Spring games begin with fans, new faces, moment for Mancini
AdJazz Chisholm of the Marlins and Adam Haseley of the Phillies did even better — they led off games with home runs. Mancini took off his helmet to acknowledge a standing ovation that included the fans, the Orioles and the Pirates. Marco Gonzales made his first spring start for Seattle, allowing two hits and an unearned run in two innings. Center fielder Trent Grisham, coming off his first Gold Glove last season, doubled and scored a run for San Diego. Top prospect Jeter Downs had a two-run home run and RBI single, while Michael Chavis hit a solo shot.
Black MLB players, executives strive to diversify baseball
But today's Black baseball stars? "And I'm like, ‘You know, there are Black baseball players.’ They talk about Black basketball players as well. AdMarketing the game's best Black players was one of many topics discussed by a five-person panel of current MLB players, executives and coaches. “But obviously I didn't really care because I loved it.”AdThe number of Black players in MLB has been dwindling for years, hovering around 8% of the league in recent seasons. Brinson said that's one reason he's proud to be in the The Players Alliance, which is a group of more than 100 Black current and former professional baseball players.
Back to the Finals: Heat oust Celtics, move to title series
The Heat are going to the NBA Finals — surprising many, perhaps, but not themselves. Extremely well-coached and well-put together and we are just honored to be a part of that type of series in the conference finals, and then we get an opportunity for the next stage. The Heat won the series 4-2 — and now, waiting on that next stage to decide the NBA title, are LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics scored 10 of the first 12 points of the fourth, going up 96-90. Heat: The Heat are now guaranteed no less than $4,399,686 for their playoff share, and that number would rise to $5,791,041 if they win the title.
Mattingly's Marlins could clinch berth at Yankee Stadium
Now Mattingly is enjoying perhaps his best year as a manager, and his surprising Miami Marlins could be playoff-bound for the first time since 2003. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)MIAMI – Don Mattingly returns this weekend to Yankee Stadium, where his best years as a player always ended when the regular season did. But the Marlins still control their own destiny, and will head to New York for a three-game series hoping to clinch their first postseason berth since 2003. In Miami, Mattingly quickly embraced Jeter's rebuilding plan, which required short-term pain while a moribund farm system was fortified. He knows how hard it is.”It's so hard that even at Yankee Stadium, celebrating a playoff berth is something special.
Braves set franchise record for runs, hammer Marlins 29-9
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)ATLANTA Adam Duvall drove in nine runs with three homers, including a grand slam, and the Atlanta Braves obliterated their franchise scoring record in a 29-9 romp over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night. The Braves had 23 hits, including seven homers, to score the most runs in their history in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta. The old Atlanta record was 20 runs, most recently against the Marlins on Oct. 5, 2001. Freeman hit second, d'Arnaud hit fourth and Albies hit eighth. Marlins second baseman Isan Daz was optioned to the teams alternate training site in Jupiter, Florida.
Mets, Marlins walk off field in social injustice protest
Miami Marlins center fielder Lewis Brinson walks away from home plate after placing a Black Lives Matter T-shirt on home plate as his teammates and the New York Mets walk off the field Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in New York. The Mets and Marlins jointly walked off the field after a moment of silence as they chose not to start their scheduled baseball game Thursday night. After other games around baseball were postponed to protest social injustice, the Mets were late to take the field Thursday and never submitted a lineup to the public or the umpires. I have said both publicly and privately that I respect those decisions and support the need to address social injustice. "We fully respect our players and the Marlins players decision to not play tonight and appreciate the sincerity of all those who wish to draw attention to social injustices and racial inequalities that must be addressed.
Marlins shut down Mets 4-0
(AP Photo/John Minchillo)NEW YORK Miguel Rojas two-run single capped a three-run second inning and four pitchers combined on an eight-hitter to lead the Miami Marlins past the New York Mets 4-0 on Tuesday night in the first game of a doubleheader. It was the Mets first game since a player and a coach tested positive for the coronavirus. The Marlins scored all their runs against Rick Porcello (1-4) with a pair of two-out rallies. The Mets didnt pitch deGrom Tuesday because he didnt get his usual between starts mound work in until Monday. Marlins: Elieser Hernandez (1-0, 2.29 ERA) is looking to win back-to-back starts for the first time as a big leaguer.
Marlins win virus-delayed home opener, beat Braves 8-2
Miami Marlins players Lewis Brinson (25) Magneuris Sierra, center, and Jon Berti celebrate after the Marlins beat the Atlanta Braves 8-2 in a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)MIAMI Jesus Aguilar drove in three runs, Jon Berti stole home and the NL East-leading Miami Marlins won their long-awaited, coronavirus-delayed home opener, beating the Atlanta Braves 8-2 Friday night. Miami returned to Marlins Park following a 23-day road trip, interrupted when 18 players and two coaches tested positive for the virus. The Braves will be without All-Star center fielder Ronald Acua Jr. in the series while he recovers from a sore left wrist. Marlins: LHP Daniel Castano (0-1, 8.31) will make his second major league start Saturday.
As MLB 60-game season draws near, careful optimism prevails
Several stars chose not to participate from the start, and rarely a day goes by without a positive COVID-19 test in one camp or another. But here we are, mere days from launching a season that's unique in almost every way. But Hyde remains hopeful that the season will start on time and go the distance. While there's reason for optimism, the stark truth is that COVID-19 is not going away. They still have a chance to play this season, manager Don Mattingly said.