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.
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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>
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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:
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🤣 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>
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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.
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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>
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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.
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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>
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&#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.
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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>
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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

Los Angeles Dodgers

Major League Baseball

Sports

U.S.

White House

World Series

President Donald Trump said late Friday night that he will move to issue a full pardon for late baseball legend and all-time hit leader Pete Rose, and ripped into Major League Baseball for failing to add Rose to the Hall of Fame before his death last year.
Rose is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but was banned from baseball for sports betting. Though, notably, Rose only ever bet on his team winning.
&#8220;Major League Baseball didn’t have the courage or decency to put the late, great, Pete Rose, also known as &#8216;Charlie Hustle,&#8217; into the Baseball Hall of Fame,&#8221; Trump posted to TruthSocial. &#8220;Now he is dead, will never experience the thrill of being selected, even though he was a FAR BETTER PLAYER than most of those who made it, and can only be named posthumously. WHAT A SHAME!&#8221;
&#8220;Anyway, over the next few weeks I will be signing a complete PARDON of Pete Rose, who shouldn’t have been gambling on baseball, but only bet on HIS TEAM WINNING,&#8221; the president said. &#8220;He never betted against himself, or the other team.&#8221;
Trump noted that Rose &#8220;had the most hits, by far, in baseball history, and won more games than anyone in sports history.&#8221;
&#8220;Baseball, which is dying all over the place, should get off its fat, lazy a**, and elect Pete Rose, even though far too late, into the Baseball Hall of Fame!&#8221; the president ended his post.
Before his death, Rose expressed regret over the betting scandal. “There’s only one thing I would change if I had to live it all over again … I would obviously turn my life around and not bet on baseball,” Rose <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2024/09/30/pete-rose-mlb-hits-leader-obituary/2808469001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the Cincinnati Enquirer back in 2018.
&#8220;Having said that, I feel like I’ve been a pretty good citizen,&#8221; he added. &#8220;You never read about me being in a bar after hours, beating up my wife, or getting into a fight with a fan and I was as gracious to everyone as I could be.”
In 2023, a year before his passing, he spoke about the MLB&#8217;s refusal to forgive him.
“I’ve been suspended over 30 years,&#8221; he <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christianred/2023/02/08/pete-rose-says-hopes-of-reinstatement-and-cooperstown-plaque-have-greatly-diminished/?sh=4c65ddc13238" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Forbes. &#8220;That’s a long time to be suspended for betting on your own team to win. And I was wrong. But that mistake was made. Time usually heals everything. It seems like it does in baseball, except when you talk about the Pete Rose case.”

Washington Nationals v Philadelphia Phillies

Trump Says He’ll Pardon Baseball Legend Pete Rose, Goes Off On ‘Lazy-A**’ MLB For Lack Of ‘Courage’

Trump Says He’ll Pardon Baseball Legend Pete Rose, Goes Off On ‘Lazy Ass’ MLB For Lack Of ‘Courage’ 

Baseball

Donald Trump

Pete Rose

On Friday, New York Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner announced the team would no longer force its players to be clean-shaven.
“In recent weeks I have spoken to a large number of former and current Yankees — spanning several eras — to elicit their perspectives on our longstanding facial hair and grooming policy, and I appreciate their earnest and varied feedback,” Steinbrenner said in a statement posted on X. “These most recent conversations are an extension of ongoing internal dialogue that dates back several years. Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to allow our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards moving forward. It is the appropriate time to move beyond the familiar comfort of our former policy.”
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Statement from Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner on the alteration of Yankees facial hair policy: <a href="https://t.co/UdEuAg3gZy">pic.twitter.com/UdEuAg3gZy</a>
&mdash; New York Yankees (@Yankees) <a href="https://twitter.com/Yankees/status/1892936061254271175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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“Steinbrenner said he spoke with several players earlier this week, including team captain Aaron Judge, right-hander Gerrit Cole and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. All were in favor of updating the policy,” MLB.com <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-change-facial-hair-policy">reported</a>.
“It’s appropriate. It makes sense,” Cole offered. “It still embodies our look and neatness, but allows for some individual freedom and a few less razor burns.”
Long beards may not pass the test; general manager Brian Cashman said: “We’re not trying to look like Duck Dynasty.” One concern expressed by the Yankees is that a free agent who sported facial hair might be lost because of the prior policy. “We never want to miss out on one player. If we miss out on one player because of that [policy], that’s too many,” manager Aaron Boone explained.
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The policy was implemented by Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who had served in the military, in the 1970s. “I have nothing against long hair per se,” Steinbrenner said in 1978, “but I’m trying to instill a certain sense of order and discipline in the ballclub, because I think discipline is important in an athlete. The players can joke about it, as long as they do it.”
“Winning was the most important thing to my father,” Steinbrenner added. “If somebody came and told him that they were very sure this could affect us getting the players we want to get … I think he might be a little more apt to do the change than people think, because it was about winning.”
“All players, coaches and male executives are forbidden to display any facial hair other than mustaches [except for religious reasons], and scalp hair may not be grown below the collar,” the team’s player manual states. “Long sideburns and mutton chops are not specifically banned.”
In the 1970s, one of the greatest teams of all time, the Cincinnati Reds, with Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Tony Perez on the team, were forbidden from sporting facial hair by general manager Bob Howsam, who was supported by manager Sparky Anderson. Howsam also banned long hair and demanded the team wear suit jackets for traveling.

Houston Astros v New York Yankees

Yankees May Now Sport ‘Well-Groomed Beards’: ‘We’re Not Trying To Look Like Duck Dynasty’

Duck Dynasty

General

New York Yankees

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/baseball" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Baseball</a> legend Willie Mays passed away on Tuesday afternoon, according to the San Francisco Giants. He was 93 years old.
&#8220;It is with great sadness that we announce that San Francisco Giants Legend and Hall of Famer Willie Mays passed away peacefully this afternoon at the age of 93,&#8221; the team said in a statement.
ESPN <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/40382540/legendary-center-fielder-willie-mays-dies-93" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that Mays had an “unmatched collection of skills” that made him “the greatest center fielder who ever lived.&#8221;
Mays made 24 All-Star teams during his Major League Baseball career — which spanned from 1951 &#8211; 1973 — and finished 6th in all-time home runs (660), 7th in runs scored (2,068), 12th in RBIs (1,909), and 13th in hits (3,293), ESPN reported.
Mays was born on May 6, 1931, in Alabama where he excelled at all the major sports early in life. He began his professional baseball career at only 17 years old when he joined the Birmingham Black Barons while he was still in high school. At 20, he became only the 10th black player in the league&#8217;s history.
He briefly had his career interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army to fight in the Korean War in 1952. He returned to the Giants in 1954.
Willie Mays&#8217; son, Michael Mays, said in a statement: &#8220;My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
There will never be another quite like Willie Mays 🧡 <a href="https://t.co/I95JW1buJF">pic.twitter.com/I95JW1buJF</a>
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) <a href="https://twitter.com/SFGiants/status/1803234068747968680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
&#8220;Today we have lost a true legend,&#8221; said Giants Chairman Greg Johnson in a statement. &#8220;In the pantheon of baseball greats, Willie Mays&#8217; combination of tremendous talent, keen intellect, showmanship, and boundless joy set him apart. A 24-time All-Star, the Say Hey Kid is the ultimate Forever Giant.&#8221;
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&#8220;He had a profound influence not only on the game of baseball, but on the fabric of America,&#8221; he added. &#8220;He was an inspiration and a hero who will be forever remembered and deeply missed.&#8221;
Giants president and chief executive officer Larry Baer said that he fell in love with baseball because of Mays.
&#8220;My childhood was defined by going to Candlestick with my dad, watching Willie patrol centerfield with grace and the ultimate athleticism,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Over the past 30 years, working with Willie, and seeing firsthand his zest for life and unbridled passion for giving to young players and kids, has been one of the joys of my life.&#8221;

Willie Mays

Baseball Legend Willie Mays Passes Away At 93

The Oakland A’s are officially moving to Sacramento starting in the 2025 season for three seasons with an option for a fourth before making their expected move to Las Vegas.
Vivek Ranadivé, the owner of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, joined Athletics owner John Fisher to announce the move on Thursday. The team will play its home games at Sutter Health Park, where the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats currently play.
“I’m thrilled to welcome the A&#8217;s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadivé <a href="https://www.sacbee.com/sports/article287381405.html#campaignName=sacramento_breaking_newsletter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a>. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”
“We look forward to making Sutter Health Park our home through our move to Las Vegas,” Fisher added. “We extend our appreciation to the Kings and the City of West Sacramento for hosting the A’s while we work to complete our new ballpark in Las Vegas.”
“We explored several locations for a temporary home, including the Oakland Coliseum,” Fisher continued. “Even with the long-standing relationship and good intentions on all sides in the negotiations with Oakland, the conditions to achieve an agreement seemed out of reach. We understand the disappointment this news brings to our fans, as this season marks our final one in Oakland. Throughout this season, we will honor and celebrate our time in Oakland, and will share additional details soon.”
The Athletics were founded in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics, the American League’s counterpart to the National League Philadelphia Phillies. The majority owner, Ben Shibe, was actually a minority owner in the Phillies; the legendary manager Connie Mack was not only the team’s initial manager (and would be for the next 50 years)  but also owned 25% of the team. The name was taken from the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia, which had been one of the original members of the National League when it was founded in 1876 but folded after one season.
The early years for the franchise were halcyon days, as the team won pennants in 1902, 1905, 1910, 1911, 1913, and 1914 and won the World Series in 1910, 1911, and 1913. In the late 1920s, the Athletics fielded one of the finest teams ever assembled, winning pennants from 1929-1931 and winning the World Series in 1929-1930.
Fallow decades followed, and at the end of 1954, the Athletics were sold and moved to Kansas City for the 1955 season. In the years that followed, the Athletics were often accused of acting like a farm team for the New York Yankees; between 1955 and 1959, the A’s and Yankees made 16 trades involving 61 players. The Yankees procured many star players, including Roger Maris (who would break Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record and win two MVP awards with the Yankees), third baseman Clete Boyer, and pitcher Ralph Terry.
Charlie Finley bought the team in 1960, and later moved them to Oakland in 1968, paving the way for the Oakland dynasty of the early 1970s. They became one of the few teams in baseball history to win three consecutive World Series championships (1972-1974) with a star-studded lineup that included an indomitable starting rotation of Catfish Hunter, Ken Holtzman, Vida Blue, and Blue Moon Odom along with reliever Rollie Fingers. They also boasted Reggie Jackson, Sal Bando, and Joe Rudi. The team later won the World Series in 1989 with a team featuring Jose Canseco, Mark McGuire, and Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley.
“When I saw that this morning, it kind of hit me in the gut,” Eckersley said of the move to the <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/athletics/article/dennis-eckersley-former-a-s-saddened-19386125.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Francisco Chronicle</a>. “Ugh. That’s my true reaction.”

Oakland Athletics v Milwaukee Brewers

Oakland Athletics To Move To Sacramento Starting In 2025

Oakland Athletics

Sacramento

The intricate tapestry of baseball&#8217;s history is marked by towering achievements, unforgettable moments, and, inevitably, its share of controversies. One of the most enduring debates centers on the Hall of Fame eligibility of players associated with or suspected of using performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).
The recent Hall of Fame vote, where former New York Yankee and Met Gary Sheffield, an exceptional talent, was <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/sports/mlb-great-gary-sheffield-rips-hall-of-fame-voting-process-missing-out-politics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not elected</a> in his last year of eligibility due to mere suspicion of intentional steroid use (Sheffield admits to unknowingly using a topical steroidal cream in 2002 he believed to be cortisone), brings this issue into immediate focus.
This case, among a select few others, calls for a deeper examination of the MLB&#8217;s approach to steroid use, particularly before the implementation of comprehensive testing protocols in the period after the initial survey urine testing for banned steroids in 2003 and 2004 was completed.
Before 2003, Major League Baseball operated without a robust steroid testing framework, creating an environment where PED use went largely unregulated. This era, retrospectively branded as the &#8220;Steroid Era,&#8221; was characterized by record-breaking performances and a surge in the sport&#8217;s popularity.
Players like Sheffield, who competed partially during this period, now find their legacies overshadowed by punitive suspicion, despite the absence of concrete evidence against them. The question arises: Is it fair to exclude players based on suspicion alone especially when they played in an era with different norms and regulations?
The shift in MLB&#8217;s stance on steroids, notably after governmental scrutiny in the early 2000s, led to stricter policies and testing procedures. While necessary for the sport&#8217;s integrity, this transition cast a retrospective pall over the achievements of many players, complicating their Hall of Fame considerations. Yet, the post-2003-2004 landscape, where failed drug tests provide clear evidence of PED use, presents a different set of challenges and considerations.
<div id="attachment_699151" style="width: 856px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-699151" class="size-large wp-image-699151" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-52440287-846x576.jpg" alt="WASHINGTON - MARCH 17: (R to L) Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, Rafael Palmeiro of the Baltimore Orioles, former St. Louis Cardinals Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa of the Baltimore Orioles listen to testimony the House Committee hearing investigating steroid use in baseball on Capitol Hill March 17, 2005 in Washington, DC. Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner Allen &quot;Bud&quot; Selig will give testimony regarding MLB?s efforts to eradicate steriod usage among its players. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)" width="846" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-52440287-846x576.jpg 846w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-52440287-300x204.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-52440287-768x523.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-52440287.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 846px) 100vw, 846px" />Win McNamee/Getty Images</div>
The multitude of players whose Hall-of-Fame-worthy careers are marred by positive tests, embody this dilemma. Their cases prompt us to consider steroid use beyond the binary of right and wrong, potentially delving into the realms of addiction, physical dependency, and mental health considerations for players that may have failed tests when they were already financially secure and had no real reason to risk a loss of pay or their long-term legacies.
The discourse around PEDs in sports rarely acknowledges the potential for physical and mental dependency, akin to more recognized forms of substance abuse. Steroids, like other drugs, can lead to a complex web of dependencies that challenge the user&#8217;s ability to simply abstain. This aspect of steroid use calls for a more nuanced approach, recognizing the need for rehabilitation and mental health support for those seeking to overcome their reliance on PEDs.
The tragic cases of former WWE wrestler Chris Benoit, who was a confirmed steroid user and whose homicidal actions were speculated by some to be influenced by &#8220;roid rage,&#8221; and former Major Leaguer Jeremy Giambi, also a confirmed steroid user, whose suicide raises questions about the long-term psychological impacts of steroid use, underscore the urgent need for empathy and support systems for athletes grappling with these dependencies, perhaps even years after their active playing careers have ended.
These examples highlight the darker consequences of PED use that extend beyond the playing field, into the very lives and well-being of the athletes. They should compel us to reconsider how we view steroid use in the context of sports and even the MLB Hall of Fame. Should we not extend the same understanding and support to athletes dealing with PED dependencies as we do to individuals battling other forms of addiction?
The punitive approach, which focuses solely on penalties and exclusion, fails to address what may be some serious underlying health and psychological issues associated with steroid use and does little to aid in the rehabilitation of affected athletes.
The Hall of Fame, as a custodian of baseball&#8217;s rich and varied history, has an opportunity to lead by example in this regard. By adopting a more empathetic stance towards players from the Steroid Era, and those who have struggled with PED dependencies, it can foster a more inclusive and compassionate narrative.
This doesn&#8217;t mean overlooking the use of PEDs or diminishing the importance of fair play, but rather recognizing the complexities of the era and the human struggles behind the headlines.
Moreover, the Steroid Era&#8217;s contribution to baseball&#8217;s success and appeal during the critical period after baseball restarted following the owner-initiated lockout in 1994 that halted an exciting season where players thought to be “clean” like the Chicago White Sox’s Frank Thomas and the Seattle Mariners’ Ken Griffey Jr. looked to be on the way to potentially making history as they challenged Roger Maris’ single season Home Run record, should not be understated.
Fan interest in the sport seriously waned starting in 1995 due to the previous season’s preemption, and the excitement and intrigue generated by the era&#8217;s record-breaking performances, particularly in the 1998 season, played a significant role in rejuvenating the sport, drawing in fans, and generating significant revenue. Acknowledging this era and its players in the Hall of Fame does not condone steroid use but recognizes its indelible impact on the sport&#8217;s history
In rethinking steroid bias for Hall of Fame consideration, the MLB and the broader baseball community have a chance to address one of the sport&#8217;s most contentious issues with a balanced mix of integrity, empathy, and historical perspective.
<div id="attachment_699145" style="width: 949px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-699145" class="size-large wp-image-699145" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1568488724-939x576.jpg" alt="COOPERSTOWN, NEW YORK - JULY 23: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred looks on during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 23, 2023 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)" width="939" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1568488724-939x576.jpg 939w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1568488724-300x184.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1568488724-768x471.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2024/02/GettyImages-1568488724.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 939px) 100vw, 939px" />Jim McIsaac/Getty Images</div>
This approach would not only honor the full spectrum of baseball&#8217;s legacy but also promote a more understanding and supportive environment for athletes that may be quietly facing the challenges associated with PED dependency.
The debate over steroids and the Hall of Fame is more than a question of statistics and accolades; it&#8217;s a matter of understanding the human element behind the players&#8217; achievements and struggles. By reevaluating stances on these issues, we may potentially pave the way for a more empathetic and nuanced appreciation of the sport&#8217;s history and its heroes.
* * *
Julio Rivera is a business strategist, political commentator and columnist, and a lifelong New York sports fan. His writing has been published by many of the largest and most respected news organizations in the world.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

2004 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby

Rethinking Steroid Bias For MLB Hall Of Fame Consideration

Drugs

Hall of Fame

Opinion

Readers Pass

Steroids

The Major League Baseball (MLB) All Star Game will return to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/atlanta" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atlanta</a> even though a Georgia voting law is still in effect that caused an uproar and resulted in the game being moved in 2021.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the All Star Game will be played at the Atlanta Braves’ ballpark, Truist Field in 2025 during a press conference Thursday afternoon.
&#8220;As a model of success on and off the field, the Braves deserve to host the All-Star Game,&#8221; Manfred <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/braves-to-host-2025-mlb-all-star-game-in-atlanta-after-losing-2021-festivities-over-georgia-voting-laws/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, adding that he looks forward to working with the Braves to deliver an All Star Game that &#8220;brings people together and benefits the community in many ways.&#8221;
In 2021, the Braves were set to host the All Star Game, but Manfred decided to move the game to the Rockies&#8217; ballpark in Denver after an uproar over the state&#8217;s new voting law.
The Braves went on to win the World Series that year.
The Georgia voting law in question, the Election Integrity Act of 2021, restricted voting by mail and ballot drop boxes and implemented voter ID requirements. The law also requires two Saturdays of early voting ahead of general election, up from just one Saturday.
The law also banned outside groups from handing out food or water to people waiting in line to vote, but that ban was partially struck down by a federal judge in August.
Voting rights groups associated with Lebron James, Stacey Abrams, and Al Sharpton were <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/stacey-abrams-urged-mlb-commissioner-move-all-star-game" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> pushing for the MLB to move the All Star Game, and the groups held discussions with Manfred.
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Manfred ended up concluding that the All Star Game would turn into a political event and players might even boycott the game, so the easiest solution was to move the game, sources <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/stacey-abrams-urged-mlb-commissioner-move-all-star-game" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Fox News at the time.
Several months after the decision to move the game, Manfred said he was “not going to get into what I would need to see changed” for Atlanta to host the All Star Game in the future.
“Atlanta is an important market to us, and it will certainly be an option at some point in the future,” Manfred <a href="https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/rob-manfred-atlanta-an-option-at-some-point-for-future-all-star-game/IQYQ6OLGAZGGFIZR5JESFHOB7Q/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in July 2021.
The MLB commissioner addressed his previous decision during Thursday&#8217;s press conference.
&#8220;I made the decision in 2021 to move the event, and I understand that — believe me — people had then and probably still have different views as to the merits of that decision,&#8221; Manfred <a href="https://twitter.com/EvanDrellich/status/1725220763584565602" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.

2024 MLB All-Star Logo Unveiling

MLB All Star Game Returns To Atlanta Despite Uproar Over ‘Jim Crow’ Voting Laws

MLB All Star Game Returns To Atlanta Despite Uproar Over 'Jim Crow' Voting Laws

Atlanta

Georgia

Mail-In Voting

Social Issues

Voting

Former <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/major-league-baseball" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Major League Baseball</a> star Steve Garvey announced on Tuesday that he is running for the U.S. Senate in the 2024 <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/california" target="_blank" rel="noopener">California</a> race as a Republican, saying that his campaign would focus on “quality of life” issues and returning California to being the “heartbeat” of America.
Garvey, 74, had a lengthy MLB career spanning from 1969-1987 where he played first base for the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles-dodgers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> and the San Diego Padres. The former baseball player, who won the National League MVP award in 1974, told The Daily Wire that he decided to run after seeing the “dysfunction” of Washington, D.C.
“I talk about a chorus of career politicians from the state of California that have told people what’s good for them, that your life is great, and it’s just not true,” Garvey said in an interview. “They know that their life could be better. They know they’ve seen better days in California, that’s why they are still here; they love California. But they need help.”
Garvey, whose <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC44seizfO8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first campaign ad</a> highlighted his baseball career, indicated that he would use the relationship he built with Californians during his MLB career to earn support.
“I’ve had this 50-year love affair with California, starting with when I first put on a Dodger uniform back on September 1, 1969,” he said. “The fans knew that I played for them, I played honestly, and gave my 100 percent.”
Key issues he said he would focus on included addressing economic challenges like the rising price of food and gasoline, affordable housing, supporting law enforcement, and education. He also said that the border should be secured and that the government needed to “shut down the sources of illicit drugs that are killing Americans.”
As senator, he said that he would focus on making &#8220;common sense decisions for the people of California.” In previous <a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-senate-steve-garvey-baseball-ce5fb39988916e7eb91ec0c5a31c9c1b?taid=6525473069f2640001d99e94&amp;utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&amp;utm_medium=AP&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interviews</a>, he said that he would uphold the state’s stance on abortion and would not support a nationwide abortion ban.
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As a Republican, Garvey faces an uphill climb, as a Republican has not won a national Senate seat in over 30 years. Garvey previously <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/10/steve-garvey-california-senate/#:~:text=Former%20Major%20League%20Baseball%20player,who%20died%20earlier%20this%20month." target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that he voted for former President Donald Trump in both 2016 and 2020.
Democrats in the race for deceased California Senator Dianne Feinstein’s former seat include Rep. Adam Schiff, Rep. Katie Porter, and Rep. Barbara Lee. California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler, a radical pro-abortion activist, to Feinstein’s seat earlier this month.
Garvey said that ordinary people had been left behind by California polices and that politicians were not making decisions beneficial to the state or the country.
“I saw such a dysfunction in Washington in career politicians really living for the business of politics and not for the people of California or this country,” Garvey told The Daily Wire.

Atlanta Braves v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game Four

Former Baseball MVP Running For Senate In California As Republican

2024 Election

California

Elections

Politics

Senate

Former <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/boston">Boston</a> Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield — famously known for his iconic knuckleball-style pitching that helped the franchise win two World Series titles — died at age 57 on Sunday, the team announced.
Although an official cause of death was not immediately revealed, Wakefield reportedly had been undergoing treatment following a brain cancer diagnosis.
&#8220;Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield,&#8221; the team&#8217;s official X account posted. &#8220;Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.&#8221;
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Our hearts are broken with the loss of Tim Wakefield.
Wake embodied true goodness; a devoted husband, father, and teammate, beloved broadcaster, and the ultimate community leader. He gave so much to the game and all of Red Sox Nation.
Our deepest love and thoughts are with… <a href="https://t.co/ah5kV2Yt8j">pic.twitter.com/ah5kV2Yt8j</a>
&mdash; Red Sox (@RedSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1708550648914903185?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Last week, Wakefield&#8217;s former teammate, Curt Schilling, faced backlash after <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-wakefield-illness-curt-schilling-8f068c984b7c3e5924b3d27f0cd05832" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealing</a> without permission that Wakefield had been diagnosed with brain cancer and asked for fans to respect his privacy.
The team issued a statement on Thursday with the consent of Wakefield and his wife, Stacy, saying, &#8220;Unfortunately, this information has been shared publicly without their permission.&#8221;
&#8220;Their health is a deeply personal matter they intended to keep private as they navigate treatment and work to tackle this disease,&#8221; Red Sox officials reportedly said. &#8220;Tim and Stacy are appreciative of the support and love that has always been extended to them and respectfully ask for privacy at this time.&#8221;
Wakefield, who was born in Melbourne, Florida, on August 2, 1966, made his Major League Baseball debut in 1992 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The team had drafted him four years earlier as a first baseman to the minor leagues, where his career slowly launched until a Pirates coach saw him throwing a knuckleball while playing catch with a teammate.
&#8220;I was disappointed [the Pirates] were giving up on me that quick [as a hitter],&#8221; Wakefield said in his memoir, &#8220;Knuckler: My Life with Baseball&#8217;s Most Confounding Pitch,&#8221; <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38539709/former-red-sox-knuckleballer-tim-wakefield-dies-brain-caner-57" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to ESPN. &#8220;But then, they basically told me, &#8216;You&#8217;re going to pitch or you&#8217;re going to go home.&#8217; So I said, &#8216;OK, I&#8217;ll pitch.'&#8221;
The move immediately garnered Wakefield national attention after winning 8-1 with a 2.15 ERA and two more games during the National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves. But after underperforming the following season, the team sent him back to the minors until ultimately releasing him.
The Boston Red Sox picked him up in 1995, where he found his permanent home for the rest of his professional career and pitched for 17 seasons.
He contributed to the team winning the World Series championship in 2004 against the St. Louis Cardinals to claim their first championship in 86 years. Wakefield scored another World Series title with the Red Sox after defeating the New York Yankees in 2007.
Wakefield retired in 2012 with 200 major league game victories under his belt — 186 with the Red Sox — <a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-wakefield-death-red-sox-ae1f9bd465fbefede0d030f915b1f988?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=AP_Sports&amp;utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> placing him behind legendary baseball players Cy Young and Roger Clemens in the team&#8217;s history.
According to ESPN, he finished his career with a 4.41 ERA with 2,156 strikeouts &#8212; and 1,205 walks &#8212; in 3,226 2/3 innings pitched over 627 appearances (463 starts).
&#8220;There were some years there where I didn&#8217;t know if I was going to come back or not,&#8221; Wakefield said at his 2012 retirement news conference. &#8220;But I&#8217;m very grateful that I&#8217;ve been able to put this uniform on for such a long time, and win two World Series for this great city.&#8221;
Shortly after retiring, Wakefield began working as an analyst for the Red Sox broadcast network NESN. He also remained involved in Boston charities, including the Red Sox Foundation.
In 2016, the franchise inducted him into the Red Sox Hall of Fame to join former players, leadership, and staff members who have contributed to the team&#8217;s 120-year-plus history.
Red Sox owner John Henry said in a statement on Sunday following Wakefield&#8217;s passing that &#8220;Tim&#8217;s kindness and indomitable spirit were as legendary as his knuckleball.&#8221;
&#8220;He not only captivated us on the field but was the rare athlete whose legacy extended beyond the record books to the countless lives he touched with his warmth and genuine spirit,&#8221; Henry said. &#8220;He had a remarkable ability to uplift, inspire, and connect with others in a way that showed us the true definition of greatness. He embodied the very best of what it means to be a member of the Boston Red Sox and his loss is felt deeply by all of us.&#8221;
Red Sox chairman Tom Werner said, &#8220;It&#8217;s one thing to be an outstanding athlete; it&#8217;s another to be an extraordinary human being. Tim was both.&#8221;
&#8220;He was a role model on and off the field, giving endlessly to the Red Sox Foundation and being a force for good for everyone he encountered,&#8221; Werner said. &#8220;I felt fortunate to call him a close friend and along with all of us in Red Sox Nation, I know the world was made better because he was in it.&#8221;
Wakefield is survived by his wife, Stacy, and their children, Trevor and Brianna.

(082611, Boston, MA) Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tim Wakefield (49) as the Red Sox take on the Athletics at Fenway Park. Friday, August 26, 2011. (Staff photo by Stuart Cahill)

Boston Red Sox Legendary Knuckleballer Pitcher Tim Wakefield Dead At 57

Boston Red Sox

Cancer

Death

Obituaries

Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, the man nicknamed “The Human Vacuum Cleaner” who set the standard for playing third base, has died at age 86, after having become a legendary beloved figure in Baltimore.
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A Statement from the Robinson Family and the Orioles:
“We are deeply saddened to share the news of the passing of Brooks Robinson. An integral part of our Orioles Family since 1955, he will continue to leave a lasting impact on our club, our community, and the sport of…
&mdash; Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) <a href="https://twitter.com/Orioles/status/1706785629546111056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Robinson, who played for the Baltimore Orioles his entire career (1955-1977)  won an astonishing 16 consecutive Gold Gloves (1960-75) during his career; he played his entire career for the Baltimore Orioles and became a local hero in the town. He helped the Orioles win the World Series in 1966 and 1970.
Robinson won the 1964 American League MVP after batting .317 with 118 RBIs. He also won the MVP in the 1970 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds, hitting .429 with two home runs. He ended his career just shy of 3,000 hits, with 2,848 hits, a .267 batting average, 268 home runs and 1,357 RBIs. He appeared in 18 All-Star Games.
But it was his defense that made him legendary, as can be seen <a href="https://www.mlb.com/orioles/video/best-of-brooks-robinson-s-defense" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
After the five-game 1970 World Series against the Reds, where Robinson made one dazzling play after another, he <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/orioles-star-third-baseman-brooks-robinson-dies-86-2023-09-26/">stated</a>with typical humility, “I just happened to be in the right spot in that series. I tell people that I played 23 seasons and I never did have five games in a row like I did in that World Series. It was a once in a lifetime five-game series for me and it just happened to be in a World Series.”
Robinson once told writers that his defense was never brought up when he was negotiating a contract with the Orioles. General Manager Harry Dalton explained why, as Doug Wilson wrote in “<a href="https://books.google.co.il/books?id=ZYfqAQAAQBAJ&amp;pg=PA218&amp;lpg=PA218&amp;dq=Brooks+Robinson+defense&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=MXYhSTZVM8&amp;sig=ACfU3U2d41MXMQY0s8oNluRxS4-IWQuTBA&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi15qm5isqBAxVPX0EAHeyEBgA4ChDoAXoECAIQAw#v=onepage&amp;q=Brooks%20Robinson%20defense&amp;f=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brooks: The Biography of Brooks Robinson</a>”: “Perhaps his glove wasn’t brought up by me because I think you can understand that I would have everything to lose by bringing up his defense. How could I bring up defense? How could I debate perfection?”
In addition, Robinson was beloved as a human being for his graciousness and humility. “Great player, great guy on the field, great guy off,” fellow Orioles Hall of Famer Jim Palmer recalled. “Respectful, kind. And you don&#8217;t meet too many guys like that. Brooks was a genuine person. There was no acting. Brooks was just a genuine person.”
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Jim Palmer reflects on the legacy of Brooks Robinson. <a href="https://t.co/2UlvMt5gBd">pic.twitter.com/2UlvMt5gBd</a>
&mdash; Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) <a href="https://twitter.com/masnOrioles/status/1706798175258886181?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Robinson was such a beloved figure in Baltimore that when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in July 1983, the crowd was estimated at 12,000 people, 4,000 more than any previous induction ceremony. Wilson noted, “56 buses, 14 planes and countless individual cars made the 250-mile ‘trip of pride’ sponsored by the business community of Baltimore.” Bill Tanton, sports editor of the Baltimore Sun, said, “When Brooks went in, it was like a member of your family going in.”
Robinson reacted humbly, “I can’t believe it. It was just unbelievable for all these people to make this hike up from Baltimore to see me go into the Hall of Fame. If I’m making them happy in any way, then that makes me happy.”
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Remembering Mr. Oriole 🧡 <a href="https://t.co/vibCuUWybB">pic.twitter.com/vibCuUWybB</a>
&mdash; Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) <a href="https://twitter.com/Orioles/status/1706801909405770157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Brooks Robinson is iconic – not just in the game of baseball, but in Baltimore as a whole.   Few people captured the hearts of a community like Brooks. His charm, kindness and class truly made him one of a kind.”
Steve Bisciotti on the passing of <a href="https://twitter.com/Orioles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Orioles</a> legend Brooks… <a href="https://t.co/VNBF1auf9I">pic.twitter.com/VNBF1auf9I</a>
&mdash; Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ravens/status/1706812889904873826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The memories we all share of Brooks will live on. My thoughts are with Connie and the Robinson family. We lost a great man but were so fortunate to have had him in our lives.&quot; &#8211; CRJ
&mdash; Cal Ripken, Jr. (@CalRipkenJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/CalRipkenJr/status/1706812959601590607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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When I was a little kid, I couldn’t imagine anyone ever being cooler than Brooks Robinson.
I still can’t. 
RIP <a href="https://t.co/7PpHWTwBoB">pic.twitter.com/7PpHWTwBoB</a>
&mdash; Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) <a href="https://twitter.com/notthefakeSVP/status/1706788105674449019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Words can’t express how I feel right now. A sad day for our Hall of Fame family with passing of Brooks Robinson. One of the most kindest and sincere individual I have ever met. Brooks you will be dearly missed my friend RIP 🙏
&mdash; Wade Boggs (@ChickenMan3010) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChickenMan3010/status/1706792049637245172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Brooks Robinson Portrait Color

‘Human Vacuum Cleaner’: Legendary Hall Of Famer Brooks Robinson Dies At 86

Baltimore Orioles

Brooks Robinson

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles-dodgers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Dodgers</a> pitcher Julio Urias was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/domestic-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">domestic violence</a>, according to multiple reports.
The Los Angeles Police Department <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38328539/dodgers-p-julio-urias-arrested-domestic-violence-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told ESPN</a> that Urias, 27, was detained on felony charges.
Citing jail records, the news outlet said Urias was booked around 1 a.m., a couple of hours after his arrest. He was then released on $50,000 bond and has a court date of September 27.
The Dodgers released a statement acknowledging that the team was aware of an &#8220;incident&#8221; involving Urias.
&#8220;While we attempt to learn all the facts, he will not be traveling with the team. The organization has no further comment at this time,&#8221; the statement added, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/dodgers-pitcher-julio-urias-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the local CBS affiliate</a>.
Major League Baseball (MLB) will conduct an investigation and Urias has been placed on administrative leave while it pans out, The Orange County Register&#8217;s Bill Plunkett <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1698773765591630267" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in posts to X, noting that the pitcher may not play again for the Dodgers as he is is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.
Urias was previously arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery in 2019 after he was allegedly seen pushing a woman to the ground in a parking lot, as <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2023-09-04/dodgers-julio-urias-charged-felony-domestic-violence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted by the Los Angeles Times</a>. The player did <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers-julio-urias-no-domestic-battery-charges-city-attorney-20190603-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not face any charges</a> in connection to that case, but he was <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-urias-suspended" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suspended</a> for 20 games under the MLB&#8217;s Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy.
&#8220;Although the authorities determined no charges of any kind were warranted, I accept full responsibility for what I believe was my inappropriate conduct during the incident,&#8221; Urias said in a statement at the time. &#8220;Even in this instance where there was no injury or history of violence, I understand and agree that Major League players should be held to a higher standard. I hold myself to a higher standard as well. I have taken proactive steps to help grow as a person on and off the field, and in my relationships, including attending counseling sessions.&#8221;
Urias, who was born in Mexico, has played in the MLB for the Dodgers since the 2016 season. He notably threw the strikeout that <a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/julio-urias-628711" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secured victory</a> for his team in the 2020 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays and he <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-urias-third-place-nl-cy-young-award-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finished third</a> in the race for the National League&#8217;s Cy Young award last year.
This season, while contending with <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/37695430/dodgers-place-lhp-julio-urias-il-hamstring-strain" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hamstring</a> and <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/julio-urias-tosses-5-scoreless-innings-after-fingernail-issue" target="_blank" rel="noopener">finger</a> injuries, the left-hander has <a href="https://www.mlb.com/player/julio-urias-628711" target="_blank" rel="noopener">notched</a> 11 wins and eight losses along with a 4.60 Earned Run Average.
The Dodgers sit atop the National League&#8217;s West division with a 84-52 record and 14.5-game lead over the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks with about four weeks left to play in the regular season.

Julio Urias

Dodgers Pitcher Arrested On Suspicion Of Domestic Violence

Dodgers Pitcher Arrested On Suspicion of Domestic Violence

Crime

Domestic Violence

Major League Baseball (MLB) is focusing on diversity efforts to increase the recruitment of black players.
MLB’s efforts are already yielding results. A growing number of players primed to go pro are black. MLB <a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-baseball-players-major-league-3b7b3a3f2ef9a70631d1e6e571d7ecbd">told</a> AP News that approximately 15 percent of the players featured in a recent showcase preceding July’s draft were black.
In last year’s draft, four of the first five players selected were black: a first in MLB’s history. All four hailed from the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/2023-dream-series-aims-to-increase-black-participation-in-baseball">DREAM Series</a>, an MLB camp for young black players. MLB <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/diversity-in-mlb-expanding-in-2023">reported</a> in April that their diversity efforts had yielded black players making up 13 percent of the top 100 selections.
MLB projected that 11 black players would be among the top 100 players for this year’s draft, with at least 49 percent of those anticipated players qualifying as diversity drafts.
The increased diversity yield may be credited to MLB’s numerous initiatives and hundreds of millions in funding dedicated specifically to training up black players.
Zion Rose, one of the combine players poised to participate in the upcoming draft, credited MLB’s diversity initiatives for his exposure to scouts, as well as significant figures like former players and coaches. Former MLB player Chris Young concurred, crediting the MLB’s diversity initiatives for lessening the financial burden for up-and-coming black players.
In 2021, MLB committed to give $100 million and raise $50 million over the course of a decade to increase the number of black baseball players. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the goal was to see more non-white players on the field.
“We want young people, period, playing the game: particularly young people of color,” said Manfred.
The millions in funding were issued in a partnership with <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/the-players-alliance-panel-discussion-mlb-tonight">The Players Alliance</a>: a nonprofit of current and former MLB players launched amid the summer of Black Lives Matter (BLM) rioting in response to George Floyd’s death. The Players Alliance shares a similar logo to BLM, with one exception: while BLM has three yellow lines on a black background, the alliance has two yellow lines and one white line on a black background.
With their millions in funding, the alliance has launched a mentorship program, donated baseball equipment, and created exclusive scholarship, internship, and employment opportunities for black individuals. 
The $150 million was in addition to an initial $10 million pledge issued in 2020. 
The board chair of The Players Alliance, Curtis Granderson, said the MLB support made their equity work possible.
“As the stark racial minority in all aspects of our game, The Players Alliance has given a voice and platform to our black players, unified in our stance against systemic racism,” said Granderson. “We stand together for what is right and to change our game for the better. The power of our player membership, including our non-black teammates, coupled with the support of MLB and the Players Association, gives us the unique ability to create increased opportunities for the black communities we care so much about.”
The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport <a href="https://www.tidesport.org/mlb">estimated</a> in their annual Racial and Gender Report Card released last week that black players made up about six percent of all players on opening day rosters. That’s one percent less than last year, and one-third of the total from 1991. However, the institute reported that the number of non-white MLB players increased to 40 percent this year. Latinos and Hispanics make up the largest bulk of the diverse crowd, accounting for 30 percent of the players.
In <a href="https://apnews.com/article/baseball-diversity-study-black-players-5d0d1766536f1385ee673c68be55d89a">response</a> to the latest demographics of black participation in baseball, MLB Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity &amp; Inclusion Billy Bean promised that the organization was prioritizing the recruitment of black players.
“We have extensive programs through all stages of player development to increase Black participation in baseball,” said Bean. “We are encouraged by the progress being made at various levels of the pipeline. Diversity remains a top priority for our entire industry and we are committed to this as a long-term effort.”
In addition to the DREAM Series, the MLB also has the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/breakthrough-series">Breakthrough Series</a> and the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/hank-aaron-invitational">Hank Aaron Invitational</a>, diversity initiatives with predominant participation from young black players. The latter program has yielded 94 percent of graduating alumni securing collegiate and professional baseball opportunities.

MLB: JUN 02 Orioles at Giants

MLB Focuses Recruitment on Diversity to Bring in More Black Players

Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

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