He was a big-time pitcher with a big-time personality. His one-of-a-kind windup defied description. His delivery baffled hitters. His ever-smoldering cigar became a facial feature. Opponents respected him; teammates and fans loved him. Luis Tiant died Tuesday at his home in Maine. He was 83. El Tiante, as we dubbed him, was an icon in […]
baseball
Posted inNPR
Luis Tiant, charismatic Cuban who pitched the Red Sox to the brink of a title, dies at 83
The charismatic Cuban with a horseshoe mustache and mesmerizing windup pitched the Red Sox to the brink of a World Series championship and pitched himself to the doorstep of the Hall of Fame.
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Shohei Ohtani becomes the first MLB player to top 50 homers and 50 steals in a season
The Los Angeles Dodgers star reached the 50-50 milestone in his 150th game. He was already the sixth player in MLB history and the fastest ever to reach 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season.
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Shohei Ohtani’s dog ‘throws out’ 1st pitch at Dodgers game
To the delight of the sellout crowd, the star player’s pup Decoy “threw out” the ceremonial first pitch before a game at the Los Angeles stadium against the Baltimore Orioles.
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Willie Mays – the ‘Say Hey Kid’ considered baseball’s best all-around player – dies at 93
Willie Mays is widely considered to be the greatest baseball player of all time. The ‘Say Hey Kid’ had incomparable skills and an infectious smile. He dazzled on the field and off.
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The Negro Leagues are officially part of MLB history — with the records to prove it
The MLB incorporated the statistics of some 2,300 Black athletes who played in the segregated Negro Leagues between 1920 and 1948, making the late Josh Gibson its new all-time batting leader.
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Umpire Ángel Hernández, who unsuccessfully sued MLB for discrimination, retires
During a career that lasted more than three decades, the 62-year-old Hernández was often scorned by players, managers and fans for missed calls and quick ejections — some in high-profile situations.
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Opinion: The voice of Yankees legends bids farewell
NPR’s Scott Simon remarks on the long career of John Sterling, the New York Yankees’ play-by-play announcer, who is retiring at the age of 85.
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This week’s quiz has happiness and happy dogs. You’re welcome
Last year’s most popular dog is still top, and the happiest nation is still the most contented. March is still madness and shutdowns still loom.
Posted inEpisode, On Sports
Farewell To Roger Kahn, Who Gave Us “The Boys Of Summer”
The groundbreaking look at the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1950s and what happened to them is a classic.