[VIDEOS] The Baseball Thread

[hassan918]

This thread is dedicated to Baseball. Discuss MLB and all the other top baseball top leagues here including the best of international baseball.

 

[hassan918]

Shohei Ohtani: Japanese star agrees to defer majority of Los Angeles Dodgers deal​

Shohei Ohtani has agreed to defer $680m (£541m) of his $700m (£557m) deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple US sources including the MLB, external.

Ohtani joined the Dodgers on a 10-year contract - in the biggest deal in the sport's history - after his contract with the Los Angeles Angels expired.

He has agreed to take home $2m (£1.6m) per year until 2034 when he will be paid $68m (£54m) per year until 2043.

The move gives the Dodgers more freedom to add to their roster.

Ohtani is reported to bring in around $50m (£40m) annually via endorsements and off-the-field ventures.

A two-time MVP, who lifted the trophy with the Angels in 2023, Ohtani has been widely credited with transforming how the sport is played in the modern era and is already well on the way to being considered an all-time great.

Unlike most baseball players who specialise in batting or pitching, Ohtani is equally skilled at both disciplines.

His overall deal is said to make Ohtani one of the world's highest-earning athletes, with the reported value of the contract ranking alongside - or even surpassing - the sort of sums megastars like footballer Lionel Messi or basketball player LeBron James have commanded.

Dodgers owner Mark Walter said: "On behalf of the LA Dodgers and our fans everywhere, we welcome Shohei Ohtani to the Dodgers, the home of Jackie Robinson, Sandy Koufax and Hideo Nomo, three of the sport's most legendary and pathbreaking players.

"We congratulate him on his historic contract with our storied franchise."

As per the MLB's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was ratified after lengthy negotiations between MLB representatives and the players' association in May: "There shall be no limitations on either the amount of the deferred compensation or the percentage of total compensation attributable to deferred compensation for which a Uniform Player's Contract may provide."

In structuring the deal in this manner, the Dodgers will have greater financial flexibility in the short term as they look to ensure they meet the threshold for the league's Competitive Balance Tax (CBT), which is set at a limit of $237m (£189m) for 2024.

Each team's CBT figure is determined by using the average annual value (AAV) of each player's contract across the 40-man roster, plus additional player benefits.

Had Ohtani not opted to defer the majority of his contract, the AAV on his deal would be $70m (£56m).

The Japanese player is not the first to adopt this approach, with Max Scherzer agreeing to defer half of his $210m (£168m) when he signed a seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals before the 2015 season.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Shohei Ohtani wants to help Los Angeles Dodgers achieve success with historic deal​

Shohei Ohtani says his decision to defer the majority of his record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers is to help them achieve Major League Baseball success.

Japan's Ohtani, 29, agreed to carry over $680m (£541m) of his $700m (£557m) 10-year deal.

He will take home $2m (£1.6m) per year until 2034 when he will be paid $68m (£54m) per year until 2043.

The arrangement will give the Dodgers more money under MLB salary cap rules.

Speaking on Thursday, Ohtani said: "I was looking into it and doing some calculations and I figured if I can defer as much money as I can and that's going to help the Dodgers be able to sign better players and make a better team, I felt that was worth it and was willing to go that direction.

"They share the same passion as me and have a vision and history all about winning and I have the same values.

"I will face a lot of new challenges as a Dodger and I'm ready for it."

Ohtani joined the Dodgers in the biggest deal in the sport's history after his contract with the Los Angeles Angels expired.

The two-time American League Most Valuable Player, who lifted the trophy with the Angels in 2023, is reported to bring in around $50m (£40m) annually via endorsements and off-the-field ventures.

While he is skilled in both batting and pitching, Ohtani will not be able to pitch for the Dodgers in 2024 after having surgery to repair a torn right elbow ligament in October.

He underwent tendon replacement surgery in 2018 in his right elbow but said this year's operation was "completely different" to the first.

However, Ohtani believes he will "be fully ready" for the Dodgers' 2024 season opener on 20 March when they face the San Diego Padres in the first regular-season MLB game played in South Korea.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

He is a class-act and he should prove a great addition into Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed Japanese right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on a 12-year deal worth a reported $325m (£256.2m).

They will also pay a $50.6m (£39.9m) 'posting fee' - designed to compensate Japanese teams - for the 25-year-old, who joins from Orix Buffaloes.

Yamamoto had interest from multiple teams, including the New York Yankees.

Earlier in December, the Dodgers signed his compatriot Shohei Ohtani in a record $700m (£558m) 10-year contract.

Ohtani said last week he was deferring the majority of his record-breaking contract to help them achieve Major League Baseball success.



BBC

 

[hassan918]

Statue of baseball icon Jackie Robinson stolen from Kansas park​

A statue of iconic American baseball player Jackie Robinson was stolen from a park in Kansas, police said.

The bronze statue, which stood at a park in Wichita, was cut at the ankles and hauled off in a truck.

"Our community is devastated," said Wichita Police in a statement on the theft, which happened overnight on Thursday.

Police have offered a cash reward for any tip on the statue's whereabouts.

Wichita police chief Joe Sullivan said at a news conference on Friday that he was "frustrated by the actions of those individuals who had the audacity to take the statute" from a park that children and families frequent.

"This should upset all of us," Mr Sullivan said.

The statue was in McAdams Park, home to League 42, a youth baseball league named after Robinson's jersey number.

The park is also known for recognising influential African Americans. It is named after a former black city official, and its community center was renamed in recent years after the city's first elected black mayor.

Robinson, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, made history as the first black player in Major League Baseball, paving the way for generations of African American ball players.

"No matter the motivation of those who were involved, they were not only stealing from the community, they're also stealing from the legacy of work that has been put in by the members of League 42," said Brandon Johnson, a member of the Wichita city council.

"More importantly, they're stealing from the kids."

Officials are offering a $2,500 (£1,970) for any tip that leads to an arrest, and an additional $5,000 to anyone with information on where the statue might be.

The value of the stolen statue is more than $75,000, city officials said, but they added the value of what was lost is much bigger.

"The value is much more than that. It's Jackie Robinson. And I'll just leave it at that," said Troy Houtman, Wichita's parks and recreation director.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Billy Eppler: MLB suspends ex-New York Mets general manager for fabricating injuries​

Major League Baseball has suspended ex-New York Mets general manager Billy Eppler after an investigation found he had fabricated injuries.

MLB said Eppler's improper use of the injured list included the "deliberate fabrication of injuries".

Placing players on the injured list allows teams to open roster spots, while also keeping those players under club control.

Eppler has been suspended until the end of the 2024 World Series.

The 48-year-old was the Mets general manager from November 2021 until he resigned in October following the announcement of the MLB investigation.

MLB said Eppler had also submitted documents to justify improper placements on the injured list during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The Mets and Eppler "fully cooperated" with the investigation, which determined Eppler was not acting under the direction of the team's owners.

In a statement, the Mets said they "consider the matter closed and will have no further comment".

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Cheating should not be tolerated in sports at any level.

 

[hassan918]

Shohei Ohtani: Baseball superstar announces marriage to Japanese woman​

Baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani, one of Japan's most eligible bachelors, has announced that he is married, stirring a frenzy on social media.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star's announcement came as a shock as he has closely guarded his private life.

"I wanted everyone to know I am now married," the 29-year-old said on Thursday in an Instagram post.

Ohtani described his Japanese bride as someone "who is very special to me" but did not disclose her identity.

"Two people (plus one dog), we'll grow together," he told his seven million Instagram followers.

At a press conference on Friday, he did not give many more details, but said: "She is Japanese. I don't think I need to announce the date we got married. She is a typical, ordinary person."

He said there wasn't a "particular reason" to decide to get married, but said: "When I'm with her, I have fun. So I'm able to envision a future with her."

And Ohtani added she had "absolutely no influence on my decision" where to play, adding: "She said she will go wherever I go. So my decision was based on where I want to play baseball."

Last year, Ohtani made history when he signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700m (£552m) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers - making him one of the world's highest-earning athletes.

Unlike most players who specialise in batting or pitching, Ohtani is equally skilled at both disciplines, drawing comparisons with American baseball legend Babe Ruth.

He has been given the nickname "Shotime" and has been described as among the world's best players.

On social media, congratulatory messages poured in after Ohtani made the announcement in his post on Instagram, which got one million likes in less than an hour.

But quite a few were also heartbroken that the Japanese nation's sweetheart was no longer available.

"Shohei Ohtani is married. This is the worst day of my life," one post read.

"I am so happy for him and congrats to him and his wife. I love that he was able to announce it on his own and on his own terms," another post read.

Ohtani, who is in the US for training, also received well wishes from his team.

"When you have a baseball game and a wedding to get to on the same day. Congratulations to Shohei Ohtani on his new marriage," the LA Dodgers said in a post on X, accompanied by a video of him in action during a game.

Ohtani left fans guessing over who his bride could be.

"Isn't it amazing that this woman was able to get in his strict schedule and successfully got married?" one social media user wrote.

Baseball is hugely popular in Japan and Ohtani is part of a long line of Japanese players to see action in the American league.

Shortly after his announcement, Ohtani occupied the entire top five topics on X's Japan trending topics.

One thing his wife will have to navigate is Ohtani's need for large amounts of high quality sleep - this is said to be a key factor underpinning his success.

"Sleep is my top priority," says the star, who has special custom-made pillows, and fits in naps on planes and buses and in changing rooms before and after games, Kyodo News reports.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Shohei Ohtani: Baseball star shares first photo with new wife Mamiko Tanaka​

Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani has unveiled the identity of his new wife after weeks of speculation.

The Los Angeles Dodgers star shared a photo of Mamiko Tanaka, a former basketball player, for the first time on his Instagram on Thursday.

The newlyweds are seen in front of an aeroplane as the team makes its way to South Korea as part of the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Tour.

Ohtani did not reveal her identity when he announced their marriage last month.

The 29-year-old also gave no details about their wedding at that time, only describing his Japanese bride as someone "who is very special to me".

The announcement came as a shock to many and caused a stir on social media, leaving many of his fans guessing who she might be.

That mystery has now been solved.

Tanaka, 27, played for the Fujitsu Red Wave in the Women's Japanese Basketball League for four seasons before retiring last year, according to CBS News.

Shohei Ohtani: Baseball star shares first photo with new wife Mamiko Tanaka

Shohei Ohtani shares a photo with Mamiko Tanaka for the first time as his team heads to South Korea.

www.bbc.com

 

[hassan918]

Shohei Ohtani to address theft and gambling claims surrounding fired translator Ippei Mizuhara​

Baseball sensation Shohei Ohtani will speak to the media later to address allegations of theft connected to illegal gambling surrounding his former interpreter.

The translator, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers last week after the claims emerged.

Ohtani's legal representatives have accused Mr Mizuhara of "massive theft".

At least $4.5m (£3.5m) was reportedly transferred from Ohtani's bank account to a bookmaker.

Sports betting is legal in 38 states in America, but it remains illegal in California.

Ohtani, 29, has not been accused of any crime or placing any bets. On Monday the Japanese sports hero is expected to publicly address the controversy for the first time.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has backed Ohtani's decision to speak out.

"I'm happy he's going to speak and speak to what he knows and give his thoughts on the whole situation," he told a news conference on Sunday.

"I think it will give us all a little bit more clarity."

ESPN reported last week that a newly hired crisis-communications spokesman for Ohtani had initially told the network that the former Los Angeles Angels star had transferred funds to cover his interpreter's gambling debts. But the spokesman soon recanted this account and said the star's lawyers would issue a statement.

Berk Brettler, a law firm representing Ohtani, said: "In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft, and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."

Mr Mizuhara originally told ESPN that Ohtani had been aware of his interpreter's gambling debts. But a day later he was fired and then said Ohtani did not know about the gambling debts and had not transferred the money.

It is not known whether any of Mr Mizuhara's alleged sports gambling involved baseball games.

In his interview with ESPN, Mr Mizuhara said: "I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting."

Since the allegations surfaced last week, Major League Baseball and the Internal Revenue Service have announced formal inquiries into the matter.

Mr Ohtani played last week in front of a sell-out crowd during a two-game series between the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea.

Last December, Ohtani signed a record 10-year, $700m contract with the Dodgers, becoming the face of the sports franchise. He had just won his second unanimous American League MVP award.

His stint in the US started in 2018, and Mr Mizuhara has been a constant companion.

Mr Mizuhara's record before working with Ohtani has come under scrutiny in recent days.

The University of California, Riverside released a statement saying they had no record of Mr Mizuhara ever attending the university, contrary to the claim of the translator's public biography.

And the Boston Red Sox said Mr Mizuhara was never employed as an interpreter by the franchise, despite news reports and a Los Angeles Angels media guide saying so.

Source: BBC

 

[hassan918]

Dave McCarty, a first baseman and outfielder on the 2004 Boston Red Sox team that won the World Series, died Friday in Oakland, California. He was 54.

The Red Sox announced his death and said it was caused by a "cardiac event."

Source: ESPN

 

[FearlessRoar]

Waiting to see that kind of fight in cricket too.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1785658454813610481

 

[hassan918]

Padres make trade for Marlins 2B Luis Arraez​

The San Diego Padres have acquired second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Miami Marlins for reliever Woo-Suk Go and prospects Dillon Head, Jakob Marsee and Nathan Martorella, the teams announced Saturday.

The Padres also received nearly $7.9 million in cash considerations, leaving them responsible only for the major league minimum salary for Arraez.

The transaction represents the first significant move for the Marlins since Peter Bendix took over as the team's president of baseball operations in November after Kim Ng departed. It marks the beginning of the Marlins' teardown of an underachieving roster that has produced the third-worst record in the majors at 9-25 with a minus-61 run differential after reaching the postseason in 2023.

On the other side, it's another aggressive deal for A.J. Preller, the leader of the Padres' front office since 2014. Arraez, one of the sport's best contact hitters, will give the Padres a needed left-handed-hitting weapon after Juan Soto was sent to the New York Yankees in December. San Diego is 17-18 with a plus-6 run differential.

"It's really amazing -- that guy is a baller," Fernando Tatis Jr. said about Arraez after the Padres' win Friday night. "He's probably the closest to Tony Gwynn right now, so looking forward to seeing him in our lineup. ... The guy's a pure hitter, and I can't wait for him to help us."

Miami is paying San Diego $7,898,602 of the $8,491,398 remaining for the final 149 days of Arraez's $10.6 million salary. That left his cost to the Padres at $592,796 -- exactly a prorated share of the $740,000 minimum.

Arraez, 27, was the Marlins' best player, an All-Star and batting champion each of the past two seasons. This season, he is batting .299 with a .719 OPS in 33 games, all started at second base. He also has extensive experience at first base.

"When a guy like that is taken out of the lineup or potentially traded, you feel it, because he's such a good kid and one of the leaders in that clubhouse," Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said, "so there's definitely a shock value."

Arraez is expected to start games as the Padres' designated hitter, but the club plans to cycle through the DH spot. Jake Cronenworth, Xander Bogaerts and Manny Machado could also get at-bats there. Bogaerts has been the club's starting second baseman.

Go spent seven seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization before signing a two-year deal with a mutual option worth $4.5 million guaranteed during the offseason. The 25-year-old right-hander appeared in 10 games for Double-A San Antonio, posting a 4.38 ERA across 12⅓ innings after failing to make the Padres' bullpen out of spring training.

Head was the Padres' first-round pick (25th overall) last year out of high school. The 19-year-old center fielder is batting .237 with a .683 OPS and three stolen bases in 21 games in low-Class A.

Martorella is batting .294 with an .820 OPS in 23 games in San Antonio. The Padres selected the 23-year-old first baseman in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. Marsee, a 22-year-old outfielder, has spent the season in San Antonio batting .185 with two home runs. He was a sixth-round pick in 2022 out of Central Michigan.

Padres trade for Marlins batting champ Arraez

The Padres have acquired second baseman Luis Arraez in a trade with the Marlins for a package of three prospects and a relief pitcher.

www.espn.com

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Japanese baseball great Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges he fraudulently wired nearly $17 million stolen from the athlete's bank account to pay off his own gambling debts, court records showed on Wednesday.

The plea agreement between federal prosecutors and Ippei Mizuhara, the onetime translator and de facto manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers' power-hitting pitcher, was announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office in L.A., where the case was first brought last month.

reuters

 

[hassan918]

Kansas man pleads guilty to stealing Jackie Robinson statue​

A man accused of helping steal a statue of baseball player Jackie Robinson from a park in Kansas has pleaded guilty.

Ricky Alderete, a 45-year-old man from Wichita, told court that he helped swipe the statue from the park and loaded it in a pickup truck.

The bronze statue was cut off at the ankles before it was hauled away by the burglars in January.

Its theft was met with outcry from community members, who have since raised money to replace it.

Mr Alderete is facing multiple charges including aggravated burglary, aggravated damage to property and theft, according to prosecutors.

He pleaded guilty to the charges on Thursday in the Sedgwick County District Court in Wichita, Kansas.

District Judge Tyler Roush told Mr Alderete that he faces a maximum prison sentence of over 19 years.

He also faces a fine of $41,500 (£33,126) that would be paid to League 42, a youth baseball league that plays in McAdams Park, where the statue was stolen from. The league was named after Robinson's jersey number.

Surveillance footage of the theft shows at least two people entering the park around midnight and stealing the statue, police had previously said.

Mr Alderete is the first to be arrested. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 1 July.

Robinson, who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, made history as the first black player in MLB, paving the way for generations of African American ball players.

Earlier, authorities said there was no evidence to suggest the theft of the statue was a hate crime. Rather, the perpetrators were likely looking to make money.

"We believe this theft was motivated by the financial gain of scrapping common metal," Police lieutenant Aaron Moses said in February.

Authorities also said they believe the statue is no longer intact, and that it has been taken apart by the burglars and would need to be fully replaced.

Since its theft, nearly $200,000 (£159,650) was raised by community members through an online fundraiser, and Major League Baseball (MLB), North America's professional baseball league, has since offered to replace it.

The new statue is expected to be erected by the summer, city officials have said.

Source: BBC