THE 2026 BASEBALL SEASON

[samhexum]

Miami's new GM:

 

[samhexum]

Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Claseand Luis Ortiz have been indicted by prosecutors in Brooklyn on charges involving sports betting, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN, among others. Ortiz was arrested earlier today. Clase is not currently in custody.

Clase and Ortiz are charged with “wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy, for their alleged roles in a scheme to rig bets on pitches thrown” according to the Department of Justice, relayed by Zack Meisel of The Athletic. The indictment details an alleged scheme that involves the pitchers purposely throwing balls so gamblers could bet on pitches being balls or strikes. It began as early as May 2023 with Clase, according to the indictment.

The allegations from prosecutors in the indictment include a specific incident on June 15, when Ortiz was paid $5K for throwing an intentional ball, and Clase received $5K for facilitating it. Co-conspirators won at least $400K on fraudulent wagers relating to Clase and at least $60K on fraudulent wagers relating to Ortiz, prosecutors allege in the indictment. Clase and Ortiz face up to 65 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

“MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process. We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing,” the league said in a statement to ESPN.

Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave in early July, and Clase followed later in the month. The pitchers had their absences extended“until further notice” at the end of August as the league continued its gambling investigation.

 

[samhexum]

NOW PLAYING IN QUEENS:

[samhexum]

Ex-MLB star Dykstra faces drug charges after traffic stop

APPLE.NEWS

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Former MLB star Lenny Dykstra faces charges after police found drugs in his possession during a traffic stop on New Year's Day.

 

[samhexum]

I just read an article about the Royals moving in the outfield fences next season.  Would you have thought their stadium has the fifth highest altitude in MLB?  For some reason that surprised me.

[samhexum]

And in other baseball stadium related news…

Chip and Joanna Gaines, both alumni of Baylor University, have made the largest donation in the history of the university's baseball program. Their stadium will be renamed Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.

[samhexum]

The other day, I read a long article in the athletic about an outfielder from the Angels minor league system, who was in a major car accident in September and suffered serious brain injuries, and will never be the same again and it said that his insurance was about to lapse and his mother didn't know if the team would continue to carry him on their policy and given the owners known cheapness it wasn't definite that they would continue to do so but I'm reading now that they will.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time something like this has happened. In that same article I read it mentioned (I think it was a Padres) minor-league pitcher who had a heart attack 30+ years ago while while warming up in the bullpen and still has trouble walking and talking and they sign him to a minor league contract every year to keep him on their insurance And the Dodgers have done the same thing for about 12 years now with a former prospect who has mental health issues.

[+ purplekow]

On 11/3/2025 at 10:11 AM, samhexum said:

Miami's new GM:

 

Though he is still built, this picture is at least 5 years old and probably older.  

[samhexum]

7 minutes ago, purplekow said:

Though he is still built, this picture is at least 5 years old and probably older.  

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