General MLB News (2025)

[Lintyfresh85]

Brian Matusz has passed away at the age of 37

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Brian Matusz has passed away at the age of 37

wow. I remember him from the time with the Os. His 1st full year as a starter made him look like a pretty good talent and like he might live up to his draft slot. Eventually, he turned into a pretty good reliever. Kind of jaw dropping when you see a guy pass away who was drafted less than 20 years ago.

[blue911]

wow. I remember him from the time with the Os. His 1st full year as a starter made him look like a pretty good talent and like he might live up to his draft slot. Eventually, he turned into a pretty good reliever. Kind of jaw dropping when you see a guy pass away who was drafted less than 20 years ago.

Drafted one spot ahead of Posey

[English Natsie]

Justice handed down..

https://www.mlb.com/news/fans-who-interfered-with-mookie-betts-in-world-series-game-4-banned

[imref]

Umpire Pat Hoberg fired after a MLB investigation found that he allowed a friend to use his online gambling account to place bets, including on baseball. He also deleted messages to try and cover up the activity.

He called a perfect game in the 2022 WS (all strikes & balls correct) and according to ESPN, was considered the best ball and strike umpire in basball. He can apply for reinstatement at the start of Spring Training 2026.

So he gets fired, but Angel Hernandez and CB Buckner carry on...

[varoadking]

Umpire Pat Hoberg fired after a MLB investigation found that he allowed a friend to use his online gambling account to place bets, including on baseball. He also deleted messages to try and cover up the activity.

He called a perfect game in the 2022 WS (all strikes & balls correct) and according to ESPN, was considered the best ball and strike umpire in basball. He can apply for reinstatement at the start of Spring Training 2026.

So he gets fired, but Angel Hernandez and CB Buckner carry on...

He was suspended all of last year while the investigation was ongoing...

[imref]

He was suspended all of last year while the investigation was ongoing...

they should have had Hernandez do the investigation

[HalfSmokes]

Why did an umpire have an online gambling account?

[imref]

Why did an umpire have an online gambling account?

no rules against him gambling on other sports AFAIK.

[machpost]

Umpire Pat Hoberg fired after a MLB investigation found that he allowed a friend to use his online gambling account to place bets, including on baseball. He also deleted messages to try and cover up the activity.

He called a perfect game in the 2022 WS (all strikes & balls correct) and according to ESPN, was considered the best ball and strike umpire in basball. He can apply for reinstatement at the start of Spring Training 2026.

So he gets fired, but Angel Hernandez and CB Buckner carry on...

Fortunately for the world of baseball, Angel Hernandez has retired.

[imref]

Fortunately for the world of baseball, Angel Hernandez has retired.

i forgot about that. Hallelujah!

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I wonder what Joe West is doing these days...other than Golden Corral.

[varoadking]

I wonder what Joe West is doing these days...other than Golden Corral.

OMG...I just did a google search on him.  HE'S ACTUALLY YOUNGER THAN ME! 

[Natsinpwc]

OMG...I just did a google search on him.  HE'S ACTUALLY YOUNGER THAN ME! 

He’ll live a long time. Clearly been taking care of himself.

[varoadking]

He’ll live a long time. Clearly been taking care of himself.

Back in the day I was a a smoker and good bit heavier.  I had a co-worker that was younger than me who was a health/fitness geek.  I told him my goal in life was to live long enough to read his obituary...

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Shane MacGowan lived longer than Jim Fixx after all...

[varoadking]

Shane MacGowan lived longer than Jim Fixx after all...

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout! 

[imref]

Back in the day I was a a smoker and good bit heavier.  I had a co-worker that was younger than me who was a health/fitness geek.  I told him my goal in life was to live long enough to read his obituary...

the secret to a long life is to choose your parents wisely.

[English Natsie]

the secret to a long life is to choose your parents wisely.

I've always thought the secret to a long life is to keep breathing...

[varoadking]

I've always thought the secret to a long life is to keep breathing...

Not sure that exactly qualifies as a "secret."

Having a good great cardio-vascular surgeon should not be overlooked either...

[varoadking]

Mizuhara sentenced to 57 months in prison, and ordered to pay $17MM in restitution.  Yeah, like the restitution is gonna happen on an interpreters salary...

It's expected that he'll be deported...

[Edit - 2024 thread: https://www.wnff.net/index.php?topic=41179.0]

[Natsinpwc]

Looks like ESPN and MLB are divorcing after this season.

[imref]

Looks like ESPN and MLB are divorcing after this season.

Quoth the Athletic (nevermore):

A March 1 deadline loomed for both parties to opt out of the final three years of a contract that otherwise would have run through 2028. The broadcaster informed the league of its decision to opt out on Thursday morning, according to two people briefed on ESPN’s thinking. The league, in turn, then proceeded to say it too would opt out.

The network was due to pay the league an estimated $550 million each of the next three years, which it deemed way above the current market value, according to people briefed on the network’s thinking.

“We do not think it’s beneficial for us to accept a smaller deal to remain on a shrinking platform,” Manfred wrote. “In order to best position MLB to optimize our rights going in to our next deal cycle, we believe it is not prudent to devalue our rights with an existing partner but rather to have our marquee regular season games, Home Run Derby and Wild Card playoff round on a new broadcast and/or streaming platform.

“To that end, we have been in conversations with several interested parties around these rights over the past several months and expect to have at least two potential options for consideration over the next few weeks.”

Manfred’s memo did not rule out the sides pairing up again on a new deal, while ESPN said it’s open to a new partnership.

The article goes on to note that ESPN plans to launch a direct to consumer offering for $25-30 a month later this year and may need baseball to drive subscriptions.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6149921/2025/02/20/mlb-espn-opt-out-tv-deal/

[English Natsie]

https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-and-cubs-try-automated-ball-strike-system

So - what do we think?..

[HalfSmokes]

Quoth the Athletic (nevermore):

The article goes on to note that ESPN plans to launch a direct to consumer offering for $25-30 a month later this year and may need baseball to drive subscriptions.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6149921/2025/02/20/mlb-espn-opt-out-tv-deal/

ESPN’s plan wasn’t enough games to prevent churn. From the end of basketball to the start of college football, what are they even going to show?