Baseball

Here's one of the coolest stories of the weekend ... the 13-year-old umpire who was caught in a violent youth baseball brawl last month got VIP treatment at the Rockies game Sunday!!

Josh Cordova was the one officiating a game involving 7-year-old kids on June 15 in Lakewood, Colorado ... when parents began hounding him over rules and other parents' actions.

Eventually, a massive fight broke out because of the arguments ... with Cordova calling the whole incident, "scary."

When MLB ump Chris Guccione got word of Cordova's unfortunate involvement in the brawl ... he decided he had to help lift the kid's spirits -- so he invited Josh and his fam to the Rockies game!!

Cordova got the whole VIP experience ... he hung out in the Coors Field locker room and even took part in pre-game lineup talks on the diamond.

In fact, Guccione even gave Cordova his MLB jersey and chest protector ... which Josh says he's going to use right away for his next game!!

"I thought it was a perfect opportunity to reach out to Josh, and not only to him, but his family, and to say to him, 'I'm proud of you, and I'm rooting for you, and what you did is the right thing,'" Guccione told reporters before the game.

"I'm super happy for him, and I wanted to encourage him to keep going forward."

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's son is a newly-minted New York Yankees fan -- all because the team took the time to make him a jersey while playing across the pond.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex crashed the Yankees-Red Sox game Saturday in London, where the two rivals are facing off this weekend for an historic two-game series ... the first to ever be played in Europe. Who better to invite than the Royal couple, right???

The Red Sox gave MM and PH a team onesie, which was cute ... but it didn't really hold a candle to the Yankees' gift -- a custom baby jersey, with Archie's name on the back.

If you watch Meghan's reaction here, there's no comparison ... Yankees took the cake with that thoughtful gesture. The onesie's cool and all, but c'mon ... make a jersey, fellas.

Anyway, Archie wasn't with his mom and dad at the game -- at nearly two months old, the newborn's probably at home soaking up some ZZZs. Not to worry though -- his parents made sure he was well-represented at the MLB event.

Jeff Francoeur says he was JUST KIDDING when he said he wished he had punched Willson Contreras in the face ... telling TMZ Sports, "I actually said it more joking!"

If ya missed it ... the Cubs and Braves nearly got in an all-out brawl earlier this week after Contreras hit a massive home run and chirped about it after.

Francoeur -- a former Braves star who now broadcasts games -- said he actually got into a scuffle with the Cubs catcher back in 2016 ... and said on TV after the dustup he now wishes he had punched the guy in the face back then!!!

"Quite frankly, I wish I had just thrown a haymaker and been done with it," Francoeur said ... “If I knew that was my last year, I would have."

But, when we got Jeff out in NYC on Friday ... he backpedaled off those comments, telling us he was just playin' around!!!

"If you go listen to it, I actually said it more joking! I laughed while I said it. It was fun."

In fact, Francoeur had nothing but praise for Willson ... telling us, "He's a hell of a player."

As for fighting in baseball in general, Jeff tells us he doesn't think knuckle-chucking should ever be allowed in the sport ... saying fights should NEVER escalate from a casual dust-up.

The mastermind behind the David Ortiz shooting has been arrested in the Dominican Republic, officials say. 

Victor Hugo Gomez is the man who allegedly put the wheels in motion for a team of hitmen to roll up to a popular lounge with murderous intent on June 9.

Of course, Dominican officials have now said they don't believe Ortiz was the intended target that night -- insisting the shooter mistook the MLB legend for a friend who was sitting nearby. 

Ortiz was hit in the back -- but the bullet caused serious damage to several organs including his intestines and liver. After the initial life-saving surgery, Ortiz was flown to Boston where he's been receiving treatment ever since. 

As for Gomez, officials say he put out the hit on Ortiz's friend while Gomez was inside the United States. Officials say Gomez has a criminal record and possible ties to a drug cartel. 

So far, at least 10 people have been arrested in the investigation -- including the shooter Rolfi Ferreira Cruz, who has said on the record that Ortiz was not his target. 

How did Brian Dozier get pumped up for the Nationals game against the Marlins on Thursday??

TWERK! TWERK! TWERK! TWERK! TWERK!

The Washington second baseman was clearly feeling a little frisky in Miami before the final game of the Nats-Marlins series ... so he decided to back that thang up on a Nats staffer!!

Unclear why ... but the video is hilarious -- Dozier does a secret handshake and dance with Victor Robles, then turns his hat backward and decides to twerk it out!!

The best part? Washington's staffer plays along ... and slaps a big ole' handful of booty!!!

Seems the pregame twerkfest worked out for Dozier and the squad ... he went 2-for-4 and the Nats beat the Marlins, 8-5.

"Kike, my grandmother's bigger than you!"

Dodgers stud Kike Hernandez was hit with that and more by hecklers when he stepped into the batter's box Thursday night ... but he had the best response EVER to it ...

A MOONSHOT HOME RUN AND SOME BLOWN KISSES!!!

Here's the deal, the Dodgers had just taken a 9-8 lead in the 9th inning against the Rockies in Colorado when Hernandez was asked to pinch hit with two runners on.

Some fans immediately began to ride him ... with one saying, "Kike, you're small as sh*t! Boom."

Of course, Hernandez immediately proceeded to pump a Wade Davis fastball 400-plus feet to dead center of Coors Field ... and when he got back to home plate -- he made sure the hecklers knew about it.

Twitter user @Jomboy_ has the hilarious breakdown of it all ... for real, it's a must watch.

Colorado police have busted even more people in that wild youth baseball brawl ... saying they've now hit 12 TOTAL people with disorderly conduct citations -- including a 16-year-old kid.

Cops had initially cited just 5 people in the June 15 melee -- but after more than a week of investigating and reviewing some pretty clear brawl footage, officials have identified at least 7 more people involved in the fracas.

Among the accused, cops say there was a 55-year-old man, a 47-year-old man, three women (27, 30 and 30) and a 16-year-old juvenile. Most of the men are in their 20s.

As we previously reported, several parents got into an argument over the rules during a championship game involving 7-year-old players in Lakewood -- when suddenly a pregnant woman came out of the stands brandishing a baseball bat.

When a man tried to rip the weapon away from her ... all hell broke loose -- and HUGE fight ensued.

For their part, the Bear Creek Junior Sports Association issued a statement apologizing for the incident, saying, "BCJSA has ZERO tolerance for this type of behavior....PERIOD."

The home run derby has ZERO chance of screwing up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ... so says MLB legend Jason Giambi, who tells TMZ Sports the rookie phenom should do it with no worries!!!

"They're a lot of fun," Giambi says.

Of course, Vlad has reportedly agreed behind the scenes to take hacks in the MLB's home run contest next month ... but nothing's been made official yet.

Some in the baseball world are hoping the 20-year-old will reconsider ... because the derby has been known to lead to players' slumps and even injury.

But, Giambi says he has NO fear of that for Vlad Guerrero's son ... telling us out in NYC this weekend, "He's a great player. He's got an incredible dad. So, he's learned a lot in the game."

"He's well beyond his years."

As for Giambi, he tells us he loved doing the derby ... and if you don't remember some of the shows he used to put on in the batting cage, here's a refresher ...

Enjoy!!!

Marcus Stroman just admitted to TMZ Sports he wants to pitch for the Yankees ... telling us, "One day."

Of course, the superstar pitcher is still a member of Toronto's squad, and he says he's "focused on my time with the Blues Jays now."

But, with the Yanks reportedly interested in the 28-year-old NY native ... he made it clear to our camera guy before hittin' the Blue Jays team bus Wednesday -- he'd be fine with the move!!

Stroman has previously hinted he's down to rock the pinstripes ... telling a group of reporters earlier this week that he's "built for the bright lights."

Unclear what the Yankees are willing to offer for Stroman -- who has a 3.04 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 17 starts this season -- but they do desperately need a starting pitcher for the second half of the season.

Could Stroman's clear willingness to be a Yankee help move trade talks along??

Big moment at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday ... when some of the team's biggest stars helped to unveil a new plaque in Monument Park paying tribute to the gay rights movement.

Pitchers CC Sabathia and Dellin Betances -- along with G.M. Brian Cashman -- held the ceremony to reveal the Stonewall Inn plaque ... which honors the people who fought back during a violent police raid at the Stonewall Inn gay bar in NYC back in 1969.

The incident at the Stonewall is credited with igniting the LGBTQ rights movement.

In fact, the current owners of the Stonewall Inn -- which is still operational in Greenwich Village -- were also on hand for the ceremony.

In addition to the plaque, the Yankees are also working with owners Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly to create a scholarship benefiting LGBTQ public school students.

"[The Yankees have] gone beyond a Pride Night," Lentz told the NY Daily News ... "They understand that having a permanent fixture when fans come here, LGBTQ fans are going to feel safe and welcome."

Cashman told the media, "We want to be an organization that represents inclusion and safe harbor. We try and make a difference that way."

Bryce Harper, Christian Yelich and Nolan Arenado ... you are NOT better than Cody Bellinger, so says Jerry Hairston Jr., who tells TMZ Sports the Dodgers star is the 2nd best player in the MLB!!

"Outside of Mike Trout, he's the best player in baseball," the former World Series champ says ... "I think he will be the MVP."

Of course, Belli is in the middle of an EPIC season ... dude has 25 home runs, 62 RBIs and is batting .353 -- but most baseball experts still have him outside of the MLB's ultra-elite.

But, Hairston tells us Bellinger not only deserves to be in the top 5 ... he's No. 2 just behind Trout, saying, "I really believe it."

"He does everything well. He's right there with Mike. Cody is awesome."

We also spoke with the former Dodgers stud about Walker Buehler ... and Hairston says he's a true ace now -- but he tells us why the 24-year-old still ain't better than Clayton Kershaw yet!

Yankees legend Ron Guidry says CC Sabathia deserves a place right next to Derek Jeter in Monument Park ... telling TMZ Sports straight-up, "Why not?!"

CC has been pitching in pinstripes since 2009 ... logging 133 wins, a 3.75 ERA and 1,650 strikeouts -- and Guidry says those numbers should get him a place in center field at Yankees Stadium.

Of course, Guidry knows a thing or two about the honor -- his number is one of only a handful to ever be retired in Monument Park -- and he tells us CC "should be" in there right alongside him.

In fact, the former Cy Young winner -- who's also a 2-time World Series champ and 4-time All-Star -- is so high on Sabathia, he tells us the 38-year-old also belongs in Pro Baseball's Hall of Fame!!!

"Why not?!" Guidry says ... "He should be [in]."

FYI ... CC is a 6-time All-Star with one Cy Young on his resume. He's got 250 career wins and 3,043 total strikeouts.

Florida senator Rick Scott HATES the idea of the Tampa Bay Rays splitting time between Montreal and Florida, telling TMZ Sports, "I hope they can come to an agreement and stay [in FL] full-time."

The Rays have already got permission from MLB officials to explore becoming a two-city team -- the plan would be to play half their home games in Canada and the other half in Tampa Bay.

So, when we spoke with Scott in NYC after his appearance on "Squawk Box," he made it clear he wants the ball club in Florida FULL-TIME!!!

"I just wish them all to stay in Tampa," Scott says.

"Look, Montreal is a beautiful city. I've enjoyed the times I've had the opportunity to visit there. But, I hope Tampa spends all their time in Florida."

Scott says he's sat down with the Rays management team and says they made it clear they want a better stadium and a new location ... but making that a reality is super challenging.

As for the proposed two-city split, Scott says he understands WHY Montreal is pushing for the move -- they've wanted an MLB team in town ever since losing the Expos back in 2004.

"I'm sure they're anxious to get a team just like we're anxious to make sure [the Rays] don't leave."

Of course, the whole reason the Rays are reportedly pondering the move is because their stadium is ancient and fan attendance is alarmingly low.

The Edwin Encarnacion trade was a STEAL for the Yankees ... so says NY legend Tino Martinez, who tells TMZ Sports, "It's a great move!"

"He's a home run hitter," Tino says ... "He's the best!"

Encarnacion was just traded from the Mariners to the Yankees in a move that only cost the Bronx Bombers a low-level prospect and some cash.

And, Tino -- who was also famously dealt from the Mariners to the Yankees before NY's 1996 World Series-winning season -- is fired up for the move.

As for Clint Frazier -- the stud outfielder who was demoted back to the minors in order to make room for Edwin -- Martinez says he's confident the 24-year-old will be just fine.

"Clint Frazier is an awesome player, man," Tino says ... "He'll be back!"

Justin Verlander is giving props to Max Scherzer for coming back strong from a gnarly broken nose injury ... telling TMZ Sports, "I appreciate him working through the pain."

Of course, Mad Max took a baseball straight to the face during a bunting drill in Nationals' batting practice Tuesday ... and suffered a nasty broken nose and a black eye as a result.

But, Scherzer toughed it out and pitched for Washington just 24 hours later ... and DOMINATED -- throwing 7 innings with no earned runs and 10 strikeouts against the Phillies.

Verlander -- who played with Max for a few years in Detroit -- says he saw his ex-teammate put in the work ... and he was impressed!!!

By the way ... we also asked Verlander if he thinks he's done enough in his own career to deserve a spot in the Hall of Fame -- and he tells us he ain't so sure.

The Colorado youth baseball brawl just took a disturbing twist -- we've now obtained footage showing a very pregnant woman brandishing a bat as a weapon and telling other parents, "I don't give a f*ck!"

The new footage shows heated parents from both youth baseball teams on the field at Westgate Elementary School arguing with the 13-year-old umpire about rules involving the number of players on each team.

You can hear people from the stands screaming for the parents to back down ... saying, "He's a kid!"

As the situation grows more intense, the pregnant woman runs on the field and grabs a metal baseball bat and begins to wave it around screaming, "F*ck you b*tch. I don't give a f*ck!"

One of the male parents tries to pry the bat away from the woman -- and that's when other men on the field attack him ... throwing him down to the ground and firing off punches.

The pregnant woman is forced back into the dugout -- where the fighting continues right in front of her.

It doesn't appear she was harmed in the melee ... but wow, it's close.

Other parents continue to brawl ... including a group of women throwing haymakers at each other down the 1st baseline.

All the while, the 7-year-old players are watching the violence in shock.

As we previously reported, cops eventually arrived and handed out citations for disorderly conduct and fighting in public.

Cops are still looking for at least one of the combatants who knocked a man out with a sucker punch.