MLB

How's this for irony ... Barry Bonds -- the poster child for steroid abuse in MLB -- is coming to Lance Armstrong's defense after the cyclist was banned from cycling for doping ... claiming Lance got screwed over ( ... of course).

Bonds -- who was found guilty last year of felony obstruction of justice for lying during a federal investigation into steroid use by MLB players -- was leaving BOA steakhouse last night in Hollywood, when he was asked what he thought of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's ruling on Lance.

The photog asked Bonds if he thought Lance had been the victim of a witch hunt -- Bonds replied, "I don't know what they're doing, all I know is I love him. He's a great athlete."

Moral of the story -- for Bonds, the ends justify the means ... even if the means were dirty.

Country singer Luke Bryan admits ... he was reading from his hand and his watch while performing the National Anthem at the MLB All-Star game yesterday ... and says he can explain the whole thing.

Bryan came under fire from critics who claimed checking one's watch while singing the Anthem is plain disrespectful.

But Bryan went to his Twitter page moments ago hoping to clear things up.

Bryan wrote, "I did check my watch because I knew the stealth bomber would fly over 2 minutes in and I knew a [sic] started a little late."

Newly-voted National League MVP Ryan Braun from the Milwaukee Brewers has tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs -- but the baseball star is challenging the accusations.

According to multiple reports, Braun was tested during the playoffs this year -- and the test showed his system contained elevated levels of testosterone.

28-year-old Braun is fighting the results, telling the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, he's the victim of "highly unusual circumstances" -- adding, "This is all B.S. I am completely innocent."

Los Angeles Dodgers star James Loney was arrested while being hospitalized in L.A. last month ... after allegedly smashing his Maserati into THREE other cars ... and then spitting at a cop ... this according to a police report obtained by TMZ.

Loney -- who plays 1st base for the Dodgers -- was arrested on November 14th ... because cops say he appeared to be under the influence of drugs after he swerved into a Toyota around 6pm ... and then careened into a Mercedes and a Mini.

According to the report, when cops first arrived to the scene ... Loney told one of the officers, "The bitch hit me from behind."

Cops say Loney appeared to be "restless, unsteady, aggressive and irritable" ... and he "exhibited eyelid tremors and his shirt was soiled and moist from perspiration, from his armpits down to his waistline."

Cops say when officers asked Loney what day it was ... he replied, "7/15 and Saturday" -- when in fact, it was 11/14 and Monday.

Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg seems to be very interested in taking the manager job with his former sworn enemy -- the St. Louis Cardinals -- telling TMZ, "It's a possibility."

Sandberg was recently dissed by his former team -- after the new G.M. Theo Epstein announced he would not consider Ryne to be the next Cubbies' skipper ... however, it's been reported that the rival Cards might want to bring him on board.

Ryne was out in Malibu this weekend, when we asked point blank if St. Louis was interested in his services. Sandberg grinned from ear to ear ... and replied, "We'll see ... it's a possibility."

The hits just keep on coming for Dodgers owner Frank McCourt -- who just announced he's selling the team!

"The Los Angeles Dodgers and Major League Baseball announced that they have agreed today to a court-supervised process to sell the team and its attendant media rights in a manner designed to realize maximum value for the Dodgers and their owner, Frank McCourt," read a joint statement from Frank and the MLB.

The Blackstone Group LP will manage the sale process.

There are rumors that Frank will fetch as much as $1 billion for the team -- but so far, that number is still unconfirmed.

The news of the sale comes a few months after the team filed for bankruptcy -- and one month after Frank's $130 million divorce settlement with ex-wife Jamie.

Frank and Jamie McCourt have reached a divorce settlement which will secure Jamie as a very rich woman, but at a price ... she's relinquishing all claims to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Under the settlement, which must still be approved by the judge, Jamie will snag $130 million ... this according to a report. The judge rejected an earlier settlement proposal, partly because of an unorthodox TV deal that fronted money to Frank. The TV deal is not part of this settlement.

So on the surface -- when it comes to the Dodgers -- it's a big victory for Frank. But insiders say far from a victory, Frank is probably going to lose the team, because at the end of the month a bankruptcy judge will decide if the Dodgers will go on the auction block.

Insiders think the judge will force the sale -- which should produce anywhere from $700 million to a billion bucks for the team.

12:17 PM: Frank and Jamie just released a joint statement ... Jamie will no longer stand between Frank and his TV deal -- claiming, "Jamie will be withdrawing her opposition to the Dodgers proposed sale of media rights and instead will be filing papers in support of the process."

Former Boston Red Sox stud Johnny Damon says his former teammate Jonathan Papelbon earned himself the right to party in New Orleans last weekend ... despite the fact the Sox had just skidded their way out of the playoffs.

Damon -- who played for Tampa Bay last season -- was leaving Boa in Hollywood last night ... when we asked about the photos of the Red Sox closer firing off beads on Bourbon street.

Damon replied, "[losing is] never easy and Jonathan Papelbon has had a great career so far ... so he can do whatever he wants."

He added, "I'm glad he's enjoying himself, I wish he was on my team."

San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow has finally been released from the hospital -- more than 6 months after he was beaten within an inch of his life in the Dodgers Stadium parking lot.

Stow has been making tremendous progress in his recovery -- recently talking with family members and friends.

Doctors say Stow will continue his treatment at an undisclosed long-term rehabilitation facility. Stow's doctor says his recovery will take years.

The 42-year-old paramedic's family released a statement -- saying, "We feel immense relief today, knowing that Bryan is ready to start the next chapter of his story."

Stow suffered severe brain injuries on March 31 after the Dodger's regular season opener against the Giants.

It doesn't matter that his team was eliminated from the MLB playoffs in one of the most epic September slides in baseball history -- Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon went out this weekend and partied his face off anyway!!!

Papelbon -- who reportedly made $12 mil in 2011 -- hit up Bourbon Street in New Orleans with some buddies Friday night.

In case you missed it, Pap's Sox blew 18 of their final 24 games ... and were shockingly eliminated from the playoffs two weeks ago when they lost the last game of the regular season.

Who needs the World Series when you've got a fistful of beads?

Manny Ramirez -- former star of the L.A. Dodgers and Boston Red Sox -- has been formally charged by the Broward State Attorney's Office with misdemeanor domestic violence and battery.

Jamie McCourt has successfully unloaded one of the Holmby Hills cribs she used to own with estranged hubby Frank McCourt -- selling the 8 bedroom, 10 bath mansion for a cool $6.525 million.

The McCourts bought the 8,400 square foot home back in 2004 -- in hopes of making it the "guest house" for the $25 million villa they purchased next door.

The problem is -- Frank and Jamie divorced before they got around to creating the massive 5 acre compound -- and the guest house was put up for sale.

Ex-Dodger Milton Bradley was busted for felony assault -- after allegedly swinging a baseball bat at his wife yesterday.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ -- Bradley's wife called 911 yesterday around 2pm from their home in Los Angeles -- and told police Milton was chasing her and swinging at her ... batting cage style.

We're told police showed up and took Milton into custody -- and booked him for assault with a deadly weapon. His wife was not injured.

The former outfielder was released from jail last night on $30,000 bail.

Los Angeles Dodgers season ticket holders want to make sure Frank McCourt isn't screwing them over in the team's bankruptcy proceedings -- and they've filed a motion to make sure they're protected.

Attorneys representing a handful of season ticket holders filed docs with the bankruptcy court in Delaware ...seeking to establish a formal committee of more than 17,000 season ticket holders.

According to the docs, the committee's goal is to make sure Dodger funds are going to what they consider the most important part of the "fan experience" -- such as acquiring new players, meeting payroll, renovating the stadium, and operating concessions.

The motion also specifically mentions the need for "security" at the stadium -- which has been a hot button issue since the Opening Day beating of Giants fan Bryan Stow.

According to the docs, the season ticket holders have collectively poured "hundreds of millions of dollars" into the storied franchise -- and some individuals pay up to $150,000 per season.

The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy back in June. If the fans' motion is approved they could have a voice in future decisions about the team -- such as whether it's sold and to whom.

Boston Red Sox pitcher John Lackey has filed to divorce his wife, Krista ... who is in the middle of battling breast cancer.

Lackey filed on August 30, according to court docs in Texas, claiming "the marriage has become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities." Krista and John got married in November, 2008.

Sources close to the family tell TMZ ... Krista underwent a double mastectomy back in March and underwent chemo as recently as June.

The divorce petition says John and Krista had a prenup. It also says Lackey has "separate property" he wants to keep for himself.

Lackey filed the divorce papers using only his and Krista's initials -- a tactic Tony Parker and Eva Longoria ... and Sandra Bullock and Jesse James also used in their Texas divorces.

It's unclear why Lackey -- who's struggled on the field all season long -- didn't wait til the off-season, about a month from now, to start divorce proceedings.

4:33 PM: The Red Sox just released a statement on Lackey's behalf -- telling us, "John Lackey is dealing with a deeply personal family issue, and it is one the Red Sox do not feel is appropriate for public debate. The Red Sox request that John and Krista’s privacy be respected."

Former New York Yankees pitcher David Wells is so obsessed with the great Babe Ruth, he got himself a tattoo of the Bambino across his pitching arm.

Wells' infatuation with the Babe is famous -- he once wore a $35,000 Babe Ruth hat while pitching in an MLB game -- and last night outside of Boa, we got a peek at the art ... a depiction of Wells pitching to The Babe.