Stephanie Apstein @stephapstein Twitter profile

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Stephanie Apstein

5 years

Roy Halladay’s father taught him two things: to pitch and to fly. One gave him life. The other killed him. On a father’s grief and a family’s questions, as Hall of Fame weekend approaches

Why Roy Halladay took to the skies

Roy Halladay found freedom in flying. It allowed him to escape the noise of the world below him. So what happened on Nov. 7, 2017?

www.si.com

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

Former sportswriter Jonah Keri was sentenced today to 21 months in prison for assaulting his wife. More than a dozen people wrote letters supporting him. The judge said they had the opposite effect:

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5 years

Astros owner Jim Crane sent me a letter on Saturday retracting the team’s original statement about my story. “We were wrong.”

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5 years

During the Astros’ ALCS celebration, assistant GM Brandon Taubman yelled, half a dozen times, to three female reporters, “Thank God we got Osuna! I’m so f——— glad we got Osuna!” On a systemic problem, in Houston and across the league:

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3 years

New Masters champ Hideki Matsuyama, asked for his athletic inspirations, says he can't really name any golfers. He mostly admires baseball players: Yu Darvish, Shohei Ohtani, Kenta Maeda.

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

4 years

Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo: “Shit doesn’t change. And it’s just the fact of the matter. Politicians really don’t give a fuck about us. All they care about is their own agenda. This is just the way it is and it’s upsetting. I’m sorry to use that language and go off. It’s upsetting.”

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@stephapstein

2 years

Aaron Judge says his dad keeps saying, “You come to the plate 600 times. You’re telling me you can’t hit 80 out?”

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

3 years

The first casualty of the Yankees-Astros game: an inflatable trash can confiscated by security

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2 years

Pete Alonso’s wife, Haley, just posted this video on her Instagram of Pete’s car after his crash yesterday. Pete said today the car flipped three times and he had to kick out the windshield to escape.

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3 years

A reader email, published with permission, about the chop.

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3 years

Joc Pederson, who has played in three World Series, is asked what he has learned it takes to win these games. "Score more runs than the other team," he says.

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

Keith Hernandez just said on the Mets broadcast that he has asked SNY not to make him call games against the Phillies because he doesn't like watching them play. "As far as fundamentally and defensively, the Phillies have always been just not up to it."

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

“It’s a different guy every night,” said Nick Castellanos. “Well, most of the time it’s Bryce.”

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

1 year

I went to journalism school so I could provide you with this exclusive exposé: The Yankees charge their players for internet on the team plane. “It’s your fault,” they tell one another. “Your contract is too big, so they can’t pay for the Wi-Fi.”

The Yankees Are Worth $6 Billion, But Still Make Their Players Pay $9 For In-Flight Wi-Fi

Tragically, one of the world’s most valuable sports franchises doesn’t provide complimentary internet to its millionaire employees.

www.si.com

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

Max Scherzer, how did you celebrate being done with CBA negotiations? “I drank a lot.”

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

This sign at Giants camp originally read ANALYTICS. At the quants’ request, it was swapped out.

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

Nearly 40% of the Royals have elected to take four days off this week. “I think if our team was in a different part of the standings, I think it would be different.” Yeah. These guys aren’t winning players.

Unvaccinated Royals Lay Bare Their Lack of Commitment

Ten Royals will miss a series in Toronto due to their unwillingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Their ignorance is hurting themselves and their team.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

3 years

In May, Trevor Bauer allegedly used his hands to break a woman’s skull during sex. On Sunday, the Dodgers announced today, he will use them to start a baseball game.

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4 years

Astros players have insisted they weren’t using the trash can in the 2017 playoffs. Manfred says there was evidence that they were. What was that evidence? “Statements from players.”

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@stephapstein

2 years

Carrillo started figure skating because he had a crush on a girl at the rink. She later quit. He kept skating. They lost touch. He just said she reached out after his short program on Tuesday to congratulate him, which is an adorable conclusion.

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

Donovan Carrillo, the Mexican figure skater performing now, trains on the rink at a shopping mall, doing quadruple jumps amid kids learning to skate.

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

4 years

Gerrit Cole thanked Marvin Miller and Curt Flood in his press conference. How does he know so much about baseball labor history? Apparently Pirates catcher John Buck used to drag rookies to the front of the bus and ask them about it: “Get your f——— book reports ready, kids.”

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

10 months

Good exchange just now: Gary Cohen asked Keith Hernandez if he would let Shohei Ohtani wear No. 17 (retired for KH) if he signed with NYM. KH: "Well, he couldn't." GC: "With your permission he could." KH: [Pause] "Don't ask." GC: [Laugh] "I will drop the subject right there."

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

3 years

Hank Aaron donated his memorabilia, but he kept his hate mail. He never forgot how America treated him. America shouldn’t, either.

Hank Aaron Never Forgot How America Treated Him. We Shouldn't, Either

It didn't matter how many home runs Hank Aaron was able to hit. He endured endless racism inside and outside the ballpark.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

2 years

Aaron Judge, what is Yankee Stadium like in the playoffs? He grinned. “It’s heaven.”

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@stephapstein

1 year

One unexpectedly wonderful detail of the WBC is that there's no team owner, so Rob Manfred handed the trophy to the man who most deserves it, Shohei Ohtani.

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@stephapstein

4 years

Seven years ago, Daniel Bard googled “how to get rid of the yips.” He tried lifting, tapping, hypnosis, beer. Nothing worked. A year ago, he couldn’t even play catch with his kids. Today he’s on the Rockies’ Opening Day roster. Inside the journey:

Daniel Bard's Long Road Back From the Yips

Baseball's most mysterious ailment completely derailed the former Red Sox flamethrower. He's finally found his way back to the big leagues.

www.si.com

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

3 years

Breaking (literally): Joc Pederson’s necklace snapped last night. His jeweler is flying to Atlanta today with a replacement.

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

3 years

“I want to do something really different,” Joc Pederson texted his jeweler. “I want to make a nice fashion statement. And I’m thinking about pearls.” His jeweler wrote back: “?” On the necklace that’s taking over October in Atlanta:

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3 years

When Tyler Matzek gave up a single to end the Atlanta no-hitter in Game 3, Luke Jackson told him, “The reason we’re not in the Hall of Fame is you.”

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

Francisco Lindor brought his toddler daughter to his press conference. So far she has asked for two people: Mama and Buck. “She loves Buck,” Lindor said.

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

5 years

Verne Lundquist is 78 and retired. But he insists on working the Masters, even if it means flying in the middle seat to get here

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

10 months

Now playing at Citi Field: Charlie Freeman pitching, Charley Kershaw batting, Matthew Prior catching, Clayton Kershaw umpiring.

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

A collection of adults sent a child to suffer in public, and suffer she did. On “irreparable harm”:

Kamila Valieva’s Collapse Was a Fitting End to a Controversial Olympics

Authorities deemed the 15-year-old a “protected person” who is not responsible for her actions. But no one protected her, or her teammates, from an abusive system that resulted in a doping scandal.

www.si.com

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

7 months

Orlando Arcia said anything he says in the clubhouse except during an interview is off the record. Some fans and even media members have exhibited a similar misunderstanding of how this works. On “the record,” what it is and what it’s for:

A Guide to What Is—And Isn’t—Off the Record

Other members of the Braves say Orlando Arcia’s comments shouldn’t have been published.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

2 years

A ball signed by all four pitchers and catcher Christian Vázquez is headed to the Hall of Fame.

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@stephapstein

8 months

Yusei Kikuchi is not sure what all the fuss is about. Yes, he tries to get 13 or 14 hours of sleep. “My teammates asked me how I'm able to sleep so much. But, like, honestly, if you close your eyes, I feel like you should be able to sleep.”

Yusei Kikuchi’s Secrets to Sleeping 13–14 Hours

The Blue Jays pitcher made waves by revealing his aspirational sleeping habits on the night before a start.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

3 years

Dusty Baker, speaking for introverts everywhere, on why he doesn’t wear his 1981 World Series ring: “If you wear it now, you have to talk to people that maybe you might not want to talk to.”

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@stephapstein

4 years

I asked scientists when we will have sports back. Their answers were not encouraging.

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4 years

Dusty Baker says he once planned to remove Max Scherzer, but he wanted to look into his eyes before he decided. “He has two different-colored eyes, one blue and one brown. So I said, ‘Which eye should I look at?’ He said, ‘The blue one.’” Dusty left him in, and he got the out.

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@stephapstein

3 years

One ball was so sticky players could pick it up with their palm. Another had visible fingerprints. One pitcher’s fingers were flagged at airport security. “This should be the biggest scandal in sports.” With @alex_prewitt :

'This Should Be the Biggest Scandal in Sports'

The inside story of how rampant pitch-doctoring in MLB is pumping pitchers up and deflating offenses.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

3 years

“It’s like your superpowers were stripped away from you,” her best friend told her. But Simone Biles found a way. Inside her whirlwind week:

How Biles Came Back to Win the Bronze of Her Life

A week ago, a case of the twisties threatened her elite gymnastics career. On Tuesday, the 24-year-old returned to compete on the beam—for a medal, but most importantly, for herself.

www.si.com

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

4 years

As MLB crumbles, SI reached out to all team 30 owners to request an interview. None said yes. A 17-year-old shortstop in Class A is more accountable than these billionaires. Column on the arrogance that got us here:

Blame the Owners for MLB's Mess

Hoping to see your favorite team play in 2020? Your favorite team's owner is preventing that.

www.si.com

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

6 months

A stomach ailment has felled some 10% of the executives at MLB’s annual offseason kickoff. It’s serious enough that the league considered ending the whole thing early. The GM meetings have become the GI meetings.

MLB’s GM Meetings Plagued by Queasy Conundrum

An apparent stomach bug has wreaked havoc on baseball execs in Arizona.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

2 years

Buck Showalter says he is “a big chick-flick guy.” He liked The Devil Wears Prada, didn’t like How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days and highly recommends The Bridges of Madison County. “Bring a big box of tissues. You’ll thank me.”

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2 years

You get the sense that the Phillies are too naive to know they're supposed to be scared.

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@stephapstein

3 years

Atlanta's Jorge Soler says having covid has changed his opinion of the vaccine. (He was asymptomatic but because he was unvaccinated he had to isolate for more than a week.) "I feel way different now," he said. "I feel bad about it and I'm going to get a shot as soon as I can."

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@stephapstein

2 years

Emma Stone is at Citi Field, wearing Padres gear. She got a loud boo when they showed her on the jumbotron. She shrugged.

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

Michael Lorenzen left yesterday to fly ahead to Anaheim in advance of his start. Apparently no one informed Joe Maddon, who started looking for him to pinch hit late in the extra-inning game. “I said, ‘Somebody go get Lorenzen!’” he said. “They were like, ‘He’s on a plane.’”

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Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

6 months

Update: It’s definitely a virus, not food poisoning, and as a result MLB has canceled the rest of the meetings.

MLB’s GM Meetings Plagued by Queasy Conundrum

An apparent stomach bug has wreaked havoc on baseball execs in Arizona.

www.si.com

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

6 months

A stomach ailment has felled some 10% of the executives at MLB’s annual offseason kickoff. It’s serious enough that the league considered ending the whole thing early. The GM meetings have become the GI meetings.

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2 years

A confusing sequence here at CBP, as the Jumbotron incorrectly identified Miles Teller’s dad as Bruce Springsteen, then issued a correction.

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2 years

I guess I am alone in this, but I think this Astros-Mariners game is making a strong case against the ghost runner. This rules!

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3 years

The Red Sox with Mookie Betts, the Cubs with Yu Darvish and now Cleveland with Francisco Lindor ... if these owners aren’t willing to pay their best players, they should sell the teams.

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2 years

Australian skeleton athlete Jaclyn Narracott, who just won silver, lists among her hobbies “eating bread.” The people’s hero.

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4 years

“[Expletive] it, I’m going out there.” Justin Turner tested positive for COVID. He was isolated. Then he and the other scientists in baseball pants decided to set public-health policy based on what seemed most fun. Inside a stunningly reckless scene:

How Dodgers' Celebration Became Possible Superspreading Event

After testing positive for COVID-19, Justin Turner celebrated the Dodgers' World Series win on the field with his teammates.

www.si.com

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2 years

Jared Walsh just beat Shohei Ohtani in batting-practice home run derby. Ohtani dramatically crumpled to the ground and groaned. Walsh flung his arms in the air. “That’s on the metaphorical mantel for the rest of my life,” Walsh said. “I’m going to tell everyone.”

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4 years

I’m thankful for baseball, which is exactly as boring as God intended

'Baseball Is Boring!' — That's What Makes It Great

Baseball's best moments are often much more joyous because of all the time spent between them.

www.si.com

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4 years

Red Sox ownership to Red Sox fans: Screw you.

Red Sox Spit at Fans With Mookie Betts Trade

In a selfish, senseless move, the Red Sox completed an inevitable trade of their star outfielder.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

3 years

Trea Turner says the biggest difference between the Dodgers and the Nats is the way LA fans travel. He said at one point, on the road, the crowd noise made him think the outfielder had caught a ball off his bat. Then he realized they were Dodgers fans and he had a double.

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2 years

Let’s never think about this person again. If you must let him enter your mind, make sure it is not as he wants to be seen, but as he is.

Ignore Trevor Bauer

Stop giving him the thing he most craves from you: your attention.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

5 years

“I love you,” said Rick Honeycutt, the pitching coach for Clayton Kershaw’s entire career. “You always give everything you’ve got. Sometimes it don’t work out.” Kershaw burst into tears.

Kershaw Carries Playoff Failures Into Another Offseason of Broken Dreams

Kershaw allowed two home runs in the eighth inning before he walked off the mound in a tie game.

www.si.com

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3 years

Max Scherzer is jogging to the Dodgers bullpen, I assume because the coaching staff got tired of hearing him insist on pitching.

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2 years

Shohei Ohtani, who can throw the ball 100 m.p.h. and hit it 400 feet, is perhaps the most talented player in the history of the sport. He’s also pretty funny. “He got me bad.” Today’s @SInow Daily Cover, on pranks, jokes and well-timed expletives:

Shohei Ohtani Is a Legendary Hitter, Pitcher and Prankster

The Angels star is the most talented player in MLB. He’s also pretty funny.

www.si.com

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4 years

The Astros knew what was coming, and they still swung and missed. On a missed opportunity:

Astros Fumble Yet Another Chance to Apologize

Jim Crane and the Astros stumbled their way through yet another nightmare "apology."

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

2 years

. @MattGelb accidentally took Amtrak from Philly to Delaware instead of New York this morning. Joe Girardi spent his whole press conference trying to work in a joke about it before settling on, “The numbers are gonna go north. You know, the way you take a train. Not south.”

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2 years

Update from Mets camp: Buck Showalter’s first act as manager was to renumber the facility fields. Field 7 is now Field 1. Field 1 is now “the stadium.” There is no more Field 7. Baseball is back.

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4 years

Someone at Petco is blaring from an unseen loudspeaker: "You are cheaters. Shame on you."

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4 years

The Rays are, like, scientifically engineered to be delightful. John Curtiss just called Ryan Yarbrough his "pal pal," short for palindrome pal, because Curtiss wears No. 84 and Yarbrough wears No. 48.

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2 years

Donovan Carrillo, the Mexican figure skater performing now, trains on the rink at a shopping mall, doing quadruple jumps amid kids learning to skate.

Mexico’s Donovan Carrillo Is Living the Olympic Dream

The 22-year-old who trains alongside grade-schoolers at a tiny shopping mall rink is the country’s first skater to advance to the free skate final.

www.si.com

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2 years

Buck Showalter says as part of a talent show one year with the Orioles, Ryan Flaherty brought a pair of monkeys who threw and took batting practice. Showalter says that’s part of why he made the team: “That took guts.”

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1 year

During the 2020 season—when almost no one was allowed in stadiums—two Padres jerseys went missing. Then two Giants jerseys. Then 10 Dodgers jerseys. It was a locked-room mystery, more Agatha Christie than Christy Mathewson. Who was stealing? And how?

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3 years

Dispatch from Tokyo: A jam-packed bus took us from the airport to the media center, at which point we were informed that due to covid, even if we were going to the same hotel, we needed to take individual taxis there. Five mins later: “Unfortunately, we have run out of taxis.”

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4 years

The Rays’ Pete Fairbanks on ESPN’s desire to see Yankees-Astros: “We said, Well, we’re on the brink, so we might as well ruin their day up there in Connecticut.”

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3 years

“I want to do something really different,” Joc Pederson texted his jeweler. “I want to make a nice fashion statement. And I’m thinking about pearls.” His jeweler wrote back: “?” On the necklace that’s taking over October in Atlanta:

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5 years

Tim Anderson didn't see a place for himself in baseball. So, this offseason, he decided to make one

Tim Anderson is going to play baseball his way

Tim Anderson rarely stood out in the first three years of his career. Now? “I want to be that guy you don’t want to play against, because I’m a dog.”

www.si.com

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3 years

Not quite two weeks after admitting he didn’t know the written rules, Tony La Russa decided to enforce the unwritten ones. How fortunate for us that he’s here to explain baseball!

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4 years

The least surprising possible outcome of MLB’s decision to fly some 1,500 people around the country, from one COVID hotspot to another, buttressed by a hope and a prayer and instructions not to spit, to play baseball: They have to stop playing baseball.

MLB's Worst Nightmare Is Here. They Should Have Seen It Coming

The league is grappling with a widespread COVID-19 outbreak on the Miami Marlins.

www.si.com

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2 months

MLB says this year’s much-maligned pants are the same as last year’s. What does it say about the relationship between the players and the league that none of them believe that? “People are suspect right out of the gate. It’s like, ‘You’re lying.’”

MLB’s Uniform Fiasco Is About More Than See-Through Pants

No matter what Major League Baseball has said about this season’s kits, it hasn’t quelled players’ belief that the league is trying to get one over on them.

www.si.com

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2 years

Good mix of jeers tonight: "Cheater" for Altuve, Bregman, Gurriel, boos for most everyone else, "Check his bat" for Maldonado. More variety than we see most places.

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1 year

Grant Wahl was a legend of the business (he introduced America to both soccer AND LeBron James). More importantly, he was a really kind, generous, good person. Thinking of everyone who knew and loved him.

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2 years

Joe Maddon said he expected Shohei Ohtani would pitch for the Angels tomorrow but would have a conversation with him to confirm. Maddon just walked by Ohtani in the clubhouse. “You good for tomorrow?” “Yes.” Guess he’s pitching!

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2 years

Sean Doolittle, what would you say to sad Nationals fans? “I feel terrible for them. I feel their pain.” He referenced the “special” guys the Nats have had who are now wearing new uniforms. Then he paused and laughed. “I’m still here. I don’t know whether that helps.”

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5 years

Juan Soto, the 20-year-old who is making Washington forget about Bryce Harper, is also pretty funny:

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4 years

Scott Boras, ornithologist: “MLB teams are like birds. There’s some hummingbirds that buzz around. Sparrows get something they can’t carry the weight of. A lot of owls, who are wise and work at night. A lot of hawks. And you don’t want to be an ostrich and lay the biggest egg.”

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2 years

“Nobody [wanted me]—except the best team in baseball.” On a rejuvenated Matt Carpenter, who almost retired two months ago and is now shooting for 40 home runs:

Inside Matt Carpenter’s Revival With the Yankees

Two months ago he was ready to say goodbye to the game. Now he’s a key piece on the best team in baseball.

www.si.com

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3 years

Dave Roberts, asked if he expects baseball fans to get over their hatred of the Astros any time soon: "The world of sports fans doesn't really appreciate cheating."

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2 years

Steve Cohen opens a lot of sentences with "Listen." Rob Manfred prefers "Look." Reporters at Mets camp are trying to get @AnthonyDiComo to begin a question with "Smell." So far $25 isn't enough.

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5 months

It kind of sort of seems like maybe Shohei Ohtani and the Blue Jays are making progress. The circumstantial evidence:

Clues Suggest Shohei Ohtani May Be Advancing With Blue Jays

The Blue Jays are leaving a trail of bread crumbs that indicates MLB’s biggest star may soon sign with Toronto.

www.si.com

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@stephapstein

5 years

While Dave Martinez—six weeks from a cardiac catheterization—was exploding at the umpires last night, he heard a fan behind him yelling, “Davey! Your heart! Remember your heart!”

5

56

540

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

7 months

Phillies owner John Middleton doing gymnastics to hand out baseballs to Phillies fans. Overheard: “Is it pandering if it f—— rules?”

10

46

539

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

1 year

Per MLB, Juan Soto home runs and Julio Rodríguez catches are more effective at attracting female fans than pink merch and fashion shows at the ballpark.

20

90

534

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

4 years

Charlie Blackmon (33 for 67) has one fewer hit than the Cardinals.

6

96

508

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

1 year

Kyle Schwarber is passionately singing along to Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison” during batting practice. The vibes remain good.

7

35

515

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

4 years

It seems Brett Phillips found another way to contribute.

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

4 years

When the Rays informed Brett Phillips that he hadn’t made the ALCS roster, he understood what they meant to say: He was being promoted to coach. Since he took over providing such scouting reports as HIT BALL HARD and RANDY GOOD PLAYER, the Rays are 3–0.

1

28

254

5

37

497

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

1 year

Scott Boras is clearly annoyed at the Giants, but he expressed his most frustration of the day when @AnthonyDiComo mentioned he’d called Steve Cohen “King Kong.” “It’s Steve Kong or King Cohen,” he said, and muttered something about branding.

5

25

479

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

5 years

Pablo Sandoval is trying to trick reporters by walking around and hugging teammates goodbye. He fooled @extrabaggs “for an eighth of a second”

6

72

452

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

3 years

He asked me to clarify that he meant “to MOST North Americans”

9

20

456

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

4 years

Justin Turner appears to be standing on the field, wearing a mask, holding the World Series trophy.

51

86

432

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

Dusty Baker says this week he has heard from “my homeboys and homegirls,” some former coaches, Snoop Dogg and Bill Cosby. An eclectic group, to say the least.

129

68

430

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

4 years

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts: “For Black athletes to choose not to play tonight is one thing, but Black people have been fighting this fight for centuries, and for the white brothers to come in and support the Black men in this game is much more powerful.”

9

86

421

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

3 years

On Friday, anyone tuning into MLB’s signature event will watch synchronized, team-sanctioned racism. It’s time for Atlanta to retire the tomahawk chop. “Whether people understand it or not, it’s overtly racist.”

Why Is Synchronized, Team-Sanctioned Racism Still Allowed?

Fans raise and lower their arms in unison, howling a mock war chant, with MLB's blessing.

www.si.com

393

131

420

Stephanie Apstein

@stephapstein

2 years

During the regular season, Nick Castellanos spends his time in the outfield thinking about his family, his last AB, “the status of the country, the economy, global relations.” But the playoffs, he says, are like Adderall. He’s paying attention:

The Dazzling Defense of Defensive Liability Nick Castellanos

The second-worst regular-season right fielder can’t stop making incredible catches.

www.si.com

6

29

421