Baseball

Greatest first pitch in World Series history!? Maybe!

Simone Biles took the mound -- and busted out a twisting backflip!!! -- before grabbing the ball Wednesday and heaving it to Houston Astros player Jake Marisnick.

The crowd went absolutely wild for the Team USA gymnastics star as Jake grabbed the ball and signed it before handing it back.

Unfortunately for the home team, the Astros proceeded to get DESTROYED in a 12-3 shellacking at Minute Maid Park in Game 2 against the Washington Nationals.

Houston is now down 0-2 in the series and if you know how superstitious baseball players are ... Biles might never get asked back to throw another pitch!!!

22-year-old Biles wasn't born in Texas -- but she moved there when she was 3 and was essentially raised in the Houston area. She still lives and trains there.

Biles told NBC Sports she was nervous about throwing out the pitch ... saying, "Gymnastics is the only sport I’ve ever done, so when it comes to anything else, I’m literally terrified.

"So, I get more nervous doing this stuff than competing, which is really weird. So, yeah, hopefully I don’t end up on celebrity fails."

She didn't. It was awesome.

BTW, Biles has a history of CRUSHING first pitches at baseball games ... back in 2016, she busted out a crazy front flip thingy while tossing the first pitch in an Astros vs. Mariners game!!!

Now that the baseball game is out of the way, the 4'8" Biles can focus back on dominating everyone at the 2020 Olympics!!!

#USA #USA #USA

"I will be buying an AR-15 tomorrow, because if you impeach MY PRESIDENT this way, YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CIVAL WAR!!! #MAGA2020”

This is what MLB umpire Rob Drake's Twitter account posted and quickly deleted on Tuesday night, according to ESPN ... and now the league has launched an investigation into the situation.

Drake -- who has been outspoken over his frustrations with the House of Representatives impeachment proceedings with President Trump -- has since deactivated his Twitter account.

Before tweeting his plans to buy the assault rifle, Drake also said "You can't do an impeachment inquiry from the basement of Capital Hill without even a vote! What is going on in this country?" earlier in the day.

FYI -- Drake umped his first MLB game in 1999 and joined the league's full-time staff in 2010. He's been involved in many major events including the All-Star Game and playoffs, although he is not on the current postseason roster.

It's important to note -- Drake didn't break any laws with what he said, but clearly the tweet is concerning enough from a PR standpoint that the league wants to get in front of it.

CC Sabathia just wrote a goodbye letter to his New York teammates and the sport of baseball altogether ... and we gotta say, it's getting a little dusty in here.

With the Yanks getting eliminated by the Astros on Saturday ... the future Hall of Famer's career is now over -- and he took some time to reflect on it on social media Monday.

"Through the ups and downs, baseball has always been my home," 39-year-old Sabathia wrote ... "From Cleveland, to Milwaukee, New York, and everywhere in between, I'm so thankful to have experienced this journey with every teammate past and present."

Sabathia tried to pitch through injuries to get the Yanks past Houston and into another World Series ... but he couldn't quite finish the run, reinjuring himself in Game 4.

Still, the pitching legend got a huge ovation from fans when he walked off the NY mound for the final time last week.

"I'm so proud of this year's team, we fought til the end," Sabathia said, "Love you guys!"

CC added, "I'm going to miss going out there on the mound and competing, but it's time to say farewell. Thank you, baseball."

From on-screen stars to singers and directors, celebs from every part of the industry have been able to strike up a deal outside of what they're best known for!

As we head into the MLB World Series, we're highlighting the biggest stars that have been granted the opportunity to play ball!

Stars such as Sophia Bush, Kanye West, Judd Apatow, and plenty more have been able to strike up a deal and pitch to a whole new crowd.

Ex-Yankees skipper Joe Girardi fought like hell to choke back tears when talking about CC Sabathia ... and if you're a Bronx Bombers fan, or just someone with a heart, cue the waterworks.

Barring a miracle, Sabathia's career ended Thursday night ... when the 39-year-old star pitcher was forced to leave Game 4 of the Yankees-Astros ALCS game when his knee buckled on the mound. The Yanks are 1 game away from elimination ... and CC's retiring after this season.

So, when former longtime manager Joe Girardi -- who managed CC from 2009-2017 -- was asked to talk about the legendary hurler during his MLB Network TV gig, it got emotional.

"That was not the way I wanted to see it end for him."

"CC, you're a Hall of Fame pitcher that was as tough as any man I was ever around, what you went through on a daily basis to just be able to get on the mound."

"You were a great husband. You were a great father. You were probably the greatest teammate I've ever been around because of your ability to pull all 25, sometimes all 50 people together in the clubhouse."

Girardi continued, and this is where it really gets emotional ... "And, you were the guy I always wanted on the mound when we needed a win. And, it was a privilege for me to manage you for 9 years. I love you, man."

WE'RE NOT CRYING, YOU'RE CRYING!!!!

If this is it for the 251-game winning, 6x All-Star and 2007 AL Cy Young winner -- and it certainly looks like it's a wrap -- Sabathia's next stop is likely Cooperstown

Here's MLB legend Jeff Bagwell happy as hell he's not on the Yankees right now ... 'cause he tells TMZ Sports the way Gerrit Cole is currently pitching is straight-up scary!!

"He's the closest thing I've seen to Randy Johnson," the Astros legend says ... "He's tough. He's a monster out there."

Cole has been mowing down lineups all season ... and nothing's changed so far in the playoffs -- especially in Houston's HUGE Game 3 win over the Yanks on Tuesday.

Bagwell -- one of the greatest power hitters ever -- says it's truly impressive what the flamethrower has been able to do over the last few months.

"He's just a different animal," Bagwell says ... "There's something out there when he's on the mound where it just looks like he feels like he's just better than you."

In fact, Bagwell is so impressed by GC ... he says it actually reminds him of when Randy Johnson was shoving for the 'Stros back in 1998!!

Ever seen Obi-Wan Kenobi rage his face off?? Well, this is as close as you're gonna get ...

Pitcher Sean Doolittle was close to making that a reality after the Nationals punched their ticket to their first-ever World Series ... whipping out a lightsaber for an epic locker room celebration!!

The Washington Nationals threw the most epic -- and equally nerdy -- party after beating the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 4 on Tuesday ... pulling out all the stops to take in the huge win.

Don't believe us?? Just check out Nats aces Stephen Strasburg and Max Scherzer turning the NLCS trophy into a beer luge!!

Of course, there was also the other usual champagne poppin' and beer showers, Trea Turner rocking his alma mater NC State's football helmet and Brian Dozier losing his shirt somewhere along the way.

Look -- when we say nerdy, we say it with love. We're just trying to figure out how Washington will top this if they end up winning it all.

Carlos Correa's walk-off dinger to even up the ALCS on Sunday was bigger than baseball ... 'cause the MLB star dedicated the home run to one of his biggest fans battling cancer.

Jalen Garcia is a teenage Houston Astros super fan who has been bravely battling Osteosarcoma -- a type of bone cancer -- since he was 13, according to the Laredo Morning Times.

The 25-year-old shortstop and his fiancee, Daniella Rodriguez, met the big-time fan at a hospital in Houston on Friday ... and Correa was so moved by the visit, he wanted to do something extra special that Garcia would never forget.

"Next home run I hit will be for you," Correa promised Garcia. "When you see me pointing, I'll be pointing at you."

Fast forward to Sunday night against the Yankees ... when Correa stepped up to the plate in the 11th inning with the game tied at 2 ... and he hit it right outta the park!!!

As Correa rounded first base, he held true to his promise ... pointing out for his new friend, Jalen while all eyes were on him.

Correa commented on the awesome gesture on Monday ... saying "That was for you, Jalen. Keep fighting we are with you."

No word on how Jalen reacted ... but we're assuming the guy has to be PUMPED!!

Tyler Skaggs' death may have been tied to an Angels staffer who allegedly told authorities he'd supplied the late pitcher with drugs ... this according to a new report.

ESPN put out the bombshell story Saturday, claiming to have spoken with sources who say that Eric Kay -- the Angels' director of communications -- confessed to DEA agents investigating Skaggs' death that he'd hooked him up with oxycodone for years.

On top of that, ESPN says their sources allege Kay also told the DEA that he'd given the pitcher oxy at least a day or two before the team left for Texas on a road trip.

Per the report ... Skaggs allegedly asked Kay for another installment of oxy on the actual day the team left, but Kay was unable to supply it. This is potentially huge, as Kay also allegedly told DEA agents that Skaggs snorted 3 lines in front of him shortly before his death.

While at his hotel in Southlake, TX ... Kay allegedly told DEA agents that Skaggs had invited him over, and offered him to partake. Kay allegedly denied, however, and reportedly told the DEA he witnessed Skaggs inhale 3 lines ... 2 he allegedly recognized as possible oxycodone, and a third line consisting of a substance he did not recognize.

Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room hours later, having choked on his own vomit ... with a cocktail of substances found in his system, including fentanyl and alcohol.

The Little League World Series champs just visited the White House ... and got the best ride back home ever -- A FLIGHT ON AIR FORCE ONE WITH THE PRESIDENT!!!

The youngsters won the Little League WS back in August ... and shortly after the game, Donald Trump tweeted he'd love to host them for a title celebration at 1600 Penn.

So, the kids took him up on that offer Friday ... and got the coolest reward -- a private flight back home on Trump's plane!!!

Trump was headed to Louisiana this weekend anyway -- No. 45 has a rally on Friday night in Lake Charles -- so it all worked out for everybody involved.

Check out the pics ... the kids -- decked out in their LLWS unis -- loved it ... they had huge smiles on their faces as they strolled onto Trump's ride.

"What an amazing day!" said Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise -- who made the trip with the Little Leaguers. "I’m so proud of this team!"

Ernie Johnson is callin' BS on fans throwing dirt on Clayton Kershaw after his latest postseason debacle ... telling TMZ Sports, "His legacy is fine with me."

Kershaw gave up back-to-back home runs in the 8th inning against the Nationals in their NLDS finale Wednesday night ... and L.A. fans were PISSED he blew the game.

They ran over his No. 22 jersey in the parking lot ... they trashed him on Twitter ... and they bashed him on local radio.

When we got Johnson -- who did play-by-play for the Game 5 -- he told us everyone in L.A. needs to pipe down with that chatter ... saying Kershaw is still a legend in his book.

"I don't know what happens to his legacy," Johnson says ... "You know what? His legacy is fine with me."

Johnson says Kershaw's been plenty successful on the field ... and the fact that he's such a good dude off of it cements him as one of the game's greatest in his book.

But, Ernie does admit ... it would be nice if Clayton were able to somehow string together a postseason performance that lifts the Dodgers to a title.

"No one f*cks with us, ever!"

That's St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt GOING OFF in a spectacular f-bomb-laced locker room speech after his team upset the Braves -- and it's AWESOME!!

"Now, I don't give a f**k who we play. We're gonna f**k them up!"

Atlanta and St. Louis had a chippy NLDS ... and after the Redbirds closed it out 13-1 in Game 5 Wednesday -- Shildt broke out all the cuss words!

"They started some s**t. We finished the s**t," Shildt says in the vid captured by St. Louis outfielder Randy Arozarena. "And, that's how we roll."

Arozarena apologized for posting the footage because it was supposed to be a private moment, but it was still awesome to watch.

"We're gonna take it right to them the whole f**king way. We're gonna kick their f**king ass!"

By the way, "they" is now the Washington Nationals. The two squads are set to face off in the NLCS, a best of 7 series.

As for Shildt, he's known for being a super nice and calm dude -- remember how awesome he was to TMZ Sports when we got him out in NYC earlier this year???

But, clearly, he's got a fiery side ... 'cause his locker room speech was EPIC!!!

As for why he was so jacked up ... St. Louis was pissed off at Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. all series long for his antics at the dish (there were bat flipping and base-running dancing).

Dodgers fans were SO PISSED at Clayton Kershaw for blowing yet another playoff game Wednesday ... they straight-up invited people at Dodger Stadium to run over his jersey!!!

L.A. was up 3-1 late in Game 5 of its NLDS finale with the Nationals ... when Dave Roberts tabbed Kershaw to help close out the game.

But the 3-time Cy Young winner -- who has a long history of fumbling in the playoffs -- choked ... and gave up the Dodgers' lead on back-to-back homers in the 8th.

Of course, the Dodgers went on to lose the game in the 10th inning ... and that's when L.A. fans took to the stadium parking lot with Kershaw jerseys in hand.

You can see in video shot by LZ Granderson ... people laid the No. 22 jersey just beneath tires, and fans happily ran it over.

For his part, 31-year-old Kershaw admitted to sucking once again ... telling reporters after the game, "Everything people say is true right now about the postseason. I understand that."

He added, "Nothing I can do about it right now. It's a terrible feeling. It really is."

The star pitcher ultimately gave up 5 earned runs in 6.1 innings in his two appearances in the series ... and added after Game 5, "I might not get over it."

For their part, his teammates tried to stick up for him and are already forgiving the guy for his poor postseason.

The Atlanta Braves did NOT pass out their traditional foam tomahawks prior to Game 5 of the NLDS on Wednesday ... after St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Ryan Helsley -- a member of the Cherokee tribe -- spoke out against the promotion.

FYI -- the Braves have passed out the foam tomahawks on each seat in the stadium for postseason games in the past ... and adopted the accompanying chant from Florida State when Deion Sanders played for Atlanta in the 1990s.

Helsley made it clear he wasn't a fan of the props -- or the "Tomahawk Chop" chant that comes with it -- earlier in the Cards' series with ATL ... saying it misrepresents Native Americans.

"[It] just depicts them in this kind of caveman-type people way who aren't intellectual," Helsley told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"That gentleman just barehanded the ball, he was excited. He got an $8 baseball!"

That gentleman is Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end O.J. Howard, who went home with a souvenir after impressively snagging a foul ball during the Rays playoff game against the Houston Astros Tuesday night!!

Of course, the 24-year-old was the offensive MVP at Alabama when the Tide won the title in 2016, and went on to be a first-round pick to the Bucs in 2017.

The video is great ... Howard throws his arm up in the bottom of the 8th inning to grab the ball with ease, like he was catching a throw from Jameis Winston.

O.J. secured the ball, and proceeded to lose his mind with excitement!!

At first, the announcing crew didn't recognize O.J. ... but when they showed the replay of the highlight play, they weren't as shocked the pro TE was able to come down with the ball.

"Of course, he has good hands, it's Bucs tight end O.J. Howard!!," Kenny Albert said on the broadcast.

"Yeah, he better catch it!!" Joe Girardi joked.

Listen up, Marlins fans ... Derek Jeter says Miami WILL have a playoff squad to cheer for eventually -- he tells TMZ Sports it's just going to take a little more time!!!

"I preach patience," Jeter says. "I don't have any myself, but we'll get there!"

The Marlins have been pretty awful since DJ took over as part-owner of the team ... and a lot of people are bent by the fact that No. 2 has traded away Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, J.T. Realmuto AND Marcell Ozuna in the last few years.

But, when we got Jeter out at his annual Turn 2 Foundation Dinner in New York Monday night ... he told us he's got a plan -- and he's sure it's all going to work out.