Pujols hits 703rd HR to pass Babe for 2nd in RBI; Cards lose
Albert Pujols hit his 703rd home run, breaking a tie with Babe Ruth for second place in career RBIs, but the St. Louis Cardinals lost to Pittsburgh 3-2 when the Pirates drew four consecutive walks in the ninth inning to force home the winning run.
Braves' Freeman celebrates his new baby 'twins with a twist'
NL MVP Freddie Freeman has followed his big season with the Atlanta Braves with an even more memorable offseason. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)Freddie Freeman found a way to top the double honors of winning the NL MVP and Hank Aaron Award. He describes his babies, Brandon and Maximus Turner, as his “twins with a twist.”The twist is they were born six weeks apart. Freeman's wife, Chelsea, gave birth to Brandon on Dec. 30. For now, however, his focus is on his two baby boys — and perhaps a baby girl down the road.
Black MLB players, executives strive to diversify baseball
But today's Black baseball stars? "And I'm like, ‘You know, there are Black baseball players.’ They talk about Black basketball players as well. AdMarketing the game's best Black players was one of many topics discussed by a five-person panel of current MLB players, executives and coaches. “But obviously I didn't really care because I loved it.”AdThe number of Black players in MLB has been dwindling for years, hovering around 8% of the league in recent seasons. Brinson said that's one reason he's proud to be in the The Players Alliance, which is a group of more than 100 Black current and former professional baseball players.
The Hammer makes one last trip to spot where he hit No. 715
A photograph of Henry "Hank" Aaron, longtime Atlanta Braves player and Hall of Famer, sits outside his casket during his funeral on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta. (Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves via AP, Pool)ATLANTA – The Hammer made one last trip to the spot where he hit No. “Hank Aaron never bragged about anything — except carrying Georgia for me in 1992." “Just his presence, before he hit a hit, changed this city,” the 88-year-old Young said. A longtime Braves fan, Carter noted he was at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium the night Aaron hit his iconic home run.
Baseball gathers behind home plate to honor Hammerin' Hank
(Kevin D. Liles/Atlanta Braves via AP Pool)ATLANTA – Brian Snitker choked back tears as he remembered Hank Aaron’s affection for those who didn’t possess his unparalleled talent on the baseball field. During his post-playing career running the Atlanta Braves farm system, the Hammer had a penchant for looking beyond the can’t-miss prospects. Noting the 10 Baseball of Famers who have died in the past year, Manfred said Aaron “belongs on our sport’s Mount Rushmore. “The reason I’m here today is because of Hank Aaron,” Snitker said, pausing to maintain his composure. “Hank was very instrumental in me becoming an Atlanta Brave,” Jones said.
Aaron's death prompts call to change name: Braves to Hammers
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)ATLANTA – As his adopted hometown mourned Hank Aaron's death, some fans called on the Atlanta Braves to change their name to the Hammers in his honor. The NFL's Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer's Atlanta United and Georgia Tech's football team all announced they would retire Aaron's trademark No. The Hammer spent nearly all of his 23-year career with the Braves, whose nickname has drawn some criticism as being offensive to Native Americans. The Braves have steadfastly resisted calls to change their name, saying they view it as a tribute to Native Americans rather than a slur. There has been no indication that Aaron's death would change the team's stance on its Braves nickname.
Aaron lauded for grace amid racism during home run pursuit
Joe Carter met his childhood idol when he won the first Hank Aaron Award in 1986 after leading the majors in RBIs. Hank Aaron. Aaron broke Ruth's record with his 715th home run for the Atlanta Braves in 1974 in former President Jimmy Carter's native Georgia. “He grew up poor and faced racism as he worked to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. It’s going to be at the Hall of Fame, it was Hank Aaron, Joe Morgan, and Frank Robinson.
A look at Hank Aaron’s career and accomplishments
FILE - In this April 8, 1974, file photo Atlanta Braves' Hank Aaron hits his 715th career home run in Atlanta Stadium to break the all-time record set by the late Babe Ruth. Hank Aaron, who endured racist threats with stoic dignity during his pursuit of Babe Ruth but went on to break the career home run record in the pre-steroids era, died early Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. Other Records: MLB career leader in RBIs (2,297), extra-base hits (1,477) and total bases (6,856); played in 25 All-Star Games. Beginnings: Started pro career at age 17 with Indianapolis Clowns of Negro American League.
Hank Aaron, baseball's one-time home run king, dies at 86
The Atlanta Braves said Aaron died peacefully in his sleep. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)ATLANTA – His name is all over the baseball record book and, indeed, Hank Aaron could do it all. “It’s just a small thing that can help zillions of people in this country.”The Atlanta Braves, Aaron's longtime team, said he died in his sleep. Aaron's career total was surpassed by Barry Bonds in 2007 — though many continued to call the Hammer the true home run king because of allegations that Bonds used performance-enhancing drugs. Six feet tall and listed at 180 pounds during the prime of his career, Aaron was hardly an imposing player physically.
Baseball legend, former home run king Henry ‘Hank’ Aaron dies at 86
Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron has died. WSB-TV in Atlanta reports that the one-time home run king died on Friday morning, according to his daughter. Aaron, who was inducted into the hall of fame in 1982, played 23 MLB seasons, from 1954 to 1976. In that time, he hit 755 home runs, a record he held for 33 years until it was broken by Barry Bonds. The 25-time All-Star was also a three-time Gold Glove winner and won one World Series in 1957 with the Milwaukee Braves.
Hank Aaron, civil rights leaders get vaccinated in Georgia
Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron waits to receive his COVID-19 vaccination on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta. Aaron and others received their vaccinations in an effort to highlight the importance of getting vaccinated for Black Americans who might be hesitant to do so. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)ATLANTA – Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, former U.N. Ambassador and civil rights leader Andrew Young and former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Louis Sullivan got vaccinated against COVID-19 in Georgia on Tuesday, hoping to send a message to Black Americans that the shots are safe. Getting vaccinated “makes me feel wonderful," Aaron told The Associated Press.
The Latest: China's Hebei toughens virus rules over outbreak
State health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey urged residents to continue wearing masks, practicing social distancing and washing their hands frequently. Health care officials are currently vaccinating health care workers, first responders and those living in long-term care facilities —all people in the highest-priority groups for getting doses. In the first phase, priority was given to health care workers and residents and staff at nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Cuomo says hospitals need to do a better job of vaccinating the health care workers who are eligible now. Only health care workers and nursing home residents and staff members are currently being vaccinated in New York.
Dick Allen, fearsome hitter and 7-time All-Star, dies at 78
FILE - Former Philadelphia Phillies' Dick Allen waves to the crowd before a baseball game against the New York Mets in Philadelphia, in this Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, file photo. Dick Allen, a fearsome hitter who was a seven-time All-Star, the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year and the 1972 AL MVP, has died. “My friends, these (negative) labels have kept Dick Allen out of the Hall of Fame,” Schmidt said. After seven years in Philadelphia, Allen played a season each with the Cardinals and Dodgers. To me, it was typical Dick Allen: I’ve had enough.
Jane Fonda celebrates 25 years of Georgia-based nonprofit
ATLANTA – Jane Fonda is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Georgia-based nonprofit organization she founded to prevent teenage pregnancies. Fonda, 82, founded the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention in 1995, when she lived in Atlanta and when Georgia had the highest teenage birth rate in the United States. “If you put a map across the United States that showed pockets of poverty and distress, those would correspond with where our teen pregnancy rates are high,” Fonda said. Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana have the highest teenage birth rates in the United States. Birth rates also remain higher among Native American, Hispanic and Black teenagers.
LeMahieu, Soto batting champs in shortest season in century
The .245 big league batting average was the the lowest since .237 in 1968 and down from .252 last year. LeMahieu hit .364 for the New York Yankees, the highest for an AL batting champion since Minnesota’s Joe Mauer hit .365 in 2009 and well ahead of 2019 AL batting champion Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox, who finished second at .322. LeMahieu won the NL batting title with Colorado in 2016. “You've got to just roll with it.”Soto batted .351 for Washington and at 21 years, 11 months, 2 days became the youngest NL batting champion. Bieber and the Chicago Cubs’ Yu Darvish tied for the major league lead in wins with eight.
LEADING OFF: NL race down to final day — and maybe Monday
If St. Louis loses and San Francisco wins, the Cardinals would make up two games against Detroit on Monday that were postponed this season due to St. Louis' coronavirus outbreak. If the Giants and Brewers win, San Francisco needs St. Louis to lose both games against the Tigers on Monday. The 37-year-old Pence helped San Francisco to World Series championships in 2012 and 2014. A career .279 hitter, he had 244 home runs and 942 RBIs for Houston, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Texas. “He had a tremendous career, did a ton for the community in San Francisco and obviously for the San Francisco Giants,” Kapler said.
Column: Another grim chapter for Atlanta's sports history
Dallas Cowboys cornerback C.J. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)ATLANTA – As the ball spun slowly along the turf at Jerry’s World, the black-clad players backing away like it was a live grenade, Atlanta’s grim sports history flooded the consciousness. There was never any doubt a Dallas player would fall on the onside kick before the Falcons did. There was never any doubt the game-winning kick would almost perfectly split the uprights, handing a team from Atlanta an almost unfathomable defeat. The Falcons led 20-0 in the first quarter after Dallas fumbled the ball away three times.
Pujols 2 HRs, passes Mays for 5th place, Angels beat Rangers
Pujols hit No. Pujols said that he received a text and email from Mays after he tied the Hall of Famer on Sunday in Colorado. Pujols added that he had not checked his phone after Friday's game to see how many congratulatory messages he had received. Pujols passed Mays with a solo drive to left. After the Rangers rallied to get within 3-2, Pujols led off the seventh with No.
Pujols passes Mays for 5th on HR list with No. 661, adds 662
Pujols connected for a solo homer with two outs in the fifth inning. He led off the seventh to extend Los Angeles’ lead to 4-2. Pujols now trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696). Pujols, who tied Mays last Sunday at Colorado, has one more season left on his contract with the Angels after this year. ___AP Sports Writer Tim Booth in Seattle and Baseball Writer Stephen Hawkins in Texas contributed to this report.
Pujols hits homer No. 660 as Angels rally to beat Rox 5-3
Trailing 3-2, the 40-year-old Pujols lined a fastball from Carlos Estevez (1-3) into the empty seats in left-center for his 660th homer. Pujols now trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696) on the career home run list. It was a crazy day at the plate for the Angels, who had more walks (10) than hits (six). The Angels took two of three from Rockies and wrapped up a six-game trip with a 3-3 mark. If you’re good, you’re young and you’re not hurt, you’ll work through it.
Pujols hits 660th career homer, ties Mays for 5th place
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)DENVER – Albert Pujols hit his 660th career homer, tying the Los Angeles Angels slugger for fifth on the all-time list with Willie Mays. The 40-year-old Pujols now trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (694) on the career home run list. Pujols has averaged 26 home runs per season over the past eight years with the Angels. His best home run season with the Angels was in 2015 when he hit 40. Pujols, who has one season left on his contract with the Angels after 2020, has gone deep four times this season.
Braves set franchise record for runs, hammer Marlins 29-9
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)ATLANTA Adam Duvall drove in nine runs with three homers, including a grand slam, and the Atlanta Braves obliterated their franchise scoring record in a 29-9 romp over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night. The Braves had 23 hits, including seven homers, to score the most runs in their history in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta. The old Atlanta record was 20 runs, most recently against the Marlins on Oct. 5, 2001. Freeman hit second, d'Arnaud hit fourth and Albies hit eighth. Marlins second baseman Isan Daz was optioned to the teams alternate training site in Jupiter, Florida.
Tom Seaver, heart and mighty arm of Miracle Mets, dies at 75
NEW YORK Tom Seaver transformed a franchise and captivated a city, setting enduring standards as he whipped his powerful right arm overhead for the Miracle Mets and dirtied his right knee atop major league mounds for two decades. Said ex-Mets closer and captain John Franco: As a kid, you always wanted to be Tom Seaver." Tom Seaver hated to lose, said Jerry Grote, his longtime Mets catcher. We just left New York, and every time you walk in a door there, its like Tom Seaver Hall, with different pictures." Tom Seaver was a star at the University of Southern California and was drafted by Atlanta in 1966.
Mets honor Seaver with salute, jersey and dirt-smudged knee
Tom Seaver's No. 41 jersey hangs in the New York Mets dugout before the start of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Citi Field, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, in New York. Were actually family friends with the Seavers, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. When you played behind Tom Seaver, you were playing behind greatness. Comedian Adam Sandler seemed to speak for many fans and their families when he posted on Twitter: Tom Seaver.
Phillies retire Dick Allen's No. 15 in moving ceremony
Former Philadelphia Phillies player Dick Allen speaks after the unveiling of his retired number prior to a baseball game between the Phillies and the Washington Nationals, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, in Philadelphia. My friends, these (negative) labels have kept Dick Allen out of the Hall of Fame, Schmidt said. One of my strongest memories is a group of white suburban 8-, 9-, 10-year-old kids playing pickup ball and fantasizing were Dick Allen, Middleton said. We just saw talent, extraordinary talent, more talent than weve ever seen in any baseball player in Philadelphia. We wanted to be just like Dick.Middleton made clear the Phillies retired Allens number solely on his production as a player.
Valdez fans career-high 11 as Astros beat Angels 11-4
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)HOUSTON Framber Valdez struck out a career-high 11 in seven strong innings and Carlos Correa drove in three runs as the Houston Astros snapped a three-game skid with an 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night. Angels star Albert Pujols passed Alex Rodriguez on the career RBIs list with a single for his 2,087th run batted in. An RBI single by Josh Reddick with one out in the inning made it 2-0. The Angels cut the lead to 2-1 on an RBI single by Fletcher in the third.
Pujols moves up, passes A-Rod on career RBIs chart
HOUSTON Los Angeles Angels star Albert Pujols continued his climb up the career charts Monday night, passing Alex Rodriguez with his 2,087th RBI. The 40-year-old Pujols hit an RBI single in the fifth inning to top A-Rod. Pujols is batting .211 with three home runs and 12 RBIs this season. He's recently been out of the lineup for the Angels, who have the worst record in the American League. The three-time MVP and 10-time All-Star has 659 career home runs, one behind Willie Mays for fifth place.
Civil rights trailblazer C.T. Vivian to be laid to rest
FILE- In this Nov. 20, 2013 file photo, President Barack Obama awards minister, author and civil rights activist Cordy Tindell "C.T." Vivian, the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Martin Luther King Jr. who organized pivotal civil rights campaigns and spent decades advocating for justice and equality, died Friday, July 17, 2020 at the age of 95. Vivian, a pioneer of the civil rights movement who helped end segregation across the South and left an abiding imprint on U.S. history. More than a decade before lunch-counter protests made headlines during the civil rights movement, Vivian began organizing sit-ins against segregation in Peoria, Illinois, in the 1940s.
Rights activists, political leaders mourn Rep. John Lewis
FILE - In this Sunday March 4, 2007, file photo, from left, Brown Chapel AME Church Pastor James Jackson, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia, and Rev. Two years later, Lewis helped lead the Bloody Sunday voting rights march intended to go from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Saddened to hear the news of civil rights hero John Lewis passing, Trump tweeted. The measure would restore federal oversight of state elections, after the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated much of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in 2013. Harris, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and others urged McConnell to allow a vote, and several said it should be given a new name: the John Lewis Voting Rights Act.
'A dark past': MVPs say time to pull Landis name off plaques
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2006, file photo,a Joe DiMaggio 1947 MVP Award Plaque is displayed at a news conference in New York. The plaque features the name and image of Kenesaw Mountain Landis. The other name engraved on the trophy: Kenesaw Mountain Landis. If you have the Jackie Robinson Award and the Kenesaw Mountain Landis Award, you are at diametrically opposed poles, Thorn said. Larkin recalled that shortly after he was voted MVP, he got a call from two-time NL MVP Joe Morgan.
A Long-Overdue 'Tip of the Cap' to baseball's Black pioneers
Not long after, with many of its best players gradually following Robinsons path, the Negro Leagues ceased operations. President Clinton said he chose a Chicago Cubs cap in honor of Ernie Banks, the late Hall of Famer who got his start in the Negro Leagues. Long before that, the Negro Leagues made baseball better and America better.The celebration was moved online after a major league-wide tribute to baseballs Black pioneers scheduled for June 27 was shelved along with the games because of the coronavirus pandemic. So then I thought, How about a virtual tip of the cap?''' I always felt if there was going to be conversations about race in sports, the Negro Leagues should be at the center, because thats the story: They triumphed over adversity.
Former Cy Young winner Mike McCormick dies at age 81
This April 13, 2012, photo shows former San Francisco Giants pitcher Mike McCormick before a baseball game between the Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates in San Francisco. McCormick, who won the Cy Young Award in 1967, died Saturday, June 13, 2020, at his home in North Carolina after a long battle with Parkinsons disease. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)CORNELIUS, N.C. Longtime Giants pitcher Mike McCormick, who won the Cy Young Award in 1967, has died. He made his biggest impact on the franchise after the move from New York to San Francisco in 1958. He completed 14 games and five shutouts and was the first San Francisco pitcher to win the Cy Young Award.