Baseball

A couple young MLB fans got a REALLY close view of the action on Sunday -- as a family saw Nolan Arenado land right on top of them after making an insane catch in foul territory!!

The moment went down in the second game of the Cardinals' doubleheader against the New York Mets. During Juan Soto's at-bat in the eighth inning, he popped a ball up along the third base side of the diamond -- and Arenado made a dead sprint to attempt the highlight play.

He was able to make the catch  ... but his momentum carried him right into the netting meant to protect fans -- and he ended up sitting on unsuspecting spectators in the front row.

Stars traveled a whole lotta furlongs to be at the Kentucky Derby this weekend ... dressed to impress at the biggest event in horseracing!

Livvy Dunne led the bold-faced names at Churchill Downs in Louisville Saturday ... showing off her tan lines in a chic black and white outfit. Anna Nicole Smith's daughter Dannielynn Birkhead showed up in a soft blue dress and a necklace her mom used to wear, and Carmelo Anthony wore a snazzy hat to the event.

Power couple Alix Earle and Braxton Berrios walked the red carpet together ... Earle proving nothing beats the classic black while Braxton added a splash of color in an eye-catching pink blazer.

Shedeur Sanders is already making a serious impact in Cleveland ... 'cause Guardians star Jose Ramirez broke out the Browns' new signal callers' signature celebration after a massive walk-off win on Thursday!

In case you missed it, Ramirez sealed the 4-3 win in the 10th inning against the Toronto Blue Jays after a stolen base put the perennial All-Star in scoring position. Then came the walk-off.

FYI, Ramirez became the first Cleveland baseball player to notch 250 steals and 250 homers.

10:40 AM PT -- The Pirates acknowledged the incident prior to their game against the Cubs on Thursday morning ... taking a moment to offer prayers for the fan and recognize the medical personnel who helped rush him to the hospital.

6:21 AM PT -- Authorities in Pittsburgh say the fan is currently at a local Pittsburgh hospital in "critical condition."

No further updates regarding his health were given ... though they added they believe the incident was an accidental one.

An MLB fan sustained significant injuries in a fall from a PNC Park outfield wall on Wednesday night ... and the scene was so horrifying, Pirates manager Derek Shelton asked afterward for "everybody to keep him in their prayers."

The Cleveland Guardians are apologizing to Boston Red Sox star Jarren Duran following a heated confrontation with a fan at the ballpark on Sunday ... after the spectator reportedly heckled him over his past suicide attempt.

The scene unfolded during the seventh inning of the matchup ... when Duran needed to be held back by umpires and other members of the Red Sox. According to Will Middlebrooks, the fan allegedly told Duran he "should have killed himself when he had the chance."

Shortly after the final out, Cleveland released a statement ... saying it identified the fan in question and was working with the league on potential next steps.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham's obscene gesture made too much of a mess for MLB ... and the league is hoping a one-game suspension will help him clean it up!!

The incident happened Wednesday night during the Buccos' tilt against the Los Angeles Angels ... when Pham and a fan shared a heated moment -- and unfortunately for the 37-year-old, it was caught live on TV.

People speculated Pham might be hit with a fine ... but MLB elected a ban was necessary.

Tommy Pham grew so frustrated with a fan during the Pirates' tilt vs. the Angels Wednesday, he busted out an obscene gesture toward the person ... and it's all probably going to result in a stiff fine.

The Pittsburgh left fielder's spat with a Halos supporter began during the fifth inning of the Buccos' matchup with L.A. at Angel Stadium ... when a man clad in red leaned over some railing and touched Pham while he was digging for a ball in the dirt.

The Pittsburgh star clearly didn't appreciate the physical interaction ... and after throwing the baseball to the infield, he and the guy seemed to quarrel for a few more minutes.

A baseball autographed by Pope Francis is being auctioned off to the highest bidder in the wake of his death ... and it could end up selling for over five figures.

The late pontiff signed a baseball several years ago ... scribbling "Francisco" in black felt-tip pen on a Rawlings MLB ball ... and now that he's dead, the souvenir is hitting the open market.

The baseball is going up for sale through RR Auction ... where it's expected to fetch at least $15,000.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. has landed in some hot water following the Yankees' Thursday night matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays ... not for his actions on the field -- but for a social media post he published in the middle of their game.

MLB made the announcement Friday afternoon ... saying Chisholm Jr. received the one-game suspension and "an undisclosed fine" for violating the league's social media policy.

He will not serve the suspension Friday ... as he's appealing the league's ruling. The second baseman can continue to play until the process is complete.

Mookie Betts had Dodger fans clenching their butt cheeks on Wednesday ... when his foul ball almost took out Shohei Ohtani in the dugout -- but thankfully, the $700 MILLION man took cover just in time!!

The frightening moment went down against the Rockies on Wednesday ... right after Ohtani launched a 448-foot homer in the first inning.

As Ohtani celebrated with catcher Austin Barnes on the bench, Betts was up to bat -- and after making contact on a pitch, the ball shot right toward the Japanese superstar.

Scary scene during Wednesday's matinee matchup between the Twins and the Mets ... first base umpire Hunter Wendelstedt was drilled in the head by a line drive -- and was forced to leave the game.

It went down in the top of the seventh inning as Tyrone Taylor was up to bat. The New York centerfielder roped a 0-0 pitch foul -- right at Wendelstedt's head.

The collision was so disturbing, the Mets' first base coach immediately waved for trainers to come over. Wendelstedt appeared to be in a significant amount of pain.

There were over 100 fastballs thrown in the Rays vs. Red Sox game Tuesday night, but it was an entirely different kind of pitch that perhaps had the most significant impact on the contest.

Check out what went down early on in the Boston vs. Tampa tilt at George M. Steinbrenner Field ... a high-pitched noise put a pause on the diamond's action for about a minute.

The buzz -- which sounded like a mix between a whistle and nails on a chalkboard -- appeared to stem from the venue's PA system ... and everyone from players to fans seemed affected by it.

Los Angeles Dodgers legend Manny Mota suffered a stroke on Monday night, the team announced Tuesday.

Fortunately, the Dodgers said in a statement the longtime coach is currently "in recovery," and "is responsive to commands."

The 87-year-old is now "resting comfortably," the team added.

We're less than 15 games into the Major League Baseball season, and we might already have witnessed the catch of the year ... and it wasn't a Big Leaguer who flashed the leather!

In fact, there wasn't even a glove involved -- but instead some sort of ... dough?

The highlight reel moment went down during Bo Bichette's at-bat at Fenway Park during his Blue Jays team's tilt with the Red Sox ... when the star shortstop fouled a ball off into the stands.

The baseball careened towards a Sox fan, who was holding a plate of food in his hands ... but that wasn't gonna stop him from making the catch.

3:24 PM PT -- MLB commissioner Robert Manfred released a statement on the passing of Dotel, Nelson Cruz's sister, Nelsy, and former pro Tony Blanco ... saying, "We send our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of all those who have been affected and to our colleague Nelson and his entire family."

"The connection between baseball and the Dominican Republic runs deep, and we are thinking of all the Dominican players and fans across the game today."

The New York Mets paid tribute to former player Octavio Dotel on Tuesday ... hours after a nightclub roof collapsed and killed the World Series champion in the Dominican Republic.

Prior to the team's game against the Miami Marlins, the Metropolitans held a moment of silence for Dotel, who made his Major League debut with the squad in June 1999.

Beyond the moment of silence, team manager Carlos Mendoza addressed the tragic event in his pre-game press conference.

10:39 AM PT -- MLB insider Héctor Gómez is now reporting Octavio Dotel has died.

The former pitcher, according to the reporter, passed away while he was being transported from the nightclub rubble to the hospital.

Dotel was just 51 years old.

7:23 AM PT -- Octavio Dotel has been rescued from the rubble ... MLB insider Héctor Gómez reported Tuesday morning.

Former MLB star relief pitcher Octavio Dotel was inside a Dominican Republic nightclub Monday night when its roof suddenly collapsed ... though, thankfully, he's reportedly still alive.

According to MLB insider Héctor Gómez, Dotel -- who logged 36 saves for the Astros and A's in 2004 -- was partying at Jet Set in Santo Domingo, when its roof caved in.