Pedro Martínez clinched his first NL Cy Young Award on Nov. 11, 1997, becoming the first Expos player and the first Dominican pitcher to win the honor. He posted a 17-8 record with a league‑best 1.90 ERA, 13 complete games, a 0.932 WHIP and 305 strikeouts—the first Latin American to surpass 300 Ks in a season. Despite the triumph, Montreal traded him to the Red Sox a week later. Martínez would later add two more Cy Youngs (1999, 2000) and enter the Hall of Fame in 2015, cementing his legacy as one of baseball’s all‑time greats.
Rowland Office, the 1975 Topps rookie highlighted in the Hall of Fame’s #CardCorner series, logged a 29‑game hitting streak in 1976—the closest any of his 11‑year MLB career (Braves, Expos, Yankees) came to joining the 30‑game club. Drafted by Atlanta in the fourth round of 1970, Office debuted at 19, became the youngest player in the majors that season, and later backed up Dusty Baker while taking over for Hank Aaron after the legend’s record‑breaking 715th homer on April 8, 1974. He finished 1974 with a .246 average in 131 games and finished his career batting .259. The article traces his rise from high‑school star to its most memorable streak and includes a Topps card photo.
On November 4, 1975, Orioles ace Jim Palmer becomes the first American League pitcher to win two outright Cy Young Awards, following his 1973 triumph. He posted a career‑high 23 wins, 10 shutouts and a 2.09 ERA, outpacing runner‑up Catfish Hunter by 24 voting points. Despite a rough 1974 injury‑plagued season, Palmer rebounded with a dominant 1975, earning AL Player of the Month and a rare 12‑inning, two‑run no‑decision win. The Hall of Fame piece highlights his historic achievement and sets up his third Cy Young win in 1976.
The Blue Jays kick off free agency by declining Myles Straw’s $8 million option, opting for a $1.75 million buyout from the Guardians. Roster rules shift to off‑season, forcing the reinstatement of several players (Berríos, Bloss, Francis, Ponce, Santander, Barger, Clase) and clearing a spot for CJ Van Eyk. With 37 players on the 40‑man roster, Toronto must protect key prospects like breakout pitcher Nolan Perry, high‑upside arm Gage Stanifer, and former 2026 riser Daniel Guerra before the Rule 5 draft. Utility candidate Josh Kasevich also earns a spot, while relievers such as Chase Lee may be cut. In a highlight, Dylan Cease earns Cy Young finalist honors after a career‑best 2.40 ERA and 35% K% in 2026.
LSU women’s basketball opened the 2026 season with a historic 129-35 rout of Southeastern Louisiana, the program’s biggest win ever. Coach Kim Mulkey brushed off critics of the non‑conference schedule, saying she won’t apologize for building the game in Louisiana and that the dominant performance proves her strategy works. ZaKiyah Johnson led the Tigers with a 33‑point, 13‑rebound double‑double, while six players scored double figures, the team shot 50% from three and grabbed 51 rebounds. After a 2023 national title and an Elite Eight run in 2024, Mulkey’s squad looks poised for another championship run.
2027 South Side Sox Prospect Vote: Round 3
2027 South Side Sox Prospect Vote: Round 2
2027 South Side Sox Prospect Vote: Round 1
Major League Baseball celebrated its best defensive players Sunday night, announcing the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners.
The post 2026 MLB Gold Glove Winners: Baseball’s Defensive Stars Shine appeared first on We Never Stop .
MLB Trade Rumors unveils its 21st‑annual Top 50 Free Agents list, complete with contract values and team predictions for each player. Analysts Steve Adams, Anthony Franco and Darragh McDonald—backed by scouts and MLBTR founder Tim Dierkes—debate and rank the free agents by earning power, breaking down markets by position. The article also outlines the looming CBA expiration on Dec. 1, the league’s push for a salary cap, and the risk of a lockout that could delay the 2026‑27 offseason. Readers get insight into the projected deals, team fits, and the broader labor‑relations backdrop shaping the market.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – University of Louisville men's basketball began its season with an 84-70 late-night victory over the Chattanooga Mocs on Monday evening.
The Arizona Diamondbacks have outrighted first baseman Pavin Smith, removing him from the 40-man roster and reducing the roster count to 33. Smith, the former #7 overall pick, logged a .141/.236/.192 line in 89 plate appearances before a September pinch‑hit walk‑off home run against the Yankees. MLB Trade Rumors’ Matt Swartz projects a $2.5 million arbitration salary, effectively a non‑tender, and Smith is expected to file for free agency imminently. Arizona now eyes left‑handed depth and may target free agents like Jake Bauers, Ty France, or explore trades for Andrew Vaughn or Spencer Torkelson.
With the trade deadline just around the corner, the New York Giants may be ready to shake things up and find the final piece of the puzzle as they try to keep their grip on the top spot in the NFC East. Standing pat has not always been a winning formula, and tinkering with the […]
The post Giants’ John Harbaugh admits calling AFC team as trade deadline looms appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Louisville opens its season with an 84-70 victory over Chattanooga, sparking excitement before a steep drop in the second half. The Cardinals surge ahead early, scoring on 10 of their first 11 possessions and leading 56-35 at intermission while shooting 57% overall and hitting eight of 19 triples. A dazzling fast‑break by Jackson Shelstad, Adrian Wooley and Karter Knox highlights the offense. However, the second half stalls as Louisville shoots just 29% and goes 1‑16 from three, allowing Chattanooga to cut the lead to 24 points late. Five Cardinals finish with double‑figures and four record at least three assists, but the bench and defense need work as the Mocs out‑performed in second‑chance points and assists. The win puts Louisville at 1‑0 but exposes areas for improvement.
Kendrick Bourne received unfortunate news that will keep him out for the rest of the Arizona Cardinals’ 2026 campaign. Bourne has been playing in the NFL since 2017, going through his first year with the Cardinals. He signed a two-year, $10 million contract worth up to $12 million with the team back in March, hoping […]
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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Astros’ new GM hire and Bryce Harper’s comments about the likelihood of a lost season and his preference for the offseason over the season (22:22). Then FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens joins to break down the MLB free agent class: the weak crop of domestic players, the top NPB […]
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The Yankees skip a qualifying offer for Jazz Chisholm Jr., leaving the 28‑year‑old shortstop out of the $23 million QO market while extending that deal to closer David Bednar, who must decide by Nov. 17. Analyst Ben Clemens warns a sluggish offseason amid looming CBA talks, noting limited high‑ceiling free agents beyond top prospect Tarik Skubal. Meanwhile, New York Post highlights the Bednar offer, NJ.com flags NPB star Teruaki Sato as a potential target, and MLB Trade Rumors reports infielder Marco Luciano’s addition to the 40‑man roster.
Rangers center fielder Evan Carter undergoes right hip labrum surgery and likely won’t be ready for Opening Day, though he should return for most of the 2027 season, Texas president Chris Young says. Carter’s 2026 line – .194/.288/.315 with nine homers and poor splits vs lefties – fuels the urgency to explore the center‑field market. Options include promoting defensive ace Wyatt Langford, signing free agents like Luis Robert Jr., Trent Grisham, or targeting a trade (Corey Seager, Steven Kwan, Jake McCarthy, etc.). While Young remains bullish on Carter long‑term, the short‑term plan demands a solid, offensive‑capable center fielder.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ $292 million payroll couldn’t save them in October, forcing a reckoning with their roster, even if it means parting ways with a familiar face. Alec Bohm, who hit .274 with 14 home runs since May 9, emerged as a potential candidate for a qualifying offer. However, Bohm’s .698 OPS and sub-1.0 WAR […]
The post Phillies Finally Make Big Alec Bohm Decision as Free Agency Opens appeared first on EssentiallySports .
Anthony Rizzo and David Ross revisited the Chicago Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship Monday, marking 10 years since Chicago ended its 108-year title drought. The former teammates reflected on the milestone during Episode 34 of “Ross and Rizzo Unfiltered,” their podcast on The Volume. Their discussion covered the Cubs’ championship and the memories fans continue […]
The post Cubs’ Anthony Rizzo, David Ross reflect on 2016 World Series 10 years later appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Highlights: Tigers Complete 19-Point Comeback Against Howard
In a late‑night BCB After Dark post, Bleed Cubbie Blue reveals that outfielder Seiya Suzuki has received a qualifying offer from the Chicago Cubs, signaling the team’s intent to retain the Japanese star after his 2026 season. The article also recaps a fan poll on the upcoming MLB lockout, with 42% predicting a May restart, and mixes in a Halloween jazz jam and a quirky review of the 1948 comedy Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. The piece blends baseball news with pop‑culture flair for Cubs fans worldwide.
The Seattle Seahawks’ loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday night keeps them stuck at 4‑4 and eighth in the NFC, just one game out of a Wild Card spot. A win would have vaulted them into the final playoff berth, but the defeat leaves them tied with the Los Angeles Rams (who hold the tiebreaker disadvantage) and trailing the Arizona Cardinals. Meanwhile, the NFC North’s four teams sit comfortably in the postseason, and the San Francisco 49ers clinch the top seed after Minnesota falls. The article breaks down the complex 3‑5 tiebreaker scenario that determines seeds 10 through 13, highlighting how Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Arizona and Dallas are positioned.
Missouri stormed back from a 19‑point hole to defeat Howard 91‑88 in overtime on Nov. 3, 2026. Down 76‑59 with 6:41 left, the Tigers ripped off an 18‑2 run, equalized 82‑82 after freshman Natalya Hodge’s putback, and relied on senior Nevaeh Caffey’s 17 points (including key overtime free throws) to seal the win. McKenzie Mathurin led all scorers with 29 points, while Khloe Ford posted a double‑double in her debut. Coach Robin Harper stuck with a small, unpracticed lineup for the final 12 minutes, outscoring Howard 34‑14. The comeback lifts Mizzou to 1‑0 heading into a road game at Little Rock.
Louisville opens the season with a 84-70 victory over Chattanooga, holding a double‑digit lead for most of the game. All five starters scored in double figures as the Cardinals shot 45% overall; preseason All‑American Flory Bidunga led with 16 points, nine rebounds and three steals, while Adrian Wooley added 15 points and Jackson Shelstad contributed 13 points, seven boards and three assists. Despite a sluggish second half—seven turnovers and just 1‑of‑16 from three—the Cards clinched their 22nd win in 23 season‑openers, extending Kelsey’s 3‑0 start.
James Franklin announces that key offensive linemen Montavious Cunningham and Brody Meadows are expected back for Virginia Tech’s road game at SMU, bolstering a Hokies squad that sits 6‑2 (3‑2 ACC) after a dramatic win over Clemson. The return improves depth and could revive a struggling running game as the Hokies chase an ACC Championship berth, while SMU, rattled by a loss to Syracuse, also needs a win to stay in the race. Franklin says the bye week was timely, though left tackle Justin Terry remains unavailable.
Carnegie nets game-high 21 points in Hawkeye debut as Iowa wins 27th consecutive season opener.