Baseball

Latin American pop singer Vanessa Hernández is getting death threats for singing the National Anthem in Spanish at a baseball game ... but, she's still proud she did it, and she says big-time celebs have her back.

We spoke with Vanessa -- better known by her stage name Nezza -- Wednesday ... and, she tells us George Lopez, Becky G and many more stars have reached out and offered her support during this particularly trying time.

ICYMI ... Nezza sang the song at Dodger Stadium in L.A. Saturday -- later claiming a Dodgers team official told her she was not to sing it in Spanish ... and posting a behind-the-scenes TikTok as proof. She sang it in Spanish anyway ... and, she says it feels good to be on the right side of history.

Luis Guevara -- a 19-year-old minor league baseball player with the Baltimore Orioles -- died Sunday night after he was involved in a watercraft crash on the Florida waters.

The Orioles shared the tragic news Tuesday night ... with general manager Mike Elias saying the organization was "devastated following his tragic passing."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and teammates, and we ask for their continued privacy during this difficult time."

Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers pitching debut was available to Ippei Mizuhara during his first night in prison, TMZ Sports has learned.

A Federal Bureau of Prisons spokesperson tells us ... at the Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low in Pennsylvania -- where Mizuhara was taken into custody this week -- inmates did have access to MLB Network, which broadcast the highly anticipated Dodgers vs. Padres game.

It's unclear, of course, if Mizuhara tuned in ... but the spokesperson told us Ohtani's former interpreter would have certainly had the option to if he wanted, as he "has access to 12 televisions" on a normal day behind bars.

Boston Red Sox exec Craig Breslow has been on the receiving end of a ton of backlash after trading away star player Rafael Devers ... to the point where his home address was published online -- and now cops are aware of the situation.

Newton Police tell TMZ Sports ... after Devers was dealt to San Francisco, the department was "notified by representatives from the Boston Red Sox Organization that some members of the Red Sox have been victims of doxing on social media due to a recent trade."

While cops were tipped off, NPD added it is not investigating any online threats.

Despite long lines and brutal weekday Los Angeles traffic, thousands of Shohei Ohtani fans flocked to Dodger Stadium on Monday to catch his L.A. pitching debut, creating stunning scenes at the ballpark.

Check out some photos from the two-way star's big night ... even hours before Ohtani toed the rubber for the first time since the 2023 season, his supporters were seen all over the stadium.

No. 17 jerseys were everywhere -- some were adorned with hot dog costumes! -- and even as he warmed up in the bullpen, hundreds were seen with their cameras out filming every one of his movements.

Boston fans irate over the Rafael Devers trade can put down the tiki torches and pitchforks ... former Red Sox general manager Dan Duquette tells TMZ Sports the team should not be considered a loser in the swap.

While Duquette acknowledges Boston did part ways with a hell of a bat in the middle of its lineup when it sent Devers to San Francisco in a stunner on Sunday night ... he said there are far more reasons for Red Sox backers to be pleased with the move.

First and foremost, he said it was clear to him Devers didn't want to be there ... and jettisoning him sends a strong message to younger players in the locker room.

Ippei Mizuhara is behind bars -- Shohei Ohtani's former right-hand man and interpreter has surrendered to federal authorities to start his 57-month prison sentence.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed to TMZ Sports that 40-year-old Mizuhara reported to the Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood Low facility in Pennsylvania on Monday ... hours before the Japanese superstar is slated to make his first pitching start for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison this past February for stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani ... and was initially ordered to surrender in March, but the date was pushed back at his attorney's request.

Taylor Lewan can breathe a little sigh of relief following his terrible first pitch at the St. Louis Cardinals game last week ... 'cause WWE Superstar Tiffany Stratton just gave him a run for his money with an even worse attempt.

The WWE Women's Champion was out in Flushing, Queens, on Thursday to catch the Mets' series finale against the Washington Nationals ... but before the outing, she was given the honors to throw the ceremonial toss.

Stratton -- rocking a custom Mets City Connect jersey with her name on it -- opted not to go with the full windup as Lewan did for his attempt. While she didn't sail it to the left, she did throw it well over the catcher at home plate ... with some comparing it to a bit of an eephus pitch.

You can take the guy out of the South Side, but you can't take the South Side out of the guy ... 'cause Pope Leo XIV was spotted repping his White Sox at The Vatican!!

The pontiff ditched his zucchetto for a black ball cap during the general assembly in Rome this week ... giving a wide grin as he showed support for his local baseball team.

Maybe word hasn't made its way to Leo -- the Sox stink right now with a 23-44 record ... either that, or he's still keeping the faith.

Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony recorded his first MLB hit Tuesday night, and while Bostonians everywhere rejoiced ... all most of the internet could focus on was a fan in the stands who was cheering him on -- his sister.

Anthony -- the No. 1 overall prospect in baseball -- played in just his second-ever Big League tilt at Fenway Park ... and while he shined, it was Lia Anthony who found herself dominating the headlines.

Roman's sis was shown on the Sox vs. Rays broadcast multiple times ... and fans couldn't help but rave over her stunning appearance.

Denzel Clarke looked less like a baseball player and more like Spider-Man on Monday night ... robbing a home run with a catch you've got to see to believe.

The insane grab went down in the first inning of the Athletics' road matchup with the Angels in Anaheim, Calif. ... after Nolan Schanuel hit a fly ball to the deepest part of center field.

Clarke ran after it while it was in the air -- and somehow, after scaling the wall several feet, he plucked it from the sky in unreal fashion.

The popular K-pop group Stray Kids has a song called "Super Bowl" ... and now they look like they just won one -- thanks to some championship-style rings they got in honor of their tour stop in Texas!!

SKZ is currently in Arlington for their "Dominate World Tour" ... with back-to-back nights at Globe Life Field, the home of the Texas Rangers.

The folks at REV Entertainment -- the Rangers' event partner -- decided to welcome Felix, Bang Chan, Hyunjin, HAN, Seungmin, I.N., Changbin and Lee Know with some special gifts ... with each member receiving some bling to commemorate their trip to the Lone Star State.

Former Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan definitely made the correct career choice as a football player, 'cause the 3x Pro Bowler threw out one of the WORST first pitches ever!

It all went down Thursday night at Busch Stadium out in The Lou. Lewan -- alongside his "Bussin' With The Boys" co-host Will Compton -- were given the honors of throwing out the ceremonial first pitch during the pregame festivities.

Unfortunately for Lewan, his throw went about as badly as it could. Toeing the rubber, the lefty had the ball sail on him to the spectators hanging out near the backstop ... and the embarrassment was immediate.

One Athletics fan took the team name a bit too literally on Wednesday ... diving head-first on top of the dugout to snag a foul ball -- but her efforts were rewarded with a souvenir!!

The hilarious highlight went down in the sixth inning of the A's vs. Minnesota Twins matchup at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento ... when at one point in the action, a ball made its way over the safety netting and within feet of the front row of spectators.

The lady who was sitting there with a male companion apparently felt the thing was within reach ... and jumped up and went parallel with the ground in hopes of going home with a keepsake.

A man at Dodger Stadium decided he wanted a better view of the field during L.A.'s game against the New York Mets ... but his upgrade came with a meet and greet with security -- 'cause he was promptly chased down and detained by staffers after rushing onto the playing area.

It all went down during the Mets' half of the eighth inning. Shortly after N.Y. first baseman Pete Alonso hit his second home run of the night, play was halted when a shirtless spectator hopped a fence and started doing some cardio out in left field.

His fun didn't last long, as stadium security shoved him to the ground before dogpiling on top of him. Another angle shows him being escorted out through an exit near the center field wall with an entourage of stadium security.

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto needed all the ice after taking a foul tip to his family jewels ... a blow so fierce, it forced him out of Wednesday's matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The painful moment went down in the bottom of the ninth inning of the Phils' contest up North -- Bo Bichette made contact with a pitch ... but unfortunately for the catcher, the ball went right toward his crotch.

The impact led Realmuto to bend over in serious pain ... and after a few minutes, he got up and hobbled off the diamond.