday night by taking a pivotal Game 1 on the road behind another masterful performance from Masahiro Tanaka and the bullpen, collectively blanking the Astros 7-0.

While the rest of baseball’s remaining postseason participants have been thrust into the pressure-cooker scenario of playing winner-take-all games, Aaron Boone’s Yankees are making the most of some downtime while waiting to see which club will stand between them and their first World Series appearance in a decade.

The Twins were brimming with positivity heading into Saturday evening’s tilt at Yankee Stadium. Sure, they had dropped the ALDS opener less than 24 hours earlier but were a confident group, fresh off 101 wins and their first division title since 2010.<br><br>Minnesota had won upwards of a hundred games just once before, back in 1965 with a roster that featured Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew and AL batting champion Tony Oliva along with Jim Kaat and Mudcat Grant atop the rotation.<br><br>Juiced ball or not,

In order to reach their first World Series in a decade, the New York Yankees will likely need to rely heavily on their vaunted bullpen. If the first two games of the Division Series are any indicator, manager Aaron Boone plans to be aggressive with his relievers no matter how effective his starters are or how lopsided the score might be.

When it comes to baseball’s postseason, reminiscing on previous October matchups is a time-honored tradition. After all, these tense games played on the biggest of stages are a key part of the sport’s rich history, and ignoring the past can often prove perilous when trying to predict the future.<br><br>In the case of this year’s ALDS showdown between the Twins and Yankees, however, that’s exactly what we should do. All of us. Forget what happened between these two teams prior to this moment. Throw it

NEW YORK (AP) — New nameplates greeted Yankees players in their clubhouse ahead of the Division Series against Minnesota: “OCTOBER SAVAGES” is spelled out under each number, a reference to manager Aaron Boone’s famous tirade at an umpire in July.

My guest appearance on SB Nation Radio, previewing the 2019 MLB postseason.

A number of contenders got key pieces back from the injured list just in time for the playoffs.

There’s a lot at stake entering the final week of the MLB regular season, with several postseason spots still up for grabs and home field advantage in October yet to be decided in some cases. Adding to the intrigue are head-to-head matchups among teams still battling it out for a wild-card berth or preferable positioning, as well as playoff contenders hoping for encouraging performances from players returning from injury.

A tumultuous 2019 is in the books for the Red Sox, giving way to an uncertain 2020.

With the minor league season coming to a close, prospect fans can now turn their attention out west where the Arizona Fall League kicks off its 2019 schedule Wednesday night.

One ranks among the league leaders in batting average and the other has the most home runs in baseball. The Mets’ 1-2 punch of Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso were no match for Arizona right-hander Zac Gallen Tuesday night at Citi Field, however, striking out a combined six times against the rookie hurler.

The Twins lost Michael Pineda to suspension while right in the thick of a pennant race.

CC Sabathia made what could be his final start at Yankee Stadium Wednesday night, receiving a rousing ovation from fans, teammates and even those in the opposing dugout after exiting in the third inning. The 39-year-old has decided to retire, and his next and final scheduled turn in the regular season will be on the road.<br><br>Sabathia signed with New York in December of 2008, agreeing to a seven-year, $161 million deal that contained an opt-out after the 2011 season. Rather than leave the Big Apple

The Yankees find themselves in a very comfortable position as we approach the midpoint of August. With roughly six-and-a-half weeks to go, New York has won 13 of 15 and led the AL East by nine games entering Wednesday despite suffering a season-long rash of injuries resulting in more than two dozen players spending time on the IL.

Edwin Jackson found a new old team, the Yankees suffered some more injuries, Blake Swihart was jettisoned, and more in our look at all the recent moves around baseball.

It may be early August, but Friday’s matchup between the Nationals and Mets felt like a playoff game. From the frenzied fans chanting and waving t-shirts in unison to the heightened emotions on the diamond and in the dugouts, Citi Field was electric.<br><br>The energy was infectious, starting with newly acquired Marcus Stroman hurling a first-pitch strike to Trea Turner and ending almost three-and-a-half hours later with a raucous celebration in the outfield grass, one made possible by a four-run nint

The Mets are on quite a tear since the All-Star break, steamrolling opponents and putting themselves in serious contention for a playoff berth in what was considered to be a lost season just a few short weeks ago. New York (59-56) is a major league-best 19-6 in the second half and enters Thursday's action only a half-game back of the NL's second wild-card spot, not bad for a club that was 11 games under .500 as recently as July 12.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are convinced their earlier struggles have made them stronger for the stretch.<br><br>Michael Conforto homered twice, Pete Alonso and Jeff McNeil hit two-run shots and surging New York beat the Miami Marlins 7-2 Wednesday to complete a four-game sweep.

There’s still plenty of baseball left to be played and the leaderboards may look a lot different at the end of September, but as of today both batting champions could end up representing New York teams. Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu, who already captured a batting title with Colorado in 2016, sits atop the AL with a .332 average while Mets’ jack-of-all-trades Jeff McNeil is hitting .331 and trails reigning NL MVP Christian Yelich by two points.

As the clock ticked closer to 4 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday it was starting to look as if the new unified MLB trade deadline was going to be a bust, with mostly minor moves slowly trickling in and the anticipation of the long-awaited day morphing into frustration for baseball fans on social media and analysts trying to fill airtime on radio and TV.

Throughout his 20s, Troy Tulowitzki was one of the game’s elite players. A slick-fielding shortstop who hit for average and also had plenty of pop, the California native was on a Hall of Fame trajectory before nagging injuries derailed what still amounted to an impressive career. The 34-year-old announced his retirement last week, hanging up the spikes after playing in parts of 13 seasons.<br><br>Viewed by many as a five-tool player with sky-high potential, the man known as “Tulo” was drafted seventh

The Padres have a future as bright as the Gaslamp Quarter, with a farm system so deep that promoting phenoms Fernando Tatis Jr. and Chris Paddack barely made a dent in the system's overall ranking. Projected to be a legitimate contender in 2020 or shortly thereafter, the big league team is ahead of schedule and has played well enough in spurts this year to sit within striking distance of a wild-card berth as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.

The Angels (52-49 entering Monday) have played inspired ball of late, putting themselves in the discussion for a wild-card spot (five and a half games back) after a 10-6 run that came on the heels of a tragic loss. Tyler Skaggs died of unknown causes on July 1, a crushing blow to a tight-knit group that held the left-hander in high regard.

NEW YORK (AP) — Many players use the All-Star break as a time to rest. Yankees starter Domingo Germán spent most of his time preparing for his next start.

Former Yankees hurler Mariano Rivera will take his rightful place alongside baseball’s all-time greats next weekend in Cooperstown, the culmination of a journey that began with a cardboard glove on the makeshift diamonds of a tiny fishing village in Panama.

When the Yankees fly to Florida following Wednesday night’s series finale against the crosstown Mets, a familiar face will be absent from the team charter. Longtime radio play-by-play man John Sterling is taking a break from his duties, something the veteran broadcaster hasn’t done in almost thirty years.<br><br>Sterling has called over five thousand consecutive regular and postseason games for New York, a stretch that will come to an end on his 81st birthday as the club opens a four-game set against

When manager Liam Carroll first brought his Great Britain squad to Brooklyn for the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in late 2016, he knew gaining entry into the springtime tournament would be an uphill battle. Although Team GB had talented players that included shortstop Jazz Chisholm (#1 prospect in the Diamondbacks system coming into 2019) as well as now-Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman on the coaching staff, they’d be facing some stiff competition.

Moving to a new home is almost always a stressful experience, uprooting your life and all of your possessions not really anyone’s idea of a good time. Imagine doing that and then being expected to succeed against world-class athletes right out of the gate. This describes the situation for many big leaguers who are traded or sign with a new team during the offseason, a transition that doesn’t always start out smoothly.

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge is all set to swing back into action for the New York Yankees.<br><br>The slugger is expected to be activated from the injured list Friday night to play against Houston, his first game since straining his left oblique on a swing April 20.

NEW YORK (AP) — Cameron Maybin realizes his time in pinstripes may be running out.<br><br>As Aaron Judge nears his return from the injured list, Maybin is making it difficult for the Yankees to think about cutting ties.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 file photo, Hal Steinbrenner, principal owner, managing general partner and co-chairman of the New York Yankees, talks with reporters at the annual MLB baseball general managers' meetings in Orlando, Fla. Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner would consider boosting payroll above the third luxury tax level in an effort to help New York win its first World Series in a decade, Wednesday, June 19, 2019. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)<br><br>FILE - In this Wednesday, Nov. 15,

After signing him to a one-year deal in the offseason, the Angels have had enough of former elite reliever Cody Allen.

In the mid-1990s, when it was still known as AuctionWeb, eBay served as a virtual swap meet for enterprising individuals looking to buy and sell a wide variety of items. The site eventually grew into something much bigger than its founders envisioned, facilitating transactions on a grand scale and currently serving 180 million active buyers worldwide.<br><br>eBay also became a go-to source for collectibles, with more than $500 million worth of Beanie Babies sold in 1997. While that stuffed animal craz

The most accomplished free agent reliever available this past winter and the only big-name bullpen arm still on the market as baseball’s regular season commenced finally found a home on Wednesday night, as Craig Kimbrel reached a three-year, $43 million pact with the Chicago Cubs.

The New York Mets selected Lake Travis High School standout Brett Baty with the 12th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, a player many analysts pegged as the best prep bat available. When asked if there were any big leaguers he modeled himself after or compares himself to, the Texas native pulled out the big guns by naming the reigning National League Most Valuable Player and a former NL MVP.

A select group of ballplayers will hear their names called on Monday night as the 2019 MLB Draft kicks off at MLB Network’s studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, a life-changing moment for each one good enough to make the cut.

NEW YORK (AP) — Lorenzo Cain is building quite a collection of spectacular plays in center field.<br><br>This one, he said, was particularly good.

Those Yankee fans among the staff at New York Presbyterian have had a wealth of autograph opportunities over the past few weeks, as members of their beloved Bombers have visited the hospital more often than the 1-800-Flowers delivery truck. ($)

It’s been quite a free fall for the young southpaw, from receiving 23 percent of the NL Cy Young Award vote last year to suiting up with the Isotopes to start the month of June. Freeland’s sophomore year in the bigs was excellent, finishing 17-7 with a 2.85 ERA, 3.89 DRA and 3.3 WARP in 33 starts.

The headache wasn’t supposed to last this long, and a bacon cheeseburger with a Pedialyte chaser can’t remedy this brand of hangover. Coming off what was arguably the best season in franchise history featuring 108 regular season wins and their fourth World Series title in 15 years, the Red Sox took a conservative approach to spring training with the understanding that it might take the pitchers in particular a little longer to hit their stride come April. They didn’t expect things to be this bad

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1969 New York Mets, a worst-to-first club that shocked baseball by defeating the dangerous Baltimore Orioles in just five games to capture the franchise’s first World Series title. The man at the helm was already a legendary New York sports figure from his playing days with the Brooklyn Dodgers, but the late Gil Hodges further cemented that status by guiding the Amazins to the promised land in their eighth season in the league.<br><br>A master tactician with

NEW YORK (AP) — Starting for the third time in his club’s first eight games, Washington ace Max Scherzer earned his first win in the least effective outing of the three.

Manager Aaron Boone sees even more motivation in this year’s New York Yankees. “They’ve had a couple of really good teams here that have been close, and the disappointment of an ending when you feel like you have a team capable of greatness I think does add a log to the fire."

The deck was shuffled quite a bit this winter, and the big league landscape looks much different than it did when Chris Sale punched out Manny Machado for the final out of the World Series back in October. With a lot of new faces in new places as well as old stalwarts returning to familiar stomping grounds, speculation on who will end up on top this season varies greatly depending on who you ask.

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees third baseman Miguel Andujar was expected to make a decision soon on fixing his injured right shoulder, a plan that could involve missing the rest of the season.

With Bryce Harper and Manny Machado reportedly seeking deals in the eight to ten-year range, much of the discussion around baseball in recent weeks has centered around how long is too long when it comes to free agent contracts. Although things have picked up a bit of late, the market as a whole continues to move at a snail's pace while the world waits to see where these two megastars will sign.

The Yankees inked right-hander Adam Ottavino to a three-year, $27 million deal last week, adding a key component to what appears on paper to be one of the deepest bullpens ever assembled. For the second year in a row, New York looks poised to dominate the late innings with a group known for high strikeout rates and putting zeros on the board.

The lion's share of the off-season news cycle has been dominated by two of the top three picks in MLB's 2010 first-year player draft, with the duo inking deals worth a combined $630 million in the past two-and-a-half weeks. Bryce Harper and Manny Machado were the first and third picks that year, with Pirates right-hander Jameson Taillon sandwiched in between.

As the Nationals look to rebound from a disappointing 82-80 campaign and prepare for their first season without Bryce Harper since 2011, Dave Martinez's club has plenty to be optimistic about.

Bryce Harper agreed to a 13-year, $330 million deal with Philadelphia on Thursday, putting an end to one of the most high-profile free agent courtships in recent memory and sending shockwaves throughout the National League East. The addition of the former MVP on what becomes the largest contract in MLB history caused a seismic shift in the division's power structure, instantly vaulting the team towards the head of the pack in the eyes of many prognosticators, pundits and press box wags.

Everything changes over time, even baseball. It’s no surprise that the role of the starting pitcher has morphed during the past two dozen years. From stricter pitch counts and heavier reliance on bullpens for strikeout purposes to dramatic changes in strategy like bullpen games, openers, and piggyback starts, starters must be more flexible and adaptable than ever. Considering the intense physical and mental exertion that goes into a game for a starting pitcher, some hurlers have famously fastidious pre-game routines that help them align mind and body for the arduous task ahead.

There is no shortage of popular baseball-centric accounts on social media, many which have created their own niche and serve a specific purpose. Whether it be sharing the latest trade rumors or posting player-related memes, it's often a single person or a small team behind many of these heavily-followed handles.

Hall of Famer John Smoltz and Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona joined golf standout Marina Alex on Thursday to preview the start of the 2019 LPGA Tour season, discussing a number of topics that included Cooperstown as well as Mets manager Mickey Callaway. The trio will compete for a $1.2 million purse at the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.

With Manny Machado now in Padres camp with his record-breaking 10-year, $300 million contract in tow, the baseball world impatiently waits for the other shoe to drop. Bryce Harper’s most likely suitors remain the Phillies, Giants and Padres, and although a return to the nation’s capital seems far-fetched, Nationals owner Mark Lerner did tell NBC Sports Washington on Friday that the "door's cracked a little bit" for a potential reunion.

In inking veteran reliever Andrew Miller to a two-year deal, the Cardinals are banking on a return to form for the once-dominant southpaw who spent significant time on the shelf last season.

Forget Fenway Park — David Price and the Boston Red Sox are feeling every bit at home at the Flush Factory. And in Houston, George Springer and the Astros are just as likely to be talking Boogie Bombs as balls and strikes.<br><br>Why is Xander Bogaerts making an L with his fingers and dancing on second base? Who's the Ninja on Phil Hughes' Twitter feed? What's with Derek Fisher and llamas?

A generational talent like Bryce Harper is one that any franchise would hate to see walk away, especially at the ripe young age of 26. The Nationals were no exception, reportedly offering their first overall pick in the 2010 draft a 10-year, $300 million offer late last season. Harper rejected the proposal and opted for free agency, where he remains unsigned in what has been a historically tepid offseason.

Now that megastar Manny Machado has chosen his new baseball home for what could be the next decade, let's take a look at how the 26-year-old has fared at Petco Park and more importantly against the National League West's cadre of pitchers, many of which he'll be facing on a regular basis come April.

The Yankees added another marquee arm to an already stacked bullpen, bringing coveted free agent Adam Ottavino into the fold. A New York City native and childhood Yankees fan who once told a Triple-A coach that he’d “strike Babe Ruth out every time” (h/t Mike Petriello and MLB.com’s Statcast Podcast), the right-hander matched a career-high with 75 appearances last season, fanning a whopping 112 batters in 77 2/3 innings.

Stepping into the shoes of a legend is never easy, especially for one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. Public address announcer Paul Olden did just that, taking over for one of baseball's most revered voices as the Yankees opened their new $2.3 billion ballpark back in 2009.

Debating which players should be enshrined in Cooperstown is a practice almost as old as the Hall of Fame itself, one that invokes passionate discussion within the baseball community. Those lucky enough to be chosen become immortalized among the best to ever grace a big league diamond, the highest honor the game offers.

Raised in the Boston suburb of Brookline, former Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein's dream since a young age was to work for his hometown team. He not only lived out that fantasy, but throughout New England will forever be known as the man responsible for constructing a club that ended the franchise's 86-year championship drought, a once seemingly endless stretch of futility that spanned several generations of Bostonians.

Kevin Cash's club had their work cut out for them entering the 2018 season, attempting to compete in a powerhouse-laden American League with baseball's lowest payroll and a roster seemingly void of enough impact players to hang with the big boys over a six-month stretch. The face of the franchise in Evan Longoria had been shipped out west, and no one was quite sure what to expect from a group that had won a respectable 80 games the year prior but whose clubhouse was now occupied by a large conti

David Price's October struggles are a topic that's followed him around for the better part of a decade, often overshadowing what has been a successful career. Effective out of the bullpen during Tampa Bay's pennant-winning playoff run in 2008, the 33-year-old's trouble on the big stage has come mostly as a starter, something he's been paid a lot of money to do.

When managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner mandated that the Yankees get under the $197M luxury tax threshold for the first time since the system was introduced in 2003, many speculated it was with an eye on an enticing 2018-19 free agent class that includes megastars Bryce Harper and Manny Machado.

The Yankees made the first big splash in what should be a very active off-season on Monday, acquiring left-hander James Paxton from Seattle in exchange for a trio of prospects that included highly-touted southpaw Justus Sheffield.

As he crouched in the on-deck circle, David Wright felt more nervous than he had in his entire career.<br><br>After all that rehab work, all those months and years spent waiting for this moment, the New York Mets’ captain finally made it back into a major league game Friday night.

Hal Steinbrenner says his New York Yankees may need a starting pitching upgrade if they're going to reach their first World Series since 2009.<br><br>Steinbrenner, the Yankees managing general partner, said Wednesday the club will explore the trade market for an arm, especially considering the recent loss of left-hander Jordan Montgomery, who had season-ending Tommy John surgery on June 7.

For the second time in a week, the Yankees have re-upped with a key veteran leader as they prepare to make another run at their first title since 2009. New York has reached a one-year, $8 million agreement with left-hander CC Sabathia, as first reported by the New York Post's Joel Sherman and later confirmed by multiple sources. The deal is pending a physical.

The Arizona Fall League has been a breeding ground for some of baseball's most prized prospects since its inaugural 1992 season, a showcase that plays out for approximately six weeks in half a dozen Phoenix-area stadiums each year. Every August it's decided who will play in the AFL, with six minor leaguers from each organization making the initial cut.

Pitted head-to-head in a World Series showdown between two of baseball’s most high-profile clubs, former teammates and longtime pals Alex Cora and Dave Roberts are prepared to put camaraderie aside once the first pitch is thrown Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

Oakland Athletics rookie Dustin Fowler once was a rising star in the Yankees' system, set to join a promising crop of Baby Bombers in the Bronx for years to come.

These guys never give up. This team never quits. We just keep grinding until we get a good pitch to hit. We're just trying to take it one at-bat at a time. These tired baseball cliches are so overused that they tend to go in one ear and right out the other, just patter from postgame press conferences and clubhouse scrums.

New York Mets captain David Wright will return for the team's final homestand, making what will probably be his last appearance as a big leaguer.

It took a while, but 9-month-old Steel McCutchen seemed fine with Dad's new look. Andrew McCutchen liked his fit with the New York Yankees, too.

The Yankees have brought back their longest-tenured active player, signing outfielder Brett Gardner to a $7.5 million, one-year deal on Wednesday after declining the $12.5 million club option from his previous contract. Choosing to forego that option resulted in a $2 million buyout, meaning that the 35-year-old will actually be making $9.5 million to don the pinstripes next season.

Former All-Star center fielder Lenny Dykstra pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that include cocaine and methamphetamine possession, along with making terroristic threats.

Dee Gordon and the grieving Marlins beat the Mets 7-3 on Monday night in Miami, taking the field for the first time since the untimely death of ace Jose Fernandez.

Comedian Jim Breuer may be best known for playing a stoner icon in the cult classic “Half Baked” or for his role as Goat Boy on “Saturday Night Live,” but among New York Mets fans he’s just as recognizable as one of the most vociferous members of the Flushing faithful.

Now that he's no longer an active player, maybe Ichiro Suzuki wants to start swinging for the fences. How about at next month's Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities in Washington?

The New York Yankees will play 2. In a tribute that's been building since he stepped away from the dirt he roamed at shortstop, Derek Jeter was set to have his No. 2 jersey retired at packed Yankee Stadium on Sunday night.

Newly acquired Yankees left-hander J.A. Happ was diagnosed Tuesday with hand, foot and mouth disease, the second pitcher on a New York team to be recently affected by the illness.

A day after CC Sabathia sounded off on a Boston bunt, small ball was still causing a big back-and-forth between the New York Yankees and Red Sox.

Expectations have been sky high for Giancarlo Stanton since he was acquired from Miami last offseason. In front of a sellout crowd Wednesday night at Yankee Stadium, the 6-foot-6 slugger had his first huge moment in pinstripes.

When the Yankees acquired towering slugger Giancarlo Stanton from Miami in December, visions of the reigning National League MVP teaming up with fellow behemoth Aaron Judge in a power-packed lineup led to some lofty expectations in New York. A first-round playoff exit against Boston wasn't one of them.

On the day that Mets captain David Wright announced he'll return to play his last big league game during New York's final homestand, Todd Frazier did his fellow third baseman proud.

As an early April snowstorm hit New York City on Monday morning, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Pat Neshek found a fun way to pass the time.<br><br>Opening packs of baseball cards, the avid collector unwrapped a rare gem and shared the news on Twitter.

The surging New York Yankees appear to have help on the way. All-Star slugger Aaron Judge participated in baserunning and fielding drills for about a half hour Monday at Yankee Stadium under the watchful eye of team staff, and Gary Sanchez and Didi Gregorius also made progress in their recoveries from injuries for New York, which is a season-best 36 games over .500.

Phillies prospect Enyel De Los Santos was slated to be the International League's starting pitcher in the Triple-A All-Star Game on Wednesday. Instead, he joined the big club and made the most of an unexpected opportunity.

Tampa Bay's Blake Snell and Wilson Ramos are hoping they both get selected to the American League All-Star team. Saturday afternoon's performance at Citi Field may have strengthened the batterymates' chances.

Gleyber Torres came through for the Yankees on a day they welcomed newcomers Andrew McCutchen and Adeiny Hechavarria to the Bronx and got slugging catcher Gary Sanchez back from the disabled list.

Adam Jones chose to stay with the Baltimore Orioles, using his contractual right to block a trade from a team dealing veterans and going into a rebuilding mode.

Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray knows how fortunate he was to be pitching on Thursday. His club knows how lucky they were, too.

The Cubs practiced a risky baserunning play during spring training, one that requires optimal conditions to execute successfully. That situation presented itself in the seventh inning Sunday, and manager Joe Maddon's club didn't hesitate to act.

A day after hanging out at Sonny Gray's house and catching up with his buddy, Kendall Graveman faced him at Yankee Stadium. Khris Davis, Matt Chapman, Jed Lowrie and Matt Joyce all homered and the Oakland Athletics beat the Yankees 10-5 Friday night, leaving New York with back to back losses for the first time in more than a month.

The Mets (53-62) make the short trek into the Bronx on Monday to face their crosstown rivals in this year’s edition of the unofficial Subway Series, at a time where both clubs are playing for very different stakes.

Rookie T.J. Rivera hit his first major league home run in the 10th inning to lead the Mets to a dramatic 4-3 victory in the nation’s capital on Tuesday night.

Five pitchers combined on a four-hitter and were backed by three long home runs as Israel defeated Great Britain 9-1 on Sunday in the deciding game of the final qualifier for the 2017 World Baseball Classic at MCU Park.

The Chicago White Sox are more concerned with building confidence for next season than this year's results. Playing fundamentally sound, winning baseball against the major league's second-best team is a good place to start.

Less than three months ago, Boston starter Doug Fister was standing on a minor league mound with an uncertain future. On Friday night, he hurled a gem against his club's closest competitor in the middle of a pennant race.

In a way, manager Joe Girardi figures, Aaron Judge and some of the young New York Yankees without any postseason experience already have gotten the feel of playoff pressure.

Mets captain David Wright is still hoping to return to the major leagues even after surgery Tuesday to fix the rotator cuff in his right shoulder, the latest obstacle in the 34-year-old's lengthy comeback attempt.

Jose Reyes was a big hit with fans in his return to New York. The longtime Mets star received a warm welcome from the crowd and played errorless defense at a new position Sunday in his first minor league game since rejoining the organization.

Several hours before Mets captain David Wright took his final at-bat as a big leaguer, thousands of well-wishers gathered outside Citi Field to prepare for what would be a memorable sendoff for their beloved third baseman.

Mets outfielder Michael Conforto dislocated his left shoulder Thursday, collapsing in pain after swinging at a pitch. The All-Star slugger was hurt in the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, yet another blow to a team beset by injuries all season and now out of contention.

Two words that have rapidly become part of the mainstream vernacular are bitcoin and blockchain, which are often used interchangeably even though they shouldn't be. While they are related in a sense, these terms refer to two very different things.

It can happen at any moment. You're going about your business when a snippet of music catches your ear. Maybe you've heard it before, maybe you haven't. But one thing's for certain: You have no idea who sings it or what the title is.

It's common knowledge that YouTube offers a bounty of relatively short videos, such as instructional tutorials and movie trailers to name a couple. What many people are not aware of is that the site also hosts full-length feature films. While a lot of your favorite titles require a fee to watch, you might be pleasantly surprised at what's available for free.

Embarking on the quest to learn a new language can be intimidating, so much in fact that many folks talk themselves out of the idea before they even get started. Being able to read, write and speak in a dialect other than your own is a skill that can pay dividends for the rest of your life, making it almost always a worthwhile endeavor.

The general public first became aware of blockchain technology with the inception of bitcoin. Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency, or cryptocurrency, allows people to send and receive funds to each other without the need for an intermediary such as a bank or payment processing company.

There are plenty of GPS-driven apps and software to choose from, including options that may have come pre-installed in your car's dashboard interface or on your mobile device like Google Maps and MapQuest.

Apple CarPlay takes the iPhone's most widely used features and places them on your car's built-in dashboard screen, making it easier to utilize the smartphone's functionality while maintaining your focus on driving. Available by default in some automobiles and installable as an aftermarket unit in others, CarPlay can be controlled by your voice or its touchscreen display as well as via the buttons, dials and knobs in your car or truck.

Monster Legends is a multiplayer RPG that can be played in your web browser through Facebook as well as via the game's native Android and iOS apps. While its basic gameplay is fairy simple, thanks to an in-game tour guide that can hold your hand each step of the way if you wish, Monster Legends offers more complex and challenging aspects as well.