Category: MLB News

The Big Bash League is known for bringing new forms of entertainment and innovation to cricket each year, but not everyone is happy with the latest addition to the Aussie T20 competition.

The Brisbane Heat opened the 2023/24 season at the Gabba on Thursday night with a crushing 103-run victory over the Melbourne Stars.

But it was the curious addition of a celebrity to bowl the first ball that raised the eyebrows of many fans as they slammed the BBL for copying American sports. 

The ceremonial throwing of the first pitch is a distinctly American tradition, with the likes of Kanye, Bill Murray, Snoop Dogg, pop star Taylor Swift and American presidents including George W Bush and Ronald Reagan throwing down the first ball at MLB matches over the years. 

So the BBL decided it would try to emulate that tradition and make it part of the Australian summer of cricket, enlisting ARIA-winning pop star Amy Shark from the Gold Coast to bowl the first ball between the Heat and the Stars.

Hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg (pictured) is one of the many celebrities to have thrown out the first pitch for an MLB baseball game in the United States

It was a promising start as Amy Shark charged in to bowl the first delivery, but even she thought the end result was a bit cringe

The ‘Adore’ singer showed up in her trademark platform shoes and baggy jeans, coupled with a Brisbane Heat shirt, and attempted to keep the first ball on the pitch.

However, the delivery showed that Shark would be better off sticking to music. 

She could have a laugh about the situation, but many cricket fans weren’t having it.  

‘We baseball now?’ one fumed.

‘Can we stop copying America please?’ asked another

‘America called. They want their cringe back’ posted another unhappy supporter.

Others compared the ball to the infamous John Howard delivery that still features in cricket blooper reels.

The former Prime Minister was in Pakistan in 2005, visiting Australian and Pakistani troops who were helping assist locals to recover from an earthquake.

He was filmed rolling the arm over in hilarious fashion, with the ball hitting the pitch about a foot in front of him.

Some believe Shark’s delivery was of the same calibre.

‘Is that John Howard’s daughter?’ one fan asked.

‘Johnny Howard’s areas’ added another.

‘Need to work on that line and length, Amy,’ another suggested.

While Shark’s effort was not fantastic, other fans said they had seen worse at the Gabba, with one drawing back memories of the infamous Steve Harmison first delivery of the 2006-07 Ashes series.

‘Outside off stump line, better than Harmison back In the day,’ pointed out one follower. 

‘Rory Burns would nick that,’ another posted in a playful swipe at the English cricket team.

Former New York Yankees hitting coach and Major League Baseball first baseman Sean Casey believes the team acquiring Juan Soto puts Aaron Judge in an unideal situation. 

‘No. I do not want Judgie as my center fielder,’ Casey said. ‘I just think center field is so demanding, dude, it’s so demanding, and he’s such a big guy.’

‘And to have to demand him to go so far in the gaps and be on the run, you have to cover more ground as a center fielder, the wear and tear on his body, I don’t like it,’ Casey continued. 

‘I don’t like Judgie in center, though, I really don’t,’ Casey stated. ‘I don’t think [Yankees manager Aaron Boone] does, either.’

Judge has played right field for most of his tenure with the Yankees, as has Soto. The Yankees also have Giancarlo Stanton and acquired Alex Verdugo in Wednesday’s 7-player trade with the San Diego Padres. 

Former Yankees hitting coach Sean Casey doesn’t want Aaron Judge to play center field

The 6-foot-7 Judge has been a right fielder for almost all of his professional career thus far

Traditionally, the Yankees have wanted a defensively-sound center fielder with how much ground there is to make up in the gaps with the definitions of Yankee Stadium, which is uniquely consistent in between the foul poles. 

With one of New York’s outfield quartet taking over as designated hitter, there’s no room for a defense-first player in the outfield, something Judge, Soto, Verdugo, nor Stanton are. 

Judge is 6-foot-7 and will be 32 in April. That’s not exactly traditional characteristics for a successful center fielder.  

‘We’ll see how everything shakes out this winter, but yeah, I wouldn’t rule that out,’ Boone said Wednesday about Judge taking over in center field.  

‘I’ve talked to Aaron about that. I think Aaron’s open to anything and ready for anything. So, we’ll see,’  Boone continued. ‘You never know where the rest of the winter goes, but Aaron in center is certainly in play.’

Nick Kyrgios has announced his new OnlyFans page, with the Australian vowing to reveal his ‘intimate side’ to fans.

Kyrgios, 28, has been out of action all season with knee and wrist injuries, with doubts swirling around his participation in next month’s Australian Open after he was not included in the entry list.

The Canberra-born star admitted ‘the stars would need to align’ for him to play at his home Grand Slam, although tournament boss Craig Tiley said Kyrgios will be at the event ‘in some form’.

While he continues his recovery, Kyrgios has revealed he has teamed up with subscription platform OnlyFans – where users pay a monthly fee for content from creators.

‘Launching an OnlyFans was a no-brainer,’ Kyrgios said.

Nick Kyrgios has joined social media platform OnlyFans, he has announced

Kyrgios, 28, has been out of action all year with knee and wrist injuries

Kyrgios has vowed to show fans his ‘intimate side’ on the social media platform

‘They are revolutionising social media and I wanted to be a part of that. Athletes can no longer just show up on the court or the field, we have to show up online too. I want to create, produce, direct and own content. That’s the future.’

Celebrities and influencers typically use OnlyFans to publish raunchy content, with Australian boxer Ebanie Bridges boasting thousands of followers on the platform. 

Kyrgios’s page is designed to be free-to-access, and he says he will show his ‘intimate side’ to his fans. 

‘I’ve been speaking to my fans directly for years and I know what they want to see. Of course, there’ll be tennis balls involved, tips, tricks and behind the scenes, but also they’ll get to see all different sides of me. Gaming, tattoos, my intimate side – it’s all on the table and I’ll be bringing fans along for the ride!’ 

Keily Blair, OnlyFans chief executive said: ‘A lot like OnlyFans, Nick is a disruptor, so it’s great to see him joining our platform, finding new ways to share his content and express himself. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for his fans.’ 

Kyrgios has recently spent time in Los Angeles, where he has dabbled in the world of television punditry, while he was also seen rubbing shoulders with women’s tennis superstar Naomi Osaka at an LA Lakers game.

The New York Yankees have completed their blockbuster trade for Juan Soto from the San Diego Padres.

Multiple reports late Wednesday night say that Soto and Trent Grisham are heading to New York.

The move will spark huge excitement at Yankee Stadium with Soto linking up with Aaron Judge in the Yankees line-up. 

Soto, a three-time All Star and four-time silver slugger winner, arrives with one-year on his deal but at 25, has the potential to evolve into a Yankee great. 

‘He’s an impact bat, one of the best hitters in the game,’ General manager Brian Cashman told reporters at the Winter Meetings. ‘Clearly a calling card from the left side, which is an area of need for us. In that batter’s box, he’s a difference-maker.’ 

Soto has hit 160 home runs in his MLB career to date

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ESPN First Take co-host Chris Russo has sparked outrage by referencing the atomic bomb in a rant criticizing Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani is currently in free agency after a sensational previous season in MLB with the Los Angeles Angels and has been mooted by some as being worth a $600million contract due to his pitching and hitting ability.

The 29-year-old has kept his cards close to his chest during negotiations and while there are a number of teams that would be thrilled with signing him, Ohtani’s own preferences are unclear. He is renowned as a deeply private person.

And that is much to the chagrin of Russo, nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’, as he addressed one of baseball’s biggest talking points on Wednesday with a deeply insensitive analogy.

‘The fact that we’re even discussing this is a complete joke,’ Russo shouted as co-host Stephen A. Smith stayed silent. ‘This Ohtani scenario sweepstakes – did you know when he won the MVP he wouldn’t even tell you what his dog’s name was? Because he had his dog there when he won the American League MVP. 

Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo (right) went on a rant about Shohei Ohtani’s free agency approach

Russo made a reference comparing Japan star Ohtani’s approach to the atomic bomb

After an extraordinary 2023, Ohtani has been linked with a $600m contract with his next team

‘Anybody who pays Ohtani $600million needs their heads examined anyway. He’s not going to pitch next year (after having surgery on his right elbow – his throwing arm – in September). He’s a DH (designated hitter).

‘And what is the big secret? Jeez, he’s a free agent. He’s talked to six teams – Giants, a meeting with the Blue Jays, Cubs are in the mix, the Angels. What is this, the atomic bomb? We’re not allowed to find out? 

‘This is baseball! He’s a celebrity! This is what it’s about. This is stupid, that somehow, someway, if you reveal that you had a breakfast with Ohtani, you should be basically thrown out with the bathwater.’

Two atomic bombs were dropped on Japan by the United States during World War II, killing over 200,000 people. 

He continued with another World War II reference: ‘The idea that we have to treat this as the peace talks in Tehran in World War II is ridiculous – when Stalin and Roosevelt and Churchill got together. It drives me absolutely crazy.’

The clip of Russo’s rant was soon circulating around social media and many fans were uncomfortable with his remarks.

‘Absolutely wild to mention the atomic bomb when talking about a Japanese player,’ one fan said on X.

Another wrote in response: ‘He’s gone too far. this shouldn’t be accepted.’ 

The 29-year-old Ohtani hit 44 home runs in 2023 but also has prodigious skill as a pitcher

Fans were quick to call out Russo for his comments about Ohtani on Wednesday 

A different fan said: ‘The atomic bomb? What a weird reference to bring up when discussing the most prolific Japanese athlete in the US right now.

‘Just nonsense rambling regardless. One of the worst clips this show has produced for sure.’

 Russo, 64, has not yet responded to any criticism of his comments.

With MLB free agency already in full swing, the race to acquire Shohei Ohtani is heating up and some teams are trying everything they can to bring him to their rosters.

The New York Mets are one of those teams in the race for his signature and star outfielder Brandon Nimmo is able to recognize both the on-field and bigger picture implications of acquiring players like Ohtani.

Speaking on a conference call to promote MLB’s London Series next summer between the Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies, Nimmo shared that bringing in Ohtani would provide whatever team gets him with a special opportunity in foreign markets to be linked with a truly global superstar.

‘One of the areas that I feel like we’ve struggled in Major League Baseball so far, is really making the star players world recognized,’ Nimmo told reporters. ‘And now Shohei’s got that star quality that can help us bridge that gap. 

‘I definitely think that he is a huge piece, an integral piece to us growing the game worldwide. He’s a player that’s not from the States, right? That’s an important first attribute. And then he’s someone that is kind of larger than life. Like he’s doing something that hasn’t been done since one of the great baseball legends of, like, Babe Ruth and those guys – and these are all, almost to this point, mythical people.

Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo believes the team is ready to make a postseason push

‘We’re so far removed from that, and he’s doing something that no one else has ever done. I really do think he can be really important to growing the game worldwide. 

‘And whoever does land him is going to have a first market on that world, being able to try and reach other countries, not just, Europe, but reaching far and wide.’

Nimmo added that Ohtani’s two-way abilities (while currently hampered after an injury that won’t see him pitch at all next season) will be a big reason why the Mets will try to push for him.

‘We’re really excited because he’s an impact player that can make a huge difference, not just on one side of the ball either. He can make a huge difference on the pitching side and the hitting side. 

‘But anytime you’re linked with star players like this, you know that one player can make a huge difference. Especially when you’re playing in the big markets like we are in New York, these one signings that are really big and bring in these really special players, it really creates a lot of positive buzz heading into the season as well and creates a stir in the clubhouse. 

‘It’s like, “oh man, did you see who we got? We’re going to be good this year. We’re going to be competing and doing this.” So it really creates a lot of positive buzz, not just for the players but from the fan base as well. And then that all I think snowballs into positive energy heading into the season.’

The Mets could have an advantage over some other teams in the race for Ohtani in the form of Japanese phenom Kodai Senga.

Senga had a strong first season for the Mets and with a player of his caliber on the roster, that could attract other Japanese stars like Ohtani or star young pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Mets will look to grab free agents – including the market’s top choice, Shohei Ohtani

The sight of Ohtani at Citi Field would bring delight to suffering Mets fans in need of hope

If not Ohtani, the Mets could be in on top Japanese prospect Yoshinobu Yamamoto

When asked by MailSport if Senga might be actively recruiting the two Japanese players, Nimmo replied, ‘I sure hope so. I don’t know for sure. 

‘I’ve talked to Kodai just a couple of times this offseason and he’s really focused on enjoying his time with his family because he was away for seven, eight months from his family. 

‘And so right now, I can definitely respect that he’s focused on just enjoying that time right now because he’s going to be back before he knows it. But I do hope that behind the scenes there is some conversation going on. 

‘I know that he said that he would love to have both of them as teammates. I know that. I’ve talked to our front office and they are really high on both of those names. It really just comes down to those individual guys, where do they want to end up? Because they’ve kind of earned that right now.

Nimmo explained further: ‘There’s a ton that goes into these free agent decisions that’s not just about baseball, it’s about where am I going to live for the next seven, eight years and possibly start a family or grow a family, where am I going to settle down, where am I going to be in the off season? 

‘Because all of these things are going to dictate the next possibly seven to twelve years wherever that contract ends up falling. And so I think that I definitely want Shohei and I want Yamamoto, and I hope that Senga is having those conversations in the background, but there’s only so much that you can do as being on the outside. 

‘You can try and persuade as much as you can, but ultimately it comes down to where does that certain person feel like they’re going to have the most success and be set up for the most success in their career?

Ohtani could introduce himself to Europe with the Mets playing in the London Series in June

If Ohtani joins the Mets, he’ll have the chance to play overseas when the Mets take on the Phillies at the London Stadium – home of West Ham United.

These games have been highlighted by an outpouring of runs. The double-header between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in 2019 finished 17-13 and 12-8. When the series returned post-pandemic, the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals played to a 9-1 and 7-5 finish.

Nimmo told MailSport that first-time fans looking to experience baseball would likely be drawn in by high-scoring games like the ones in the past. 

‘Being a baseball fan, I sure do appreciate when a pitcher goes out there and throws seven shutout innings or even a complete game shutout. That’s an amazing thing to witness and really is a piece of art.

‘But I think for the first time, fan coming out and hearing the crack of the bat and seeing the ball go over the fence and seeing a lot of action, I think that is fun.’

The New York Mets will play the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB World Tour: London Series 2024 on June 8 – 9 at London Stadium. Tickets go on sale 10am on Friday December 8 at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/mlb 

After reports were leaked that the Chicago Cubs were behind the 8 ball on negotiations with Shohei Ohtani, Cubs management was none too pleased and it led to a tense exchange.

Those reports of the Cubs being behind in the race for the Japanese superstar were published by USA Today baseball columnist Bob Nightengale.

Apparently, Cubs President of Baseball Operations had seen those reports and was less than impressed – finding Nightengale at MLB’s Winter Meetings and exchanging ‘some stern words’, per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

‘A little inside baseball,’ Rogers told ESPN Chicago on Tuesday. ‘Jed spoke with reporters a few minutes ago. 

‘As he’s walking toward the group, he runs into Bob Nightengale and there were some stern words exchanged. Stern words exchanged. Don’t know what was said.’

Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations wasn’t happy with a reporter on Tuesday

USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that the Cubs were losing the race for Shohei Ohtani

The favorites to sign Ohtani are the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays

Free agency talks are typically supposed to be a subtle affair – with details rarely going public on where teams lie in the races for players.

But Nightingale was doing his job and tweeted out on Tuesday at 1:00pm: ‘The Chicago Cubs’ optimism of landing Shohei Ohtani has now significantly waned, one high-ranking executive said, leaving the LA Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels, and San Francisco Giants as the likely finalists.’

When his column came out about three-and-a-half hours later, it ended with, ‘The Chicago Cubs, who were in the mix early in the sweepstakes, now appear to be out after balking at Ohtani’s price tag of 10 years and at least $500million, according to one high-ranking Cubs official.’

Hoyer may have been particularly upset with Nightengale’s reporting that a ‘high-ranking’ team official leaked the news – as teams aren’t supposed to be discussing free agents.

It may also serve to hurt Chicago’s leverage with other teams in free agency if it’s clear that they aren’t in the running for the reigning AL MVP.

That led to this stern exchange later Tuesday – where Hoyer dismissed the reports.

‘I don’t know where that came from,’ Hoyer said. ‘There’s nothing to report whatsoever. 

‘I think on all the Ohtani stuff, just like any free agent, I’m not going to talk about discussions or meetings or where it is, going to keep that quiet like anything else.’

The Cleveland Guardians will have the No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB amateur baseball draft for the first time, winning the lottery on Tuesday. 

The Guardians clinched the No. 1 pick on the second try after Washington came out with the top spot initially but was ineligible.

West Virginia infielder JJ Wetherholt, Wake Forest first baseman Nick Kurtz and right-hander Chase Burns, Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana and Florida first baseman and left-hander Jac Caglianone are among the early projections as possibilities for top picks. 

Cincinnati will pick second in the July 14 draft at Arlington, Texas, followed by Colorado, Oakland, the Chicago White Sox, Kansas City, St. Louis, the Los Angeles Angels, Pittsburgh and Washington. 

Detroit selects 11th, followed by Boston, San Francisco, the Chicago Cubs, Seattle, Miami, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay.

The  Guardians will have the No. 1 pick in the 2024 MLB amateur baseball draft for the first time

The Guardians were tied for the 22nd-best record among the 30 teams this year and had a two percent  chance to win the lottery. 

Washington was ineligible to pick in the top six because the collective bargaining agreement states a team that pays in the revenue-sharing plan cannot have a lottery pick in back-to-back years, and the Nationals chose outfielder Dylan Crews with the No. 2 selection this year.

Cleveland has selected second five times since the amateur draft started in 1965, most recently taking Paul Shuey in 1992.

Oakland, which had the worst record in the big leagues at 50-112, dropped to fourth after falling to sixth last year when finishing with the second-worst mark. The Athletics, Rockies and Royals each had an 18.3 percent chance of winning the first pick, tied for the best percentage among all teams.

Cleveland has selected second five times, most recently taking Paul Shuey in 1992

The New York Mets, Yankees and San Diego are each likely to drop 10 slots in the draft because they will exceed the threshold for the second luxury tax surcharge and were not winners of a top-six pick in the lottery. The Mets are projected to pick 19th, the Padres 25th and the Yankees 26th.

Oakland will be ineligible for a top-six selection in 2025 because it receives revenue-sharing money and already will have had two straight top-six picks.

MLB and the players’ association agreed to the lottery in their March 2022 labor contract, an innovation to discourage struggling teams from deliberately trying for a top draft pick by getting rid of veterans.

The 18 teams that failed to make the playoffs entered the weighted lottery, and the first drawing of four ping-pong balls at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center came up with 3-9-11-13 – a winning combination for the Nationals among 1,001 combinations.

After months of backroom wrangling, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill that spends half-a-billion dollars in taxpayer money over the next three decades to help the Milwaukee Brewers repair their baseball stadium.

The governor signed the bipartisan package at American Family Field on Tuesday, calling the legislation a compromise agreement between the team and the public.

‘All in all, this plan ensures the Milwaukee Brewers will continue to call this city home for nearly 30 more years,’ Evers said before signing the legislation on a stage set up at home plate. The stadium’s lights flashed as he lifted his pen from the papers.

The Brewers’ principal owner, Mark Attanasio and former Major League Baseball commissioner and former Brewers owner Bud Selig appeared alongside Evers. Attanasio called the signing ‘a special day’ as he thanked legislators, Brewers employees and the public for helping him deliver what he called the best fan experience possible at the stadium. Selig said nothing but nodded as Attanasio introduced him as his mentor.

The Brewers say the 22-year-old stadium needs extensive renovation. The stadium’s glass outfield doors, seats and concourses need replacing, the stadium’s luxury suites and video scoreboard need upgrades and the stadium’s signature retractable roof, fire suppression systems, parking lots, elevators and escalators need work, according to the team. 

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers signs two Assembly Bills at American Family Field Tuesday, Dec. 5

Funds of $500M in taxpayers money will help the Brewers with repairs over the next 30 years

The Brewers say their 22-year-old park needs renovations, like its seats, glass doors and suites

Brewers officials warned lawmakers the team might leave Milwaukee without public assistance. Spurred by the threat of losing tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue, legislators unveiled a subsidy package in September.  

Debates over handing public dollars to professional sports teams are always divisive. Attanasio is worth an estimated $700 million, according to Yahoo Finance, and the team itself is valued at around $1.6 billion, according to Forbes.

Critics, including a number of Milwaukee-area legislators, insisted the Brewers deserved nothing and the state should spend its tax dollars on programs designed to help people.

The package went through multiple revisions as lawmakers worked to find ways to reduce the public subsidy. The bill Evers finally signed calls for a state contribution of $365.8 million doled out in annual payments through 2050. The city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County will contribute a combined $135 million.

The legislation also imposes surcharges on tickets to non-baseball events at the stadium such as rock concerts or monster truck rallies. The surcharges are expected to generate $20.7 million.

The Brewers, for their part, will spend $110 million and extend their lease at the stadium through 2050, keeping Major League Baseball in its smallest market for another 27 years.

Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, L, and Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, R on Tuesday

Milwaukee is the smallest market out of any MLB franchise. The Brewers were founded in 1970

The bill easily passed the Legislature last month, with the Assembly approving it on a 72-26 vote and the Senate following suit 19-14.

Attanasio said during the signing that the Brewers have received inquiries from other cities about relocating but moving was never an option. He said he understands how painful it was for the community when the Milwaukee Braves left for Atlanta in 1966. He did not name the cities inquiring about hosting the Brewers.

Milwaukee was without a Major League Baseball team after the Braves left until 1970, when the Seattle Pilots relocated to the city and became the Brewers.

‘We never considered going anywhere else,’ Attanasio said. ‘We always wanted to be here.’

The stadium opened in 2001 as Miller Park and replaced aging County Stadium. Construction cost about $392 million and was funded largely through a 0.1% sales tax imposed in Milwaukee County and the four other counties that surround the stadium.

Evers grew nostalgic about the Brewers before he signed the legislation, reminiscing about collecting Brewer bobbleheads, how as a boy he met Hank Aaron at County Stadium and how he watched Milwaukee Braves’ pitcher Warren Spahn win his 300th game at County Stadium in 1961.

Evers has taken criticism from conservatives in recent weeks for using an alternative state email under Spahn’s name.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday afternoon the team met with free agent Shohei Ohtani a few days ago for ‘two to three hours.’

‘Clearly, Shohei’s our top priority,’ Roberts said during the MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville. 

The Dodgers are among the favorite to sign Ohtani because of the team’s standing within Major League Baseball as a team prepared to win a World Series , as well as the team’s payroll. 

The Los Angeles Angels, where Ohtani has played since 2018 since coming to America, the Chicago Cubs, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the San Francisco Giants are thought to be the other frontrunners to land Ohtani. 

Ohtani is thought to be the biggest free agent in the league’s existence and is expected to demand the largest contract in MLB history, with bidding for the 29-year-old believed to be approaching $600 million. 

Shohei Ohtani will likely sign the biggest contract in baseball history when he picks a suitor

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed a meeting with Ohtani on Tuesday

The Dodgers confirmed their meeting with Ohtani after it was reported earlier Tuesday a long meeting between the Blue Jays and Ohtani took place on Monday. 

Fellow Angel Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426.5-million deal that added two years and a massive pay bump to a current contract in 2019.

The largest free-agent contract in league history was signed by New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge last offseason with a nine-year, $360-million deal, with New York retaining the power hitter.

The Angels haven’t made a playoff appearance since Ohtani’s arrival, and changing to the team’s crosstown rival would skyrocket his chances to play in the postseason. 

Ohtani has won two of the last three American League MVP Awards, thanks in part due to his ability as a hitter and pitcher.

His value didn’t drop despite undergoing elbow surgery in September, and Ohtani isn’t expected to pitch again until the start of the 2025 season.

Olivia Dunne shared a selfie from inside LSU’s gym as he gears up for the team’s first gymnastics meet of her final season in January. 

The 21-year-old, SI Swimsuit model looked cozy in grey sweatpants and long-sleeved shirt, as she tagged the clothing line, Vuori, in her latest Instagram Story on Tuesday.

Dunne also brought her dog, Roux, to campus, as she shared a photo of the white golden retriever on a giltwood chair inside one of the school’s buildings.

Earlier this week, Dunne celebrated the word ‘rizz’ being named Oxford’s word of the year with fellow social media sensation Baby Gronk. 

She also attended her first ever NFL game with her boyfriend and highly-rated MLB draft prospect Paul Skenes in New Orleans.

Olivia Dunne looked cozy while posing in grey sweatpants & long-sleeve shirt with her hair up

The model, 21, is training for her first competitive gymnastics of the season against Ohio State

Dunne also met up with patients at a Baton Rouge children’s hospital with one of her gymnastics teammates, Alyona Shchennikova. 

The Tigers’ will hold their first competitive gymnastics against Ohio State meet at home against Baton Rouge on January 5. 

They will then head to the ESPN Events Invitational in West Valley City, Utah, to go up against Oklahoma, UCLA and Utah on January 13.

Olivia Dunne has been dating former LSU pitcher and highly-rated MLB prospect Paul Skenes

Kentucky will be LSU’s next opponent after the invitational. Both teams will face off on January 19. 

This year’s gymnastics SEC Championships will be on March 24, with the NCAA Regionals and Championships meets taking place a month later.

Dunne will have to stay in the best shape possible in order for her team to win it all in her final year of college. She recently flew out to Portugal to pose for SI Swimsuit’s 60th anniversary.

The New Jersey native has 4.5million followers on Instagram.

The Rugby Players Association has warned Owen Farrell’s decision to step away from England duty is far from a one-off example of the sport’s stars struggling to deal with the demands placed on them. 

Farrell, the national side’s captain, revealed last week he will not play in next year’s Six Nations and is taking a break from Tests to prioritise his and his family’s mental health. 

His revelation shocked the English game. But the RPA has said it has now become used to dealing with players who are struggling, especially on the back of a tumultuous year. 

It insists the RPA will be at the heart of ongoing discussions between the RFU and Premiership Rugby on the future of how the game will be structured. 

‘This is not a one-off and it’s certainly not uncommon,’ said Luke Cheyne, the RPA’s head of player development and wellbeing. 

England captain Owen Farrell announced last week he will not play in the 2024 Six Nations

Farrell made the call to protect his and his family’s mental health following recent online abuse

‘It becomes more high profile when we are talking about the England captain. 

‘A lot of the RPA’s work– particularly when it comes to players’ mental health and wellbeing – happens in a confidential space. But it does happen and that’s what we’re here for.

‘This isn’t a bolt out of the blue for us. We know it’s a real issue. It happens on a fairly regular basis. 

‘We have mechanisms in place to support players when they are in moments of difficulty and need to take a step back. 

‘But we also try to be proactive and make sure they can realise what the triggers are.’

Farrell was booed while on World Cup duty for England and was targeted for intense criticism online after being sent off against Wales in the summer and eventually banned. 

In a wider context, English rugby lost three teams to its financial crisis last season in Worcester, Wasps and London Irish. 

The RPA’s head of player development and wellbeing Luke Cheyne (pictured) has stated Farrell is not the only rugby star struggling, and pointed out that players are not robots

‘Sometimes I think people can forget our players are not robots. They’re not just wheeled out on a Saturday to play,’ Cheyne added. 

‘They’re human beings first and foremost and we need to remember that. ‘There are players who are struggling with various different things. We only have to look at the impact of the last year or so. We’ve lost three teams in the Premiership. 

‘Things like that only serve to increase the risk to a player’s mental health and wellbeing. You also need to look at wider life and things like the financial pressures many of us are experiencing. 

‘Professional sport is not removed from those sorts of things either.’ 

The RPA offers its members a 24/7 confidential phone number to ring if they are struggling which is funded by its official charity arm Restart. 

Last weekend was the Premiership’s scheduled Restart round of fixtures which is designed to raise money to support its operation. As part of the RPA’s wider Gain Line programme, players are advised on how to cope with social media and can also access support from their player development managers who work with all 10 clubs.

Since the confidential phone service was launched in 2008, it has had more than 400 referrals. Last season alone, more than 40 current or former players, both male and female, accessed RPA support. 

Farrell watched from the stands as his club side Saracens took on Northampton on Saturday as part of the Premiership’s scheduled Restart round of fixtures

‘The RPA is placing the players at the centre of all ongoing discussions to make sure they are protected. That’s crucial because they are central to the future of the game,’ Cheyne said. 

‘It’s massively important everyone in rugby takes that on board. I think that is happening. The RPA is involved a lot more now than in the past because there is that recognition. 

‘When a high-profile incident like this happens, I understand why people say the game should be doing more. But it’s important to realise there is a lot of support out there for players. 

‘We’re going to continue to provide support to Owen and every other player in English rugby.’

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill’s alleged attack on his brother was so violent that he knocked out his sibling’s tooth, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Mail Sport. 

The alleged victim, James Hill Jr., told officers at a Kentwood, Michigan hospital that Jamahal assaulted him on November 25. The UFC fighter allegedly knocked down his brother twice – each time using only a single punch – and when the conflict was over, James was missing a tooth and had a ‘very swollen’ left eye.

The 32-year-old was charted last week with one count of misdemeanor aggravated assault. According to court documents, officials allege that he assaulted his brother James Anthony Hill Jr and inflicted ‘serious or aggravated injury upon him.’

Jamahal, who held the UFC lightweight title for just six months before vacating it due to injury in July, was booked at a Kent County jail at around 1am on November 27 before being released later that evening at 7:35pm local time.

He is due back in court in January.

Jamahal Hill allegedly knocked out his brother’s tooth, according to a probable cause affidavit

Kentwood (Michigan) police have shared the probable cause affidavit (pictured) to Mail Sport 

Originally reported by TMZ, the probable cause affidavit has since been shared by Kentwood Police with Mail Sport.  

Jamahal defended himself in a video on Saturday.

‘I just can’t wait for the truth to be told in court and I will wait for that day and I look forward to that day,’ he said.

‘The people who know me and know my character and truly, truly rock with me and know who I am, hold on to that and stay true to that and yeah, that’s all I’m gonna say on that.’

Hill became lightweight champion after claiming a unanimous decision victory over Glover Teixeira at UFC 283 back in January.

Johnny Walker punches Jamahal Hill in their light heavyweight fight in February of 2022

Yet just six months later, the Chicago-born fighter revealed he had torn his Achilles tendon while playing basketball with other fighters ahead of UFC 290 in Las Vegas.

‘Right now, the biggest thing is focusing on my recovery, focusing on getting back to 100 percent,’ Hill said in a YouTube video. ‘I need to take some time to focus on my health and make sure that I’m 100 percent and I’m the fighter that everybody knows who I am and who I’ve been since I’ve stepped into this.

‘In order to do that, I need to focus on healing and getting ready and rehabbing.’

Hill was won 12 of his 14 mixed martial arts contests, with his one and only defeat coming against Paul Craig in June 2021.

Even with his immediate on-field value cut in half by elbow surgery, Shohei Ohtani remains baseball’s most coveted free agent.

With contract offers rumored to be in the $600 million neighborhood, the two-way sensation is believed to have met with Toronto Blue Jays officials at the team’s spring-training complex in Dunedin, Florida, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal goes on to report that Ohtani has met with more than one club thus far, although an exact timetable on his free-agency plans has not been revealed. In typical Ohtani fashion, Japan’s most celebrated athlete has refrained from publicizing – or even leaking – any details about his ongoing free-agency tour.

There remains a possibility that the 2023 American League MVP could re-sign with the Los Angeles Angels, for whom he played his first six MLB seasons, ranking among the best hitters and pitchers in the game.

But there are reportedly many other suitors as well, including the Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Seattle Mariners and Chicago Cubs – teams that appear to be unconcerned that Ohtani will strictly be a designated hitter for the foreseeable future following his second Tommy John surgery.

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani, 29, is rumored to be attracting offers upwards of $600 million

And even when Ohtani returns from the elbow procedure, which isn’t expected to be until 2025 at the earliest, there remains concern about his future as a pitcher.

Only a handful of hurlers have successfully returned from two Tommy John surgeries, although that list includes the Texas Rangers’ Nathan Eovaldi, who has won a pair of World Series titles since his second TJ procedure in 2016.

The Blue Jays’ reported interest in Ohtani comes as the team’s home stadium, the Rodgers Centre, is getting a $300 million renovation.

Meanwhile, baseball’s winter meetings are taking place in Nashville, where Ohtani and his fellow Team Japan pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto were said to be holding up the free-agent market.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (pictured) is the second biggest name on the free-agent market 

Newspapers across Japan celebrated Shohei Ohtani’s second American League MVP award

Fans in Oshu City, Japan celebrate news that Shohei Ohtani has won his second AL MVP award

‘It’s probably a little slower from a conversation standpoint at a winter meetings than it normally would,’ New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday.

‘A possibility is that, yeah, the top of the free-agent market hasn’t moved yet, and often it takes the top of the free-agent market moving for the rest of the dominoes to fall.’

Curiously absent from the winter meetings has been Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s representative at the Creative Artists Agency. Whereas other big-name agents like Scott Boras are traditionally very visible during the annual conferences, Balelo has been a ghost.

Besides Ohtani and Yamamoto, other top free agents include several Boras clients, such as outfielder Cody Bellinger, third baseman Matt Chapman, as well as pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery.

Vanessa Hudgens and MLB star Cole Tucker celebrated their wedding by hitting the beach one day after exchanging I do’s.

 The 34-year-old High School Musical star – who stunned at the CFDA Fashion Awards last month – tied the knot with the 27-year-old short stop tied the knot in Mexico.

Vanessa looked incredible in a bridal white bathing suit while staying close to her husband Cole – who wore his wedding band on his ring finger.

The two made it official in Tulum, Mexico over the weekend just 10 months after getting engaged. 

Vanessa Hudgens and MLB star Cole Tucker celebrated their wedding by hitting the beach one day after exchanging I do’s

The 34-year-old High School Musical star – who stunned at the CFDA Fashion Awards last month – tied the knot with the 27-year-old short stop tied the knot in Mexico

Sources have also told People that Hudgens and Cole married in Tulum.

A photo of the actress in a white dress has also provided more evidence Vanessa has tied the knot. In the photo, posted to X, Vanessa dons a flowing white dress as she poses on the beach beside a friend.

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Hudgens and has yet to hear back. 

Back in October Vanessa had shut down pregnancy speculation after Instagram followers asked if she was expecting.

– who recently talked about wedding planning – took to her Instagram on Tuesday to share a video from her bachelorette party in Aspen.

As she wore plenty of baggy clothing in the video, many of her followers were quick to ask if she was pregnant in the comments section.

However Vanessa did not take too kindly to the speculation as she replied: ‘[eyeroll emoji] not pregnant so y’all can stop.’ 

There were plenty of commenters who jumped to the conclusion that she was expecting with the 27-year-old MLB free agent as one wrote ‘omg she’s preggers’ and another said ‘she’s pregnant indeed.’

Others came to Vanessa’s defense as one said: ‘For those commenting about pregnancy is rude. We’re human! She’s happy so please don’t comment about her body if u don’t want anyone asking u.’

 Regardless Vanessa’s video post featured several fun clips from the trip with her gal pals including one of her sporting a white silk bridal dress along with a long coat.

One telltale sign that should have proved to her followers that she is not pregnant is that she popped a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne in the clip.

Back in October Vanessa had shut down pregnancy speculation after Instagram followers asked if she was expecting 

The 34-year-old High School Musical star took to her Instagram at the time to share a video from her bachelorette party in Aspen

As she wore plenty of baggy clothing in the video, many of her followers were quick to ask if she was pregnant in the comments section, however, Vanessa did not take too kindly to the speculation as she replied: ‘[eyeroll emoji] not pregnant so y’all can stop’

Meanwhile just last month Vanessa revealed she was learning first hand how much fun but also how tedious and expensive wedding planning can be. 

The High School Musical alum is set to walk down the aisle with her Major League Baseball fiancé Cole.

‘It’s wild,’ Hudgens said at an event for her Caliwater brand in early September. ‘It’s crazy, the industry of weddings.’

Vanessa – who rocked a sequin minidress at the Beyoncé concert – is having fun with it all despite the challenges, adding that it is all ‘kind of mind-blowing,’ especially with all the choices the bride has to make.

The Princess Switch actress was at photoshoot at Zuma Beach in Malibu promoting her Caliwater brand when she revealed the challenges she’s facing with wedding planning to People.

‘My best friend is getting married as well,’ Hudgens said. ‘And she’s going through it and I was just like, “My God, dresses are so expensive.” It’s nuts.’ 

Back in April, Hudgens told People: ‘It’s a big daunting thing – so much goes into it. Like Gwen Stefani said, this s**t is bananas.’

Tucker is a shortstop and outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.

Hmm: As she wore plenty of baggy clothing in the video, many of her followers were quick to ask if she was pregnant in the comments section

There were plenty of commenters who jumped to the conclusion that she was expecting with the 27-year-old MLB free agent as one wrote ‘omg she’s preggers’ and another said ‘she’s pregnant indeed’

Others came to Vanessa’s defense as one said: ‘For those commenting about pregnancy is rude. We’re human! She’s happy so please don’t comment about her body if u don’t want anyone asking u’

Good times: Regardless Vanessa’s video post featured several fun clips from the trip with her gal pals including one of her throwing autumn leaves in the air

Details: One telltale sign that should have proved to her followers that she is not pregnant is that she popped a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne in the clip

The couple sparked dating rumors in November 2020 when they were spotted holding hands in Los Angeles.

During a May 2021 appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, she revealed that she made the first move after they met on a Zoom meditation group call.  

They got engaged in February, which surprised her.

‘I was extremely surprised,’ she told People. ‘We had definitely talked about it, but I did not expect it to happen the way that it happened and the moment that it happened. 

‘It definitely caught me off guard and I was bawling my eyes out.’ 

Engaged: Vanessa Hudgens is learning first hand how much fun but also how tedious and expensive wedding planning can be

Wedding planning: The High School Musical alum, 34, is set to walk down the aisle with her Major League Baseball fiancé Cole Tucker, 27

In Love: And she’s finding out how overwhelming the whole process of planning the special event is

Here comes the bride: ‘It’s wild,’ Hudgens said at an event for her Caliwater brand on Thursday. ‘It’s crazy, the industry of weddings’

Getting married: She’s having fun with it all despite the challenges, adding that it is all ‘kind of mind-blowing,’ especially with all the choices the bride has to make

Previously, the Spring Breakers star was in a relationship with her High School Musical co-star Zac Effron, 35, from 2005 until 2010.

She then dated Elvis star Austin Butler, 32, for eight years from 2011 to 2019.

Hudgens has not revealed when, exactly, she and Tucker plan to walk down the aisle.