Baseball

Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are callin' it -- reportedly ending their pursuit to buy the NY Mets after it became clear they were way too far apart on price.

As we previously reported, the power couple was looking for investors to buy the team for somewhere around $1.5 billion.

The current owners, the Wilpon family, were looking for something closer to $2.5 bil.

J-Rod had reportedly teamed up with billionaire investor Wayne Rothbaum to make a run at the team -- but there were 2 major snags in negotiations, according to the NY Post.

First, the price ... Rothbaum was hoping to get the team for a cool $1 BILLION.

How, you ask? The $2.6 billion valuation accounts for the team's stake in the SNY cable network (the primary local broadcaster of Mets games). Rothbaum reportedly has no interest in the network and feels the team is worth significantly less without it.

Plus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc on MLB, he thought he could get the team at a "fire sale" price.

The other issue ... Rothbaum reportedly wanted more control over the team than Alex and Jennifer were willing to give up.

Our sources told us Alex feels there's tremendous upside in buying the Mets -- and saw it as a huge business opportunity -- but for now, it just ain't working out.

Here's a video that'll hit you right in the feels ... a baseball dad watched his son hit his first home run -- and pop's reaction to seeing it fly over the fence was PRICELESS!!!

The father-son duo is Cory and Asher Willig ... and during quarantine out in Georgia -- they've been getting in some batting practice to pass the time.

Turns out ... all the BP work paid off last Friday -- 'cause little Asher hit a moonshot dinger that Dad couldn't have been more proud of!!

The video will make ya get a little misty-eyed ... Ash (with a sweet lefty swing) took a fastball DEEP to center, and Cory lost his freakin' mind!!!

There were hands in the air ... jumping around, and screams -- and it was all capped off by a massive hug!!

"All those times in front of our house this past month paid off!" Cory said. "So proud of you son!"

AWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!

By the way, did you take note of Asher's epic bat flip after the ball cleared the wall??? Somewhere, Tim Anderson's smiling big!!!

The Baseball Hall of Fame has voted unanimously to postpone Derek Jeter's induction to 2021 ... not exactly the "unanimous vote" he was hoping for.

Of course, the New York Yankees legend -- along with big-hitters Larry Walker, Marvin Miller and Ted Simmons -- were all set to be honored in Cooperstown as the Class of 2020 on July 26.

But ... COVID-19 screwed it all up!

Given the global coronavirus pandemic, the Hall's Board of Directors took a vote -- and ultimately agreed it was best to push the festivities to 2021 to steer clear of any potential safety risks.

"Our Board of Directors has voted unanimously to cancel 2020 Induction Weekend, due to health and safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic," HOF officials said in a statement.

A spokesperson says the HOF is "disappointed" but the decision was made in the best interest of everyone involved.

"We care deeply about every single person who visits Cooperstown."

Instead, the 2020 class will be inducted alongside the 2021 class next year ... and Larry Walker has already come out in support of the move.

"I fully understand and agree with the Board’s decision," Walker says. "It is most important to do the right thing for everybody involved, and that means not putting any participants in jeopardy, whether Hall of Famers or visitors."

The Houston Astros have essentially SHUT DOWN an auction for a 2017 World Series ring ... claiming they have a contract in place to buy it back for $1.

ONE. AMERICAN. DOLLAR.

The ring -- which originally belonged to Astros scout David Brito -- was listed with Goldin Auctions as part of its May 2020 catalog and some expected it to sell for as high as $60,000!!

Of course, Astros players, coaches and staffers each got a ring for defeating the L.A. Dodgers in the 2017 World Series ... despite the fact, they're cheating-ass cheaters who cheat.

100% of the proceeds from the auction were going to be donated to the CAMCare Foundation for COVID-19 related causes at hospitals and health care centers.

But, Goldin tells TMZ Sports ... the Astros reached out to them and demanded they pull the item -- claiming they have a first-look deal with Brito to buy it back for $1, which he signed in order to receive the item in the first place.

If this sounds familiar, it's because it's the same policy as the Academy Awards -- which requires winners to give the Academy the first option to buy the award back for $1 if the winner (or a family member) wants to get rid of it.

Goldin tells us ... they were unaware of the $1 contract when they agreed to auction the item -- but they will comply with the Astros' demand and return to the ring back to the consigner.

We're told the consigner is NOT Brito -- but a ring dealer.

Unclear if the consigner will give the ring back to Brito so he can actually sell the ring back to Houston -- but at this point, it probably makes more sense for him to keep it.

After all, why give the Astros another ring they really don't deserve to have?!

As for the ring itself -- it contains 214 diamonds, 16 natural blue sapphires and 9 natural orange sapphires.

Wonder if the contract says anything about melting it down and selling the raw materials?

Could Mannywood reopen in 2020?!!?

Manny Ramirez says that's the goal ... with the MLB legend telling The Taiwan Times he's gunning for a comeback in the Chinese Professional Baseball League!!

"My goal for 2020, is to find a roster spot in the CPBL," Manny says. "I have been itching to get back in the batter’s box and be able to compete again."

It's a stunning revelation ... considering the former Red Sox outfielder is 47 years old and hasn't swung a bat in a professional league since 2013!!

But, Ramirez claims he's been using quarantine times to get back in playing shape while also working on his swing.

"I know if I was given the opportunity to come in an organization as a player-coach," Ramirez says, "it would do great things for the organization and the league."

Man-Ram has experience in the CPBL ... he played for the EDA Rhinos in 2013, and actually crushed it, batting .352 in 49 games, before he ultimately got out of his contract and returned back to the U.S.

Ramirez says he wants to give it another run ... and even claims he's turning down offers from the Atlantic League to get another shot in Taiwan.

"My message to the CPBL clubs would be that I am still confident in my ability to serve as a player-coach and provide positive contributions to any ball club that is willing to have me on their staff/roster," Ramirez said.

Chemotherapy sucks.

It sucks even more when you’re going through it during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But, MLB star Trey Mancini says he still feels "lucky" to have so many resources to battle his stage-3 colon cancer.

The 28-year-old Baltimore Orioles slugger opened up about his treatment in The Players' Tribune ... saying he's facing 6 months of chemotherapy, which will keep him out of baseball in 2020.

As we previously reported, Mancini underwent surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from his colon back in March ... after doctors discovered it during a colonoscopy.

Of course, the coronavirus pandemic is complicating things -- but Mancini is still maintaining a positive attitude.

"Chemo in the age of COVID-19 is crazy," Mancini says ... "Nobody is allowed to come in with me, and that’s completely fine by me."

"I don’t want anybody else being put at risk -- people that are close to me and that I love, and other people in the hospital. You just never know."

"COVID-19 has spread so quickly. I’m definitely trying to follow all the protocols, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because I don’t want to expose myself to anything, especially before going into chemotherapy."

As for the treatment itself, Mancini says doctors installed a mediport into his chest --explaining, "It’s where they’ll run the drugs into my body during chemotherapy."

Mancini is also praising his Orioles team doctors for flagging an abnormal blood test during a routine physical -- which led to his cancer diagnosis. He considers himself "so lucky" to have had a head start on proper treatment.

"Honestly, I love the Orioles," Mancini added ... "Our team trainers have been so on top of everything. I am so appreciative for them, and also for the Orioles’ front office and ownership. They have treated me like family."

Despite everything he's going through, Mancini says he's "OK," considers himself blessed and can't wait to play baseball again soon.

Red Sox nation is breathing easier today ... MLB just released its findings from its probe into cheating allegations -- and Boston's coming away with nothing more than a slap on the wrist.

The MLB found the Sox DID violate sign-stealing rules and regulations ... but commissioner Rob Manfred says the rule-breaking was minor and handed down minimal punishment.

Here's the deal ... Manfred says Red Sox staffer J.T. Watkins was officially responsible for LEGALLY decoding opponents' signs -- but took it too far at points during the 2018 season.

Manfred says Watkins ILLEGALLY used in-game live footage to help him with his sign-decoding assignments ... unacceptably gaining an advantage in getting opposing catchers' signs.

It should be noted Manfred says Watkins DENIED the allegations.

Manfred claims based on his interviews with current and former players ... the scope of the illegal activity was small -- saying Watkins' use of the in-game video was only episodic and even then, only useful when the Sox had runners on second base.

But, Manfred laid a small hammer down Wednesday nonetheless ... announcing Watkins is suspended without pay for all of 2020. Manfred also prohibited the guy from serving as a replay room operator for 2021.

Manfred also took a 2nd round pick away from Boston in this year's MLB draft ... but said no other Red Sox players or personnel would be disciplined.

It's a big breath of fresh air for Boston ... after the Houston Astros were caught and heavily punished for their sign-stealing scandal -- many in Beantown hoped to avoid a similar fate.

Of course, Red Sox manager Alex Cora was eventually canned for his role as a bench coach in the Astros' scandal ... but Manfred says in his report Cora was NOT complicit in the Sox's scheme.

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez are angling to join the movement among celebs to own a sports franchise -- like Magic, Jay-Z and Derek Jeter -- but insiders tell us it's strictly a business decision ... and we're told A-Rod has a vision for the New York Mets that will handsomely line his and his fiancee's pockets.

Sources familiar with the deal tell us ... A-Rod's weakness is also his strength -- he knows he doesn't have a background in business so he's going to leave the business part of running the team to people who know better than him. He's more of a "people manager" -- meaning his strength is inspiring players, but he's leaving the business part to people who know better than him.

We're also told A-Rod and J Lo are putting up a relatively small percentage of the cash necessary to make a deal. We're told they're looking for big investors who might put up somewhere between $25 million and $50 mil. At which point they could get financing from a bank for the balance.

As it was put to us ... the Mets have been "so mismanaged" that there is nothing but upside if he can right the organization. The danger -- we're told A-Rod has an interest in working with the players. The conventional wisdom ... Hall of Fame-level players typically screw up when they try to mess with the roster.

Our sources say it all comes down to money. There are reports the Mets are worth around $2.4 billion, but some of the financial people we've spoken with say that's way too high, and the team is worth more in the $1.5 billion range. Hedge fund manager Steve Cohen was previously in negotiations to buy the Mets in a deal valued at $2.6 billion, but that fell apart in February. Lots of people felt the offer was way over market.

As for A-Rod and J Lo, they've reportedly retained JPMorgan Chase to raise capital.

The man in charge of finding the money is JPMorgan Chase managing director Eric Menell, according to Variety.

Menell runs the company's North American media investment banking.

As we previously reported, the Wilpon family -- which currently owns the Mets -- are looking to sell in a big way.

If A-Rod and J Lo DID get the sale, it would be VERY interesting considering Alex played for the rival NY Yankees for years and Lopez brags about being from the Bronx, typically Yankees country.

One person who's NOT interested in buying the Mets -- superfan Jerry Seinfeld, who told us it's too much work!

The lack of baseball has hit the most famous bat manufacturer HARD ... with the makers of the Louisville Slugger shutting down its factory and museum.

Hillerich & Bradsby Co. discussed the decision to furlough 90% of its staff and halt production at its Kentucky facility on Monday ... saying the coronavirus and its impact has forced the changes.

"We’re not doing any advertising. We’ve cut all our expenses we can. We’re just hoping we get back to normal before we run out of cash," CEO John Hillerich told The Courier Journal.

Of course, there is no MLB right now ... as the start of the season has been delayed with no return date in sight.

According to the Journal, Hillerich & Bradsby sends about 50,000 sticks to the MLB each year ... and there's serious concern the logs used to make the bats could "spoil" before they're used.

As for the employees ... those remaining on staff have taken a 25% pay cut ... but everyone -- including the furloughed workers -- are keeping their health benefits.

Hillerich says the company is concerned about the museum's future ... saying, "We’re afraid that even if we open up, people aren’t going to want to be in crowded museums."

How's MLB stud Jedd Gyorko passing the time during quarantine??

INSANE CORNHOLE TRICK SHOTS, BABY!!!

The Milwaukee Brewers infielder has been crushing it with the bags while staying safe at home ... and we gotta say, these are some of the most impressive trick shots we've ever seen.

Check out some of the clips of Gyorko's bag game so far ... there's a double cornhole, a behind-the-backer and even a celebratory beer chug as well!!

But, the best shot Jedd's hit during the MLB's postponed play? That came just a few days ago when the 31-year-old holed a ridiculous shot in his West Virginia living room.

Gyorko, standing by the front door, tossed a bag some 20 feet OVER the mezzanine ... and landed it without even hitting the rim.

Yeah, INSANE, RIGHT?!?!

Of course, some called him out for the clips -- wondering how long it took him to actually hit the shots -- but Jedd proved he was the real deal in a Zoom match with ex-Cardinals teammate Kolten Wong last week.

Gyorko crushed the dude in three games ... hitting insane shots there as well -- and then he bodied his good buddy on social media for good measure afterward.

"Thanks @thewongone808 for the entertainment and competition tonight," Gyorko wrote underneath a picture of Wong faceplanting. "I appreciate ya!! Who’s next?"

A bench-clearing melee is NOT good social distancing -- but these guys couldn't care less!

Two teams in the Chinese Pro Baseball League (based in Taiwan) nearly came to blows Sunday after a pitcher fired a laser into an opposing player's ass!!

Ex-Houston Astros pitcher Henry Sosa was on the mound for the Fubon Guardians when up came Rakuten Monkeys infielder Kuo Yen-Wen.

Long story short, Sosa has a CANNON for an arm -- and was throwing HARD and inside at Yen-Wen ... almost like he was trying to send a message.

Finally, after 3 VERY close calls, Sosa drilled Yen-Wen right in the ass ... AND THE BENCHES CLEARED!

Of course, Taiwan is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic like everyone else in the world -- they've banned fans from attending the games (cardboard cutouts instead!). And, they've been strongly encouraging social distancing -- but everything went out the window when Yen-Wen got hit.

There was some pushing and shoving (no crazy haymakers) -- but eventually everyone returned to their dugouts without any serious injuries.

Here's Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly giving a whole new meaning to "breaking ball" ...

The L.A. pitcher was working on his off-speed stuff in an at-home, quarantine throwing sesh this week ... when he let one get away from him -- and threw the cowhide straight through a window!!!

Yeah, JUUUUUUUUUUUUSTTTT a bit outside!!!

You can see in the footage of the aftermath (filmed by his wife) ... the damage Kelly's changeup did was pretty significant.

There was glass everywhere and a big ol' hole through the window ... and JK sure seemed to be in disbelief over it all.

Don't worry, Joe's got enough funds to pay for a new piece of glass ... dude signed a 3-year, $25 MILLION deal with the Dodgers just before last season.

Also, it coulda been much worse ... at least it wasn't fastball practice -- the guy throws his heater 100 MPH!!!

"One of the topics covered in a Major League Baseball course at Arizona State is this player who broke the color barrier in 1947."

COME ON -- EVERYONE KNOWS THE ANSWER ... right?

Wrong.

Because when Xiaoke Ying buzz'd in on "Jeopardy!" on Wednesday night -- she replied, "Babe Ruth!"

WHAT?! NOOO!!!!

It's Jackie Robinson. Obviously.

We thought everyone knew that ... but Xiaoke (from USC) blew it on an episode that coincidentally aired on "Jackie Robinson Day."

Whoops.

Some facts. Babe Ruth did not break the color barrier. He was white. Like super white. German ancestry white.

Jackie Robinson (who went to Xiaoke's rival school UCLA) famously broke the color barrier while a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.

Robinson made such an impact in the sports world and on society as a whole, there have been countless movies, documentaries and books written about him.

Also, his jersey #42 has been retired across MLB to honor the legend.

Rob Manfred -- the most powerful man in baseball -- is taking a multi-million dollar salary cut as MLB struggles with the massive financial blow dealt by coronavirus.

The MLB honcho -- along with other top league execs -- are reportedly taking a giant 35% haircut on their checks ... 'cause no baseball means no revenue.

Manfred is rumored to make around $11 million a year ... so a 35% cut is almost $4 million a year.

The bright side? Even though the baseball season is suspended, the league is committed to paying all other employees their full salary through the end of May.

By then, MLB's hoping to get back on the field ... playing ball.

League executives have been discussing a plan where all 30 teams would play in Arizona -- beginning in May -- in front of fan-less stadiums.