Baseball

Awesome gesture from the Milwaukee Brewers ... the MLB team is honoring the 8-year-old boy who was paralyzed in the Highland Park shooting earlier this month at their game Friday night.

The Brewers have already hung a No. 22 "Roberts" jersey in their dugout ahead of their contest with the Pittsburgh Pirates ... an homage to Cooper Roberts, who was tragically shot and seriously injured while attending the Illinois 4th of July parade.

According to multiple reports, the Brewers will also give Cooper and his twin brother, Luke, jerseys signed by the entire team.

Milwaukee superstar and former MVP Christian Yelich also reportedly recorded a video message for Roberts and his family.

The awesome moves reportedly come just days after the team learned Roberts is a "huge" Brew Crew supporter -- the Brewers' Miller Park is, after all, roughly an hour drive from Highland Park, Ill.

According to a GoFundMe page set up for Roberts, the 8-year-old's spinal cord was severed by a bullet in the shooting. A statement from the family on Friday said Cooper is "conscious for the first time and [has] been removed from the ventilator but in a great deal of pain."

Terrifying moment on the baseball diamond Thursday night ... Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar collapsed following a scary collision with a teammate, and needed to be taken to the hospital.

The tense scene all happened in the fifth inning of San Diego's game against the Giants at Petco Park, when Profar was attempting to make a catch on a pop fly in left field.

As the 29-year-old was racing in to snag the ball, shortstop C.J. Abrams was sprinting out to nab it as well -- and the two crashed into each other with force.

Replays of the collision show Abrams' knee connected squarely with Profar's jaw ... sending the two straight to the ground.

Somehow, both guys got up -- but, horrifyingly, Profar collapsed after walking just a few steps, and appeared to lose consciousness.

Trainers raced to his side, and eventually, he was strapped to a stretcher and taken off the field. He was able to wave to fans as he left the diamond.

The Padres said Profar was ultimately taken to a nearby hospital, where it appears he stayed overnight. The team has yet to provide any further updates on his health.

Abrams, meanwhile, was able to stay in the game, which the Padres ended up winning, 2-1.

Saweetie tapped in to throw the first pitch at the Dodgers game on Thursday ... and it was quite an impressive toss -- especially considering she had on some massive nails and high heels!!

The "Best Friend" rapper was at Dodger Stadium for the ceremonial event for Filipino Heritage Night ... and 50 Cent and Conor McGregor need to take note, 'cause she put them to shame.

While the ball doesn't technically make it to the plate, we gotta give her credit for even getting it that far ... as she was wearing Louboutins and 4-inch nails.

Saweetie showed off a close-up of the nails before the game ... and yeah, they're long as hell and icy to boot.

As for the game against the Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers won 5-3 ... so maybe she's a good luck charm and will get invited back to the Chavez Ravine again sometime soon.

The team thanked Saweetie for stopping by ... and she said she can't wait to come back, so maybe part 2 is on the way??

Mike Brito -- the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers scout who was credited with discovering Fernando Valenzuela, Yasiel Puig and many more -- has died, the team announced on Thursday.

He was 87 years old.

"[We] are saddened by the passing of legendary international scout Mike Brito, who worked in the Dodger organization for nearly 45 years and passed away this evening at the age of 87," the Dodgers said in a statement Thursday night.

"Our thoughts are with Brito's family and friends."

Brito, a native of Cuba, became a scout for the Dodgers back in 1978 -- after a successful baseball career of his own.

Known for his stylish sense of fashion and signature Panama hat, Brito helped the team land some of its most famous players.

In addition to Valenzuela and Puig, Brito was also given credit for discovering stars like Julio Urias.

"I have no words," Puig said in a statement following Brito's passig. "You changed my life Mike Brito. You and your white hat, sir."

Following the announcement of his death Thursday evening, the Dodgers held a moment of silence in honor of his life and legacy just before they beat the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium.

Valenzuela -- now a broadcaster with the team -- said his heart was very heavy after learning of the death.

"Mike was a great man and instrumental in my success as a baseball player on and off the field," Valenzuela said. "No one loved the Dodger organization more than Mike, and we will all miss him very much."

"My prayers go out to his wife, Rosario, and all of his family and friends.”

Red Sox star Chris Sale lost his mind following a rocky rehab start Wednesday night ... destroying items and completely trashing a runway in his team's dugout.

The meltdown was all captured on video following the ace's short outing with Boston's Triple-A affiliate, the Worcester Red Sox.

In the short clip, you can see the 33-year-old pitcher -- who was throwing for the WooSox in another effort to make it back to the Big Leagues from a rib injury -- ripping items off the wall and kicking them violently.

Sale was clearly pissed about his 3.2 innings pitched, which featured five walks, five strikeouts and one earned run given up.

According to Worcester Telegram reporter Joe McDonald, one of the items Sale wrecked was a TV ... though the reporter added it had already "been broken for over a month."

No word yet if Sale -- who's in the middle of a five-year, $145 million contract with the Red Sox -- has been asked to pay for repairs.

Despite the blowup, Sale did say after the game he was ready to return to Boston's Big League roster.

"I know today was a little bit of a hiccup but it's nothing that can't be ironed out," he told the Boston Globe. "I just want to be a part of it. I want to get back to doing my job and pulling my weight."

Sale -- who missed the end of the 2019 season and the 2020 season due to Tommy John surgery -- was expected to be a key contributor to the Sox this season before suffering his rib injury in February.

The days of Dodger fans getting nuts thrown in their faces are long gone -- famous vendor Roger Owens has been banned from his traditional peanut bag-tossing routine ... with officials deeming the practice too dangerous.

79-year-old Owens -- who's famous for his theatrics when delivering a bag of nuts to fans at Dodger Stadium for decades -- claims he's been told by his bosses to refrain from his signature delivery while walking the aisles of the park.

The reason?? Levy Restaurants -- which is in charge of concessions at the stadium -- believes Owens' peanut pitching is a safety concern for spectators.

"I'm so heartbroken about this," Owens told the Los Angeles Times.

The vendor -- who was featured on the "Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, as well as several movies and TV shows -- isn't going to fight the decision ... but says he's always been responsible with his craft ... and his goal has always been for the fans to be able to catch their purchases.

"They have time to see it coming," Owens told the outlet. "It’s not some bullet that goes straight through. I’m always wanting to make sure that whoever I am throwing to will catch the bag of peanuts."

The decision is most likely to prevent a lawsuit in case an unsuspecting fan gets hit with an errant toss ... but the Dodgers' 2022 ticket agreement seems to cover the team's ass in that event.

Former Yankees star Joba Chamberlain says his ex-team is going to have to cut a fat check to Aaron Judge to keep him around next season and longer ... telling TMZ Sports he believes they've "got to" give him $40 MILLION per year.

A contract of that magnitude would make the outfielder the second-highest paid player in baseball -- just $3 mil shy of Max Scherzer's annual $43 million payday -- but Joba says the Yanks just have to do it.

"Pay him, now. Immediately," Joba says. "Whatever he wants. Give him a key to the city."

Because Judge is 30 years old, Chamberlain tells us he's not sure how long he'd make the deal go for, but he clearly believes the guy needs a contract north of the historic $37 million-per-year pact that Mike Trout just recently signed with the Angels.

"You got to pay him," Chamberlain said. "I mean, he’s just an absolute figure in NY. It’s somebody that you want to hold on to."

Judge has been one of the best players in the MLB since coming up to the big leagues in 2016 -- and he's now the runaway favorite for AL MVP this season as he's on pace to hit around 60 home runs.

Despite all that, though, he's been locked in what appears to be fairly contentious negotiations with the Yankees, who have still yet to give him a new long-term deal even though he's just months away from free agency.

Clearly, if it were up to Joba, that wouldn't remain the case for much longer.

A serious head injury caused by a freak baseball accident changed Jeremy Giambi's demeanor in the six months leading up to his death, a new medical examiner's report reveals.

According to the documents, obtained by TMZ Sports on Thursday, the ex-MLB player was struck in the head by a baseball while working as a pitching coach in August 2021.

The accident caused a serious injury -- investigators say he suffered a fractured zygomatic bone, and required surgery to fix the issue.

But, according to the report, witnesses told them that in his recovery from the injury, Giambi became "very emotional, very negative and would let the smallest things ruin his day."

Another witness, according to the docs, had described Giambi as "very emotional, depressed, and paranoid" in the months following the surgery. It was noted Giambi "had scans done and saw a neurologist but was not diagnosed with anything."

Giambi -- the brother of ex-MLB star Jason Giambi -- killed himself roughly six months after the injury on Feb. 9 at his parents' home in Claremont, Calif. Officials said he left a suicide note at the scene.

Investigators wrote in the docs that Jeremy had a past history of drug use, but he was not believed to be abusing any drugs in the months prior to his death. Lab results show he had no alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of his passing.

Jeremy -- who played six years in the MLB and gained national fame for his time as an Oakland A -- was just 47 years old.

When it comes to celebrations, Josh Naylor is unmatched ... 'cause for the second time this season, he lost his mind after a walk-off HR -- this time headbutting his own manager!!!

Naylor -- who previously went bananas after hitting a game-winning dinger back in May -- stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning with the Guardians trailing 6-5 on Wednesday night ... and then went oppo off Twins pitcher Jharel Cotton to win the game for Cleveland.

As he was rounding the bases, he got rid of his helmet -- which his manager, Terry Francona, appeared to pick up and put on -- and then he went crazy with his teammates.

But after Josh was mobbed by his team at home plate, he found the helmeted Francona -- and then slammed his forehead right into Tito's!

The clip is hilarious ... at one point following the blow, Naylor can be heard shouting, "Give me that sh*t."

Of course, back in May against the White Sox, the 25-year-old slugger made history when he drove in 8 runs in his final 3 at-bats -- and then became unhinged.

Josh proclaimed he wanted "all the smoke" repeatedly, and went insane in the dugout.

The days of MLB players and managers arguing ball and strikes calls with behind-the-plate umps appear to be numbered ... 'cause the league's commish, Rob Manfred, says he's expecting a transition to robot umps to take place in just a few years.

Manfred made the proclamation as part of a lengthy interview with ESPN this week ... saying a move to replace umps with an automated strike zone is likely to happen by 2024.

The idea, according to Manfred, is that taking arguments over subjective calls out of the game would speed up the duration of contests fairly significantly, and perhaps attract more fans.

Of course, the system is currently being tested out in the minor leagues ... and Manfred said this week he and other MLB officials are pleased with how that's gone.

"We have an automated strike zone system that works," Manfred said.

No word yet on how the robot umps would look -- Manfred said balls and strikes could be called down to a human working behind home plate, or managers could have the ability to check umps' calls with the system.

Scary moment during the Mets vs. Astros game Wednesday ... Houston star Yordan Alvarez collided with his teammate in the outfield, and the crash was so violent -- the slugger had to be carted off the field.

The collision between Alvarez and shortstop Jeremy Pena happened in the bottom of the 8th inning ... when Pena was trying to snag a pop-up in shallow left field.

He, though, didn't see Alvarez -- who was also charging in to catch the ball -- and the two huge athletes slammed into each other.

Pena's arm hit Alvarez square in the face ... while Alvarez's elbow appeared to run right into Pena's head.

The two crumpled to the ground and stayed down on the field for several minutes ... before they each got medical attention from the Astros' trainers.

Eventually, Yordan was carted off the field, while Jeremy tried to give it a go but was ultimately forced to leave the game.

Several New York Yankees had a little too much time on their hands during their game Tuesday night ... 'cause they made a contest out of throwing dozens of pieces of chewed gum onto the field.

Seriously.

The sophomoric game all went down in the early innings of the Yanks' tilt with the Oakland A's ... when Nestor Cortes, Jordan Montgomery and Matt Carpenter all scooped up some bubble gum and hit the corner of the dugout to begin the weird event.

The players picked out a landmark on the field -- it appeared to be a sprinkler head -- then they popped a few pieces in their mouths, spit them out, and then got to throwing.

The side game lasted for about three innings ... and it went on for so long, both the game's home and away broadcasts caught it on camera.

Former Yankees outfielder Cameron Maybin talked about the game on-air ... and had the perfect description for it -- "gross."

"It's like golf," Maybin said. "It's like frisbee golf. They find a little marker on the field and they toss the gum and they act as if they're playing frisbee golf."

Yankees play-by-play man Michael Kay noted what a headache it must be for the NY groundskeepers to eventually clean up.

Some fans on social media found it funny -- but others found it disrespectful, calling it littering and disgusting.

A whopping 12 players and coaches have been suspended for their roles in the massive brawl at the Angels vs. Mariners game on Sunday ... with L.A.'s manager, Phil Nevin, getting a staggering 10-game ban.

The MLB announced the punishments late Monday evening ... just over 24 hours after the two teams fought each other on the diamond following what appeared to be an intentional hit by a pitch in L.A. on Sunday.

Angels pitcher Andrew Wantz was banned for three games for throwing at Jesse Winker. Winker, meanwhile, was hit with a 7-game suspension for his role in igniting the skirmish after wearing the fastball.

L.A. third baseman Anthony Rendon, who's out for the season after having wrist surgery, received a 5-game ban for leaving the team's bench while on the injured list and taking a swipe at Winker.

Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford got five games for throwing punches, while Angels closer Raisel Iglesias was hit with a two-game ban for throwing sunflower seeds and more onto the field.

Others punished, according to the MLB, included Angels assistant pitching coach Dom Chiti, Mariners OF Julio Rodriguez, Angels pitcher Ryan Tepera, Angels bench coach Ray Montgomery, Angels' interpreter Manny Del Campo and Angels catching coach Bill Haselman.

The punishments were slated to begin Monday night, though most of the players have chosen to appeal.

Dodgers superstar Freddie Freeman was so overcome with emotion in his first time back in Atlanta since he left the city this offseason, he sobbed at the podium in front of a throng of reporters.

The first baseman -- who spent his entire career in ATL and helped the Braves win a World Series last season before leaving in free agency -- was a wreck on Friday afternoon while trying to talk about what his time in Atlanta meant to him.

As media members peppered him with questions before the Dodgers took on his former Braves team at Truist Park ... he needed a huge towel to wipe away snot and tears.

In fact, Freddie was so overwhelmed by the moment, he initially had to walk out of the press conference to gather himself before beginning.

"It's hard to put into words," he said. "Just happy to be back."

Freeman -- who played in Atlanta for 12 years -- is considered one of the greatest Braves of all time ... but following failed contract talks this past offseason, he bolted for Los Angeles, signing a six-year, $162-million deal with the Dodgers.

Freddie's been a star for his new squad -- already piling up 8 home runs with a .303 batting average ... but it's clear, at least part of his heart and soul still remains in Georgia.

Awful news out of Red Sox nation ... Drago -- the German shepherd who became famous for roaming the field at Fenway Park over the past few years -- has died at 10 years old.

The pup's owner, Red Sox head groundskeeper Dave Mellor, mourned the passing in a message to the Associated Press this week.

"I was blessed he was in my life as he saved my life, changed my life, inspired me, and gave hope to my life in ways I hadn't had in decades and didn’t know were possible,” Mellor said. "I am absolutely heartbroken."

Mellor, a die-hard Red Sox fan and a former star high school pitching prospect, got Drago back in 2014 in order to help deal with the PTSD he was suffering from after he was involved in two horrific car crashes earlier in his life.

The two quickly became inseparable -- and Drago soon joined Mellor at his job tending to the grounds at Fenway Park, where the dog quickly became beloved by Red Sox players, staffers and fans.

Sadly, Drago suffered a stroke before Boston hosted the Oakland Athletics last week, and died two days later.

The Red Sox org. showed a heartfelt message on the video board at the ballpark last Friday when the team played the St. Louis Cardinals ... saying that Drago was a companion who provided countless memories over the years.

"We send love and support to his family, honor his service and recognize a life well-lived," the Sox's tribute read. "We will miss you, Drago.”

Kyle Farnsworth has found a second career ... the ex-MLB pitcher fell in love with bodybuilding, and is absolutely jacked now!!

The 46-year-old former New York Yankees pitcher -- who spent 16 seasons in the big leagues -- showed off his incredible physique on social media Tuesday.

Kyle posted a shirtless photo of him in a mirror ... showing off his massive arms, legs and chest, and, it's vastly different from what he looked like when he was a pitcher.

"Very rare gym bathroom selfie," Kyle wrote on Twitter. "4 days out to my first bodybuilding competition. Classic Physique. These past few days have been fun with no carbs!"

Farnsworth's first competition will be this Saturday, June 25 at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando ... and the ex-reliever is pumped about it.

"Very excited to be a part of the Sheru Classic and to see what I can do," Kyle said on Instagram a few weeks ago. "I will be competing in the Novice Classic Physique class."