Baseball

At least SOME part of Mark McGwire belongs in the Hall of Fame ... so says Big Mac himself, who believes his 70th home run ball should be in Cooperstown STAT!!

"Bottom line," McGwire said out at LAX this week, "it should have been put in the Hall of Fame."

Of course, the ball can't exactly go there at the moment ... Todd McFarlane -- a legendary comic book artist -- famously bought it for over $3 MILLION just a few months after McGwire made history in 1998.

And, despite the ball's plummeting value (experts tell TMZ Sports it's worth only around $300K-$400K), McFarlane doesn't seem at all ready to part with it, even for the Hall.

He told us last week he still loves his purchase and it would take a "stupid number" for him to give it up.

In other words, don't bet on it ending up in the Hall, even if it'd take it.

As for Mark, he said he's at peace with the ball not being worth millions anymore, adding, "It dropped when Barry [Bonds] broke the record." But, the Cardinals legend did say he wouldn't mind autographing it!!

There's more ... McGwire went IN on the MLB's plan to allow a DH in the National League in 2020 -- saying he believes the role should be punted from baseball altogether.

Bruce Arena -- the former head coach for the U.S. Men's National Team -- is calling for an end to pregame Star-Spangled Banner renditions ... saying straight-up "it is inappropriate."

"I think it puts people in awkward positions," Arena told ESPN this week. "We don't use national anthem in movie theaters or on Broadway, or for other events in the United States."

"I don't think it is appropriate to have a national anthem before a baseball game or an MLS game."

Don't get it twisted, Arena -- a New York native and a current coach in the MLS -- says he's as patriotic as they come and understands why players kneel during the song.

But, Arena makes it clear he believes the whole thing is just unnecessary ... kneeling controversy or not.

"Think about it," Arena said. "In Major League Soccer, most of the players that are standing on the field during the national anthem are international players. They are not even Americans."

"So why are we playing the national anthem? With all due respect, I live in the greatest country in the world but I think it is inappropriate."

Of course, back in 2016 and 2017 at the height of the kneeling protests in the NFL ... some pundits suggested doing away with the anthems altogether to assuage the issue.

The SEC wants Mississippi to change its state flag ASAP ... and if it refuses -- the conference's commish is threatening to pull all future titles games out of the state.

SEC honcho Greg Sankey made the announcement Thursday ... saying "it is past time" government officials pull the plug on a flag that features prominent ties to the Confederacy.

"Our students deserve an opportunity to learn and compete in environments that are inclusive and welcoming to all," Sankey said.

"In the event there is no change, there will be consideration of precluding Southeastern Conference championship events from being conducted in the State of Mississippi until the flag is changed."

Of course, Sankey's press on Mississippi lawmakers is just the latest in a long line of efforts from Americans to cut ties with its Confederacy past.

Cities all over the country have ripped down statues of Confederate leaders in the wake of George Floyd's death ... while NASCAR has permanently banned the Confederate flag from its race tracks.

For their part, SEC programs Mississippi State Univ. (NFL star Dak Prescott's alma mater) and Ole Miss are backing their conference's leader in the fight against the flag.

"Since 2015, our Student Association, Robert Holland Faculty Senate and university administration have been firmly on record in support of changing the state flag," Miss. St. President Mark E. Keenum said.

"I have reiterated that view to our state's leaders on multiple occasions, including during face-to-face discussions in recent days and hours."

Here's how you KNOW you're rich -- when you drop $3 mil on a baseball that later plummets in value, AND YOU JUST DON'T CARE!

Case in point ... Todd McFarlane, who's explaining to TMZ Sports why he's not remotely bothered by the fact his Mark McGwire #70 home run baseball is only worth a fraction of what he paid for it.

Remember, Todd -- one of the most successful comic book artists of all time -- bought the record-breaking ball in '99, right after McGwire and Sammy Sosa wrapped up that famous home run chase.

Demand was high at the time -- but the steroid scandal (and Barry Bonds) caused the value to sink like a stone. Multiple experts say the ball is only worth around $300k to $400k these days ... if that.

So, we hit up Todd ... and wow, HE IS UNFAZED!!!

"If you look at it as buying a baseball, dollar in and dollar out, I'm the stupidest guy on the planet. It's a 3 dollar baseball. I overpaid by a million times that amount right so it doesn't make any sense," McFarlane says casually.

"Even as a collectible and again at this point, I didn't know the cloud of steroids were coming. I thought, in best case scenario, I could use it and then I can sell it and get my money back but I'd get all the value of in maybe being able to sell some sports figures."

"[But] even if I get $0 for it, I've made that money back 5 to 10 times over in the last 15 years."

How???

Long story short ... Todd says owning the baseball has unlocked all sorts of doors in the business world just from people curious to see it ... or just meet him.

Todd says he's been able to make a fortune from those deals -- so at the end of the day he's happy with the purchase.

"I keep saying to people, it was my ante to the poker game with the big boys."

"I bought that ball in 1999, it is now 2020 -- 21 years later you and I are still talking about it. Yesterday ESPN was giving me national attention. Every time we talk about that ball, I get to amortize it even further than I've already done it. So, I don't care if I get $20 for that ball. I'm clean on this deal."

When asked if there was a number that someone would offer to take the ball off his hands, McFarlane had a baller answer for that too!

"I don't know. It would have to be a stupid number that I don't think anybody would give and here is why I say that. Never take money that you don't need, right? So, if my businesses are hurting and somebody came in and gave me a low ball offer and I needed some investment capital or my kids were sick and I needed to pay some medical bills or whatever it was right? Even if I wanna buy a Maserati or something stupid, then I might take it. But as I sit here today, I don't know what I would do with the money regardless. It would have to be a dumb one because I'm better off to hold it."

We also asked Todd if there was a dream collectible he'd love to buy ... and you gotta hear his answer.

The Univ. of Florida is pulling the plug on its famous "Gator Bait" chant ... with the school's president saying its racist ties make it no longer acceptable for UF to use.

In a statement released Thursday ... President Kent Fuchs axed the popular cheer -- which has been screamed by thousands of fans weekly during Gators college football games over the years.

"While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our 'Gator Bait' cheer at UF sporting events," Fuchs said, "there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase."

"Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer."

If you're unfamiliar ... America's past use of "gator bait" truly is disturbing -- reportedly, white men would use African-American babies to lure gators out of swamps so they could hunt them more easily for their skin.

At UF sporting events ... the band would play some tunes and pause so the entire crowd could chant in unison, "Gator Bait!"

Fuchs said in addition to stopping all that ... the school will take even more steps to ensure racial justice -- vowing to remove any UF-controlled "monuments or namings" that have ties to the Confederacy.

The school president also said the Univ. of Florida will no longer receive labor from inmates ... adding, "the symbolism of inmate labor is incompatible with our university."

MLB slugger Miguel Sano is callin' BS on claims he kidnapped and beat up a man in the Dominican Republic ... but the Minnesota Twins say they're now looking into the allegations.

In a new video released this week ... an attorney accused the 27-year-old infielder and other men of taking his client on May 6 and beating the hell out of him.

In the footage, which is in Spanish, the attorney also says Sano and the others threatened to hang his client in the alleged attack.

But, Sano released a flat-out denial to D.R. newspaper El Nuevo Diario this week ... saying he played no role whatsoever in a kidnapping or beating of the man.

Sano, in fact, accused the alleged victim of sexually assaulting his younger stepbrother. The MLB player also told El Nuevo Diario the attorney is trying to blackmail him over the allegations ... asking for serious cash to make the case go away.

Sano says he's going to be filing a lawsuit against the attorney over the allegations.

According to the newspaper, Sano was asked to go to the prosecutor's offices in the D.R. on Tuesday over the claims ... but the Twins player says that meeting got postponed to next week because he received notice too late.

Sano's team, which inked the third baseman to a 3-year, $30 MILLION extension this offseason, told the StarTribune it's aware of the accusations and is gathering information.

It's a good thing Todd McFarlane's rich ... because the Mark McGwire baseball he bought for $3 MIL back in the day has depreciated LIKE CRAZY!!!

Like, not even worth $500k ... according to some of the top sports memorabilia auction houses in the world.

Todd -- one of the most famous comic book artists ever -- famously purchased Mark's 70th HR ball at an auction in '98 ... right after the end of the '98 season.

The final gavel price was around $2.7 -- but after taxes and fees, Todd says he dropped "a hair over $3 million."

In fact, Todd showed off the ball as part of his amazing collection in the opening scene of ESPN's 30 for 30, "Long Gone Summer."

"This is the big boy," Todd said ... "This is the 70. [It's] been scuffed up a little bit 'cause it got hit 400 feet."

Remember, in '98 the home run chase with Sammy Sosa was the biggest sports storyline in America. There was tremendous interest in any memorabilia from the HR race. Demand was high!

But, in the years that followed, Barry Bonds broke McGwire's record and Mac later admitted he was on steroids that season anyway. Demand plummeted.

Not good for long-term value ... so says our experts.

Ken Goldin of Goldin Auctions now estimates the ball's current value at $250k to $300k.

David Kohler, who runs SCP Auctions, is a little more optimistic ... "$250,000 to $400,000, tops."

These guys know the business ... Ken's been dealing with high-end collectibles for decades and recently sold a rare Mike Trout baseball card for more than $900,000.

David specializes in game-used historic baseballs ... selling some of the most famous HR balls ever including Barry Bonds 762 ball, A-Rod's 500 and 600 HR baseballs and more.

In other words, they know the market.

McFarlane has said over the years that he isn't too bothered by the steroid controversy ... insisting the ball will always be a piece of sports history and therefore, valuable.

Todd also happens to own the famous Barry Bonds #73 ball from the 2003 season, which he reportedly bought for $500k.

Baseball fans, look away...

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is now less sure than ever there will be a 2020 season -- and he says it's all because of the "disastrous" money feud between owners and players.

"I'm not confident," the 61-year-old baseball honcho told ESPN on Monday. "I think there's real risk; and as long as there's no dialogue, that real risk is gonna continue."

Of course, just a few days ago, Manfred claimed he was "100%" positive the league WOULD play games this season, despite the extended COVID-19 layoff and the constant bickering over cash between owners and players.

But, after several more days of nasty negotiations ... Manfred is now walking back those comments, calling the public tussle between owners and players "a disaster for our game."

"Absolutely no question about it," he said. "It shouldn't be happening, and it's important that we find a way to get past it and get the game back on the field for the benefit of our fans."

The issue between the two sides has been constant throughout collective bargaining agreement talks over the past few weeks ... players want a prorated salary for games played, while owners want a more even split of the revenue.

Some of the league's BIGGEST stars -- everyone from Max Scherzer to Jack Flaherty -- has taken aim at the owners for their demands, and the two sides now seem further apart than ever.

Clearly, Manfred's noticed ... and now says there's a very real possibility there will be no Mike Trout homers or Clayton Kershaw strikeouts in 2020.

"The owners are 100% committed to getting baseball back on the field," Manfred said. "Unfortunately, I can't tell you that I'm 100% certain that's gonna happen."

Sammy Sosa still won't do it -- he will NOT admit to taking PEDs during that legendary '98 season ... but admits he's made his peace with God.

51-year-old Sosa sat down with ESPN for its new 30 for 30 "Long Gone Summer" and was pressed on if he'll ever "come clean" about his alleged PED use during the famous Home Run Chase, as Chicago Cubs owners have long hoped he will.

Sosa cracked a smirk and said, "What do they want about me when pretty much everyone in that era did it?"

When pressed again, Sosa laughed uncomfortably and added, "I'm a very happy person, my friend. I'm good, I'm happy. Know what I mean?"

"There is about 4 or 5 [players from that PED era], maybe more than that, in the Hall of Fame. So, am I the one to blame?"

It was pointed out in the doc, Sosa has denied using steroids and other PEDs in the past -- even doing so before congress in 2005.

Reporter Paul Sullivan pointed out ... "there is no smoking gun" to prove Sosa did cheat.

"The only proof is the New York Times story about the leaked voluntary drug test. But, even that one, who's seen it except the NYT guy?"

Still ... COME ON!!!

Even 56-year-old Mark McGwire has come clean about taking PEDs ... and says in the new doc, "I regret doing it."

But, not Sammy. He's digging in his heels.

"A lot of people say different things, different opinions but I can say to you, what Mark and I did in '98 was incredible."

"Doesn't matter if we're never going to make it to the Hall of Fame, but that's okay."

"I have a peace with God. I'm happy. I've got my family. I've got my granddaughter, I'm good. but I believe what Mark and I did in 98, definitely, we shocked the world and I do not think something like that will happen again."

As for McGwire, he called his use of PEDs "stupid" -- but claims he only really used 'em to help recover from injuries ... not for the added power boost.

McGwire finished that season with 70 home runs. Sosa finished with 66.

Did the Chicago Cubs just draft the next Randy Johnson?!?!

Maybe ... because they selected a 6'8" left-handed pitcher on Thursday who touches 105 MPH with his fastball!!!

Meet Luke Little ... a Texas junior college player whose arm is so electric, he went in the fourth round to the Cubs during the MLB's draft this week.

Check out some recent video of the 19-year-old pummeling a catcher's mitt from the top of a mound ... he hits 100 with ease -- getting all the way up to 105 on one throw!!!

So, just how crazy is the feat? Well, there ain't many who can climb up over 100 in baseball ... and there are even fewer who do it left-handed, with Randy Johnson, Chris Sale and Aroldis Chapman being the only (consistent) ones recently.

Little's got a long way to go before he's doing it in The Show like those guys ... but he was fired up after the draft pick Thursday, saying, "A dream in the making! Go @Cubs"

Ex-Astros bench coach Alex Cora is breaking his silence on the 2017 sign-stealing scandal ... saying the ENTIRE team was responsible for cheating, and he shouldn't be the only one taking the blame.

Of course, Cora received a season-long suspension and lost his gig as manager of the Boston Red Sox after the MLB's investigation determined he and player Carlos Beltran played major roles in the Astros' complex sign-stealing scheme.

Although Astros manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow lost their jobs as well ... Cora wants to make it clear he and Beltran were NOT acting alone -- and the whole team was in on it.

"If there is one thing I am absolutely sure of, it is that it was not a two-man show," Cora told ESPN. "We all did it. And let me be very clear that I am not denying my responsibility, because we were all responsible."

Cora says he fully deserved his suspension ... but hints he's not happy with the lack of more punishment being handed down.

"We made a mistake as a group, the entire [Astros] team. What happened was something that, if you ask anyone involved, no one is proud of it. We're all at fault. Everybody. We're all responsible."

"Everyone who was part of the team from around mid-May until the end of the season, we are all responsible."

As for those who claim the Astros 2017 World Series title is tainted ... Cora doesn't disagree.

"I understand why people think that our championship is not valid, and it's our fault that they think that. I am being honest and I apologize for what happened and for the mistakes we made as a group."

"I understand why people are disappointed. I am disappointed in myself. At the time, one doesn't think about the consequences. It was something that kept growing and growing, and in the end, it was wrong."

Ever wanted to stuff your face with a burger filled with cotton candy and Cracker Jacks!?!?

Us neither ... but a South Carolina minor league baseball team is giving you the opportunity to do it anyway -- and it looks as gross as it sounds!!!

(COUNTERPOINT: The person editing this post -- a proud junk food-aholic -- disagrees and thinks the burger looks BOMB AS HELL!! Put it in my faaaaaaace!!!!!).

Here's the deal ... the Charleston RiverDogs have been doing some awesome things during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering food for their community while also providing meals for the needy.

This week, in an effort to spice up their takeout menu at the ballpark ... they concocted a hamburger nobody was asking for -- and they seem proud as hell of it.

The burger features a bun, special sauce, an Angus beef patty, a rich slathering of cotton candy ... and it's all topped off with some flavored Cracker Jacks.

Yeah, ew.

(COUNTERPOINT: Inject this straight into my veins!!!!!)

If that somehow intrigues you ... the team says it'll only cost ya $12.99 -- and hey, it even comes with truffle fries!!!

We'll pass on that one ... but if you don't -- get the dentist appointment ready STAT!!!

The Red Sox say Torii Hunter is right ... their fans DO spew racial hatred from the stands at players -- and now, the MLB squad is vowing to make organizational changes to fix it.

Hunter -- a former Minnesota Twins superstar -- said this week he heard constant slurs and hatred from Red Sox fans at Fenway Park throughout his career.

In fact, the 9-time Gold Glove outfielder said it got so bad, he actually put a no-trade-to-Boston clause in his contracts.

Hunter even said on WEEI's "Greg Hill Show" earlier this week that in one game alone, several kids at Fenway chanted the n-word at him while parents clapped and cheered along.

In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, the Red Sox didn't even try to refute the outfielder's claims ... saying they're straight-up well aware of what's going down at their park.

"Torii Hunter's experience is real," Sox officials said. "If you doubt him because you've never heard it yourself, take it from us, it happens."

"Last year there were 7 reported incidents at Fenway Park where fans used racial slurs. Those are just the ones we know about. And it's not only players. It happens to the dedicated Black employees who work for us on game days."

The good news? The Red Sox say in addition to the heavy penalties they've already put in place for racism in the stands -- they're now going to make broad, organizational changes to help erase the issue altogether.

"There are well-established consequences for fans who use racial slurs and hate speech in our venue, and we know we have more work to do. This small group of fans does not represent who we are, but are rather a reflection of larger systematic issues that as an organization we need to address."

Carl Crawford has been arrested for felony domestic violence in Texas stemming from a May incident where he allegedly choked his ex-girlfriend at gunpoint ... this according to court documents obtained by TMZ Sports.

The alleged victim claims she had recently broken up with the former MLB star after a two-and-a-half-year relationship, but agreed to meet with him on May 8 at her Houston, Texas apartment to talk things out.

When Crawford arrived, the woman claims he removed a semi-automatic handgun from his pocket. She then claims Crawford "unloaded the clip and ejected a round of the pistol and began walking towards her holding the firearm."

The woman says Crawford was visibly upset ... and claims the former MLB star began interrogating her, warning her that "if she lied to him that he was going to hurt her."

The woman says she tried to leave her apartment ... but says Crawford pushed her down to the ground in the hallway.

Crawford, per the docs, then "held the gun in one hand, and used the other hand to grab her by the head and neck, while asking her how long she had been dating a male acquaintance."

When she says she replied that she only knew the other man for a week, she claims Crawford accused her of lying and slammed her head against the wall several times.

While still holding the gun, Crawford allegedly began to squeeze the woman's neck while asking, "how long had she been having sex with the male."

The woman says she felt like she was about to pass out when her 1-year-old daughter walked over to her, which allegedly distracted Crawford long enough for her to get up and flee the scene.

She claims Crawford also fled, but left his gun at the scene. Cops were called -- and according to the docs, they observed pink areas on the woman's neck and an injury to her right hand.

After the incident, the woman says Crawford continued to send her menacing text messages ... saying, "That wasn't a beating u just mad I made u confess."

Crawford also allegedly texted that he was paying someone to track down the other male.

Officials in Harris County hit Crawford with a charge of assault of a family member - impeding breathing ... and he surrendered to authorities on Thursday, June 4.

The 38-year-old is currently in custody ... being held on $10,000 bond.

We've reached out to Crawford's reps for comment ... but so far, no word back yet.

As we previously reported ... just days after the alleged incident, on May 16, a child and a woman tragically drowned at the former L.A. Dodgers outfielder's Houston, Texas home.

In a statement addressing the accident, Crawford wrote, "My Hearts Heavy. The tragic events that occurred at my home will be with me forever. I'm at a loss for words I've struggled all week to manage my emotions and I keep thinking of the families of those who've passed and their grief, I know they have it the hardest."

Dodgers Stadium was lit up for 8 minutes and 46 seconds Wednesday night ... and the team says it's all in an effort to pay tribute to George Floyd.

The MLB squad announced they turned on the lights at Chavez Ravine at 9 PM PT to stand in unity with "all Angelenos" who are outraged by Floyd's tragic death.

The 8 minutes and 46 seconds represent the same amount of time a Minneapolis cop had his knee on the neck of Floyd, before the 46-year-old ultimately passed away.

Thousands of others in L.A. joined in the light-up gesture ... with some individuals even stopping to pull out their phone's flashlights on city streets to honor Floyd.

"Tonight, the Dodgers joined families across Los Angeles in shining our Dodger Stadium lights into the sky at 9 pm for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in recognition of George Floyd," the team said in a statement.

"The Dodgers join all Angelenos in this peaceful display of unity to shine a light in the darkness."

The team and its players have consistently denounced racism and condemned police brutality since Floyd's death ... with star third baseman Justin Turner writing, "We will not pretend that we have personally experienced your struggle."

"But we will use our voice to speak out against racism and stand with you all."

The Dodgers also said in a team statement on June 1, "As we stood with Jackie Robinson to overcome the barrier of racism in our sport, we now stand with all Americans who will no longer tolerate the evils of racism and social injustice in our society."