Category Archives: MLB JERSEYS

MLB JERSEYS

Don Larsen, who pitched only perfect World Series game, dies at 90

Don Larsen, the journeyman pitcher who reached the heights of baseball glory when he pitched the only perfect game in World Series history in 1956 with the New York Yankees, died Wednesday, his representative, Andrew Levy, tweeted Wednesday night. Larsen was 90.

Levy said the former pitcher died of esophageal cancer in hospice care in Hayden, Idaho. Levy said Larsen’s son, Scott, confirmed the death.cheap nike nfl jerseys wholesale

Larsen was the unlikeliest of characters to attain what so many Hall of Famers couldn’t pull off in the Fall Classic. He was 81-91 in his career, never won more than 11 games in a season and finished an unsightly 3-21 with Baltimore in 1954, the year before he was dealt to the Yankees as part of a 17-player trade.

In the 1956 World Series, won in seven games by the Yankees, Larsen was knocked out in the second inning of Game 2 by the Brooklyn Dodgers and didn’t think he would have another opportunity to pitch. But when he reached Yankee Stadium on the morning of Oct. 8, he found a baseball in his shoe, the signal from manager Casey Stengel that he would start Game 5.8

“I must admit I was shocked,” Larsen wrote in his autobiography. “I knew I had to do better than the last time, keep the game close and somehow give our team a chance to win. Casey was betting on me, and I was determined not to let him down this time.”

The Dodgers and Yankees split the first four games, and Stengel liked the deception of Larsen’s no-windup delivery. The manager’s instincts proved historically correct. The lanky right-hander struck out seven, needed just 97 pitches to tame the Dodgers and went to three balls on a batter only once — against Pee Wee Reese in the first inning.

Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement Thursday that Larsen’s perfect game has “remained unique for 63 years and counting.”nike nfl jerseys cheap china

“On a team of many stars, Don illustrated that anyone can make history — even perfection — on our sport’s biggest stage,” Manfred said.

In their 2-0 win, the Yankees managed only five hits against the Dodgers’ Sal Maglie but scored on Mickey Mantle’s home run and an RBI single by Hank Bauer.

Larsen, selected MVP of the 1956 Series, had two close calls. In the second inning, Jackie Robinson hit a hard grounder that was deflected by third baseman Andy Carey to shortstop Gil McDougald, who threw out Robinson. In the fifth, Mantle ran down a long drive to left-center field by Gil Hodges. With two outs in the ninth, pinch hitter Dale Mitchell took a third strike, completing the perfect game and sending catcher Yogi Berra dashing out from behind the plate to leap into Larsen’s arms.

MLB JERSEYS

RHP Pierce Johnson goes from Japan to Padres

The San Diego Padres have added a reliever who excelled in Japan, signing right-hander Pierce Johnson to a two-year contract.nfl nike jersey cheap

A source told ESPN’s Jeff Passan that the deal — announced Monday by general manager A.J. Preller — is for $5 million with a club option for the third year.7

Johnson, 28, struggled in the big leagues in his previous stint. The 2012 first-round pick of the Cubs made only one appearance for Chicago before being waived in 2017 and claimed by the Giants. He played for San Francisco in 2018, posting a 5.56 ERA over 37 appearances.cheap nike nfl jerseys wholesale

He spent the 2019 season with the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball, where he went 2-3 with a 1.38 ERA and 40 holds in 58 appearances.

Johnson will make $2 million in each of the 2020 and 2021 seasons, sources said. The 2022 option is for $3 million and includes a $1 million buyout.

MLB JERSEYS

Angels’ Shohei Ohtani completes Tommy John rehab, eyes 2-way role in ’20

Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani has completed his throwing program, the final step in his rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery, and was cleared to return to his native Japan, where he will rest and recover for his anticipated return to a two-way role in 2020.

Ohtani spent the 2019 season as a designated hitter, rehabilitating from surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his right (throwing) elbow in October 2018. He had been throwing off a mound for more than two months before having to undergo season-ending surgery to address a rare knee condition around the middle of September, which prompted him to shut down his throwing progression for a couple of months.china nike nfl jerseys cheap

The Angels did not disclose how often Ohtani threw off the mound when he restarted his throwing program. They are still working to define a blueprint for building him back up as a starter for the 2020 season.8

The assumption is that Ohtani, 25, will start once a week rather than every five games, which would prompt the occasional need for a sixth starter. An innings limit might be implemented. Ohtani can DH on the days he doesn’t start, though new manager Joe Maddon floated the possibility during the winter meetings of Ohtani also hitting on his start days.cheap nfl nike jerseys from china

Ohtani currently makes up one-fifth of an Angels rotation that also includes Andrew Heaney, Griffin Canning and the recently added Dylan Bundy and Julio Teheran. Ohtani’s recovery, combined with Heaney’s injury history and Canning’s youth, motivated the Angels to add durable starters in Bundy and Teheran, with the latter agreeing Thursday on a one-year, $9 million contract.

The Angels still have the financial flexibility to add a top-tier free-agent starter such as Hyun-Jin Ryu or Dallas Keuchel, though they also have a hole at catcher.

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Joe Smith, Astros agree to $8 million, 2-year contract

Reliever Joe Smith and the Houston Astros have agreed to an $8 million, two-year contract.

The 35-year-old Smith spent the last two seasons with the Astros and is 6-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 84 appearances for Houston. Smith missed the beginning of last season recovering from Achilles tendon surgery before returning in July and posting a 1.80 ERA in 28 regular-season appearances.cheap nfl nike jerseys from china7

Smith didn’t allow a run in eight of his 10 postseason appearances in 2019 and finished the playoffs with a 3.12 ERA.china nike nfl jerseys cheap

The right-hander has a 2.98 ERA in 782 career appearances. He gets $4 million in each season under the deal announced Monday.

He was coming off a $15 million, two-year deal with the Astros.

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Dodgers, RP Blake Treinen finalize 1-year contract

Reliever Blake Treinen and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a $10 million, one-year deal Sunday.cheap nfl jerseys china nike

The 31-year-old right-hander and the Dodgers reached agreement during the recent winter meetings, shortly after the Oakland Athletics declined to offer Treinen a new contract.2

Treinen was an All-Star in 2018 with a 0.78 ERA. But he struggled last season with a 4.91 ERA and lost his closer’s role to Liam Hendriks.china nike nfl jerseys cheap

The Dodgers have won seven straight NL West titles.

MLB JERSEYS

Madison Bumgarner reaches 5-year, $85M deal with D-backs, sources say

Left-hander Madison Bumgarner and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a five-year, $85 million deal, sources familiar with the agreement told ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

The value of the contract was first reported by The Athletic. There is $15 million of deferred money in the deal.

This marks the second time in four years the typically frugal Diamondbacks have signed a top-tier, free-agent pitcher. In 2015, Arizona added right-hander Zack Greinke on a $206.5 million, six-year deal.

Arizona went 85-77 last season and traded Greinke to Houston in late July. The Diamondbacks haven’t had a lot of success in October lately, not winning a game in the National League Championship Series round since taking their only World Series title, in 2001.buy nike nfl jerseys cheap

Bumgarner will join a rotation that includes right-handers Zac Gallen, Luke Weaver and Merrill Kelly and left-hander Robbie Ray, who is in the final year of his contract and sources said is likely to move in a trade. If Ray is dealt, left-hander Alex Young or right-hander Mike Leake would fill out the rotation.1

The 30-year-old Bumgarner, the Most Valuable Player of the 2014 World Series for the San Francisco Giants, went 9-9 with a 3.90 ERA last season, following two somewhat forgettable injury-shortened seasons.

In 2019, Bumgarner bounced back to tie for the National League lead with 34 starts and was second with 207 ⅔ innings pitched, which erased many doubts that the Giants icon could again showcase his trademark durability.cheap nfl jerseys china nike

A 10-year veteran, “MadBum” logged six straight seasons with double-digit wins, more than 200 innings and 30-plus starts — finishing with 18, 18 and 15 wins, respectively, in 2012, 2013 and 2014. But the 6-foot-4 left-hander went 4-9 with a 3.32 ERA in 17 starts in 2017, when he missed nearly three months following a dirt bike accident during an off day in Colorado. He threw just 111 innings that season to match his career-low total from 2010, when he was promoted to the majors in June.

Then, Bumgarner broke the pinkie on his pitching hand when he was hit by a line drive from Kansas City Royals hitter Whit Merrifield in his final 2018 spring training start, and he underwent surgery to insert pins into the finger. He returned in June and wound up going 6-7 with a 3.26 ERA in 21 starts and 129 ⅔ innings.

In April 2012, Bumgarner signed a $35.56 million, six-year deal through 2017 that included $12 million in club options for both 2018 and ’19. Before San Francisco staged a bit of a midseason surge to get into playoff contention this past season, Bumgarner was mentioned as a potential top trade target prior to the July 31 deadline.

Bumgarner has 1,794 strikeouts, which ranks 14th on the active list, and has a career record of 119-92 with a 3.13 ERA. He was a clutch postseason pitcher in each of San Francisco’s World Series-winning campaigns in 2010, ’12 and ’14.

MLB JERSEYS

Mets acquire OF Jake Marisnick in trade with Astros

The Houston Astros have traded outfielder Jake Marisnick to the New York Mets in exchange for two prospects, it was announced Thursday.

Marisnick, 28, a smooth-fielding center fielder, wasn’t an everyday player for the Astros because of his inconsistency at the plate. He batted .233 with 10 homers and 34 RBIs for the Astros last season in 73 starts.nfl cheap nike jerseys

“Jake is an elite defender who is an incredibly smart baserunner,” Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said in a statement. “Among our offseason plans was to improve defensively and he is one of the best in the game.”

Marisnick, who has one year left on a contract that will pay him $3 million in 2020, is a career .227 hitter, with 54 home runs and 178 RBIs in seven seasons with the Marlins and Astros.8

Juan Lagares, who was the backup center fielder for the Mets last season, is a free agent.

Marisnick was suspended for two games last season after his violent home plate collision with Los Angeles Angels catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who suffered a concussion and a broken nose. Marisnick apologized after the incident.new nike nfl jerseys for sale cheap

In return, the Astros get lefty relief pitcher Blake Taylor and outfielder Kenedy Corona from the Mets.

Taylor, 24, was 2-3 with 10 saves, a 2.16 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings over 40 appearances as he rose through the Mets’ system at Class-A Port St. Lucie, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.

The 19-year-old Corona hit .301 with 23 extra-base hits and 19 stolen bases in his first professional season that spanned the Dominican Summer League, the Gulf Coast League and Class-A Brooklyn.

MLB JERSEYS

Theo Epstein confident in imminent Kris Bryant grievance ruling

Chicago Cubs president Theo Epstein is confident in the pending outcome of star third baseman Kris Bryant’s service time grievance and doesn’t believe it’s impacting any trade discussions for the team.

“We’re fairly confident in what the outcome is going to be, but the timing is a bit frustrating,” Epstein said from the winter meetings on Monday. “It would be nice to know. We’re at the winter meetings, and there hasn’t been a ruling. I understand these things take time. It’s not going to be more than a couple weeks away, but it would be nice to have that final confirmation.”new nike nfl jerseys for sale cheap

Bryant, whose name has surfaced in trade rumors this offseason, contends he should have started the 2015 season with the big league club, allowing him to become a free agent after the 2020 season. Instead, the team sent him to the minors out of spring training, then brought him up 10 days later due to an injury, allowing them to keep him an extra year and making him a free agent after the 2021 season. The union filed a grievance on Bryant’s behalf with the sides finally presenting their case this offseason.7

If the arbiter rules in his favor, Bryant would be granted free agency after next year — immensely affecting his trade value.

“We’re operating with what our understanding of what the likely outcome will be and moving forward that way,” Epstein said. “I don’t think we look for the whole service time structure to be upended in any one ruling.”nfl cheap nike jerseys

The Cubs have vowed to make changes to their team, which features four key players up for free agency at the same time, after the 2021 season. Epstein said he won’t force anything but admitted some turnover might be in order after missing the playoffs in 2019 and losing out on the division the year before.

“We can benefit from some change in certain areas,” Epstein said. “There are a lot of promising leads [potential trades] out there.”

A decision on the grievance isn’t expected until the New Year, a source told ESPN.

MLB JERSEYS

Jose Abreu agrees to 3-year, $50 million contract with White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a three-year, $50 million contract with Jose Abreu, the team announced Friday.

Abreu, who made his third All-Star team in six seasons with the White Sox, led the American League with 123 RBIs in 2019 while batting .284 with 33 home runs.

“This is a dream come true for me and my family,” Abreu said in a release by the team. “To the fans, I told you I would come back. I never doubted it. Everybody knows the group of talented players that we have, and I want to help guide them and together make the Chicago White Sox a championship team.”

The first baseman/designated hitter, who will turn 33 in January, showed he can still catch up to fastballs as he ranked among the leaders in overall exit velocity, but he struggled with breaking pitches and rarely walks.nike nfl jerseys wholesale cheap

Under the new deal, Abreu will receive a $5 million signing bonus, $11 million in 2020, $16 million in 2021 and $18 million in 2022. Abreu also has a full no-trade clause in 2020 and a limited one in 2021, according to a copy of the agreement obtained by ESPN.6

Chicago is deferring $4 million of his 2022 salary, payable in equal installments each July 1 from 2023 through 2026.

“From the moment he stepped into the major leagues, Jose Abreu has been a leader on the field and in the clubhouse,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. “He has consistently delivered run production at a historic pace, and with each passing season, his leadership role within our clubhouse — with both American-born and Latin-American players — has repeatedly grown. It’s certainly no surprise that both Jose and the White Sox were comfortable with a multiyear commitment moving forward.”

Abreu’s signing is the second big move of the offseason for the White Sox, who announced Thursday that they had agreed to terms on a four-year, $73 million contract with All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal.nfl cheap jerseys nike

Both Abreu and Grandal have a rewards package that would earn them a $100,000 bonus if they are voted AL MVP. They also could get $90,000 for finishing second, $80,000 for third, $70,000 for fourth and $60,000 for fifth. They would get $100,000 for World Series MVP, $75,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $50,000 if selected an All-Star by The Sporting News, $25,000 each for starting an All-Star Game or winning a Gold Glove, and $15,000 apiece if named an All-Star reserve or winning a Silver Slugger.

MLB JERSEYS

Catcher James McCann stays with White Sox on one-year deal

All-Star catcher James McCann agreed to a $5.4 million, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox on Monday, more than doubling his salary.

The 29-year-old McCann was eligible for arbitration. He signed a $2.5 million, one-year deal with Chicago last December after Detroit didn’t offer him a contract for the 2019 season.

McCann set career highs with a .273 batting average, 18 homers and 60 RBI in his first year with the White Sox. He also was an All-Star selection for the first time.nfl nike jerseys for cheap5

The White Sox signed free-agent catcher Yasmani Grandal to a $73 million, four-year contract last month. But McCann played a pivotal role in the development of Lucas Giolito into a front-line starter, likely cementing his return to Chicago.nike nfl jerseys wholesale cheap

McCann was selected by the White Sox in the 31st round of the 2008 amateur draft, but he decided to go to the University of Arkansas instead. He then was drafted by the Tigers in the second round in 2011.

McCann made his major league debut in September 2014 and spent his first five seasons with Detroit, batting .240 with 40 homers and 177 RBI in 452 games.

In other moves Monday, Chicago declined to offer 2020 contracts to Gold Glove second baseman Yolmer Sanchez and relievers Ryan Burr and Caleb Frare, making the trio free agents. Right-hander Thyago Vieira was released to pursue an opportunity to play in Japan.

Left-hander Carlos Rodon, closer Alex Colome, reliever Evan Marshall and utlityman Leury Garcia were tendered contracts, making them eligible for arbitration.