Edwin Díaz, the $69 million closer for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been linked to an alleged illegal cockfighting operation in his native Puerto Rico, according to a report by <a href="https://ftw.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2026/05/14/jose-ortiz-irad-ortiz-jr-edwin-diaz-illegal-cockfighting/90046603007/">USA Today</a>.
The report, published Friday, tied Díaz to the federally banned blood sport through social media advertisements and promotional materials posted by cockfighting organizations on the island, including graphics showing the three-time All-Star in his Dodgers uniform promoting tournament events. One post reportedly advertised a “tribute” to Díaz, describing him as both a Puerto Rican sports hero and an active cockfighter.
The controversy deepened after a March interview with Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Día resurfaced in which Díaz openly discussed his family’s participation in cockfighting events. According to the outlet, Díaz said his family entered four roosters into a recent tournament and described cockfighting as a hobby he had followed since childhood. 
“It’s a pastime I’ve followed since I was a child,” Díaz reportedly said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://t.co/8yHIUOYXfE">https://t.co/8yHIUOYXfE</a> <a href="https://t.co/OOUCaIo3Lg">pic.twitter.com/OOUCaIo3Lg</a>
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnderdogMLB/status/2055319645972803714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
Cockfighting has deep historical roots in Puerto Rico, where some residents continue to defend it as a cultural tradition dating back centuries. But that defense has not carried legal weight for years. The practice has been illegal in all U.S. states and territories since 2019, when a federal ban took effect. The Supreme Court later declined to hear a challenge that would have carved out an exception for Puerto Rico.
Federal law makes participation in a cockfight punishable by up to five years in prison and fines, while knowingly attending as a spectator can carry criminal penalties. No charges have been announced against Díaz, and neither the Dodgers nor his representatives responded publicly to the report as of Friday.
The report also mentioned several other prominent Puerto Rican athletes, including champion jockey brothers José Ortiz and Irad Ortiz Jr., who were allegedly photographed at cockfighting venues and appeared in videos tied to betting activity. Díaz’s younger brother, Alexis Díaz, was also named in social media posts promoting the same events.
For Major League Baseball, the allegations could present an off-field distraction involving a high-profile reliever. MLB’s personal conduct policy gives it broad discretion to investigate players for conduct deemed damaging to the sport, even absent criminal charges. 
The timing is also awkward for Díaz personally. The veteran reliever, who signed a lucrative offseason deal with Los Angeles, is currently sidelined with an elbow injury after a rough start to the season, adding another layer of scrutiny to what was expected to be a routine rehabilitation.

Roosters

Three-Time MLB All-Star Promoted Illegal Cockfighting Events

animal rights

Crime

Los Angeles Dodgers

World

Photos have been circulating online of L.A. Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen honoring conservative Charlie Kirk at last night&#8217;s game against the San Francisco Giants.
Treinen wrote the name &#8220;Charlie Kirk,&#8221; sandwiched between two crosses, on the side of his hat.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Blake Treinen with ✝️Charlie Kirk✝️ on his hat tonight 🙏 <a href="https://t.co/ZKApLCDO1m">pic.twitter.com/ZKApLCDO1m</a>
— decoy (@decoyposts) <a href="https://twitter.com/decoyposts/status/1966726435466604785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2025</a></blockquote>
Kirk, 31, was assassinated while answering questions at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Kirk had massive influence with young conservatives, founding Turning Point USA at just 18 years old. The conservative was known just as well for speaking openly about his faith in God as he was for talking politics.
As highlighted by The Daily Wire, Kirk was asked before his death about how he wanted to be remembered. Unsurprisingly, he pointed to his faith in Jesus Christ.
“How do you wanna be remembered? … [If] everything just goes away [and] you could be associated with one thing, how would you want to be remembered?” Kirk was asked.
“I want to be remembered for courage for my faith,” Kirk responded. “That would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith in my life.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Charlie Kirk on how he wanted to be remembered.
Question: “How would you wanna be remembered?”
Charlie: “I wanna be remembered for courage for my faith. That that would be the most important thing. The most important thing is my faith in my life.” <a href="https://t.co/fwBV9UVefc">pic.twitter.com/fwBV9UVefc</a>
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1965974414748692572?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
Treinen, too, has been outspoken about his Christian faith. When the Dodgers won the World Series in 2024, for example, the pitcher <a href="https://churchleaders.com/news/500008-god-is-absolutely-god-says-pitcher-blake-treinen-after-dodgers-win-world-series.html">said</a>, &#8220;God is absolutely good.&#8221;
&#8220;I gotta give a shout out to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for this moment, man. It’s a lot of hard work, what I’ve gone through,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;This moment is such a blessing.”
Taking on questions from the press, Treinen said it was &#8220;God&#8221; on his mind after the final game. &#8220;Everything I’ve been through, it’s just so good to be here and have this platform,&#8221; he said.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dodgers-ace-clayton-kershaw-adds-bible-reference-to-rainbow-hat-for-pride-night">Dodgers Ace Clayton Kershaw Adds Bible Reference To Rainbow Hat For Pride Night</a>

World Series – Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees – Game 5

Star Dodgers Pitcher Pays Tribute To Charlie Kirk On Mound

Charlie Kirk

Christianity

General

Major League Baseball

Religion

Sports

U.S.

The Los Angeles Dodgers say they turned away ICE agents hoping to use their grounds as a staging area for enforcement operations as left-wing protesters gathered out in front of Dodger Stadium.
The Major League Baseball franchise issued a statement denying claims from left-wing activists that it was allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to use the stadium grounds.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots. They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1935777782870819056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
“This morning, ICE agents came to Dodger Stadium and requested permission to access the parking lots,” the Dodgers posted to social media Thursday. “They were denied entry to the grounds by the organization. Tonight’s game will be played as scheduled.”
The statement came as left-wing organizations shared images of what appear to be federal law enforcement vehicles on the stadium grounds and gathered for a protest out front of the park.
“Dozens of ICE vehicles posted up at Dodgers Stadium Gate E. Folks are suspecting that they may be bringing people here after conducting raids,” one left-wing group <a href="https://x.com/PplsCityCouncil/status/1935735659966103750">said</a> on social media, calling the federal law enforcement agents “fascist pigs.”
Local media similarly <a href="https://abc7.com/post/ice-agents-seen-staging-dodger-stadium-amid-reports-more-raids-la-county/16791028/">reported</a> that dozens of ICE agents had been seen staging on the stadium grounds before the Dodgers requested that they leave.
The same activist group shared videos online of leftist protesters gathering at one of the entrances to the park, with a row of Los Angeles Police Officers preventing them from entering the park. Some protesters <a href="https://x.com/bad_tenant/status/1935770513684807707">directed their ire</a> at the baseball franchise for allegedly cooperating with the federal law enforcement agents.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
People are gathering in front of dodgers stadium gate E demanding ICE OUT OF LA! Lots of media here too.
Get these fascist fucking pigs out of our city <a href="https://t.co/ou7v1YcmV4">https://t.co/ou7v1YcmV4</a> <a href="https://t.co/vlAVk57mgl">pic.twitter.com/vlAVk57mgl</a>
— People&#8217;s City Council &#8211; Los Angeles (@PplsCityCouncil) <a href="https://twitter.com/PplsCityCouncil/status/1935762500143718595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2025</a></blockquote>
The Department of Homeland Security <a href="https://x.com/DHSgov/status/1935787097048109231">clarified</a> in a statement that Customs and Border Protection agents, not ICE agents, were briefly in the parking lot, and that they were not presence was not related to any enforcement action.
The protest at the park comes amid sustained public unrest in the southern California city, with left-wing rioters <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/we-are-coming-for-you-feds-reveal-more-charges-against-anti-ice-rioters">attacking</a> police officers and destroying property as organizers <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/leftwing-activist-network-distributes-riot-gear-to-los-angeles-anti-ice-agitators?author=Spencer+Lindquist&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=5&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Meet+The+Leftwing+Activist+Using+Social+Media+To+Funnel+Riot+Gear+To+Anti-ICE+Protests">distributed riot gear</a> to the agitators.
Some protesters have even gathered outside of hotels housing ICE agents as they called for the federal agents to be kicked out of their rooms. A local branch of the Democratic Party even shared the location of ICE agents and mobilized protesters at their hotels, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/democrat-party-doxxes-ice-agents-in-los-angeles-holds-protests-at-their-hotels">revealed</a>.

LA Dodgers

L.A. Dodgers Say They Turned Away ICE Agents As Leftist Protesters Gather At Stadium

Immigration

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

Los Angeles

Protest

Latin R&amp;B singer Nezza made waves before a Los Angeles Dodgers game on Saturday when she sang “The Star Spangled Banner” in Spanish despite being told not to.
The 30-year-old recording artist, whose full name is Vanessa Hernández, <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@babynezza/video/7515995487342824734?lang=en">mocked</a> the controversy in a post on her TikTok account. “para mi gente [for my people]; I stand with you,” she wrote in the video caption, which has almost 8 million views.
“Watch the Dodgers tell me I can’t sing the Spanish ‘Star Spangled Banner that Roosevelt literally commissioned in 1945,” she gloated in a text overlay.
The video clip attached shows Nezza smiling and wearing a Dominican Republic jersey. A team representative can be heard telling her, “We are gonna do the song in English today. I’m not sure if that wasn’t relayed.” Nezza immediately stops smiling and says, “Ohhhh.” 
The video then cuts to a shot of her singing the anthem in Spanish with a text overlay that says, “so I did it anyway.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Singer Nezza was told by the Dodgers to sing the National Anthem in English but she sang it in spanish to protest ICE.
She then gets very emotional and cries over ICE deporting criminals who are in our country illegally. <a href="https://t.co/1sTDbXx3aT">pic.twitter.com/1sTDbXx3aT</a>
&mdash; Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) <a href="https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/1934370251510309052?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nezza followed up with <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@babynezza/video/7516015340464262431?lang=en">another TikTok</a> on Saturday night, saying through tears, “Safe to say I’m never allowed in that stadium ever again.&#8221; 
“Bear with me ’cause I’m still very shaken up and emotional,” the singer said in the follow-up before trying to justify her decision. “You can Google it, (but) I’ll just read it to you really quick: ‘It was officially commissioned in 1945 by the U.S. State Department as a part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s good neighbor policy to foster a better relationship with Latin America.”
“Because of this, I didn’t think I would be met with any sort of, like, no, especially because we’re in L.A., and with everything happening. And I’ve sung the national anthem many times in my life, but … today, out of all days, I could not, I’m sorry,” Nezza added.
“I just could not believe when she walked in and told me no. I just felt like I needed to do it. For anyone who’s been following me for a while, you know everything I do is out of love,” she continued. “And I am proud of myself for doing that today. Because my parents are immigrants, and they’ve been citizens my whole life at this point. They got documented really early, but I just can’t imagine them being ripped away from me, just even at this age, let alone [as] a little kid. What are we doing?”
On Sunday, a Dodgers team official told <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-06-15/nezza-sang-the-national-anthem-in-spanish-at-dodger-stadium-despite-teams-objection">The Los Angeles Times</a> that “there were no consequences from the club regarding the performance and that Nezza would be welcome back at the stadium in the future.”
Videos of Nezza’s Spanish rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” began circulating on social media, where it received mixed but mostly negative reactions. 
“Can you imagine what would happen if you did that in another country? The entitlement and disrespect is off the charts,” one reaction on X <a href="https://x.com/SKDoubleDub33/status/1934370881704227241">said</a>. 
“Kinda loses its virtue when you start posting about it for likes and attention without letting the recognition and praise happen organically. Shows you did it for the wrong reasons,” another commenter <a href="https://x.com/getwreckednerds/status/1934410660278042633">chimed in</a>.

Nezza

OFF PITCH: National Anthem Sung In Spanish At Dodgers Game In Protest Of ICE

Singer Belts National Anthem In Spanish At Dodgers Game Despite Being Warned Not To

Baseball

California

Celebrities

National Anthem

singer

TikTok

Longtime Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw added a subtle change to his Pride Night cap, printing &#8220;GEN 9:12-16&#8221; next to the rainbow-colored team logo.
Leading Report (@leadingreport) shared the news via X along with a photo of Kershaw&#8217;s cap and the text of the verses the pitcher was referencing — verses that reference God&#8217;s promise to Noah, when He sent the rainbow as a sign that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BREAKING: Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw wrote “Genesis 9:12-16” on his ‘pride’ hat.
12 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 
13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and… <a href="https://t.co/mPU94lYPxk">pic.twitter.com/mPU94lYPxk</a>
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) <a href="https://twitter.com/LeadingReport/status/1934018900221423971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;BREAKING: Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw wrote &#8216;Genesis 9:12-16&#8242; on his ‘pride’ hat. 12 And God said, &#8216;This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.&#8217; Genesis 9:12-16 ESV,&#8221; the post read.
Kershaw, a Christian, also <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-displays-bible-passage-hat-during-pride-night">spoke out</a> in 2023 when the team planned to honor the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence — a group of &#8220;queer and trans nuns&#8221; who combine drag and religious imagery — by announcing the team&#8217;s faith and family night early.
&#8220;I think we were always going to do Christian Faith Day this year, but I think the timing of our announcement was sped up,&#8221; Kershaw said. &#8220;Picking a date and doing those different things was part of it as well. Yes, it was in response to the highlighting of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence [by the Dodgers].&#8221;
Kershaw said at the time that his objection was specifically to the Sisters and that he did not plan to boycott Pride Night, &#8220;I don’t agree with making fun of other people’s religions. It has nothing to do with anything other than that. I just don’t think that, no matter what religion you are, you should make fun of somebody else’s religion. So, that’s something that I definitely don’t agree with.&#8221;

Los Angeles Dodgers v St. Louis Cardinals

Dodgers Ace Clayton Kershaw Adds Bible Reference To Rainbow Hat For Pride Night

Politics

Pride Month

President Donald Trump hosted the 2024 World Series champions — the Los Angeles Dodgers — at the White House on Monday, but as he stood to give remarks, he couldn&#8217;t resist taking potshots at a few unnamed U.S. Senators who were on hand for the event.
&#8220;I’m thrilled to welcome to the White House very special people&#8230; very talented people,&#8221; Trump said of the California Major League Baseball team.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
President Trump congratulates the 2024 World Series Champion, the LA <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dodgers</a>, on a legendary season.⚾️
“I’m thrilled to welcome to the White House very special people&#8230; very talented people.” <a href="https://t.co/eXBAfZYKp9">pic.twitter.com/eXBAfZYKp9</a>
&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1909300018600616243?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Trump smiled as he jabbed at the senators who were present, saying, &#8220;Others — we have a couple of senators here. I just don‘t particularly like them, so I won&#8217;t be introducing them!&#8221;
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
🤣 PRESIDENT TRUMP: &quot;We have a couple of senators here. I just don‘t particularly like them, so I won&#39;t be introducing them!&quot; <a href="https://t.co/6ju1bnQmQi">pic.twitter.com/6ju1bnQmQi</a>
&mdash; Townhall.com (@townhallcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/townhallcom/status/1909274712640749872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Trump carried on with his remarks after a brief pause as the audience laughed, saying, &#8220;Over the course of this amazing season, the members of this team —&#8221;
Loud laughter broke out again, and when it died down, the president commented, &#8220;I didn&#8217;t think it was that big a deal, actually &#8230; Washington.&#8221;
&#8220;Over the course of this amazing season,&#8221; Trump began again. &#8220;The members of this team &#8230;&#8221;
Later on, Trump asked Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts whether star player — and National League MVP — Shohei Ohtani was &#8220;good.&#8221;
&#8220;He&#8217;s like a movie star,&#8221; Trump said, laying out a list of Ohtani&#8217;s accomplishments and record-breaking statistics. &#8220;He&#8217;s got a good future, I&#8217;m telling you &#8230; Is he good?&#8221;
&#8220;He&#8217;s only getting better,&#8221; was Roberts&#8217; reply.
&#8220;That&#8217;s scary for a lot of people,&#8221; Trump quipped.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
President Trump on Shohei Ohtani: &quot;Is he good?&quot;<a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dodgers</a> Manager Dave Roberts: &quot;Only getting better.&quot;
Trump: &quot;That&#39;s scary for a lot of people.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/FjGxx7p1hj">pic.twitter.com/FjGxx7p1hj</a>
&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1909272732296208688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
During the ceremony, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw presented President Trump with a Los Angeles jersey emblazoned with the Trump&#8217;s name and the number 47.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw presents President Donald J. Trump with a 47 jersey. ⚾️ <a href="https://t.co/dqOM7bfamy">pic.twitter.com/dqOM7bfamy</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1909275420152787348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;Mr. President, we have a gift for you as well,&#8221; he said, reaching for the jersey. After he handed it over, Trump held it up so that the crowd could see.
Following the team event, Trump even invited Ohtani to visit the Oval Office. &#8220;It’s a great honor, you’re an amazing athlete and person,&#8221; he told the star player.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Happening now behind the scenes, President Donald Trump welcomes Los Angeles <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dodgers</a> Shohei Ohtani to the Oval Office…
POTUS: “It’s a great honor, you’re an amazing athlete and person…” <a href="https://t.co/LUUCspxFgu">pic.twitter.com/LUUCspxFgu</a>
&mdash; Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) <a href="https://twitter.com/Scavino47/status/1909282785355088306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

President Trump Hosts 2024 World Series Champions LA Dodgers

Trump Introduces 2024 Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Can’t Resist Throwing A Few Barbs

Trump Introduces 2024 Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Can't Resist Throwing A Few Barbs

Executive

White House

World Series

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/mlb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Series</a> scored its highest ratings a Game 5 has seen in years when the Los Angeles Dodgers won the championship 7-6 against the New York Yankees.
On Wednesday night, the Dodgers-Yankees final game averaged 18.6 million viewers across all Fox Sports platforms, including the broadcast network, Fox Deportes, and streaming services, with the main broadcast network having an audience of <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/world-series-2024-tv-ratings-best-7-years-1236050038/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">18.15 million</a> people, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Dodgers&#8217; victory also ended up being a seven-year high for the game since 2017, when the Houston Astros had a seven game victory over the Dodgers with an average audience of 18.93 million.
As a whole, the entire series gave Major League Baseball its fourth largest audience baseball has seen since 2010, trailing only behind the 2016 series with nearly 23 million viewers, 2017&#8217;s 18.93 million viewers, and 2011’s 16.5 million viewers. All three of those series went a full seven games.
This year&#8217;s series averaged 15.81 million viewers over the entire five nights of nail-bitting action on the field, with the first three games in Los Angeles and later to New York as the Dodgers led the series 3-0. However, it was the Yankees who scored a massive win in the fourth game, 11-4, to take it to a fifth game where the Dodgers scored a victory on Wednesday night.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*jtghwp*_gcl_au*ODQ1NjYzNTg2LjE3Mjg5MDk3OTE.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczMDEyMDgwOS40OS4xLjE3MzAxMjA4MzkuMzAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+</a>
The year&#8217;s series ended up being a huge draw for viewers in Japan, and it was the first time ever that viewership was larger there than in the United States, driven largely by Japanese-born Dodgers pitcher/designated star hitter <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/greatest-day-in-baseball-history-dodgers-star-sets-new-mlb-milestone">Shohei Ohtani</a>, as <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/world-series-ratings-soar-in-japan-thanks-to-ohtani">The Daily Wire</a> previously reported.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The 2024 World Series goes in the books as the most watched Fall Classic since 2017 <a href="https://t.co/Xfxqyygn6M">https://t.co/Xfxqyygn6M</a>
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) <a href="https://twitter.com/THR/status/1852472020841193851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2024</a></blockquote>
The ratings for the second game of the series between LA and NY scored 15.9 million viewers in Japan, while the viewership in the U.S. fell to 13.8 million, making it the second biggest TV market for the series, according to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/shohei-ohtani-lifts-world-series-tv-ratings-japan-record-1236047222/">data</a> from the Major League Baseball and Fox Corp’s sports division, THR noted.
Due to the 16-hour time difference, the first two games of the World Series, which were held in Los Angeles, aired in Japan on Saturday morning and Sunday morning. After game one, the Dodgers came away with a 6-3 victory over the NY team and LA also scored a 4-2 victory in game two.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/world-series-ratings-soar-in-japan-thanks-to-ohtani" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Series Ratings Soar In Japan Thanks To Ohtani</a>

Los Angeles Dodgers World Series

World Series Scores Highest Ratings In Years For Dodgers’ Game 5 Championship Win

World Series Scores Highest Ratings In Years For Dodgers' Game 5 Championship Win

Entertainment

New York Yankees

Ratings

Several people were arrested in Los Angeles after the Dodgers won the World Series on Wednesday for the eighth time in franchise history.
Following the win, crowds took to the streets, with some becoming violent and looting stores, ABC 7 <a href="https://abc7.com/post/several-arrests-made-after-violence-looting-breaks-los-angeles-following-dodgers-world-series-win/15492082/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Six people were arrested after a crowd broke into a Nike store downtown and stole merchandise. A total of 12 people were arrested during the night.
There was also video of people throwing objects at police officers after they were told to leave an area, the Associated Press <a href="https://apnews.com/article/dodgers-world-series-crowds-bus-burned-arrests-a42e1c2b4a069cb6cf3c92572000ecbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson Officer Drake Madison told the AP that people were arrested for failing to disperse, receiving stolen property, and commercial burglary.
Just after midnight, a “hostile crowd”  surrounded a city bus. Metro officials told ABC that the bus driver and five passengers on board were able to evacuate before the bus was set on fire.
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Fireworks set the bus on fire. <a href="https://t.co/FDq5sqhtc7">pic.twitter.com/FDq5sqhtc7</a>
— Film The Police LA (@FilmThePoliceLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FilmThePoliceLA/status/1851903137168478521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Metro is disappointed and angered by the senseless act of vandalism on one of our buses following the Dodgers World Series Win earlier this evening,&#8221; the agency told the outlet in a statement.
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Even though a bus was set on fire, no arrests were made in that incident.
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MTA bus exploded. <a href="https://t.co/D3EJEqF03X">pic.twitter.com/D3EJEqF03X</a>
— Film The Police LA (@FilmThePoliceLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FilmThePoliceLA/status/1851896635233857648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 31, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Several streets were also taken over downtown, forcing police to use less-lethal munitions to control the crowds that became hostile and violent, Madison told the AP. Madison added that over the next couple of days, police will try to identify who was responsible for additional crimes.
The Dodgers will hold a parade on Friday to celebrate their win over the New York Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series, the AP <a href="https://apnews.com/article/los-angeles-dodgers-world-series-parade-b50eef167a230b92b29ae725f69f2236" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The parade will be followed by a celebration at Dodger Stadium, but because of the timing of the events and inevitable downtown traffic, fans won’t be able to attend both events.
The World Series began on a high note, with Freddie Freeman hitting a grand slam in Game 1 to give the Dodgers their first of three straight wins in the series. The Yankees won Game 4, but the Dodgers came back to clinch the series in Game 5. Freeman was named the series’ Most Valuable Player.
The series was not without controversy, however. During Game 4, Yankees fans were ejected from the game for interfering with a catch made by Dodgers star Mookie Betts. Betts caught a foul ball hit by Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres, but a fan reached over the wall and tried to pry the ball out of Betts’ glove, The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/watch-yankees-fans-pry-ball-from-mookie-betts-glove-during-game-4-of-world-series" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. Another Yankees fan then pulled on Betts’ arm, causing him to drop the ball.

Los Angeles After Dodgers Win World Series

Looting And Violence Erupt In L.A. After Dodgers Win World Series

Los Angeles County

Two <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/new-york-yankees">New York Yankees</a> fans were ejected from Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night after interfering with a catch made by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles-dodgers">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> star Mookie Betts. 
The incident occurred during the first inning when Betts ran toward the right-field wall to catch a foul hit by Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres. Betts caught the ball in foul territory, but then video footage showed a fan reaching over the wall and grabbing Betts&#8217; glove. Another spectator pulled on Betts&#8217; arm at the same time, causing the ball to pop loose. An umpire ruled that Torres was out due to fan interference.
Video footage of the incident immediately began circulating on social media, prompting outraged reactions. 
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&quot;Well, A for effort.&quot;
Fan interference was called on this play where a Yankee fan tried to take the ball out of Mookie Betts&#39; glove after an out. <a href="https://t.co/iZ6taImncd">pic.twitter.com/iZ6taImncd</a>
&mdash; FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBONFOX/status/1851420322295128310?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 30, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Former Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz, now a FOX Sports broadcaster, said the fan “won’t be watching the game much longer.”
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Video footage showed both fans being escorted out of the stadium. On their way out, the men exchanged high-fives with other Yankees fans, and one of them told The Athletic reporter Rustin Dodd that the fan was a “hero … it’s a championship game.” 
The ejected fan was identified by ESPN as a Yankees season-ticket holder who said he had prepared for that situation in advance. “We always joke about the ball in our area,” the fan said after the game, per the outlet. “We’re not going to go out of our way to attack. If it’s in our area, we’re going to ‘D’ up. Someone defends, someone knocks the ball. We talk about it. We’re willing to do this.”
Security reportedly told the two men they were not permitted to come back for Game 5 on Wednesday.
Betts did not have much to say about what happened, responding to teammate Tommy Edman calling the behavior “unacceptable” by saying, “We lost, that’s what I’m focused on.” 
The Yankees won Game 4 on Tuesday with a final score of 11-4. They trail the Dodgers three games to one in the best-of-seven series. The Yankees are seeking their 28th World Series title, which would be their first since 2009. The Dodgers are hoping for their first World Series ring since winning the series in 2020. The team has won seven World Series titles in franchise history.

Mookie Betts

WATCH: Yankees Fans Pry Ball From Mookie Betts’ Glove During Game 4 Of World Series

For the first time ever, the audience for the World Series in Japan was larger than in the United States, driven largely by Japanese-born Dodgers&#8217; pitcher/designated star hitter <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/greatest-day-in-baseball-history-dodgers-star-sets-new-mlb-milestone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shohei Ohtani</a>.
The ratings for the second game of the series between Los Angeles and the New York Yankees scored 15.9 million viewers in Japan, while the viewership in the U.S. fell to 13.8 million, making it the second biggest TV market for the series, according to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/shohei-ohtani-lifts-world-series-tv-ratings-japan-record-1236047222/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">data</a> from the Major League Baseball and Fox Corp’s sports division, The Hollywood Reporter noted.
Due to the 16-hour time difference, the first two games of the World Series, which were held in Los Angeles, aired in Japan on Saturday morning and Sunday morning. After game one, the Dodgers came away with a 6-3 victory over the NY team and LA also scored a 4-2 victory in game two.
Despite the lower ratings than Japan, the World Series has scored Fox Sports the biggest ratings the World Series has had since 2017, THR noted.
The ratings for the first two games in the coveted age demographic of ages 18-34 were also up 93 percent, according to Nielsen.
And according to the league, World Series engagement has never been higher, with 345 million views on social media and 25 million engagements.
<a href="https://www.amiracist.com/?_gl=1*jtghwp*_gcl_au*ODQ1NjYzNTg2LjE3Mjg5MDk3OTE.*_ga*MTc2NzM0NDQ2NS4xNzI4OTA5Nzkx*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*MTczMDEyMDgwOS40OS4xLjE3MzAxMjA4MzkuMzAuMC4w" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MATT WALSH’S ‘AM I RACIST?’ NOW STREAMING ON DAILYWIRE+</a>
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Saturday&#8217;s Game Two of the World Series drew 15.9 million average viewers in Japan, the most ever for a postseason Major League Baseball game in the country, the league said on Monday. <a href="https://t.co/abbtBYyNM4">https://t.co/abbtBYyNM4</a>
— The Japan Times (@japantimes) <a href="https://twitter.com/japantimes/status/1851097267932979580?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2024</a></blockquote>
The ratings for game three in Los Angeles of the series drew another 13.6 million views across all its platforms on Fox, Fox Deportes, and Fox Sports, making it the most watched World Series game three since 2018, when 13.3 million viewers watched the Dodgers beat the Red Sox 3-2, the outlet noted.
On the Fox network alone, the Dodgers&#8217; 4-2 victory over the Yankees drew 13.2 million viewers, the Wrap noted.
The audience was also 63% bigger than the game two series last year between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks, which had an audience of 8.13 million, the Wrap noted.
Coming out of game three, the Dodgers are leading the series 3-0. The series will now shift to New York for games 3-5 where the Yankees must come away with the victory if they want a shot at winning the championship, or the Dodgers will go home the victors.
Game four of the series takes place Tuesday night in New York.
Related: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/greatest-day-in-baseball-history-dodgers-star-sets-new-mlb-milestone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘Greatest Day In Baseball History’: Dodgers Star Sets New MLB Milestone</a>

Shohei Ohtani

World Series Ratings Soar In Japan Thanks To Ohtani

Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani had a day for the history books on Thursday against the Miami Marlins, batting a remarkable 6-for-6 and becoming the first player in the majors to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
Ohtani&#8217;s perfect batting performance began with an RBI single in the first inning and a two-RBI double in the 3rd. Ohtani only got better as the game progressed, hitting three home runs in his next three at-bats. The Japanese-born Dodger added two stolen bases in the game, pushing him into a club no MLB player has ever reached — 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.
Dodgers play-by-play broadcaster Joe Davis was on the call when Ohtani crushed his second homer of the game, which set the MLB record.
&#8220;One-of-a-kind player! One-of-a-kind season! Shohei Ohtani starts the 50/50 club!&#8221; said Davis as Ohtani&#8217;s ball flew past the left-field wall
WATCH:
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&#8220;Triple for the cycle, homer for history. On a 1-2, Ohtani&#8230; SENDS ONE IN THE AIR, THE OTHER WAY, BACK IT GOES, GOOOOOONNNEEE! ONE OF A KIND PLAYER! ONE OF A KIND SEASON! SHOHEI OHTANI STARTS THE 50/50 CLUB!&#8221; &#8211; Joe Davis on the historic call⚾️🎙️🦄 <a href="https://t.co/JxDyNUfzTD">pic.twitter.com/JxDyNUfzTD</a>
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) <a href="https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1836904797925945505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Ohtani wasn&#8217;t finished after setting the record as he crushed his 51st home run of the season in the 9th inning, helping the Dodgers dismantle the Marlins in a 20-4 victory.
&#8220;Oh my gosh! Shohei Ohtani! The greatest day in baseball history!&#8221; Davis said after Ohtani blasted another homer. &#8220;This is not real life. He is not human.&#8221;
&#8220;There&#8217;s the cliché that you never know what you&#8217;re gonna see when you go to the park. You gotta change that cliché from now on. There&#8217;s one thing you know you&#8217;ll never see- what you saw today,&#8221; Davis added.
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&#8220;OH MY GOSH! SHOHEI OHTANI! THE GREATEST DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY!&#8221;
&#8220;There&#8217;s the cliché that you never know what you&#8217;re gonna see when you go to the park. You gotta change that cliché from now on. There&#8217;s one thing you know you&#8217;ll never see- what you saw today.&#8221; &#8211; Joe Davis ⚾️🎙️ <a href="https://t.co/XHue8pgMmU">https://t.co/XHue8pgMmU</a> <a href="https://t.co/TuFiFXIXi2">pic.twitter.com/TuFiFXIXi2</a>
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) <a href="https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1836913566969970981?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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Ohtani finished the game batting 6-for-6 with three home runs and 10 RBIs. Only two other players in the history of the sport that dates back to 1876 recorded six hits, three homers, and 10 RBIs in a game — Cincinnati Reds catcher Walker Cooper in 1949 and Anthony Rendon of the Washington Nationals in 2017, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/sports/baseball/shohei-ohtani-50-50-club-5051eafa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The 30-year-old phenom also set a new Dodgers record on Thursday for the most home runs in a single season, passing Shawn Green&#8217;s 49 homers in 2022.
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“To be honest, I’m the one probably most surprised. I have no idea where this came from but I’m glad that I performed well today,” Ohtani <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/19/sport/shohei-ohtani-50-50/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
The Dodgers have clinched a playoff spot and stand at 91-62 on the season, which currently ties them with the Philadelphia Phillies for the <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/standings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best record</a> in the majors.

‘Greatest Day In Baseball History’: Dodgers Star Sets New MLB Milestone

'Greatest Day In Baseball History': Dodgers Star Sets New MLB Milestone

An <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/arizona">Arizona</a> woman who claimed former MLB pitcher Trevor Bauer sexually assaulted her has been charged with extorting him.
Darcy Esemonu has been indicted by a grand jury for fraudulent schemes and theft by extortion, both felonies, ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39958530/trevor-bauer-accuser-indicted-fraud-arizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. She is scheduled for arraignment on April 26 in Maricopa County.
Esemonu “knowingly did obtain a benefit from &#8230; Trevor Anthony Bauer by means of fraudulent pretenses, representation, promises, or material omissions,&#8221; the indictment against her says. She also &#8220;knowingly did obtain or sought to obtain property or services &#8230; by means of a threat to in the future expose a secret or an asserted fact in a social media message or in any other manner&#8221; involving a second man, who is not associated with Bauer.
In 2022, Esemonu filed a lawsuit against Bauer, claiming he sexually assaulted her in 2020 and that she had become pregnant from the encounter. She later updated that lawsuit in 2023. Bauer countersued, saying his encounter with Esemonu “was consensual” and alleging that she tried to harass and extort money from him after he was accused of sexual assault by several other women.
Bauer’s attorneys told ESPN that Esemonu demanded $3.6 million from Bauer, claiming he “forced her to have an abortion.” When he refused to pay her the money, “she made up a bogus sexual assault claim and filed a civil suit against” Bauer.
Esemonu reported the alleged sexual assault to police a week after she filed her lawsuit. Police reports obtained by ESPN show that Esemonu &#8220;initially stated she had a miscarriage, but later referred to the miscarriage as an abortion” when talking to police. Later, she told police there was no abortion but that she miscarried just before heading to a clinic in a different state. A police detective noted in the reports that none of the medical records Esemonu provided indicated that she “was in fact pregnant.”
In January 2023, Bauer’s attorney, Anne Chapman, filed a criminal complaint with the Scottsdale Police Department – the same police department where Esemonu made her allegations – and said the woman “had demanded financial compensation from her client for a pregnancy and abortion that was alleged to be false.&#8221;
Bauer was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/next-victim-star-pitcher-for-the-dodgers-trevor-bauer-reveals-texts-from-his-accuser-following-settlement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">also accused</a> of sexual assault by Lindsey Hill, who also claimed the former star pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers beat her.
He never faced charges relating to the allegations, and a restraining order filed by Hill was denied. Bauer always maintained that the rough sex between him and Hill was consensual.
Once the settlement was announced, Bauer released <a href="https://twitter.com/BauerOutage/status/1708904525724270659?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1708904525724270659%7Ctwgr%5E87b30e1ab225617b6890c095bb4047a5c5643ad0%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Fnext-victim-star-pitcher-for-the-dodgers-trevor-bauer-reveals-texts-from-his-accuser-following-settlement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a video</a> revealing some of the text messages Hill had sent to her friends prior to meeting Bauer and after their encounter, which suggests she had always been focused on getting money from him.
“’Next victim. Star pitcher for the Dodgers,&#8217;” Bauer begins in the video with a picture of Hill’s text. “A text Lindsey Hill sent to a friend before she ever even met me. ‘What should I steal?’ she asked another, in reference to visiting my house for the first time. The answer? ‘Take his money.’ So how might that work? ‘I’m going to his house Wednesday.’ she said, ‘I already have my hooks in. You know how I roll.’ Then, after the first time we met, “Net worth is 51 mil” she said. ‘b—h, you better secure the bag’, was the response.”
“But how was she going to do that?” Bauer continued. “‘Need daddy to choke me out,’ she said. ‘being an absolute whore to try to get in on his 51 million,’ read another text. Then, after the second time we met, former [San Diego] Padres pitcher Jacob Nix told her ‘you gotta get this bag.’ ‘I’ll give you 50,000’ Lindsey replied. Her AA sponsor asked her at one point, ‘do you feel a tiny bit guilty?’ ‘Not really,’ she replied.”
Bauer said these messages were “deliberately and unlawfully concealed from me and my legal team” until he filed his lawsuit against Hill and the case entered discovery.
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He also played a video taken just minutes before Hill left Bauer’s house in the morning after the alleged assault, showing her in bed next to him smirking at the camera with no evidence of injury or distress.
He said Hill’s legal team had approached him for money, but after this evidence was turned over, they approached with a settlement offer that included no money. He agreed to a settlement that allowed him to publicly discuss the case since he could not do so for legal reasons prior.
Bauer was suspended for 324 games because of the allegations, but an independent arbitrator reduced that ban to 194 games in December, Fox reported. No team picked him up, so he began playing in Japan for the Yokohama DeNa Baystars, where he was 10-4 with a 2.76 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 19 games.

Trevor Bauer

Woman Who Accused Trevor Bauer Of Sexual Assault Now Charged With Extorting Him

Fraud

Sexual Assault

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