Controversial S#!T

Gritty is a straight SAVAGE!!!

The Houston Astros ain't safe from getting totally roasted for their sign-stealing scandal ... not even by NHL mascots!!

The Philadelphia Flyers' beloved freakish-lookin' thing named Gritty took a jab at the 'Stros during the team's 3-0 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday ... using a trash can with Houston's logo to pump up the crowd.

On top of that, Gritty had a guy stand next to him while holding a sign that read "Gritty learnt this from the Astros."

Boom. ROASTED.

Of course, investigators concluded the Astros banged on a trash can to tip-off batters on which pitches would be coming their way ... ya'know, like cheaters do.

Alex Cora -- who was Houston's bench coach at the time -- stepped down from his gig with the Red Sox, A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow were fired, and Carlos Beltran stepped down from the Mets' managing job as well.

While there have been major punishments handed down by MLB, it's been open season on the Astros for those using humor to cope with the cheating.

As for Gritty ... the dude has always been ruthless. Remember when he made his shot at P.K. Subban's fiancee, Lindsey Vonn??

Meghan Markle grew increasingly fed up with the media and the Palace as she fought for privacy for her son, Archie ... and this is one of several reasons she and Prince Harry decided to bail on the royals.

Sources close to the Duchess of Sussex tell TMZ ... she obviously knew she'd be world-famous when she married Harry, but underestimated how little control she'd have over the day-to-day media coverage ... and how much scrutiny she'd get for everything.

Things really began to sour, we're told, when baby Archie was born. The Duke and Duchess tried to be very private with him ... which irked the UK press.

"Whoever does not think Derek Jeter is Hall of Fame worthy -- you gotta check yourself because you have a screw loose!"

That's Rich Eisen PERFECTLY explaining the issues he's got with the one HOF voter who snubbed Derek Jeter ... leaving the Yankees legend one vote shy of being a unanimous pick.

"Who the hell is the ONE guy?!" Eisen said ... "I need that guy or lady to present themselves."

Hey, Eisen's not the only person who feels this way -- a LOT of baseball folks believe the anti-Jeter voter is just being a jerkwad for no reason.

After all, Jeter's resume is pretty outstanding ... 14-time All-Star, 5 World Series rings, World Series MVP, 5 Gold Gloves, 5 Silver Sluggers and he's 6th all-time in career hits in MLB history.

Jeter was looking to become the second unanimous HOF entry in history. The only person to get 100% of the vote is Derek's longtime Yankees teammate Mariano Rivera, who did it last year.

SO, WHO ARE YOU, ANGRY HOF VOTER?! SHOW YOURSELF!!!

Kyrie Irving SHOULD be comparing himself to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. ... so says Common, who tells TMZ Sports the NBA superstar's recent comments were NOT out of line.

Of course, Uncle Drew faced backlash for calling out his team's roster last week ... and later compared the criticism to what MLK had to go through.

“When I was out for those seven weeks and not saying anything and still people are still saying things about me. It’s inevitable," Irving said.

"They crucified Martin Luther King for speaking about peace and social integration. You can go back to historical leaders and great people in society that do great things, and they’re still going to talk s**t about them. It is what it is."

We spoke with the rapper/actor/Oscar winner about Irving comparing himself to MLK ... and he's all for it.

"I love Kyrie," Common says. "He's a really intelligent and brilliant young dude. I love that he speaks his mind."

"Dr. King is Dr. King. I have no problem with us aspiring to be great like that. Sometimes people compare themselves like, I might say in a rhyme, like, I'm the Dr. King of rap."

Common says Irving clearly knows he's not actually MLK ... but that doesn't mean he should stop himself from striving to make an impact.

FYI -- Common was wearing Kyrie's signature kicks while leaving Equinox .. so there may be a little bit of bias. But, clearly, he thinks there was no disrespect.

There are a TON of police officers in front of Antonio Brown's home in Hollywood, Florida, TMZ Sports has confirmed ... and we're being told it's an "active scene."

Unclear exactly what triggered the call but a neighbor told us there are a handful of squad cars in front of AB's home ... and there is someone in the back seat of one of the patrol units.

A police source tells us Antonio is NOT in custody but added, "at this time."

Two independent sources tell us it appears someone has been injured -- though the details are still unclear. We're working on it.

It's not the first time cops have been at AB's home in the past few months -- in fact, they've been there a lot to deal with issues involving child custody issues with Brown's ex, Chelsie Kyriss.

The last time cops were at Brown's home, he not only berated Kyriss in front of their children and threw a bag of gummy penises at her -- but also cussed out the responding police officers.

The Hollywood PD has since issued a statement saying they are ending their relationship with Brown and refunded a donation he made to help fund the Dept's 7-on-7 football league.

Scott Eastwood allegedly tried to pull a fast one and pose as a city official while taking down banners protesting a massive development project ... but he got caught in the act and it's all on video.

Here's the deal ... folks in Del Mar, CA are protesting a proposed luxury resort atop 16.5 acres of oceanfront land north of San Diego, and they're voicing concerns with signs and banners around the town.

Scott showed up to a demonstration Sunday at the Del Mar Plaza, telling protesters he was with the city and ordering them to take down signs and banners ... at least according to folks on the ground.

Check out this video ... protesters recognize Scott, who is busy screwing with a banner, and tell him they've got prior approval to keep the signs up. Clint Eastwood's son realizes he's been outed, and he smirks before hightailing it outta there as people start hurling insults.

It's interesting ... Scott owns a bar and some small businesses in the area, and protesters are under the impression he's an investor in the proposed resort.

Prince Harry is getting on with his non-Royal life, flying commercial like the commoners to the country he and Meghan Markle will call home, at least part-time.

The Duke of Sussex looked more like a regular dude from Sussex early Tuesday morning as he landed at Vancouver International Airport ... a stone's throw away from Vancouver Island, where Meg and baby Archie have been there for a week without him.

Welp, papa's back in town, and it looks like he's committed to fully sloughing off the perks of being a Royal. He traveled low-key in a beanie and puffer jacket aboard a British Airways flight -- and later a commuter jet to Vancouver Island.

Remember, the Sussexes were skewered last year for flying private -- plus, commercial travel will likely be their new norm ... after stepping down.

What's even more telling is that Harry skipped his brother and sister-in-law's Buckingham Palace reception to catch this flight. Another sign he's over it.

Harry's been across the pond of late figuring out the next steps for his family, and after a sit-down with grandma and his dad ... it's been decided he and Meghan will forgo their HRH titles and bypass public funding ... while still repping the Queen and British Commonwealth informally.

L.A. was cheated out of the 2017 and 2018 World Series titles ... so says some of the city's most powerful politicians, who are now OFFICIALLY demanding the MLB give the trophies to the Dodgers!

The L.A. City Council approved a resolution by a unanimous vote Tuesday that called for MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to hand over the rings.

Of course, the resolution has no actual legal authority behind it ... but it shows L.A. is REALLY pissed off after the MLB said the Houston Astros cheated in 2017 -- the same year they beat the Dodgers in 7 games to win the World Series.

"It's significant because we have a culture of cheating in this country," Councilman Paul Koretz said during the session ... "It's time to say, 'No, this not the new norm.'"

Councilman Gil Cedillo added ... "This could send an important message to little boys and girls that you need to play hard by the rules, or you can learn that cheating is the new normal. We want it to be clear that this city spoke up for its team."

As we previously reported, Manfred says manager A.J. Hinch, GM Jeff Luhnow, bench coach Alex Cora (who moved on to become Red Sox manager) and stud outfielder Carlos Beltran (who was named Mets manager in November) were complicit in the Astros' illegal sign-stealing scandal ... and all have since lost their respective jobs.

The MLB fined Houston $5 MILLION after its findings ... and further investigation into the Red Sox is underway after it's alleged Cora brought a similar scheme to the team in 2018 -- the same year they beat the Dodgers in 5 games to win the championship.

But, Manfred announced he was NOT stripping either the Astros or the Red Sox of their titles ... and now, L.A. politicians are demanding he changes that ASAP.

The new Aaron Hernandez documentary is making it near impossible for the family of Odin Lloyd -- the ex-NFL star's murder victim -- to recover because they were blindsided by the film.

Sources close to Lloyd's immediate fam tell TMZ ... they feel like old wounds were reopened this past week when Netflix dropped "Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez" ... which chronicled Aaron's life and murder case, starting in 2013.

We're told they largely tried to move on after Aaron was convicted, but now they feel the doc is dragging them back into a dark place and forcing them to relive painful memories.

Our sources say they didn't sign off on 'Killer Inside' ... nor did they want to be involved in the production. We're told the family gets approached with offers to participate in Hernandez specials all the time -- but they always decline.

That being said, the Netflix doc uses enough old video of Odin's family talking, they think it looks like they actively participated. We're told the popularity of the film has sparked a new round of interest -- meaning, they're constantly getting unwanted attention again.

Even worse, we're told some people have gone to horrific lengths to voice their opinion about Odin's death -- with many messaging the family to defend Aaron, and insult their deceased relative.

Farrah Abraham is not letting Internet trolls control her parenting -- she's blowing off the haters who say she crossed a line with a new sexy video ... shot in front of her daughter.

We got the former 'Teen Mom' and "Backdoor Teen Mom" star leaving Cecconi's in WeHo Monday, and she teed off about the backlash over her yacht excursion. In case you missed it ... Farrah slipped into tiny red lingerie and pranced aboard the vessel while a guy played violin.

Online sleuths noticed Farrah's 10-year-old daughter, Sophia, was on the same boat recording Tik Toks ... while Mom was nearby shaking her barely-covered booty.

Joaquin Phoenix passed on the SAG Awards after-parties, and instead headed to a slaughterhouse ... where he comforted trucks full of pigs headed to their final demise.

Joaquin made the surprise appearance Sunday night not long after winning Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a leading role for "Joker." He made the drive from the Shrine Auditorium to the Farmer John Packing Co. ... less than 5 miles away in L.A.

There, Joaquin joined dozens of protesters who congregate there twice a week. They call their demonstrations pig vigils. They've been happening every Wednesday and Sunday night since at least 2017.

Reportedly, the trailers stop for 2 minutes -- with Farmer John's blessing -- so activists can comfort the pigs and give them water. More than 7,000 pigs are butchered every day inside Farmer John.

Kellyanne Conway is here with a scorching hot take on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day ... she says MLK would take a hard stance against Donald Trump's impeachment.

Trump's aide was talking to reporters Monday in D.C. when she invoked Dr. King's name to illustrate her anger about the impeachment trial, which starts Tuesday in the Senate.

Kellyanne says the proceedings are tearing our country apart, and that's exactly the kind of divisiveness MLK Jr. opposed.

It seems a thin and shallow viewpoint ... considering the fact MLK fought and marched for the Civil Rights movement, even though it divided the country.

She added, Dr. King would not be down with the impeachment trial because he didn't envision having "Americans dragged through a process where the president is not going to be removed from office, is not being charged with bribery, extortion, high crimes or misdemeanors.”

Bottom line, for Kellyanne anyway, is Trump supports MLK's vision of unity -- therefore, if you love King ... you shouldn't support Trump's impeachment trial.

Like we said, hot take on ANY day, but especially on the man's holiday.

Aaron Hernandez killed himself largely because he was suffering from CTE -- and NOT because he was agonizing over his sexuality ... so says his famous attorney.

Jose Baez -- who repped Aaron and helped him beat a double murder case -- tells TMZ ... the new documentary about his client implies Aaron was in the closet, and might have even taken his life because of that alleged secret.

That's just not the case, though, according to Baez ... who says Aaron's death was triggered by advanced CTE -- a brain disease the tight end had developed since his youth. Baez insists Aaron's sexual orientation played ZERO part in his fate.

You'll recall ... Baez was intent on getting Aaron's brain studied at Boston University, and even accused the Worcester Medical Examiner of holding onto it illegally. He also downplayed rumors his client had a love affair with a fellow inmate.

U.S. Senator Susan Collins knows tough times are coming for her, the country, and possibly President Trump ... which is why today she's finding some solace at the MLK Memorial.

We got the 4-term senator from Maine on her way there Monday in Washington D.C., and it's clear she thinks every senator should do the same ahead of the Senate trial for Trump's impeachment ... which is set to kick off Tuesday.

Collins says she wishes every senator would visit MLK's Memorial before performing their constitutional duty. She says she hopes her visit brings her strength and she's gonna need it.

The senator is in a unique position as one of just a handful of moderate Republicans. In fact, nearly 21 years ago, she broke party lines and voted to acquit President Bill Clinton.

Some Republicans are still furious with her for letting 42 off the hook. What's more, Collins is seeking re-election but the Senate trial puts her in a no-win situation -- a vote to acquit Trump means facing the democrats' wrath while a vote to convict Trump would trigger relentless attacks from Trump himself.

Kevin Hart kicked off what seems to be a new tradition for the Oscars -- the show will go on without a host yet again this year ... but the guy isn't feeling salty about it one bit.

The actor was leaving Bootsy Bellows early Sunday morning in West Hollywood, where we asked how he felt about the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences opting to go without a main tour guide through the ceremony ... which they did last year as well.

That move, of course, was on the heels of Kevin stepping down as the once-announced host after an immense amount of pressure when old homophobic tweets of his surfaced.

Fast-forward to today, and the guy tells us it's all love between him and the Academy. KH tells us he loves the Oscars, and there's no feeling about them pivoting away from tapping a single host after the catastrophe they went through with him.

Prince Harry -- or Henry Charles Albert David for short, now -- is carrying on without a royal title just fine ... and he's even looking the part of a smart, casual commoner too.

The Duke of Sussex was spotted Sunday in London heading into the Ivy Chelsea Garden restaurant, where a social event of some kind was going down. PH was in attendance, obviously, which is interesting considering he's no longer His Highness ... just Harry.

Fact is, Harry doesn't rep the Queen or the Commonwealth anymore after an agreement between him, his wife, Meghan, and his grandma was reached just this weekend. Buckingham Palace says they'll still uphold the Royal Family's values, just informally.

That said, it's clear Har here still has the access and privilege of being a Royal -- he continues to hit public events like this and is probably rubbing shoulders with folks along the way. And, while he comes from nobility, he doesn't have the added pressure anymore.