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  • Phillies Stars: Top 10 Best Baseball Players of All Time – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    THIS BLOG CONTAINS LINKS FROM WHICH WE MAY EARN A COMMISSION. Credit: Pexels

    The Philadelphia Phillies have produced some of the most memorable moments in Major League Baseball history.

    From championship glory to individual brilliance, the franchise has been home to extraordinary talent that has captivated sports betting fans for generations.

    These legendary athletes didn’t just play the game; they revolutionized positions, set records that still stand today, and created a winning culture that resonates throughout the sport.

    Whether you’re analyzing player statistics for online sports betting strategies or simply appreciating baseball’s greatest talents, understanding the impact of these iconic Phillies provides valuable context. Modern platforms like Betiton Sport offer comprehensive MLB betting odds and live betting opportunities, where knowledge of historical player performance enhances your experience.

    The Legacy of the Philadelphia Phillies in Baseball History

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    Since their founding in 1883, the Philadelphia Phillies have built one of baseball’s most enduring franchises. The team has experienced dramatic highs, including their memorable 2008 World Series championship, and challenging rebuilding periods.

    Throughout it all, the franchise has consistently produced elite talent that has shaped the evolution of Major League Baseball and provided sports betting online fans with unforgettable moments.

    Top 10 Phillies Best Baseball Players of All Time

    Selecting the greatest Phillies requires examining career statistics, postseason performance, individual awards, and lasting influence on the franchise. These ten players represent the pinnacle of achievement in Phillies history.

    1) Mike Schmidt // The Powerhouse Third Baseman

    Mike Schmidt stands as arguably the third greatest baseman in baseball history. His combination of power hitting and defensive excellence redefined expectations for the position.

    Schmidt’s 548 career home runs and ten Gold Glove Awards showcase complete dominance.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Mike Schmidt Third Baseman 1972-1989 3× MVP, 12× All-Star, 10× Gold Glove, 548 home runs, 1980 World Series MVP

    2) Steve Carlton // The Left-Handed Legend

    Steve Carlton’s intimidating presence on the mound made him one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers. “Lefty” won four Cy Young Awards with the Phillies, showcasing remarkable consistency. His devastating slider baffled hitters across the National League throughout his career.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Steve Carlton Pitcher 1972-1986 (Phillies) 4× Cy Young Award, 10× All-Star, 329 career wins, 4,136 strikeouts

    3) Chase Utley // The Ultimate Team Player

    Chase Utley epitomized winning baseball through his relentless work ethic. The second baseman combined offensive production with defensive excellence, earning six All-Star selections.

    His 26 career playoff home runs made him a postseason legend among best baseball players ever.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Chase Utley Second Baseman 2003-2015 (Phillies) 6× All-Star, 4× Silver Slugger, 26 playoff home runs, 2008 World Series champion

    4) Ryan Howard // The Home Run Machine

    Ryan Howard’s towering home runs and prodigious power made him one of baseball’s most feared sluggers. The 2006 National League MVP crushed 382 career home runs, including memorable postseason blasts that propelled the Phillies to their 2008 championship.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Ryan Howard First Baseman 2004-2016 2006 NL MVP, 3× All-Star, 2× Silver Slugger, 382 home runs, 2008 World Series champion

    5) Jimmy Rollins // The Spark at Shortstop

    Jimmy Rollins brought dynamic energy and all-around excellence to shortstop.

    The 2007 National League MVP combined speed, power, and defensive brilliance. His leadership helped transform the Phillies’ culture from one of underachievement to championship winners.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Jimmy Rollins Shortstop 2000-2014 2007 NL MVP, 3× All-Star, 4× Gold Glove, 2,306 career hits with the Phillies

    6) Robin Roberts // The Workhorse of the Phillies’ Golden Era

    Robin Roberts anchored the Phillies’ pitching staff during the 1950s with remarkable durability. He pitched 300+ innings in six consecutive seasons while maintaining exceptional control. Roberts won 234 games in a Phillies uniform, more than any other pitcher in franchise history.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Robin Roberts Pitcher 1948-1961 (Phillies) 7× All-Star, 234 wins with Phillies, 1950 NL pennant, Hall of Fame inductee

    7) Richie Ashburn // The Contact King and Fan Favourite

    Richie Ashburn’s exceptional bat control and defensive range in center field made him a Phillies icon.

    The two-time batting champion accumulated 2,217 hits while rarely striking out, making him the ideal leadoff hitter for championship-contending teams.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Richie Ashburn Center Fielder 1948-1959 (Phillies) 5× All-Star, 2× batting champion, 2,217 hits with the Phillies, Hall of Fame inductee

    8) Cole Hamels // The Calm Ace of the 2008 Champions

    Cole Hamels’ ice-cold composure during the 2008 postseason established him as one of baseball’s premier big-game pitchers. His World Series MVP performance showcased pinpoint control and nerves of steel when championships hung in the balance.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Cole Hamels Pitcher 2006-2015 4× All-Star, 2008 World Series MVP, 2008 NLCS MVP, no-hitter in 2015

    9) Bryce Harper // The Modern Face of the Phillies

    Since signing his record-breaking contract in 2019, Bryce Harper has rejuvenated Phillies baseball. The two-time MVP winner brought star power and clutch performance, most notably during the 2022 postseason.

    Harper ranks among the MLB’s best baseball players of his generation.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Bryce Harper Right Fielder 2019-Present 2× MVP (2015, 2021), 7× All-Star, 2021 NL MVP with Phillies, 2022 NLCS MVP

    10) Jim Bunning // The Perfect Game and the Perfect Competitor

    Jim Bunning’s Father’s Day perfect game in 1964 remains one of baseball’s most memorable achievements. The Hall of Fame pitcher brought fierce competitiveness and exceptional control, accumulating 89 wins during his Phillies tenure.

    Player Position Years Active Key Achievements
    Jim Bunning Pitcher 1964-1967, 1970-1971 7× All-Star (career), Perfect game (1964), 89 wins with Phillies, Hall of Fame inductee

    Honoring Excellence: The Phillies’ Greatest Contributors

    The Philadelphia Phillies’ history showcases how individual brilliance combines with team success to create lasting legacies. These ten players represent different eras and playing styles, yet they share common traits: a dedication to excellence and a profound impact on franchise history. From Schmidt’s power to Carlton’s dominance to Harper’s modern star power, each defined their generation.

    When considering baseball’s best players throughout MLB history, these Phillies legends consistently appear in broader conversations. Their achievements provide context for evaluating current players and offer benchmarks for excellence that transcend team boundaries.

    For those engaged in baseball betting through online betting platforms or simply appreciating the game’s history, understanding the contributions of these players enriches the entire baseball experience.

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    Enhancing Your Philadelphia Sports Fan Experience

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  • Blue Jays on insider’s list of three teams for Kyle Tucker

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    The Kyle Tucker sweepstakes hasn’t captured the baseball world’s attention as the Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes did over the last two offseasons.

    Tucker is the top guy this offseason. He’s a four-time All-Star and should have a massive payday ahead, but likely nowhere near the level of Soto and Ohtani. Spotrac currently is projecting his market value to be just over $401 million across 10 seasons.

    Who could end up signing the star outfielder? USA Today Major League Baseball insider Bob Nightengale joined “Foul Territory on Wednesday and specifically mentioned the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers while noting that he thinks Tucker’s market will only be three or four teams in general.

    “I think the same couple of teams were the Blue Jays, the Yankees, plus the Los Angeles Dodgers,” Nightengale said while joining “Foul Territory” on Wednesday. “There’s only, I think, three or four teams interested. I don’t think there’s any chance in the world he goes back to Houston. They’re not going to spend that kind of money. I think teams like him, but don’t absolutely love him. This is two straight years now he’s had poor second halves with the injuries. The injuries seem like they take a long time. Slow recoveries here.”

    Whichever team can come out on top in the Tucker sweepstakes will land a superstar, even if the buzz around the league isn’t like it was with Soto and Ohtani. Even in a somewhat down season, Tucker still clubbed 22 homers, drove in 73 runs, stole 25 bases, and won a Silver Slugger Award for the Chicago Cubs. If that’s his worst, some team is about to get a whole lot better.

    More MLB: Blue Jays Signing 26-Year-Old Ex-Phillies Infielder: Report

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  • Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a law legalizing sports betting. He now says he’s opposed to it

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — If Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine could turn back time, he would not have signed the law that legalized sports betting in his state.

    With two Cleveland Guardians pitchers and an Ohio-born guard for the Miami Heat snared in separate betting-related criminal probes, the second-term Republican says he now “absolutely” regrets unleashing this unbridled new industry on Ohioans with his 2021 signature.

    “Look, we’ve always had gambling, we’re always going to have gambling,” DeWine told The Associated Press last week. “But just the power of these companies and the deep, deep, deep pockets they have to advertise and do everything they can to get someone to place that bet is really different once you have legalization of them.”

    His comments reflect a reckoning that’s unfolding across sports and politics as sports betting becomes more ingrained across much of the U.S. The wave of legalization in recent years unleashed a massive industry centered around betting and, more recently, a wave of investigations and arrests tied to allegations of rigged games. It’s a dynamic that DeWine says he doesn’t think lawmakers fully anticipated.

    “Ohio shouldn’t have done it,” he said.

    DeWine prompted a rare move to limit prop bets

    DeWine recently emerged as a key player in the negotiations between Major League Baseball and its authorized gaming operators that resulted in the capping of prop bets on individual pitches at $200 and excluding them from parlays. The deal was announced earlier this month, a day after Guardians pitchers Luis Ortiz and Emmanuel Clase were indicted and accused of rigging pitches at the behest of gamblers. Both have pleaded not guilty.

    “Gov. DeWine really did a huge service, I think — to us, certainly, I can’t speak for any of the other sports — in terms of kind of bringing forward the need to do something in this area,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred told reporters last week.

    And DeWine doesn’t plan to stop there. Shortly after Ortiz and Clase were first placed on paid leave this summer, he announced he’d be asking the commissioners and players’ unions of all the major U.S. sports leagues to ban prop bets — sometimes called micro-betting — like those implicated in the Guardians scandal. While that goal has not yet been achieved — micro-betting is critical to the business strategy in an industry with over $11 billion in revenue in the U.S. this year — DeWine said limits put in place for baseball are a good first step.

    “It needs to be holistic, it needs to be universal,” he told the AP. “They’re just playing with fire. I mean, they are just asking for more and more trouble, their failure to address this.”

    The gambling industry’s investments in Ohio politics

    DeWine’s recent sentiments mark a notable position shift after he pledged to — and then did — sign a legalization law that was sweeping in scope. The legislation allowed adults 21 and older to place sports bets online, at casinos, at racinos and at stand-alone betting kiosks in bars, restaurants and professional sports facilities. Wagering was permitted under the bill on professional sports teams, motor sports, Olympic events, golf, tennis and even major college sports, including Ohio State football.

    It was clear in the run-up to DeWine’s re-election in 2022 that the gambling industry was intensely interested in what was transpiring in the state.

    An AP investigation that year found that casino operators, slot machine makers, gaming technology companies, sports interests or their lobbyists donated nearly $1 million in 2021 and 2022 to the nonprofit Republican Governors Association, which supported pro-DeWine committees through its campaign arm. Entities and individuals with ties to the industry also donated more than $22,000 directly to DeWine’s campaign, according to campaign finance reports.

    A review of more recent campaign filings finds that industry largesse has continued to flow to Ohio politicians with sway over gaming’s future.

    Lobbyists and a PAC with ties to Jack Casino, DraftKings, FanDuel, MGM, Gamewise, Hard Rock, Underdog, Rush Street or Caesars have donated about $130,000 to Ohio state legislators in the past three years, records show — about a third of that directed to top House and Senate leaders. Then-Republican Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, who was positioning as DeWine’s likely gubernatorial successor, had received about $9,000 from industry-connected entities and individuals before being appointed to the U.S. Senate.

    At least one powerful state lawmaker, Republican House Finance Chairman Brian Stewart, had vowed to introduce legislation protecting prop bets prior to professional baseball’s crackdown.

    “I think that prop bets are a significant part of sports betting in the state of Ohio,” Stewart told cleveland.com in August. “It’s something that clearly a lot of Ohioans have taken part in and enjoy, and I don’t think there’s something that we should eliminate entirely.”

    Amid such pushback, DeWine and others now view voluntary buy-in from leagues, players’ unions and sportsbooks as a superior approach to pursuing gambling restrictions on a state-by-state basis, where the authority lies.

    Matt Schuler, executive director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission, said the baseball deal DeWine helped broker has shown it can be done.

    “He’s using the bully pulpit and he’s able to connect with the right people in that way,” Schuler said of DeWine. “No one thought that everyone could get on the same page, but now they did because everyone realizes the risk. The bets are small, but the risk is big, and so, having observed gaming and regulated it for about 14 years, this is impressive.”

    Harassment and scandal in Ohio changed DeWine’s mind

    DeWine said his concerns with sports gambling began almost as soon as Ohio’s law took effect in 2023. Very quickly, his office began receiving reports that gamblers were threatening members of the University of Dayton basketball team.

    So he contacted NCAA President Charlie Baker, whom he knew from Baker’s time as governor of Massachusetts, and learned that he shared DeWine’s concern. He got Baker to write a letter requesting the removal of collegiate prop bets from the list of legal wagers that sportsbooks operating in Ohio could place, which allowed DeWine to usher the change through the casino commission.

    After the Guardians case emerged this summer, DeWine approached Manfred with the same idea. They hadn’t both been governors, but DeWine did have one cache going in: his family’s long-time ownership of North Carolina’s Asheville Tourists. DeWine said Manfred asked him to hold off on pushing unilateral action in Ohio, in hopes of getting the parties to agree to a new national rule.

    “I would have preferred to have completely done away with the micro-prop bets, but this is the area that he was able to settle on with them, and I was pleased with that,” DeWine said. “And so, I think that’s progress.”

    DeWine, who faces term limits next year, said he would be happy to sign a repeal of Ohio’s sports betting law at this point, but he’s certain there’s not enough support for that at the Ohio Statehouse.

    “There’s not the votes for that. I can count,” he said. “I’m not always right, but I can pretty much guarantee you that they’re not ready to do this.”

    Instead, he’ll continue to make his case in other ways.

    DeWine, an avid baseball fan, particularly of his hometown Cincinnati Reds, said he believes “these sports are playing with dynamite here and the integrity of the sports is at stake.”

    “So, you try to do what you can do, and you try and warn people, and try to take action like we did with collegiate, and you try take action like what we’re doing with baseball,” he said. “But we’ve got to keep pushing these other sports to do it, too.”

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    AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.

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  • Shohei Ohtani to Suit Up for Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic – LAmag

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    Shohei Ohtani confirmed Monday that he will play for Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic, committing to the national team for the first time since leading Japan to the 2023 championship.

    Ohtani made the announcement on social media, saying he was “happy to be able to play again representing Japan.” The decision comes shortly after he helped the Dodgers win another World Series and added yet another MVP award to his résumé. (NBC 4)

    Japan enters the 2026 tournament as the defending champion, and Ohtani was the centerpiece of that title run. In 2023, he earned WBC MVP honors after dominating as both a pitcher and hitter, punctuated by striking out then-teammate Mike Trout to win the championship.

    It is not yet confirmed whether Ohtani will participate as a full two-way player. He returned to pitching this past season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, while still producing MVP-level numbers at the plate.

    Japan will open WBC pool play on March 6 at Tokyo Dome, competing in a group that includes South Korea, Australia, Chinese Taipei and Czechia. Ohtani’s early commitment immediately boosts Japan’s chances of repeating and positions the team as one of the tournament’s strongest contenders.

    For the Dodgers, the announcement simply means their star will get additional high-level reps in March. For Japan, it means the face of global baseball is back in their lineup on the sport’s biggest international stage.

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    Anthony Gutierrez

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  • Key details emerge from Mets-Rangers Brandon Nimmo stunner

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    The New York Mets and Texas Rangers reportedly pulled off the biggest trade of the offseason so far on Sunday night.

    ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke the news on Sunday by reporting that the Mets are acquiring three-time All-Star Marcus Semien from the Texas Rangers in exchange for outfielder Brandon Nimmo.

    “Breaking: The New York Mets and Texas Rangers are finalizing a trade that would send second baseman Marcus Semien to the Mets and outfielder Brandon Nimmo to the Rangers, sources tell ESPN,” Passan wrote on X.

    Afterward, key details began to emerge about the trade itself.

    Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Mets are sending $5 million to the Rangers to help offset the cost of Nimmo’s remaining contract.

    “Mets are sending ($5 million) to Texas to slightly offset the dollar difference,” Heyman wrote.

    Nimmo had a full no-trade clause and Semien had a partial no-trade clause. USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported that the Mets and New York Yankees were not on Semien’s no-trade clause.

    “Brandon Nimmo had a full no-trade clause that he waived,” Nightengale wrote. “Marcus Semien had a limited no-trade clause and the Mets and Yankees were not on it. Semien will get a tax hit and Nimmo will get big tax break with the trade.”

    Andy Martino of SNY reported that improving the team’s overall defense played a role in getting the deal done.

    “The Mets, of course, looking to get better in their defense,” Martino said in a video shared to X by SNY. “This is a move in that direction in that two positions that this trade can impact. Now, Semien is an elite defensive second baseman. Nimmo, not an elite defensive corner outfielder. So, what this does is give the Mets a chance to improve their outfield defense. They could do that in free agency if a Cody Bellinger, say, breaks to them.”

    The Major League Baseball hot stove is officially on.

    More MLB: Mets Predicted To Lose Pete Alonso After 7 Seasons

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  • Historic home run balls hit by Dodgers sold for over $500,000 total at auction

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    Three historic home run balls were sold at auction this week for a combined total over $500,000.

    SCP Auctions of Laguna Niguel sold the ball Shohei Ohtani hit for the second of his three home runs in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series at Dodger Stadium for a top bid of $270,000.

    The ball MIguel Rojas hit into the seats for the game-tying home run in the ninth inning of World Series Game 7 at Rogers Centre went for $156,000 and the ball Will Smith hit for the game-winning home run in the 11th inning went for $168,000.

    Rojas’ homer was the first in World Series history to tie a Game 7 in the ninth inning or later. Smith’s 11th-inning home run was the first extra-inning home run in a winner-take-all World Series game.

    A father and son – John and Matthew Bains – claimed to have caught both balls while sitting in the front row in the left-field corner at Rogers Centre. The balls were authenticated by SCP Auctions chief operations officer Mike Keys.

    In addition, the bat Ohtani used to hit five of his home runs during the 2024 season was sold for a top bid of $300,000. Another bat Ohtani used during his first MVP season, 2021, with the Angels was sold for $45,000.

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    Bill Plunkett

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  • Randy Jones, the San Diego Padres’ first Cy Young Award winner, dies at 75

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    Randy Jones, the left-hander who won the Cy Young Award with the San Diego Padres in 1976 during a 10-year major league career, has died. He was 75.

    Jones died Tuesday, the Padres announced Wednesday, without disclosing a location or cause.

    Jones pitched eight seasons for San Diego and two for the New York Mets, going 100-123 with a 3.42 ERA. He still holds the Padres franchise records with 253 starts, 71 complete games, 18 shutouts and 1,766 innings pitched.

    Jones was one of the majors’ best pitchers in 1975 and 1976, earning two All-Star selections and becoming the first player to win the Cy Young for the Padres, who began play as an expansion team in 1969.

    He finished second in Cy Young voting behind Tom Seaver in 1975 after going 20-12 with an NL-leading 2.24 ERA for a San Diego team that won just 71 games.

    Jones won the award one year later, winning 22 games for a 73-win team while pitching 315 1/3 innings over 40 starts, including 25 complete games — all tops in the majors. The still-young Padres experienced a surge in attendance whenever he pitched from fans who appreciated his everyman stature and resourceful pitching skills, and he made the cover of Sports Illustrated.

    He earned the save in the 1975 All-Star Game, and he got the victory for the NL in 1976. He never regained his top form after injuring his arm during his final start of 1976, but he remained a major league starter until 1982 with the Mets.

    Jones was a ground ball specialist who relied on deception and control instead of velocity, leading to his “Junkman” nickname. His career statistics reflect a bygone era of baseball: He started 285 games and pitched 1,933 career innings in his 10-year career but recorded only 735 career strikeouts, including just 93 in his Cy Young season.

    “Randy was a cornerstone of our franchise for over five decades,” the Padres said in a statement. “His impact and popularity only grew in his post-playing career, becoming a tremendous ambassador for the team and a true fan favorite. Crossing paths with RJ and talking baseball or life was a joy for everyone fortunate enough to spend time with him. Randy was committed to San Diego, the Padres and his family. He was a giant in our lives and our franchise history.”

    Born in Orange County, Jones returned to San Diego County after his playing career ended and became a face of the Padres franchise at games and in the community. A barbecue restaurant bearing his name was established at the Padres’ former home, Qualcomm Stadium, and later moved to Petco Park along with the team.

    Jones announced in 2017 that he had throat cancer, likely a result of his career-long use of chewing tobacco. He announced he was cancer-free in 2018.

    Jones’ No. 35 was retired by the Padres in 1997, and he joined the team’s Hall of Fame in 1999.

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    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB

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  • Field of Dreams Game – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Major League Baseball implemented the Field of Dreams game in 2021. The game was played in 2022 but not in 2023 due to construction at the stadium. The last two seasons the MLB opted to play games in other locations including the Giants-Cardinals at Rickwood Field and the Reds-Braves at Bristol Motor Speedway. The first game played at the Field of Dreams in Iowa was a thrilling back and forth affair between the Yankees and White Sox, ending in a Tim Anderson walk-off home run. 

    The Game Returns

    After a three year hiatus, a Major League Baseball game will be played in Dyersville, Iowa for the third installment of the Field of Dreams game. This time our beloved Philadelphia Phillies have been selected. The Phillies will take on the Twins on August 13th, 2026. 

    Phillies-Twins seems like an interesting matchup for a big game like this. In the movie, Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones travel to Minnesota to visit Archibald “Moonlight” Graham. Although he played one game for the New York Giants, “Doc” practiced medicine in Minnesota. It would be a miss by the Twins to not feature a “Moonlight” uniform for the game.

    Dyersville, Iowa

    Dyersville is a small city in the eastern part of Iowa. Dyersville touches two counties with part of the city in Delaware County. This is probably different than Delco, but I can firmly say this is now a home game for the Phillies. 

    Field of Dreams was filmed at a farm outside of the city, which is still the town’s claim to fame. Other things to do in town include visiting The National Toy Farm Museum and The Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, one of the few basilicas outside a large metropolitan area.

    Special Games

    The Phillies have been no stranger to special games in recent years, playing in both the Little League Classic and across the pond in London. Now the Phillies are the headline team for the Field of Dreams game. The Phils have been ok in “special games” the last few seasons going 1-2. They split with the Mets in London but lost the Little League Classic.

    The venue is as cool as they come in sports. Getting away from our massive, technology filled stadiums, the game returns closer to its roots. A traditional baseball diamond in the middle of corn fields. It does not get much better than that. You can already feel the excitement coming from the Phillies. John Middleton had this to say, “It’s an honor to have been selected for the return of the prestigious MLB at Field of Dreams game… for our players, this will be an experience they never forget as they step onto the set of one of the most iconic baseball movies ever made.” 

    This is probably the coolest game in baseball and will be an amazing opportunity for the players. The Phillies may need to re-sign Kyle Schwarber just for the clips of him hitting a moonshot into the Iowa corn fields. But regardless of who is on the team next year the Phillies will be centered around two of the biggest events of the season, Field of Dreams and the MLB All-Star game. 

    Photo Credit: Daniel Shirley/MLB Photos

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  • Pope Leo XIV receives invite to throw out first pitch at White Sox new stadium

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    NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

    The minute sports fans found out there was a new American pope and he’d been born in Chicago, every American sports fan had one thought: was he a Cubs or White Sox fan?

    Soon, news emerged that he was a White Sox fan — not without a false report, however, that he was a Cubs fan — and shortly thereafter footage emerged that not only was the newly christened Pope Leo XIV a fan, he’d been in the stands for the 2005 World Series, which the White Sox won in a series sweep.

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

    Justin Ishbia, Ambassador Brian Burch and Clay Travis with an autographed World Series 2005 jersey signed by all the players seen on the left, as Pope Leo XIV is seen on the right. (OutKick; Reuters)

    Pope Leo, born Robert Prevost, was elected as pope in May of 2025 and then one month later it was announced that my Vanderbilt law school friend and classmate Justin Ishbia was buying the Chicago White Sox.

    The two of us were chatting about fun ways Justin could introduce himself to Chicago sports fans and I tossed out an idea — we should travel to the Vatican and invite Pope Leo to throw out the first pitch at a planned new White Sox stadium.

    After all, Pope Leo was a big enough White Sox fan that he’d attended the World Series 20 years ago as a fan in the crowd. Sure, he’s the pope now, but deep down he, like all of us, is a diehard sports fan.

    We were both convinced the idea was a good one, but it presented a challenge: how do you get a meeting with the pope to invite him to throw out the first pitch?

    Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd in St. Peter’s Square as he arrives for his inauguration Mass in Vatican City.

    Pope Leo XIV waves to the faithful ahead of his inauguration Mass in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City, on May 18, 2025. (David Ramos/Getty Images)

    POPE LEO XIV CALLS OUT CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION AMID LATEST MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS IN AFRICAN NATION

    An Invitation to the Pope 

    It’s not like you can just call the Vatican and ask to speak to the pope’s people.

    Ultimately we hit on our answer: Vatican ambassador Brian Burch, who lived in Chicago with his family prior to his confirmation as ambassador.

    Luckily, Ambassador Burch loved the idea and, this morning in Vatican City, Justin and his wife Kristen met the pope, delivered a team autographed 2005 White Sox World Series replica jersey, and conveyed the first pitch invitation to Pope Leo, who said yes so long as his schedule permits. (It turns out the pope is kind of busy).

    “I requested His Holiness Pope Leo XIV bless the anticipated new home of the White Sox and pray that he lifts the team and Chicago in peace and strength,” Ishbia told OutKick.

    So, the result, as many of you have likely seen on social media already, is an awesome one — the first ever American-born pope will hopefully be throwing out the first pitch in a new Chicago White Sox stadium, which will potentially mark the first time the pope has visited Chicago since 1979.

    Pope Leo first meeting with media

    Pope Leo XIV prays over members of the international media in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican on May 12, 2025.  (Domenico Stinellis)

    Let’s hope it’s a strike.

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    And that Pope Leo can help return the magic of the 2005 season for White Sox fans.

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  • Randy Jones, Cy Young Award winner and Padres legend, dead at 75

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    Randy Jones, the southpaw who won the National League Cy Young Award in 1976, died Tuesday at age 75.

    Jones made his MLB debut with the San Diego Padres in 1973 and impressed as a rookie with a 3.16 ERA in 20 appearances, 19 of them starts. After going 8-22 in his second season, he bounced back with an NL-leading 2.24 ERA in 1975, earning his first All-Star nod and finishing second in the Cy Young Award vote behind Tom Seaver.

    The following season, he racked up an MLB-leading 315.1 innings, and while five others in the National League had a higher ERA than his 2.74, he led the majors with 25 complete games, and his 1.03 WHIP was also the best mark in the National League. His 22 wins also led the majors, and all that was enough to beat out Jerry Koosman. Don Sutton finished third, Steve Carlton was fourth and Seaver fell to eighth.

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM 

    San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Jones in action on the mound during the 1976 season. (Malcolm Emmons-USA Today Network)

    In his final game of that magical season, he injured a nerve in his left arm and was never quite able to return to form. Despite a 2.88 ERA in 1978, he finished with an ERA higher than 4.50 in three of his final six seasons. Jones joined the New York Mets for his final two seasons in 1981 and 1982.

    Jones was not known for striking out batters. In fact, he had only 93 strikeouts in his Cy Young Award-winning season, and his career best was 124 in 1974. He remains the only pitcher ever to win a Cy Young Award but have a losing record for his career. Four times, he was in the top 10 in innings pitched, walks per nine innings, starts, and home runs per nine innings.

    Randy Jones waving

    Former San Diego Padre Randy Jones waves prior to the 87th Annual MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

    TYLER SKAGGS’ WIDOW SAYS SHE WAS NOT AWARE OF PITCHER’S DRUG USE AT TIME OF DEATH; MOTHER ALSO TESTIFIES

    “With deep sorrow and heavy hearts, the Padres mourn the passing of our beloved left-hander, Randy Jones. Randy was a cornerstone of our franchise. The CY Young Award winner, Padres Hall of Famer, and tremendous community ambassador, was a giant in our lives and will be greatly missed,” the Padres said in a statement.

    Randy Jones pregame ceremony

    Former San Diego Padre Randy Jones tips his hat to the crowd prior to the 87th Annual MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Andy Hayt/Getty Images)

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    Jones’ No. 35 was retired by the Padres in 1997, and he was a member of the team’s inaugural Hall of Fame class two years later. He is widely credited with putting the expansion franchise on the map, as the team struggled mightily throughout his tenure, but he provided a spark in dark days.

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  • Cubs targeting pair of Cy Young Award candidates in free agency

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    The Chicago Cubs saw Shota Imanaga opt out of his contract and then accept a qualifying offer. And while he will be back next season, the Cubs are still looking to add to the rotation.

    During an appearance on “Hot Stove,” MLB insider Jon Morosi revealed that the Cubs are targeting both Michael King and Dylan Cease in free agency, despite retaining Imanaga.

    “There is going to be one more significant pitcher added to this list between now and Opening Day,” Morosi said, referencing the Cubs’ rotation options. “Michael King has been on the Cubs’ mind. Dylan Cease has been on their mind.”

    Both Cease and King rejected qualifying offers from the Padres and would be upgrades over some of the Cubs’ current rotation options. Along with Imanaga, Justin Steele is expected to be back, Matthew Boyd will look to build on an All-Star season, and Cade Horton will look to build on a strong rookie season. However, Cease and King would be upgrades over Colin Rea, Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad.

    Cease did not have his best season this year, but still managed to strike out 215 batters. He has been a Cy Young Award candidate twice in his career and has made at least 30 starts in each of the last five seasons. He leads all of baseball in strikeouts since 2022.

    King’s first full year as a starter was in 2024. He had a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts a year ago and received Cy Young Award votes for the first time in his career. However, last season, he only made 15 starts and dealt with injuries for most of the year. He had a 3.44 ERA, but he can still be an effective starter.

    Morosi noted that both pitchers are on the Cubs’ minds. Either one would upgrade their rotation as a whole, but both will be expensive. Since they declined the qualifying offer, on top of paying either one, the Cubs would lose draft picks.

    More MLB: Orioles DFA 27-Year-Old Power Hitter Amid Roster Shuffle

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  • Rockies designate Michael Toglia for assignment, trade for lefty

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    The Rockies’ search for a consistent, power-hitting first baseman is back to square one.

    On Tuesday, the club designated 2019 first-round draft choice Michael Toglia for assignment as it reset its 40-man roster. The strikeout-prone Toglia, selected out of UCLA with the 23rd overall pick, never became the player that former general manager Bill Schmidt envisioned.

    In 280 games over parts of four big-league seasons, Toglia slashed .201/.278/.389 (.666 OPS) with 42 home runs. Though Toglia showed flashes of power, his high strikeout rate made him a liability at the major league level. For his career, Toglia has a 35% strikeout rate, including a 39.2% K rate in 2025.

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    Patrick Saunders

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  • Phillies Offseason Predictions – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

    The dust has settled on the 2025 MLB season with the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrating back-to-back World Series Championships just like everyone expected. With the 2025 season in the rearview mirror, the attention turns to the offseason. One that might be the most pivotal offseason this franchise has had since they signed Bryce Harper in 2019.

    Who’s Back, Who’s Gone

    Right off the bat, it’s very easy to say the Phillies’ top priority is Kyle Schwarber, which I completely agree with. I would love to see Schwarber finish his career in a Phillies uniform, especially after the season he put together last year. As great as his play is on the field, he’s an amazing clubhouse guy, which is another reason why I think the Phillies must re-sign him. It’s going to leave a bad taste in a lot of fans’ mouths if the Phillies don’t offer Schwarber.

    While Schwarber is priority number one, resigning JT Realmuto would be my number two. I think JT should finish his career with the Phillies, and to me, it makes too much sense. He had a great offensive season, considering how slow he started out of the gate. He is familiar with our pitching staff, and I have never heard any of the pitchers he’s worked with complain about how he handles things. Realmuto is still a top catcher in the league despite his age, and there aren’t many other options to replace JT. The key replacement would be trying to trade for Adley Rutschman from the Baltimore Orioles, but I would much rather the Phillies resign JT and not give up any assets.

    Harrison Bader, I would love to have back, but I’m not sure where he would fit. If we could sign him for a year or two, I don’t mind Bader being a nice bridge player until top prospect Justin Crawford gets settled at the major league level. Bader would be a great mentor for Crawford during his first few years at the major league level.

    In terms of who’s gone, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Nick Castellanos traded along with Johan Rojas and possibly even Alec Bohm. Castellanos is the one most likely to be moved, especially with how things were handled with him the last few months of the season. Ever since his incident with Rob Thomson, it’s been painfully obvious that the Phillies want to try and move him.

    Rojas has become expendable with the emergence of prospect Justin Crawford, who should definitely be on the Phillies’ opening day roster as their centerfielder. Crawford hit .334 in Triple-A last season and played above-average defense in centerfield. Mix in 46 stolen bases, and you now have a better version of Johan Rojas in centerfield.

    Alex Bohm could be in a similar situation; however, I don’t know if they will cut ties with him just yet. Top prospect Aidan Miller is still only 21 years old, but he put together a strong season across Double-A and Triple-A last season. Miller broke the Reading Fightin Phils record for most stolen bases in a season with 52. If the Phillies move Bohm, I definitely expect Aidan Miller to be with the big league club this season. Unless Miller puts together an incredible spring, I do expect him to start the season in Triple-A. That means the Phillies would need to try and find a bridge third baseman until Miller is ready. Nolan Arenado is a name to watch if they do end up trading Bohm. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Phillies went with Bohm to start the season and then moved him in the middle of the year if Miller is ready and performing.

    Pitching

    In terms of the pitching, getting Zach Wheeler back healthy is the most important thing for this team. The development of Andrew Painter will be something to monitor as well. Ranger Suarez is the big decision this front office will have to make. His performance has statistically tailed off in the second half of the season, and staying healthy has been a struggle. I’m hesitant to throw money at someone who has struggled to stay healthy. It’s going to be an extremely important decision and one that takes a few years to develop before we decide if it was the right move. It all comes down to money, whether they want to give Suarez the contract he deserves.

    If Suarez returns, the Phillies’ rotation will be poised to be a top rotation in baseball again. Christopher Sanchez was your NL Cy Young runner-up after Paul Skenes took home the award last week, which is an incredible accomplishment for Sanchez. A pitcher the Phillies acquired in a trade from the Rays a few years back has turned into a Diamond in the rough. If Wheeler comes back healthy, Aaron Nola bounces back, and Jesus Luzardo builds off of last year’s strong season, then the Phillies could no doubt have the best rotation in baseball.

    Winter Meetings

    Most action won’t start happening until the week of the MLB Winter Meetings, which will occur from December 7-10. That is when the owners and managers will get to work on building their ballclubs for the 2026 season, as everyone has a fresh start for a World Series run.

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    Matt Saglembeni

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  • Ohtani is unanimous MVP for 4th time in winning NL honor as Judge edges Raleigh for 3rd AL accolade

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    Shohei Ohtani likes winning Most Valuable Player awards. He loves winning the World Series even more.

    The two-way Japanese star did both for a second season in a row for the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning his fourth career MVP on Thursday night while unanimously earning the National League honor. He’s just the second to win four MVPs after Barry Bonds with seven and the only player to win unanimously more than once.

    Considering Ohtani is 31, overtaking Bonds doesn’t seem out of the question. Especially if it leads to more Fall Classic opportunities.

    “If I’m playing well as an individual that means I’m helping the team win, so in that sense, hopefully I can end up with a couple more MVPs,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “But at the end of the day, it’s all about winning games.”

    In the American League, Aaron Judge became the New York Yankees’ fourth three-time winner, edging Seattle’s Cal Raleigh with 17 first-place votes to 13 for the switch-hitting catcher. The vote was the closest for an MVP since the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout topped Houston’s Alex Bregman by 17-13 in 2019.

    Judge, who won the AL award in 2022 and 2024, joined Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle as three-time MVPs with the Yankees. The 33-year-old outfielder led the majors with a .331 batting average and 1.144 OPS while hitting 53 homers.

    When asked about his place in MLB and Yankees lore, Judge acknowledged he’s in rare company.

    “It’s tough for me to wrap my head around,” Judge said. “It’s mind blowing from my side of things, because I play this game to win, I play this game for my teammates, my family, all the fans in New York.”

    Later he added: “You’ve got to pinch yourself every single day. It’s truly an incredible honor.”

    Ohtani won a MVP for the third straight year, his second in the NL with the Dodgers after two in the AL with the Angels. He became the first to win in each league twice after getting the AL honor in 2021 and 2023. Ohtani signed with the crosstown Dodgers the following offseason and won NL MVP in 2024 during his first season in Chavez Ravine. He’s also won the World Series in both his seasons with the Dodgers.

    Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber finished second in the NL with 23 second-place votes and New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto was third with four.

    Ohtani hit .282 and led the NL with a 1.014 OPS. He also had 55 homers, 102 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.

    The right-hander returned to pitching in June after missing 1 1/2 seasons on the mound because of an elbow injury. He struck out 62 batters over 47 innings, slowly increasing his workload while preparing for the postseason.

    Ohtani continued to shine in October with arguably the greatest single game in MLB history. He hit three homers while striking out 10 over six dominant innings on Oct. 17, leading the Dodgers over Milwaukee to finish an NL Championship Series sweep.

    Schwarber, who earned a $50,000 bonus for finishing second, hit an NL-best 56 homers and led the big leagues with 132 RBIs for Philadelphia.

    Soto overcame a slow start to the season to have his typically stellar offensive output. The four-time All-Star — who signed a $765 million, 15-year deal last December — had 43 homers, 105 RBIs and an NL-best 38 stolen bases. He received a $150,000 bonus for finishing third in the MVP voting.

    Judge is the first AL player to win back-to-back MVPs since Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera it in 2012 and 2013.

    Raleigh, nicknamed “Big Dumper,” led the big leagues with 60 homers, the most for a player primarily a catcher. He started 119 games behind the plate and another 38 at designated hitter.

    The 28-year-old also had a career-high 125 RBIs, leading the Mariners to one of their best seasons in franchise history. Judge said he got to know Raleigh a little during the All-Star break and the catcher asked for some leadership tips.

    “Cal’s a special player,” Judge said. “I could sit here and talk all night about the player he is, but really the kind of leader and person he is really stuck out to me at the All-Star Game.”

    Cleveland’s José Ramírez finished third in the AL.

    Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo was fourth in the NL voting, earning him $2.5 million annual salary increases in 2028 and 2029 along with the price of Arizona’s 2030 club option.

    ___

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

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  • Shohei Ohtani Wins Fourth MVP in Five Seasons – LAmag

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    The two-way superstar received the award in a unanimous honor

    Shohei Ohtani has added yet another milestone to a career already overflowing with them. The Dodgers’ two-way sensation was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player, earning the award unanimously for the fourth time in five seasons, a run of sustained excellence.

    Ohtani’s 2025 campaign was as complete as any he’s had, blending elite power at the plate with a successful return to the mound after his second Tommy John surgery. He hit .282 with a .392 on-base percentage and a .622 slugging mark, while launching 55 home runs, the most ever by a Dodgers player in a single season. He also led the NL in adjusted OPS (179), reaffirming his position as the league’s most dangerous hitter.

    On the pitching side, Ohtani worked carefully back into form, posting a 2.87 ERA over 47 innings. While the volume was limited, the impact wasn’t. Every Dodgers opponent knew the challenge of preparing for a player who could change a game in fundamentally different ways depending on where he was positioned that night.

    Speaking through an interpreter, Ohtani said the unanimous result made the moment even more meaningful. “Everything has to do with your teammates,” he said, adding that individual awards ultimately mean less than postseason success. “At the end of the day, we want to be playing for a World Series.”

    With four MVPs before turning 32, Ohtani now stands in a category that previously seemed reserved for legends. Only Barry Bonds, who collected seven, owns more. No player in baseball history has ever won four MVP awards in a five-year window while contributing simultaneously as a hitter and pitcher.

    Ohtani also achieved another unprecedented distinction this year: he became the first player in MLB history to win both an MVP award and a championship within his first two seasons with a franchise. For a Dodgers team built for October, the accolade is both a celebration and a reminder of the player anchoring their championship window.

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    Anthony Gutierrez

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  • Shohei Ohtani’s 4th MVP award sparks celebrations in Japan

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    TOKYO (AP) — It’s become an annual ritual: Shohei Ohtani wins a Most Valuable Player award and Japan celebrates with newspaper extra editions handed out at a major train station.

    The two-way Japanese star claimed his fourth career MVP award on Thursday night, and on Friday morning in Tokyo — the Japanese capital is 14 hours ahead of the American east coast — the extras hit the streets.

    A congratulatory message came in immediately from the top of the government and from down on the sidewalk.

    “Ohtani’s constant effort and dedication contributed significantly to the team’s victory and boosted team morale,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.

    This is an understatement.

    Ohtani led the Los Angeles Dodgers to their second straight World Series title, earning him a second consecutive National League MVP award. He also won the award in the American League in 2023 — and in 2021 — playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

    All the MVP awards have been unanimous.

    Ohtani hit .282 and led the NL with a 1.014 OPS. He also had 55 home runs, 102 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. He retuned to the mound in June after missing 1 1/2 seasons as a pitcher because of an elbow injury. He struck out 62 batters in 47 innings.

    In the postseason he had arguably the greatest single game in MLB history. He hit three home runs while striking out 10 over six innings on Oct. 17, leading the Dodgers over the Milwaukee Brewers to win the NL Championship Series in four straight games.

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    “Winning the MVP was considered a certainty, so the real question was whether he would receive a unanimous vote,” said a fan who identified himself only as Aki, a nickname. “In the end he did, securing the MVP unanimously.”

    Another Dodgers fan Yoshio Inoue said he was looking forward to seeing Ohtani play for Japan in Tokyo in next year’s World Baseball Classic.

    “I’d love to see Ohtani return to Tokyo, kick off the season there, and hopefully win his fifth MVP award,” Inoue said.

    The headline in the Asahi newspaper read simply: “Othani MVP.”

    “The television always shows Ohtani so I watch him too,” said fan Mai Koga. “He is such a great man and truly a pride of Japan.”

    —-

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

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  • Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani makes sports history with unanimous NL MVP

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    Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani was crowned the National League’s Most Valuable Player Thursday night. Ohtani won NL MVP honors for the second consecutive year and paired the accolade with back-to-back World Series rings.

    More news: Dodgers Lose World Series-Winning Veteran to Reds

    In eight seasons in MLB, Ohtani has won Rookie of the Year, won four MVPs, and won two championships. No one else in MLB/NBA/NFL/NHL history has done all of that in his first eight seasons, according to OptaSTATS.

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    Ohtani now has the second-most MVPs in MLB history, behind baseball legend Barry Bonds who has seven MVP awards. Ohtani has won three straight MVPs, beginning the streak in 2023 when he won the AL MVP as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.

    Ahead of the 2024 season, Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers and continued his winning ways in Dodger blue. The two-way star was exclusively a designated hitter for his 2024 MVP campaign, where he finished the season with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.

    In 2025, Ohtani made his long-awaited return to the mound after undergoing surgery to repair a torn UCL in September 2023. His first outing on the mound was a short one as Ohtani served as an opener in June against the San Diego Padres.

    The Dodgers slowly built Ohtani back up as his starts continued to go longer as the season progressed. By the postseason, Ohtani was fully ramped up and able to serve as a starter in every playoff series during the Dodgers’ World Series run.

    Ohtani the hitter finished the regular season with 55 home runs, 102 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, 146 runs scored and an OPS of 1.014.

    Ohtani the pitcher made 14 starts, producing a 2.87 ERA with 62 strikeouts across 47 innings in 2025.

    While Ohtani is already regarded as a unicorn in baseball, his talent has seemingly transcended the sports world in general as his resume is unmatched throughout his first eight MLB seasons.

    More news: Dodgers Lose World Series-Winning Outfielder to Giants

    For more Los Angeles Dodgers news, visit Newsweek Sports.

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  • Astros predicted to replace Framber Valdez with ace on 3-year, $54M deal

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    The Houston Astros have a few big needs to address in free agency right now. They’re watching their ace, Framber Valdez, walk into free agency, and it seems like they’re unlikely to land a new deal with him.

    Because of that, the Astros could be in the market for a pitcher or two in free agency. They might not have the money to chase the biggest names on the market, but they could certainly land a few respectable pitchers to help push toward a postseason berth next year.

    Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball recently predicted the Astros would sign Shota Imanaga away from the Chicago Cubs in free agency on a three-year, $54 million deal.

    “When it comes to a team fit, the Houston Astros could use a starting pitcher, but may not be able to shop at the very top of the market,” Finkelstein wrote. “Imanaga is no Framber Valdez, but he is also a better bet than Lance McCullers Jr., Jason Alexander, and Spencer Arrighetti, who are all projected to be in their 2026 rotation right now. Hunter Brown is clearly the ace. Imanaga would give the Astros a dependable middle-of-the-rotation arm who still has frontline upside if he can rediscover his 2024 form.”

    It certainly wouldn’t be as sweet as retaining Valdez, but the Astros can’t sign all the biggest free agents on the market.

    Imanaga would be the perfect addition to the Astros on an affordable deal. He’s not a world beater, but he’s the perfect fit for Houston’s needs.

    More MLB: Dodgers Reportedly Eyeing All-Star Closer After Tanner Scott Disaster

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  • 61 – Philadelphia Sports Nation

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    On June 22, 2024, Sanchez and the Phillies agreed to a four–year, $22.5 million contract extension. This extension took place in the middle of Sanchez’s development. At the time it seemed like a great deal (it was), and today it is an even better deal. This is the best team friendly contract in the league. But how did we get here?

    The Beginning

    Cristopher Sanchez did not begin his career in Philadelphia. In fact, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as an international free agent in 2013. Sanchez spent time in the Rays organization from 2013 – 2019 but never cracked the major leagues. During the 2019 off-season Sanchez was traded to the Phillies for Curtis Mead. Sanchez did not play for the Phillies in 2020 due to the COVID cancellation of the minor league season. 

    Quick Note: This trade turned into a huge win for the Phillies. Mead was a solid minor league player for the Rays but was never able to make an impact in the bigs. He played parts of the 2024 and 2025 season with the Rays. He was traded in July to the White Sox, where he was optioned to Triple-A.

    Making the Jump

    Sanchez was called up to the club multiple times in 2020 but never made an appearance for the Phillies. This changed when Sanchez was called up to the majors on June 6, 2021. That day, Sanchez made his debut for the Phillies, coming in for the final four outs, in a 12-6 win over the Nationals. Sanchez got his first ever major league strikeouts. He first strike out came against current Phillies shortstop, Trea Turner; and his second came against Juan Soto, on what is now a patented Sanchez change up. Pretty awesome to have your first strikeouts come against those players.

    In 2021 Sanchez made 7 total appearances for the club, starting one game. He finished the year with a 4.97 ERA/1.816 WHIP, with 13 ks and 7 walks over 12.2 innings pitched. These numbers reflect more of what the expectation was for Sanchez. He was supposed to be a nice role player to have on the staff. Instead, he has been able to do so much more. 

    The Development

    In 2022 Sanchez was still a work in progress. He spent most of his time in Leigh Valley with the Iron Pigs but made multiple appearances for the Phillies. This shows that even in 2022 Sanchez was trending to be a big league pitcher, he just didn’t have all the tools yet. He struggled during his time with the Phillies in 2022, mainly featured in a bullpen role, pitching in 15 games with 3 being starts. He finished the season with a 5.63 ERA/1.375 WHIP, with 35 ks and 17 walks over 40 innings pitched.

    2023

    This is where the rise truly began for Sanchez. After being tossed between the minors and majors for parts of two seasons, Sanchez was finally able to make his mark. The lanky lefty was called up to the Phillies on June 17th to bring stability to the 5th starter spot. In his first game he threw 4 scoreless innings and never saw the minors again. 

    Sanchez was able to bring a calmness to the already impressive Phillies rotation by posting a 3.44 ERA/1.047 WHIP, with 96 ks and 16 walks over 99.1 innings pitched. That season Sanchez was an unexpected gift. Minor league call-ups haven’t worked well for the Phillies. I have a hard time remembering the last minor leaguer to make a consistent winning impact on the Phillies.

    In 2022 he had 35 strikeouts and 17 walks pitching 40 innings. The following season pitching 90.1 innings he had 96 strikeouts and only 16 walks. That is the pitcher we are watching today. He always had it in him, whether some of us knew it then (unfortunately have to give credit to my brother here) or not there were flashes. Sanchez pitched 50 more innings, and all of his numbers improved, impressive stuff. 

    2024

    Clearly the Phillies liked what they saw from Sanchez in 2023 because the following season he earned a 4 year, 22.5 million dollar contract. At the time this seemed like a decent deal. Sanchez had not fully proved himself yet but showed he deserved a spot in the rotation. He was a reliable depth piece the Phillies were able to extend for cheap. Then the season unfolded and the contract kept looking better and better for the Phillies. 

    Cristopher threw his first complete game shut out on June 28th, 2024, just six days after his extension. He also went on to win pitcher of the month in June with a 3-0 record, 1.64 era, and 23 ks. With his success in 2023, Sanchez made himself invaluable to the Phillies. He locked up his place in the rotation by posting a 3.32 ERA/1.244 WHIP, with 153ks and 44 walks over 181.2 innings pitched. 

    Although there were flashes in 2023, the 2024 season is when we saw the elite sinker change-up combo begin to take shape. We also started to see Sanchez was going to be more than a rotation depth piece. He was beginning to make his name as a big league player, even though guys like Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola were aces in the Phillies rotation. Even with his growth, what more could we expect from Sanchez. Did he peak in 2024? Will he be able to take his game to another level?

    2025

    The answer was yes. He took his game to a new stratosphere. Sanchez was unbelievable for the Phillies last season. Wheeler was the early season Cy Young favorite, but as the season progressed Sanchez was pitching just as well if not better than Wheeler. It turns out we had two aces on the staff. 

    The entire 2025 season I was enamored with Sanchez. Every time he took the mound, you were thinking, wow he is just so good. It makes it more special that Sanchez worked his way up through the minors. His development may not be a surprise to teammates, but it certainly was to the fans. The guy was supposed to help stabilize the back end of our rotation and instead became one of if not the best lefty pitcher in baseball. One reason for this is his devastating change-up. The Sanchez change-up is the best in baseball and maybe the best pitch any pitcher has in the league. He finished the year with a 2.50 ERA/1.064 WHIP, with 212 ks and 44 walks over 202 innings pitched, leading to a second place finish in the NL Cy Young.

    Grateful for Him

    Back in 2023, Sanchez showed flashes of talent and was able to cement himself in the majors but wasn’t able to make a consistent impact. He took huge strides in 2024, and his pitching went to a whole new level in 2025. The best part about it, is that it doesn’t feel like a flash in the pan. He is a legit talent that hitters fear. Wheeler went down and Sanchez did not blink. He was phenomenal in both of his playoff starts, putting the Phillies in position to win each of his games. 

    The development of Cristopher Sanchez is one of the biggest jumps I have ever seen a pitcher make. It is a great story to show you don’t need to be a prized free agent or mega prospect to make a difference. Sanchez put his head down and went to work. As I am, all of Philadelphia should be grateful for Sanchez. Because of him the Phillies don’t have to worry about their rotation as much and can focus on acquiring position players. Getting to see him develop from a fringe piece to a consistent starter, and now watching him master his craft, Sanchez’s development story is one for the ages. 

    Photo Credit: Kyle Ross/Imagn Images

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    Liam Mahoney

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  • MLB, sportsbooks cap bets on individual pitches in response to pitch-rigging scandal

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    Major League Baseball said its authorized gaming operators will cap bets on individual pitches at $200 and exclude them from parlays, a day after two Cleveland Guardians players were indicted and accused of rigging pitches at the behest of gamblers.

    MLB said Monday the limits were agreed to by sportsbook operators representing more than 98% of the U.S. betting market. The league said in a statement that pitch-level bets on outcomes of pitch velocity and of balls and strikes “present heightened integrity risks because they focus on one-off events that can be determined by a single player and can be inconsequential to the outcome of the game.”

    “The risk on these pitch-level markets will be significantly mitigated by this new action targeted at the incentive to engage in misconduct,” the league said. “The creation of a strict bet limit on this type of bet, and the ban on parlaying them, reduces the payout for these markets and the ability to circumvent the new limit.”

    MLB said the agreement included Bally’s, Bet365, BetMGM, Bet99, Betr, Caesars, Circa, DraftKings, 888, FanDuel, Gamewise, Hard Rock Bet, Intralot, Jack Entertainment, Mojo, Northstar Gaming, Oaklawn, Penn, Pointsbet, Potawatomi, Rush Street and Underdog.

    Cleveland pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz were indicted Sunday in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn on charges they took bribes from sports bettors to throw certain types of pitches. They were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery and money laundering conspiracy. The indictment says they helped two unnamed gamblers in the Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 on bets placed on the speed and outcome of certain pitches, including some that landed in the dirt.

    Ortiz’s lawyer, Chris Georgalis, said in a statement that his client was innocent and “has never, and would never, improperly influence a game — not for anyone and not for anything.” A lawyer for Clase, Michael J. Ferrara, said his client “has devoted his life to baseball and doing everything in his power to help his team win. Emmanuel is innocent of all charges and looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

    The U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 ruled the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 was unconstitutional, allowing states to legalize sports betting.

    Ortiz appeared Monday in federal court in Boston. U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell granted Ortiz his release on the condition he surrender his passport, restrict his travel to the Northeast U.S. and post a $500,000 bond, $50,000 of it secured. Ortiz was ordered to avoid contact with anyone who could be viewed as a victim, witness or co-defendant.

    Last month, more than 30 people, including Portland Trail Blazers head coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, were arrested in a takedown of two sprawling gambling operations that authorities said rigged poker games backed by Mafia families and leaked inside information about NBA athletes.

    Billups’ attorney, Chris Heywood, issued a statement denying the allegations. Rozier’s lawyer, Jim Trusty, said in a statement his client is “not a gambler” and “looks forward to winning this fight.”

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