MLB

American League’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays, hits during the first round of the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby in Seattle, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Warren)

Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bashes way to MLB Home Run Derby win

Blue Jays first baseman joins dad as first father-son duo to top competition

American League’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr., of the Toronto Blue Jays, hits during the first round of the MLB All-Star baseball Home Run Derby in Seattle, Monday, July 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Warren)
New York Yankees’ Domingo Germán celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Oakland Athletics during a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The Yankees won 11-0. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Yankees pitcher Domingo Germán throws 1st perfect game since 2012

Accomplishment marks the 24th time it’s happened in MLB history

New York Yankees’ Domingo Germán celebrates after pitching a perfect game against the Oakland Athletics during a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The Yankees won 11-0. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Oakland Athletics pitcher Mason Miller throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

A’s break fans’ hearts again with Vegas relocation news

Oakland has signed a binding agreement to buy land on a 49-acre site near the Las Vegas Strip

Oakland Athletics pitcher Mason Miller throws against the Chicago Cubs during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, April 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Seattle Mariners’s Julio Rodriguez reacts after stealing second base during the 13th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

THE MOJ: The hunter about to become the hunted for the Seattle Mariners

After breaking a long post-season drought, what’s next for B.C.’s other favourite baseball team?

Seattle Mariners’s Julio Rodriguez reacts after stealing second base during the 13th inning in Game 3 of an American League Division Series baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Toronto Blue Jays announcer Ben Wagner sits in the broadcast booth in Toronto, Sunday, April 10, 2022. Sportsnet, the Blue Jays’ radio rightsholder, will not resume on-site radio broadcasts for the 2023 regular season and will instead use remote coverage from its downtown Toronto studio for road games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

THE MOJ: Leaving the broadcasters at home a sad and baffling decision

Radio crew not joining the team on the road leads to an inferior product without much of a saving

Toronto Blue Jays announcer Ben Wagner sits in the broadcast booth in Toronto, Sunday, April 10, 2022. Sportsnet, the Blue Jays’ radio rightsholder, will not resume on-site radio broadcasts for the 2023 regular season and will instead use remote coverage from its downtown Toronto studio for road games. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel (21) watches a ground rule double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas bounce over the fence during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

THE MOJ: Good reasons to be stuck on Cactus League baseball

Arizona spring baseball offers a chance to soak up the sport in its purest form

Oakland Athletics’ Conner Capel (21) watches a ground rule double hit by Los Angeles Dodgers’ Miguel Vargas bounce over the fence during the first inning of a spring training baseball game, Thursday, March 9, 2023, in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor reaches out to catch a pitch during the first day of spring training baseball workouts for Guardians pitchers and catchers in Goodyear, Ariz., Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

MLB catchers wary of looming robo umps amid rules changes

Automated Ball-Strike System will receive its biggest experiment yet at Triple-A.

Cleveland Guardians catcher Bo Naylor reaches out to catch a pitch during the first day of spring training baseball workouts for Guardians pitchers and catchers in Goodyear, Ariz., Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Tyler O’Neill when he played with Team Canada in 2017. (The News files)

B.C. slugger a new dad, to play for Team Canada

Tyler O’Neill will wear the Maple Leaf in the World Baseball Classic

Tyler O’Neill when he played with Team Canada in 2017. (The News files)
FILE - New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. Judge won the American League MVP Award on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in voting by a Baseball Writers’ Association of America panel. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Record-breaking slugger Aaron Judge, Yankees reach $360M, 9-year deal

Judge will earn $40 million per season, the highest average annual payout for a position player

FILE - New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run, his 62nd of the season, during the first inning in the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022. With the home run, Judge set the AL record for home runs in a season, passing Roger Maris. Judge won the American League MVP Award on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in voting by a Baseball Writers’ Association of America panel. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Tyler O'Neill. (Associated Press photo.)

PODCAST: Tyler O’Neill of Maple Ridge a big-league hit with the St. Louis Cardinals

MOJ on Sports: 27-year-old outfielder just completed fifth MLB season

Tyler O'Neill. (Associated Press photo.)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros celebrate their 4-1 World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

World Series champion Astros’ offseason involves Baker contract, free agents

73-year-old Baker won his first title in his 25th season as a major league manager Saturday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander and the Houston Astros celebrate their 4-1 World Series win against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier throws during the first inning in Game 4 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier throws during the first inning in Game 4 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper hits two-run home run during the first inning in Game 3 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper hits two-run home run during the first inning in Game 3 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning in Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Astros burst ahead, beat Phillies 5-2, tie World Series at a game apiece

Pitcher Framber Valdez made a five-run lead stand up for Houston

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez throws during the first inning in Game 2 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Philadelphia Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto hits a home run during the 10th inning in Game 1 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Realmuto, Phillies rally past Astros in 10 innings to open World Series

Phils were down 5-0 early against Houston ace Justin Verlander

Philadelphia Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto hits a home run during the 10th inning in Game 1 of baseball’s World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, Oct. 28, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson speaks to the media ahead of Game 1 of the baseball World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Houston. Game 1 of the series starts Friday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Verlander, seeking 1st World Series win, opens for Astros

Aaron Nola starts for the Phillies, the first third-place team to reach a Series

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson speaks to the media ahead of Game 1 of the baseball World Series between the Houston Astros and the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, in Houston. Game 1 of the series starts Friday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper celebrates with the trophy after winning the baseball NL Championship Series in Game 5 against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

World Series teed up: Harper, Phillies go deep, face Astros

Baseball offers a Fall Classic full of vibrant sights, scents and sounds.

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper celebrates with the trophy after winning the baseball NL Championship Series in Game 5 against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
FILE - Toronto Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider looks on from the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Blue Jays rewarded Schneider for his strong performance as their interim manager, agreeing to terms with him Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, on a new contract. Schneider agreed to a three-year deal as manager with a team option for 2026, the Blue Jays said. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)
FILE - Toronto Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider looks on from the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Blue Jays rewarded Schneider for his strong performance as their interim manager, agreeing to terms with him Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, on a new contract. Schneider agreed to a three-year deal as manager with a team option for 2026, the Blue Jays said. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)
Seattle Mariners celebrate their win after American League wild card MLB baseball action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Saturday, October 8, 2022. The Mariners came back from a seven-run deficit and beat Toronto 10-9 in a wild Game 2 on Saturday to eliminate the Blue Jays from the post-season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Blue Jays blow 8-1 lead, swept aside by Mariners in AL wild-card series

M’s stage massive rally for 10-9 triumph, will meet Houston in ALDS

Seattle Mariners celebrate their win after American League wild card MLB baseball action against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto on Saturday, October 8, 2022. The Mariners came back from a seven-run deficit and beat Toronto 10-9 in a wild Game 2 on Saturday to eliminate the Blue Jays from the post-season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo (21) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during third inning American League wild card MLB postseason baseball action in Toronto on Friday, October 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Castillo tosses 7 1/3 shutout innings as M’s dump Jays 4-0 in AL wild-card series opener

Cal Raleigh hit a two-run homer for Seattle; Game 2 Saturday in Toronto

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Luis Castillo (21) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during third inning American League wild card MLB postseason baseball action in Toronto on Friday, October 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette