Jason Foster | Sporting News

MORE FROM Jason Foster

FOSTER: Along with 60 homers, Aaron Judge has a shot at another rare feat

Total bases isn't usually seen as a sexy stat, but it probably should be because it tells us a lot about a player's offensive value. And Aaron Judge certainly has provided a ton of offensive value in an MVP-worthy 2022 season.

Jason Foster

Why the NL East is the most exciting race in baseball

The battle for the NL East has just about everything one could want in a fun baseball story, courtesy of the Mets and Braves. And it seems destined to go the distance.

Jason Foster

Michael Harris II exudes no emotions but lots of talent and confidence as Braves' new $72 million man

Why would a defending World Series champion give an eight-year, $72 million contract to a kid who was riding buses in the low minors just one year ago? A valid question, perhaps, but only if you've never seen Michael Harris II play.

Jason Foster

The Orioles are good again, and their elite defense is a big reason

Entering play Thursday, the Orioles rank second in the American League in defensive runs saved, behind only the Yankees. Who saw that coming?

Jason Foster

Matt Olson is having a really weird season for the Braves

Whether you're looking at traditional stats, new-ish metrics or StatCast numbers, the story is the same: Matt Olson's 2022 season has been a mix of good to great and mediocre to bad — all at the same time.

Jason Foster

Shohei Ohtani is the 2022 AL MVP until further notice, and it's foolish to pretend otherwise

Apologies to Aaron Judge or whoever else makes a strong case in the American League, but Ohtani is the guy.

Jason Foster

MLB, Blue Jays fire Roberto Alomar after investigation into alleged sexual misconduct

Alomar was fired from two consulting roles and placed on baseball's ineligible list after the completion of an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations stemming from a workplace incident in 2014.

Jason Foster

21 very specific predictions for the 2021 MLB season

Every one of these things will happen. Mark it down.

Jason Foster

A brief summary of freak injuries, weird spring training mishaps throughout MLB history

There's just something about spring training, and the greater offseason in general, that brings out odd mishaps and injuries in baseball.

Jason Foster

Jerry Jones' gas company hits 'jackpot' as demand surges amid Texas' winter crisis

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones seems to be benefiting from the record frigid weather causing power problems in Texas.

Jason Foster

MLB teams overcome a 3-1 deficit more often than you probably realise

Postseason teams have come surging back from a seemingly insurmountable hole 10 times since 1979.

Jason Foster

Sporting News 2020 MLB awards: Abreu voted top player

The 60-game MLB season in 2020 didn’t provide the usual time or opportunities to evaluate player performance, but it was long enough for some players and to make big impressions on their peers.

Jason Foster

Baseball’s five dumbest unwritten rules, ranked by their stupidity

The alleged code of conduct supposedly binds the baseball universe together and brings harmony and balance to the game. Or something like that.

Jason Foster

That time Hank Aaron duplicated his 715th home run as a 50-year-old

Ten years to the day after Aaron made history to become the all-time home run champ, he stepped back up to the plate at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium — at age 50 — and blasted another homer to almost the same spot as the record-breaker.

Jason Foster

Congress to take up MLB sign-stealing scandal?

MLB's cheating scandal could be headed for Congress.

Jason Foster

Former MLB pitcher Jack McDowell alleges '80s White Sox cheated with camera

The 1993 AL Cy Young winner says the Hall of Fame manager instigated the effort to steal signs illegally.

Jason Foster

MLB investigation of Astros will include 2018, 2019 seasons

MLB’s investigation into alleged illegal sign-stealing by the Astros will expand to include the team’s conduct during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday.

Jason Foster

'Baby Shark' legend Gerardo Parra leaves Nationals to play in Japan

The MLB veteran will presumably take the walk-up song with him across the Pacific.

Jason Foster

MLB strikes out with hideous monochrome Players' Weekend uniforms

The simplistic design doesn't look fashionable. It just looks bad.

Jason Foster

Baseball's unwritten rules: 11 questions for MLB players who hate bat flips and fun

Baseball needs to decide whether it's serious about letting players show personality, or whether it's OK with a mixed message that includes the potential for a career- or life-altering injury.

Jason Foster

Baseball’s five dumbest unwritten rules, ranked by their stupidity

The alleged code of conduct supposedly binds the baseball universe together and brings harmony and balance to the game. Or something like that.

Jason Foster

An NFL mystery: How have the Panthers never had back-to-back winning seasons?

Despite talent, despite promise and despite multiple playoff appearances, Carolina has never finished above .500 in two straight seasons.

Jason Foster

Braves showed from the start how they could surprise everyone in '18

The Braves told us who they were in the season’s first game, and they rode the themes that emerged in that big comeback win all the way to an improbable NL East pennant.

Jason Foster

Baseball's five dumbest unwritten rules, ranked by their stupidity

The alleged code of conduct supposedly binds the baseball universe together and brings harmony and balance to the game. Or something like that.

Jason Foster

Ask Jason: On Ronald Acuña's hat, the Phillies' spending, and my favorite stories

I asked people on Twitter to send me questions on baseball or any other topic. Let's see how this goes.

Jason Foster

In appreciation of Tamara Kline’s wonderful, forgotten Winter Olympics theme

Back when CBS held broadcast rights for the Winter Games, it was a largely unknown composer for television commercials who provided the Olympic soundtrack that filled living rooms and became a nightly earworm.

Jason Foster

MLB Network's Braves documentary hits right notes, but skips one big question

In a sports landscape that tends to define excellence solely on championships, the 14 straight division titles the Braves won from 1991 to 2005 might seem more like a half-accomplishment. But MLB Network's latest documentary hopes baseball fans will judge those Braves teams on the journey rather than the destination.

Jason Foster

18 things I really want to see during the 2018 MLB season

With pitchers and catchers about to report in the first official act of the 2018 season, here are 18 things I want to see between now and November.

Jason Foster

Stop being offended by people being offended by Chief Wahoo

Let me say this up front, dear fellow white people: We don’t get to decide what’s offensive to another race.

Jason Foster

Four Hall of Fame moments that epitomize Chipper Jones, Vladimir Guerrero, Jim Thome and Trevor Hoffman

It's hard to find just one moment to epitomize a Hall of Fame career, but I'm going to give it a shot.

Jason Foster

A baseball fan's survival guide for our dreary, endless winter hellscape

Take heart, dear fans, because the 2018 baseball season will start eventually. I'm 96 percent sure of it.

Jason Foster

MLB teams are so bored that they're engaging in silly Twitter shenanigans

Big, if true.

Jason Foster

Please don't let Andruw Jones fall off the Hall of Fame ballot

It wouldn't be the first time a great player was denied proper Hall of Fame consideration, but it will be a special kind of horrible if Andruw Jones falls off the writers' ballot after one year.

Jason Foster

Giancarlo Stanton trade rumors: Deal with Yankees reportedly reached

Where will Giancarlo Stanton play in 2018? We've got a roundup of the latest news and trade rumors.

Jason Foster

Watch Barry Bonds hit a homer off a Japanese guy pitching on a trampoline

Something I didn't expect to see today: Barry Bonds hitting baseballs thrown by a Japanese pitcher bouncing on a trampoline. Yet, here we are.

Jason Foster

Mass. court dismisses lawsuit in death of ex-Tiger Mark Fidrych

An appeals court in Massachusetts has dismissed a lawsuit that claimed two companies were responsible for the accidental death of former MLB pitcher Mark Fidrych, The Associated Press reports.

Jason Foster

Scandal-stained Braves must send strong message to fans this offseason

It would be unwise to downplay the combined effect that three straight 90-plus loss seasons, a former general manager getting banned for life, and no playoff series wins since 2001 can have on a fan base.

Jason Foster

Indians' Chris Antonetti voted 2017 Sporting News MLB Executive of the Year

Chris Antonetti's Indians won an American League-best 102 games in 2017, building off the success the team enjoyed in 2016, when it came within one win of Cleveland's first World Series title since 1948.

Jason Foster

MLB free agency, Winter Meetings, Hall of Fame vote, other key offseason dates

The games are over, but the MLB offseason will be plenty busy.

Jason Foster

World Series 2017: Ghost of Game 5 will haunt Dodgers or Astros without a championship

No matter the outcome in Games 6 or 7, it will likely be Game 5 that becomes a standalone moniker associated with euphoria or heartache in Houston and Los Angeles. For now, though, we just don’t know which city will wear which emotion.

Jason Foster

World Series 2017: Dodgers, Astros making case for best Fall Classic ever

All the ingredients for all-time greatness are there. It’s up to the Astros and Dodgers to complete the recipe.

Jason Foster

The human moments that reflected the greatness of the 1991 World Series

The 1991 World Series between the Braves and Twins was awash in human moments. Game 7, especially, produced a few such moments that fans don't normally see in modern baseball. In fact, we may never see them again.

Jason Foster

2017 Sporting News MLB All-Stars: Altuve, Judge, Stanton among top vote-getters

The teams were selected by a panel of 43 MLB executives.

Jason Foster

Terry Francona, Craig Counsell voted Sporting News Managers of the Year

Indians manager Terry Francona and Brewers skipper Craig Counsell have been named Sporting News' 2017 managers of the year, as selected by a panel of 19 MLB managers.

Jason Foster

Dodgers' Cody Bellinger wins Sporting News NL Rookie of the Year

Anyone who says they saw Cody Bellinger's 2017 season coming is probably not being truthful. Because it's hard to imagine that anyone had that kind of prescience.

Jason Foster

World Series: May the Dodgers and Astros make us party like it's 1962-2012

The Astros and Dodgers were in the same league for five decades, and in the same division for more than 40 years. So, yeah, they've already got some history.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Astros pound Yankees to force Game 7 in ALCS

The Yankees and Astros will play one more time to see who goes to the World Series.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Yankees storm back to beat Astros in ALCS Game 4, tie series 2-2

The Yankees got a huge come-from-behind win against the Astros in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Yankees crush Astros in ALCS Game 3, trail series 2-1

The Yankees got back in to the ALCS with a convincing win in Game 3.

Jason Foster

Oct. 16, 1985: When Jack Clark crushed Dodger dreams and made the slowest trot ever

Jack Clark's subdued troll job in Game 6 of the 1985 NLCS was something to appreciate.

Jason Foster

Oct. 14, 1976: When Chris Chambliss won the pennant and Yankee Stadium went insane

The biggest hit of Chris Chambliss' career also produced the biggest celebratory freakout in baseball history.

Jason Foster

Oct. 14, 1992: 7 things you might not remember about Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS

By the time Sid Bream beat Barry Bonds’ throw to the plate to send the Braves to the World Series, the Pirates and Braves had played a dramatic 8 2/3 innings that included other big moments and themes that were soon overshadowed.

Jason Foster

Dusty Baker is October's heartbreak kid, and it's hard to figure out why

Dusty Baker's teams consistently put themselves in a position to advance in the postseason, and then they don't. Why does it keep happening?

Jason Foster

Cubs vs. Nationals: Score, highlights from Cubs' NLDS Game 5 clincher

The Cubs are headed back to the NLCS. Get all the details and highlights here.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Remembering the Expos' semi-forgotten 1981 NLDS win

With one more win in the NLDS against the Cubs, the Nationals will set up a rematch of the 1981 NLCS. Sort of.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Nationals again find themselves on brink of October disappointment

Another loss to the Cubs will add one more entry to the list of Nationals teams that went into the playoffs with high expectations but fell flat and were forced into the winter early to ponder what went wrong.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Astros can advance to ALCS on anniversary of Chris Burke's walk-off blast

The Astros are a win away from advancing to the ALCS, and they could clinch their spot on the anniversary of one of the team's greatest moments.

Jason Foster

MLB playoffs: Bryce Harper's blast may have changed the Nationals' playoff fortunes

The Washington Nationals have been consistently good and often inexplicably come up small on the sport’s biggest stage. Bryce Harper changed the narrative Saturday night.

Jason Foster

NL wild-card game: Diamondbacks beat Rockies in a wild one, advance to NLDS

The Diamondbacks outlasted the Rockies on Wednesday in a NL wild-card game that was, well, quite wild.

Jason Foster

AL wild-card game result: Yankees hold off Twins to advance to ALDS

The Yankees will face the Indians in the ALDS after they beat the Twins in the AL wild-card game Tuesday.

Jason Foster

SN50: Bryce Harper has become a multifaceted Statcast star

Go big or go home seems a fitting assessment of Bryce Harper's overall playing style. This isn't just anecdotal or "eye-test" analysis — it's backed up by technology.

Jason Foster

I was wrong, and Aaron Judge is really, really good

I didn't think he could reach 50, but what do I know?

Jason Foster

A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell shatters silly notion of America-hating anthem protester

With his national anthem protest Saturday night, A’s rookie catcher Bruce Maxwell did more than he may realize.

Jason Foster

Sept. 14, 1990: When the Griffeys made history with back-to-back homers

Some baseball memories just stick with you, regardless of your rooting interest.

Jason Foster

Umpire Quinn Wolcott seemed to think Tigers might've hit him on purpose

TV replays showed umpire Quinn Wolcott wondering whether an errant pitch was intentional.

Jason Foster

Indians, Dodgers will test truth behind baseball's usual September wisdom

There's an old adage in baseball that says you shouldn't trust what you see in March or September. Well, thanks to the surging Indians and the plummeting Dodgers, this September will put baseball's conventional wisdom to the test.

Jason Foster

Sept. 5, 1987: When the Angels' Jack Howell did something even Vin Scully hadn't seen

When something surprises Vin Scully on a baseball field, just assume it's the rarest of feats.

Jason Foster

Sept. 4, 2002: When Scott Hatteberg powered the 'Moneyball' A's into history

Scott Hatteberg hit 106 home runs during his 14-year MLB career, but undoubtedly his most famous came when he secured himself some (eventual) Hollywood glory.

Jason Foster

Aug. 29, 1977: Remembering Duane Kuiper's only home run of his 12-year, 3,379 at-bat career

Duane Kuiper finished his 12-year MLB career just 754 home runs shy of Hank Aaron's then-all-time record.

Jason Foster

Michael Conforto injury raises very important questions about the Mets

The Mets, man. What's the deal?

Jason Foster

Student's Goodwill trip ends with rare Pie Traynor bat that may be worth thousands

A trip to a Goodwill store in Pennsylvania produced a Hall-of-Fame bargain for 24-year-old Grant Hartley.

Jason Foster

Maybe Bartolo Colon is immortal and will pitch forever after all

Father Time is still undefeated, but maybe he's a little intimidated by Bartolo Colon.

Jason Foster

Aug. 10, 1995: When fans threw balls on the field and the Dodgers forfeited

Most fans at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 10, 1995, were presumably root, root, rooting for the home team, but that didn't stop them from sabotaging a potential win for the local nine in the middle of a playoff race.

Jason Foster

On Deion Sanders' 50th birthday, let's remember his epic 1992 World Series

Prime Time's Hall of Fame NFL career will always be his calling card, but his performance in the 1992 World Series was unquestionably his greatest baseball achievement.

Jason Foster

Orioles go around the horn for second triple play of the season

There's no better way to escape a jam in baseball than to get three outs at once.

Jason Foster

Aug. 3, 1987: That time Joe Niekro tried to hide evidence of cheating, then got busted

Though the truth is up for debate, it's a funny story either way.

Jason Foster

July 20, 1993: When Atlanta's stadium caught fire, and the Braves did too

Symbolism was heavy that night at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.

Jason Foster

July 19, 1982: That time 75-year-old Luke Appling homered off Warren Spahn

Today is the anniversary of a really cool moment in baseball history.

Jason Foster

July 17, 1990: When the Twins turned two around-the-horn triple plays on the Red Sox

The 1990 Twins didn't have much luck on their way to a 74-88 record, but on July 17, 1990, the ball bounced Minnesota's way twice in a game against the Red Sox.

Jason Foster

MLB All-Star Game 2017 score: American League wins fifth straight Midsummer Classic

Follow along as we watch the 2017 Midsummer Classic and all the excitement that's sure to unfold.

Jason Foster

Home Run Derby 2017 results: Aaron Judge conquers all with righteous, epic moonshots

Follow along for updates and commentary on the 2017 Home Run Derby.

Jason Foster

Is it wrong that I don't care about the Home Run Derby?

Who doesn't want to watch strong guys swing for the fences and mash dingers into the stratosphere? Well, this guy.

Jason Foster

Fan at Braves-A's game catches two foul balls on consecutive pitches

One lucky fan got two souvenir foul balls at the Braves-A's game.

Jason Foster

Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger probably won't hit 50 homers, so let's calm down

Everybody loves dingers. The more, the merrier. Chicks dig the longball, and so forth. But let's calm down about Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger.

Jason Foster

There was no great mystery behind Bartolo Colon's struggles with Braves

Father time, as they say, remains undefeated.

Jason Foster

Are Braves really putting Freddie Freeman at third? Or is it all a Costanza-esque ruse?

The Braves' best player took grounders at third base Wednesday. Is this really happening, or are the Braves, in the words of George Costanza, just "taking it up a notch?"

Jason Foster

June 20, 1987: When the Braves and Reds made me fall in love with baseball

It was on this day — June 20, 1987 — that I saw my first big-league game in person. I was only 11, but I remember the game as vividly as any I've ever attended.

Jason Foster

3-year-old runs onto field, gets drafted by Nationals

The Nationals have drafted a kid after he ran onto the field during a play at the plate in the middle of the World Series. Those words, and that series of events, are technically accurate.

Jason Foster

Let's watch videos of (almost) every four-homer game in MLB history

Because you know you need these videos in your life.

Jason Foster

In appreciation of Jim Thome and the quietest 600-homer career of all time

For every baseball aficionado who can easily name all members of the 600 Home Run Club, there are legions more who forget about Jim Thome's offensive prowess.

Jason Foster

May 26, 1959: When the Pirates' Harvey Haddix was perfect for 12 innings, then lost

Harvey Haddix's loss to the Braves is one of the greatest pitching performances in history.

Jason Foster

May 23, 2002: Shawn Green's epic four-homer, six-hit day against the Brewers

Shawn Green's personal slugfest that day in Milwaukee set the MLB record for most total bases in a game.

Jason Foster

Braves' Freddie Freeman could still have a big season, even after broken wrist

Don't lose hope, Braves fans. George Brett's 1980 season offers precedent that says Freddie Freeman can still put up MVP numbers, even after a serious injury.

Jason Foster

May 17, 1979: The day the Cubs scored 22 runs — and lost to the Phillies

It’s usually safe to assume that when a major league team breaks the 20-run mark in a game, that team will win that game. Unless that team was the Cubs in 1979.

Jason Foster

Yankees' Aaron Judge goes undercover for NBC to get opinions on Aaron Judge

All rise — for laughs!

Jason Foster

Tony Gwynn's greatness was not just in the totals, but in the details

Even a slam-dunk Hall of Fame career deserves the occasional review to help us remember the other-worldly details.

Jason Foster

These Reds are for real so far, but sustained success is a different question

More than a month into the season, the Reds keep plugging along in the NL Central. Baseball is beautifully weird.

Jason Foster

The Orioles have won 'Star Wars' Day, so all other teams can stop trying

If you're gonna geek out about May the Fourth, you might as well go all in.

Jason Foster

More tidbits and factoids about 'It's a Long Way to October' and the '82 Braves

In doing hours of interviews about a unique and interesting subject, there was a lot that didn't make it into the final story.

Jason Foster

The untold story of 'It's a Long Way to October,' a groundbreaking, forgotten baseball documentary

In 1982, a documentary crew from Turner Broadcasting set out to tell the story of a year in the life of a typical baseball team. The result was a lot more than that.

Jason Foster

Let's drop the 'Eric Thames PED' theory and just enjoy the story

Sometimes a good story is just that: a good story. So let's give Eric Thames the benefit of the doubt and not jump right to PEDs.

Jason Foster

Braves' Freddie Freeman is the MVP nobody seems to talk about

It seems odd to say that a two-time All-Star on one of baseball's more popular teams could be a super-underrated commodity, but that's where we are with Freddie Freeman.

Jason Foster

Lucky 13? Remembering when the Braves and Brewers couldn't stop winning

Forget superstition. The number 13 has brought winning magic during this week in baseball history.

Jason Foster

Seven questions for Starling Marte, MLB's other PED cheaters

The Pirates' Starling Marte is the latest MLB player to test positive for a banned substance and then claim ignorance. Such claims are getting harder to believe.

Jason Foster

CB Bucknor proves that MLB umpires are essentially employed for life

Tuesday night wasn't just a bad day at the office for the veteran umpire. It was the worst bad day in a long string of bad days.

Jason Foster

Former Patriot Aaron Hernandez commits suicide in prison

The former New England tight end was found hanging in his cell early Wednesday.

Jason Foster

Blue Jays' 2-10 start could mean something, but probably means nothing

If early April baseball is great for jumping to baseless conclusions, then mid-April baseball is a time for fans to convince themselves that the earlier baseless conclusions weren't really that off base.

Jason Foster

Ender Inciarte sparks Braves with big night of firsts at SunTrust Park

There were a lot of firsts Friday night at SunTrust Park. And most of them belonged to Ender Inciarte.

Jason Foster

Rob Manfred: Braves' SunTrust Park 'a model for other organizations'

When MLB commissioner Rob Manfred was on hand for the groundbreaking for SunTrust Park in 2014, the vast swath of open space outside Atlanta hinted at a ballpark district with a massive but unique scope.

Jason Foster

Rockies' Tony Wolters offers more evidence that MLB needs better baseballs

For the third time in less than a year, an MLB player has "knocked the cover off the ball." Sounds impressive, right? Well, have a look at this latest "feat."

Jason Foster

Why April 7 is an unsung cool day in MLB history

On the field and off, special baseball things have happened on this day.

Jason Foster

Early April baseball remains great for jumping to conclusions

In April, apparently, no sample size is too small.

Jason Foster

Come on, Braves. Give those sweet '80s jerseys some love

Sometimes a meaningless fact sticks in your craw. My current pointless mental obsession has to do with the home jerseys the Atlanta Braves wore in the early to mid-1980s. Or, rather, why the team seems to have forgotten that they exist.

Jason Foster

Braves' Dansby Swanson not thinking about 'outside expectations' for 2017

Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson would seem to have a lot of pressure on his young shoulders heading into 2017, but he quickly brushes away any such notion.

Jason Foster

Remembering the time I caught a foul ball, and the search for my elusive TV glory

Every March 22, my thoughts wander to a warm day in 2004 when I had my proudest — and most frustrating — sports-related moment.

Jason Foster

Mariners video proves baseball is fun and unwritten rules are stupid

Bat flips are so last season.

Jason Foster

Yankees' beef with Clint Frazier's hair symbolizes what's wrong with baseball

Remember, kids: To play baseball, you mustn't show any sort of flair or personality. That disrespects the game, and that hurts baseball's feelings.

Jason Foster

White Sox video goes behind the scenes with shortstop Tim Anderson

Baseball fans don't often see or think much about the "training" part of spring training, so the White Sox offered some insight.

Jason Foster

Cubs' Jason Heyward remains a mystery after seven MLB seasons

Maybe, just maybe, 2017 will bring a verdict on Jason Heyward. That is, unless we already have one.

Jason Foster

Five not-so-crazy rule changes MLB should consider next

If MLB wants even more change after instituting pace-of-play tweaks for the 2017 season, perhaps it's time for Manfred & Co. to give the sport a more complete makeover.

Jason Foster

Braves 'hire' Chipper Jones to sell tickets for new stadium

"All aboooooooard."

Jason Foster

MLB reportedly plans to limit replay time, meet with players about other proposals

Major League Baseball will move to limit replay reviews to two minutes during the 2017 season, according to a report from USA Today.

Jason Foster

Baseball Hall of Fame to celebrate 25th anniversary of 'Homer at the Bat'

"The Simpsons" is headed to Cooperstown.

Jason Foster

If MLB wants more fans, baseball must shed the 'boring' label

MLB needs to admit the hard truth: Baseball is boring. Or, at least, that's the perception. It's time for the sport to embrace spectacle.

Jason Foster

Jose Canseco's robot fears are real

Be afraid. Be very afraid. Because robots are made of metal, and robots are strong.

Jason Foster

Why can't I get excited about the World Baseball Classic?

It's almost time for another World Baseball Classic. Blah, blah, blah.

Jason Foster

Rays' Nick Franklin spends offseasons as Uber driver to stave off boredom

It's not about the money — it's about the boredom.

Jason Foster

Astros' Dallas Keuchel cites polar bears as secret to successful shoulder rehab

After a full offseason of rest, the 2015 AL Cy Young winner is ready to dive into 2017 — just like he dove into the icy waters of Antarctica to swim with the polar bears. Wait, what?

Jason Foster

Arizona Wildcats baseball channels 'Major League' in spot-on video spoof

If you're gonna play baseball where "Major League" was filmed, you might as well take advantage.

Jason Foster

Royals pitcher Brian Flynn out eight weeks after falling through barn roof

Not to make light of a potentially horrible thing, but Flynn's descent through the barn air joins a hallowed list of other freak springtime incidents that left us scratching our heads.

Jason Foster

2017 MLB predictions: 17 bold(ish) prognostications for the new season

Even though we won’t see real games for two more weeks, it’s never too early for a bunch of wild predictions for the upcoming season.

Jason Foster

MLB makes epic hype trailer for Bartolo Colon's great Atlanta adventure

Not all heroes wear capes.

Jason Foster

If MLB wants to change for the better, put the designated hitter in the National League

For all the changes MLB has proposed lately, it continues to ignore the one that would make the most sense.

Jason Foster

Let's be honest: MLB games are great for multitasking, so pace of play is just fine

So what if games are slow? This isn't a crisis. This is just baseball.

Jason Foster

Atlanta sports still defined by perplexing disappointment, inevitable heartbreak

Atlanta can't have nice sports things. No matter how good things look, no matter the talent level displayed during the season, come playoff time, Atlanta teams excel at leaving expectations unmet.

Jason Foster

Dear MLB: Please stop ruining your hats with dumb patches

Enough with the hat decorations.

Jason Foster

Twins offer to help clothe Beyonce's growing family

The Minnesota Twins aren't expected to get many wins on the field in 2017, but they've already scored one on social media.

Jason Foster

Survey: God cares about the Super Bowl, but not as much as he used to

Around 25 percent of Americans believe God will play an active role in Sunday’s game between the Falcons and Patriots, according to a new survey.

Jason Foster

Let's stop pretending that Super Bowl commercials are good

Despite the annual hype, and despite a vague history of America loving them, Super Bowl commercials are usually a whole bunch of "meh."

Jason Foster

A baseball fan's survival guide for the stretch drive of winter

Here you’ll find a just-for-fun mishmash of baseball clips and links to help push you through the waning days of baseball-less dreariness.

Jason Foster

Remember when Brent Musburger called baseball games?

Musburger, 77, who announced his retirement Wednesday, was last on the national baseball stage during the 1995 postseason, when he called games for ABC.

Jason Foster

Here are 50 'alternative' sports facts you probably didn't know

Because "alternative facts" are apparently a thing now, the sports world should take notice.

Jason Foster

EA Sports trolls Jerry Jones, Tony Romo after optimistic Super Bowl prediction

America's Team might also be America's Most Trollable Team.

Jason Foster

Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2017 announcement date, time, TV and streaming info

Here’s all you need to know about the 2017 Hall of Fame announcement and induction ceremony.

Jason Foster

Obama pardons Hall of Famer Willie McCovey of tax evasion

McCovey, 79, and Dodgers Hall of Famer Duke Snider pleaded guilty in 1995 to knowingly failing to report money made from authographs and memorabilia shows from 1988 to 1990.

Jason Foster

Marshawn Lynch narrowly avoids being crushed by bus in wheelie-popping rideabout

Marshawn Lynch's retirement almost came to an end — along with his life.

Jason Foster

Alex Rodriguez to host CNBC reality show about broke former athletes

A-Rod's baseball career may be over, but he's found another way to stay in the spotlight.

Jason Foster

Padres now carry weight of San Diego's sports expectations — which isn't good

And then there was one. Unfortuntely for San Diego, that one is the Padres.

Jason Foster

A totally real transcript* of Donald Trump's conversation with Rob Manfred

There’s no telling what MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and President-elect Donald Trump discussed during their meeting Tuesday, but the mind certainly wonders.

Jason Foster

David Ortiz continues to troll everyone about a comeback ... right?

The supposedly retired Red Sox slugger has again fueled un-retirement speculation.

Jason Foster

If blank Hall of Fame ballots are a problem, don't allow blank Hall of Fame ballots

If the rules allow blank ballots, but blank ballots are viewed as a dereliction of duty, then maybe change the rules.

Jason Foster

Odell Beckham Jr. goes undercover as a Lyft driver

Wearing sunglasses and a hat, Beckham's undercover persona, "J.R.," chats it up with his unsuspecting passengers.

Jason Foster

Michael Vick is right: It’s time to forgive him and move on

Michael Vick did bad things. He knows he did bad things. He was punished for those bad things. And, by all accounts, he emerged a changed man.

Jason Foster

Bartolo Colon slays cardio work ahead of 20th MLB season

The portly and loveable Bartolo Colon continues to inspire.

Jason Foster

MLB's rookie hazing was a dumb ritual that needed to go away

Some things traditionally seen as normal and harmless in baseball would be viewed as fireable and borderline criminal in most other legitimate workplace settings.

Jason Foster

Houston set to hire Lane Kiffin as football coach, report says

Houston will hire Alabama offensive coodinator Lane Kiffin as its next football coach, according to a report from USA Today.

Jason Foster

No, David Ortiz is not coming back to the Red Sox. Probably.

Calm down, Baseball Twitter. Big Papi is just trolling. He won't play in 2017. Probably.

Jason Foster

Baseball's rumored lockout couldn't come at a worse time

Please, owners and players, don't shoot yourselves in the foot. The wound might take longer to heal than you think.

Jason Foster

The 10 most inspiring sports-movie soundtracks of all time, ranked

The right music matched with images of competition can elevate a scene to greatness, give us chills and stick in our heads forever, kept in the memory bank to be replayed whenever we accomplish something special in our own lives.

Jason Foster

Dan Carpenter's wife denies racism in 'lighthearted' castration tweet about Richard Sherman

In a tweet Wednesday, Kaela Carpenter said the tweet was intended as a "lighthearted" joke.

Jason Foster

Cubs' World Series win is the greatest story in baseball history

The Lovable Losers finally won, and there's never been a more compelling baseball tale. No, not even the 2004 Red Sox.

Jason Foster

MLB has a real problem if Ken Griffey Jr. is still its biggest star

When your most marketable star is Ken Griffey Jr., who hasn't played since 2010, then you have a problem.

Jason Foster

World Series 2016: Cleveland weather is cold, but it's not 1997-against-the-Marlins cold

The weather looks chilly and iffy in Cleveland for Games 1 and 2 of the World Series, but at least it won't be as brutal as Game 4 of the 1997 series.

Jason Foster

Marlins' Jose Fernandez posthumously named Sporting News NL Comeback Player of the Year

The late Jose Fernandez is Sporting News’ 2016 National League Comeback Player of the Year.

Jason Foster

Dear MLB: Please divorce the World Series from the All-Star Game

The All-Star Game should not determine home-field advantage in the World Series. That’s hardly a new thought or controversial statement, but sometimes you have to state the obvious one more time before it finally sinks in.

Jason Foster

Remembering that time the Nationals* actually won a playoff series

Way back in 1981, the Montreal Expos — the forebearers of the Nats — won the NLDS against the Phillies in five games.

Jason Foster

Ron Washington thought he had Braves' managing job: 'No doubt in my mind'

Wash thought it nailed the interview and would be leading the Braves in 2017.

Jason Foster

Braves reward Brian Snitker again, but still don’t seem ready to commit

That the Braves aren't ready to give Snitker even a three-year contract says the organization, despite all its praise for him, is not entirely convinced that his success in 2016 is a signal that some magic pairing has been attained.

Jason Foster

Dear MLB: Please cancel the playoffs before the Giants win another World Series

There’s no reason to move forward with this silly charade. We already know the outcome: The Giants are going to win the World Series — again.

Jason Foster

Turner Field's legacy is one of letdowns and missed opportunities for Braves

Turner Field hosted 17 playoff series from 1997 through 2013 and saw opponents celebrate the clincher on the Braves' home field nine times.

Jason Foster

The 20 most memorable moments in Turner Field history, ranked

Despite its youth, The Ted has produced a number of memorable moments during its 20 years.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 28

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 28.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 27

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 27.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 26

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Monday, Sept. 26.

Jason Foster

WATCH: Vin Scully masterfully lets viewers know what baby Dodger fan is thinking

As if you needed another reason to love Vin Scully.

Jason Foster

Vin Scully is the most beloved figure in sports, and it’s not even close

As Vin Scully’s remaining days as an active part of the baseball world dwindle, the various tributes and salutations will only confirm what’s been unofficially understood for a long time.

Jason Foster

Jose Fernandez showed the importance of embracing the humanity of baseball

Baseball needs more players who approached the game like Jose Fernandez.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 25

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 25.

Jason Foster

Bryce Harper wears Katie Ledecky swim cap during Nationals' champagne celebration

If you'll recall, Harper and Ledecky were kinda like BFFs when the Olympic swim star threw out the first pitch for her hometown Nats soon after she demolished records in Rio.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 24

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 24.

Jason Foster

Read Vin Scully's touching farewell letter to Dodgers fans

Vin Scully says goodbye to Dodger Stadium after this weekend, but before he leaves he wants to make sure fans know how much they mean to him.

Jason Foster

Dear Mariners: Releasing Steve Clevenger will do nothing to fix the problem

You can't shame or guilt or punish someone into becoming moral and shedding racist thoughts. That requires a change of the heart, which requires building relationships, which requires being around the right people. In Clevenger's case, those people should continue to be his Mariners teammates.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 23

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Friday, Sept. 23.

Jason Foster

Here are 15 of Vin Scully's greatest calls that you definitely need to hear

Some you know well. Others you've probably never heard.

Jason Foster

Bobby Knight says he'll help Donald Trump with debate prep; that should go well

Oh, no.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 22

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 22.

Jason Foster

Baseball-themed TV series have been few, and short-lived

Despite the popularity of some baseball movies, the sport has generally not fared well on the small screen.

Jason Foster

Review: Fox’s ‘Pitch’ should please most baseball fans

The show is more than compelling enough to earn a spot in your fall TV lineup.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 21

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 21.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 20

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 20.

Jason Foster

Vin Scully's call of the Yasiel Puig-Madison Bumgarner dust-up was the best

Even in his final two weeks as a major league broadcaster, Vin Scully paints a picture better than the picture paints itself.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 19

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Monday, Sept. 19.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 18

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Sunday, Sept. 18.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 17

How the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 17.

Jason Foster

Cubs president Theo Epstein puts on disguise, sits in Wrigley Field bleachers

If you're Theo Epstein and the team you've assembled has just made the playoffs, why not go a little crazy?

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 16

How the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Friday, Sept. 16.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 15

How the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 15.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 14

How the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Jason Foster

Magic number watch: Where MLB pennant races stand on Sept. 13

Here is how the magic numbers for Major League Baseball's division titles look on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 13.

Jason Foster

Protesters rush Ryan Lochte during 'Dancing With the Stars' performance

The embattled U.S. Olympic swimmer was not hurt. Two men were detained.

Jason Foster

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