Baseball

Barry Bonds will be the first MLB player entrenched in baseball's PED scandal to make the Hall of Fame ... and he won't be the last -- so says former World Series MVP David Eckstein.

Eckstein managed to have a great career despite playing in the thick of the steroid era -- he was never implicated or tested positive for anything ... as clean as they come.

So, how does he feel about the possibility of juicers like Alex Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens and others possibly being enshrined in baseball's holiest shrine?

Doesn't seem like he's THAT opposed to it.

"That will start with Bonds ... because Bonds was a Hall of Famer before this stuff. So, I think he'll be the first one," Eckstein says.

"I think at some point in time, when the older writers [who vote for the HOF] get out and the younger writers get in, I think at some point in time, you might see these guys get in."

Still ... David isn't holding a grudge (dude did beat Barry for one of his World Series rings) -- and says, ultimately, Bonds deserves a bronze bust one day.

"Bonds was a Hall of Famer prior [to PEDs]," David says. "We'll see. I mean, who knows? You just wish no one ever did it."

If it were up to David Eckstein, there would be no debate over how his former team should handle Shohei Ohtani -- telling TMZ Sports Shohei should still pitch and hit even if he has arm surgery!!

There's been a huge debate in baseball over what the Angels should do with their rookie phenom, whose pitching elbow is now so jacked up ... it requires Tommy John.

David says if it were his body and his arm ... he'd have the surgery and go back to both pitching and hitting when it recovers.

Some in the baseball world disagree ... saying Shohei is such a beast of a hitter -- he should drop pitching and just focus on the plate.

BUT -- Eckstein has a response to that ... telling us Ohtani can still rake while he's recovering from TJ -- using one of the game's top minor leaguers as his example.

And then once he's fully healed up ... S.O. can go back to being a dual threat.

So, seems pretty cut and dry ... somebody get Mike Scioscia on the phone.

Pete Rose says his health is "deteriorating" -- and his income has taken a serious hit -- and he's worried his ex-wife is bleeding him dry.

The ex-MLB star had previously acknowledged that he had heart issues -- with 3 major procedures in the past 5 years -- but now, Rose has filed new docs saying his health is getting worse.

"[Rose] is currently disabled and can barely walk or travel," the 77-year-old said in new court docs obtained by TMZ Sports.

"His health is deteriorating and has a heart condition and on blood thinners."

Rose added, "I am in poor health and disabled ... and have trouble walking."

In addition to his health concerns, Rose also says he lost 2 jobs in 2017 -- he was axed by FOX Sports and Hit King -- and because of that, his yearly income has already dropped by $550,000.

Rose says he still makes $453k per year -- but has major expenses including attorney's fees and other "great debts."

The docs are all part of his nasty divorce with his estranged wife, Carol Rose. Pete is trying to block her from getting more spousal support and attorney's fees.

Alex Rodriguez says he's still holding on to his Hall of Fame dream -- even though he knows his PED scandals cut against him -- explaining, "I want to get in, I hope I get in, I pray I get in."

The ex-MLB superstar opened up to Cigar Aficionado (he LOVES cigars) -- and talked about everything from his shot at Cooperstown to Jennifer Lopez and Derek Jeter.

On the Hall of Fame ... A-Rod says:

"There’s rules, and you have to follow the rules. I made those mistakes, and at the end of the day I have to live by those mistakes."

"Whether I get in or not -- and let’s be clear, I want to get in, I hope I get in, I pray I get in -- if I don’t, I think I have a bigger opportunity yet again."

"And the platform of my mistakes, the good the bad and the ugly, has allowed me to have a loud voice to the next generation, to say when in doubt, just look at my career. The other message is, maybe I’m not a Hall of Fame player, but I get a chance to be a Hall of Fame dad, a Hall of Fame friend."

Those "mistakes" he's referring to ... the TWO incidents involving performance-enhancing drugs.

In 2009, he admitted to using PEDs from 2001 to 2003 while playing for the Texas Rangers. And then in 2013, he was busted for PEDs and was suspended for the entire 2014 season.

Despite the scandals, A-Rod is 4th on the MLB All-Time Home Run list, more than 3,000 hits, 14-time All-Star and a 3-time AL MVP. He has some of the greatest stats of all time.

There's more in the C.A. interview (on newsstands Sept. 25) ... including his friendship with Derek Jeter.

"Derek and I are friends. I’ve known Derek since we were 15 years old," A-Rod said.

"Like all relationships, there’s ups, there’s downs, there’s ups, but where it sits today is where it’s always sat -- with respect."

"I have a lot of love and admiration for Derek, and he’s a 5-time world champion and what I remember most about our relationship is he’s one of the greatest competitors, consummate professionals I’ve ever been around."

Alex also spoke about his relationship with girlfriend Jennifer Lopez ...

"Jennifer, when you talk about power, and you talk about beautiful, both inside and outside. The way she mothers her twins, the way she’s with my daughters. There’s just so much admiration. And what I love about Jennifer is how genuine, how real, and how much she does for others, and how much she inspires others, men and women."

And finally, how would Alex Rodriguez like to be remembered?

Forced to flee to Atlanta to escape Hurricane Florence?

The Atlanta Braves know that must suck ... so they're offering free tix to anyone displaced by the storm.

The club says they're happy to host anyone who had to flee from N. Carolina, S. Carolina or affected parts of Georgia as guests to their next 3 home games against the Nationals on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

They will also offer certain foods at a discounted price.

Braves CEO Derek Schiller says the club knows "how difficult it has been for those who have had to pack up and leave their homes as the storm approaches."

"The predicted areas that will be affected are in the heart of Braves Country so it hits particularly close to home for us."

"We hope we can take their mind off the storm for a few hours by coming to enjoy a game at SunTrust Park. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are impacted."

Here's Tim Tebow hittin' the Big Apple with a woman whose looks are out of this world ... and she also just happens to be his girlfriend.

The minor league baseball superstar and Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters -- Miss Universe 2017 -- were spotted out in New York on Wednesday ... fresh off the couple officially meeting each others' parents earlier this week.

The big meetup appears to still be going on ... with Tim and Demi-Leigh's parents joining them on their day out in the city.

Tim first acknowledged the relationship with the 23-year-old to ESPN back in July ... saying "She is a really special girl and I am very lucky and blessed for her coming into my life."

Things sure looked pretty G-rated for the couple on Wednesday, though ... no PDA at all.

But, meeting the parents is a big step for the couple ... soooooo, engagement coming soon?

Stay tuned ...

Everyone's seen the video of President George W. Bush taking the mound at Yankees Stadium on October 30 -- in the wake of 9/11 -- but the man who caught the pitch is telling us what went down behind the scenes.

TMZ Sports spoke with Todd Greene -- the backup catcher for the Yanks that year -- who not only praised Bush for throwing a strike with the world watching ... but doing it while wearing a bulletproof vest.

The Yankees were taking on the Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the World Series -- the first World Series game back at Yankees Stadium ... and the scene was about as emotional as it could get.

Greene says the secret service had placed bulletproof glass in George Steinbrenner's private owner's box where Bush was watching the game ... and that was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to security.

Greene says the players were essentially on lockdown once POTUS arrived to the stadium.

So, what did Greene say to Bush when he caught the ball? Watch the clip and find out.

By the way, the Yankees won the game 2-1.

If you'd like to donate to the 9/11 Memorial Fund, click here.

Alex Rodriguez became the wealthiest burger store janitor on earth Sunday -- when he busted out the mop and went to town at Wahlburgers ... all because the Yankees got swept by the Red Sox.

It was all part of a bet A-Rod made with Mark Wahlberg during the Yankes, Sox series back in August. If the Yanks lost, Alex had to work at Mark's family burger joint.

Not only did the Yanks lose the series, they got SWEPT -- so, Alex reported for duty on Sunday ... and, to his credit, he did it all with a smile on his face.

"Last month, @markwahlberg and his @RedSox brought the broom out and swept my @Yankees. So today, I got the mop," Alex posted on social media.

"It was time to me to hold up my end of the deal and report for duty to the @wahlburgers location near Fenway Park. Today, I had to do a little bit of everything - greet customers, flip burgers, clear tables, and yes, mop the bathroom floor. But what I thought was going to be a tough day turned out to be a day I really enjoyed."

As for Mark, he gloated.

"Needless to say, Alex failed miserable in his prediction ... So, now he has to show the greatest fans in the world how to get his hands dirty and serve up some delicious Wahlburgers. What do you say Alex? It’s time to go to work, buddy. Start flipping ’em."

Alex says he hopes to make another bet with Mark in the future and get some revenge.

The younger brother of L.A. Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda died Thursday night in a major car accident involving a police vehicle.

Officials confirm 83-year-old Joseph Lasorda tried to make a left turn in front of a Boca Raton Police Dept. SUV patrol vehicle around 8:30 PM ... and was T-boned by the cop car.

Lasorda was transported to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The officer driving the police vehicle was hospitalized for minor injuries and is expected to be okay.

Officials are investigating the incident.

Joseph is survived by his wife Gaetana, 2 children and a grandchild.

L.A. Dodgers star Yasiel Puig has been hit by burglars -- A THIRD TIME.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... at around 11:15 PM Thursday after a Dodgers game Yasiel was not at his San Fernando Valley home when his RING doorbell went off on his phone.

We're told Puig saw 2 guys trying to break into the house through the front door. He yelled at them through the phone and they beat a hasty retreat.

Last November, as Yasiel and his team were losing Game 7 of the World Series, a burglar busted through a window and made off with jewelry. And in March, 2017, he was burglarized to the tune of $500k worth of jewelry.

Just in the last few days, Wiz Khalifa was hit and Christina Milian -- both of whom have homes in the San Fernando Valley -- were also hit by burglars.

Cops believe all the stars who have been hit recently in the San Fernando Valley were not targeted because they were celebrities. HOWEVER ... it seems like basic common sense that when criminals know residents are away -- either because they have scheduled games or have posted their whereabouts on Instagram -- they become targets.

In Yasiel's case, no suspects ... so far.

51-year-old Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais made a bet with his star pitcher Edwin Diaz -- get 50 saves and I'll swap out my dad hair for your flashy designer fade.

Diaz got the job done on Saturday -- so, Scott got the chop ... and it's all on video.

Diaz and Servais made the bet way earlier this year -- and as Diaz caught fire, it became clear Servais was gonna have to walk the walk or be forever mocked as a chicken.

Well, guess what ... just 3 days after Diaz notched save #50 against the Diamondbacks -- Servais found himself a barber, got in the chair and held up his end of the bargain.

End result? IT LOOKS GOOOOOD!!!!!!

Ex-MLB star Luis Gonzalez says the moment he was asked to be a pallbearer for John McCain was one of the highest honors of his life ... but admits it was weird, since McCain was still alive at the time.

Gonzalez will be one of the 6 men selected to carry McCain's casket at his funeral on Thursday -- and tells TMZ Sports the late Arizona senator had been planning out the event for months.

"I've known for a while," Gonzales tells us ... "[McCain's team] had contacted me a while back, a few months back to ask if I'd be willing to be a pallbearer."

"First of all, it's an honor. And secondly, he was still living at the time so it was a strange request."

Gonzo and McCain have been friends since the days Luis played for the Arizona Diamondbacks -- they would text, talk on the phone and attend events together.

Luis says he was always impressed with McCain's knowledge and enthusiasm for sports -- noting he never wanted to sit in VIP suites in stadiums, he always loved hanging with the people in the bleachers.

"He was a great person who cared about other people."

Justin Verlander's World Series ring nearly came with a $1 MILLION price tag ... 'cause an L.A. restaurant (jokingly) hit him with a HUGE "Dodger Killer" fee!!

The Astros ace -- who crushed L.A. in the World Series last year -- was dining at The Cabana Cafe in Bev Hills when, to his surprise, THE BILL CAME OUT TO OVER A MILLION DOLLARS!!

As Verlander read over the receipt, though ... it became clear to him, he just got punk'd.

"Beverly Hills Hotel really making me pay for that World Series win 😂😂," Verlander said of the massive charge.

"Thanks for the great lunch as always!"

As for why Verlander's grubbin' in L.A. this weekend ... he's in town for a series with the Angels.

So, rest easy, Dodgers fans ... for now.

Derek Holland has issued an apology for doing an insensitive Asian impression on an MLB talk show ... saying, "It's embarrassing what I did."

The San Francisco Giants pitcher went on MLB Network's "Intentional Talk" on Wednesday and brought along Giants staffer Haro Ogawa to be his "hype man."

Yet throughout the interview ... Holland solely used Haro as a prop for the offensive jokes ... including using an Asian accent and several martial arts-style bows.

After the Giants' win over the Mets on Thursday, Holland apologized vehemently for the offensive bit.

"I want to be held accountable for everything I've done and caused with all of this," Holland said.

"It's embarrassing what I did. I was just trying to have some fun. Haro and I just entertaining and just trying to take it to a different level and make the interview a little more exciting and I obviously crossed the line with that."

"Whatever I have to do to take care of the situation, I will do it."

Holland -- who also said he apologized personally to Ogawa and Japanese bullpen catcher Taira Uematsu -- made sure to tell reporters the act was solely his idea.

Mike Trout is opening up on the passing of his brother-in-law ... saying, "You brought so much happiness and joy to my life every time I was with you."

The best player in baseball stepped away from the Angels a week and a half ago to mourn the loss of his wife's 24-year-old brother, Aaron Cox -- who was a former baseball player himself.

No details on the death have been given ... but Trout's message Thursday emphasized how much Aaron meant to the two-time MVP.

"Aaron, words can’t describe the emotions that I’ve been feeling the past week and a half. You were more than just my brother-in-law... you were my best friend," Trout wrote.

"You made such an impact on my life since the day I first met you. You were an amazing person inside & out that showed us all how to live life to the fullest. Seeing and hearing about your impact on other people are all things that made me a better person every single day."

Trout says the two shared plenty of memories together ... including hunting, golfing and fishing trips.

"You were a great kid and it kills me to know that you are gone... I can’t thank you enough for what you have meant to me over these last 11 years. I know you will be watching over me now that you are gone, I promise to take care of your sister and watch over your whole family."

"Heaven got a great one and I know I will see you again someday... I love you bro!!!!"

You can tell who won the Dodgers vs. Cardinals game just by looking at Jon Hamm and Jason Bateman.

Hamm -- easily one of the biggest Cards superfans on the planet -- had a front row seat for St. Louis' 5-2 win over Bateman's Dodgers on Tuesday ... and he made sure J.B. never heard the end of it.

The Dodgers are currently in a tight race for the playoffs ... but have lost 7 of their last 10 games (which might explain why Bateman looks like he just saw a dog get hit by a car).

It wasn't all sadness for Bateman, though ... at least he got to see Manny Machado hit a dinger.