MLB

Bo Jackson was notorious for snapping his baseball bat like a toothpick, and now the last piece of lumber he obliterated can be yours ... if you've got 20,000 bucks.

The bat's from April 6th, 1994 ... when Jackson's California Angels took on the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome. In the 4th inning, Twins pitcher Jim Deshaies -- who'd already K'd Bo in the 2nd -- struck Jackson out on 3 pitches.

Jackson -- the only player to ever make an NFL AND MLB all-star team -- stormed out of the batter's box and violently snapped his big Cooper C271 bat ... before tossing the shards of wood towards the dugout.

The '94 season was Bo's 8th and final in MLB ... and Goldin Auctions -- who has now offered the iconic bat at auction -- tells us this was the last bat BJ ever broke as a professional baseball player.

Goldin says the bat was photo matched to prove its authenticity ... and they expect the one-of-a-kind piece to rake in over $20,000 when the auction closes later this month.

BTW, it wasn't all failure at the plate for Bo on that April night in Minnesota. Jackson got some revenge during the later innings ... hitting a double and an RBI single.

The Twins won 4-1.

Marwin Gonzalez -- a star on the Astros 2017 World Series team -- just apologized for his role in Houston's sign-stealing scandal ... telling reporters Tuesday, "I'm remorseful."

Marwin is believed to be the first Astros position player to say he's sorry for the cheating.

"I'm remorseful for everything that happened in 2017," Gonzalez said.

As we previously reported, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says the Astros filmed pitchers and catchers during games in '17 and illegally relayed the signs to batters using a banging sound from the dugout.

A BUNCH of MLB stars -- from Cody Bellinger to CC Sabathia -- have been livid over Manfred's findings ... and a former relief pitcher just sued Houston over it all too.

But, prior to Gonzalez's meeting with media at Minnesota Twins camp this week ... it's believed that only Astros pitchers had apologized for their team's actions, NOT the players that actually benefited most from the cheating.

"[I'm remorseful] for everything that we did as a group," Gonzalez said. "And the players that were affected directly by us doing this ... That's why I feel more regret. That's why I'm remorseful."

Gonzalez had his best season EVER in 2017 ... recording a .303 batting average, 23 home runs and 90 RBI. He finished 19th in the MVP vote.

Trevor Bauer just EVISCERATED MLB commissioner Rob Manfred over a new rumored playoff format in baseball ... with the star pitcher calling the guy "a joke."

If you missed it ... a report Monday claimed Manfred and other MLB officials were considering changing baseball's postseason.

The report claimed the MLB wants to expand the number of teams in the playoffs from 5 in each league to 7 ... while changing up the way teams are seeded and adding in a first-round bye for top teams as well.

Bauer -- a Cincinnati Reds ace -- saw the reports ... hated them ... and then took aim squarely at Manfred on Twitter.

"No idea who made this new playoff format proposal, but Rob is responsible for releasing it, so I’ll direct this to you, Rob Manfred," Bauer said.

"Your proposal is absurd for too many reasons to type on twitter and proves you have absolutely no clue about baseball. You’re a joke."

It's unclear why exactly Bauer hates the alleged proposal -- he wouldn't elaborate -- but the new rules reportedly wouldn't take place until at least 2022.

And, with approval still being needed from the MLB Player's Association, it's possible it might never happen. Which apparently would make Bauer REALLY happy.

Super-MLB prospect Adley Rutschman says he ain't trying to play in the minor leagues for long ... telling TMZ Sports it's his goal to make The Show THIS SEASON!!!

"It's not my decision," the catcher says, "but we're going to try our hardest."

Of course, Adley was the No. 1 overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles in last summer's MLB draft -- and fans are DROOLING over his potential.

But, it ain't often prospects -- even superstar ones like Adley -- make the leap from the minors to the majors in their first year.

Although, Adley told us out at Reagan Airport in D.C. on Thursday he's gunning to do just that ... and if you're listening to scouts, he might actually accomplish the goal.

Rutschman -- a 22-year-old -- is already considered the top catching prospect in baseball ... and is widely viewed as the best player to enter the draft since Bryce Harper in 2010.

Gary Sheffield says it's a downright stupid move for the Red Sox to trade Mookie Betts ... but the MLB legend says if the Dodgers get the OF, it could lock up a World Series title!!

"Mookie is that guy that can be a difference maker," Sheffield tells us.

Of course, Boston is considering moving Betts -- the 2018 AL MVP -- for prospects because of his high salary demands ... and the Dodgers are reportedly more than willing to tango.

Young L.A. stars like Alex Verdugo, Dustin May and even Gavin Lux have been rumored to be in play for the trade ... and Sheffield sure seems to think it'd be worth the price to get Mookie.

"A lot of teams have good offenses," Sheffield says, "But, if you got a certain player in your lineup, he can take you over the top and [Betts] is that guy."

We also talked with Sheffield about the Astros hiring Dusty Baker to be their next manager ... and Gary LOVES the move, saying the 70-year-old will be able to clean up the clubhouse after it was rocked by the cheating scandal.

Cody Bellinger says he wasn't laughing when Justin Verlander made a remark about the Astros' "technology" at an awards ceremony Saturday ... telling TMZ Sports, "It ain't funny to me."

Verlander reportedly went on stage at the annual Baseball Writers' Association of America banquet in NY over the weekend and made a comment about how his Houston squad was "technologically and analytically advanced."

It's unclear if Verlander made the remark as a joke in the wake of the team's cheating scandal ... but it reportedly drew laughter -- and according to at least one witness, ex-Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia was PISSED over it all.

When we got Bellinger out in NY just a day after the ceremony on Sunday ... he said he was feeling the same way as Sabathia -- telling us, "It ain't funny to me and it wasn't funny to CC."

Of course, Bellinger's Dodgers and Sabathia's Yankees both suffered playoff losses to the Astros the last few seasons -- years in which Houston was busted for illegally stealing signs from opponents.

Retired MLB star Jim Edmonds is logging some quality one-on-one time with the woman who allegedly banged him and his estranged wife at the same time.

Check out these pics of the St. Louis Cardinals legend and Kortnie O'Connor relaxing poolside in Cabo San Lucas. She's the woman Jim's reality star ex, Meghan King Edmonds, claims had a threesome with them when they were newlyweds.

Our sources tell us Jim and Kortnie spent last weekend shacking up at the Montage Resort ... and the quickie trip was part of a birthday celebration for Angels slugger Albert Pujols.

Seems the getaway was a success for Jim and Kortnie ... because a few days later they were sitting outside at R + D Kitchen in Newport Beach, where folks tell us they were laughing and having a great time. They're clearly not shy.

As you know ... Jim and Meghan are divorcing after 5 years of marriage, and she says Jim is dating Kortnie -- a claim he denies.

"It's not factual! It's just innuendo."

MLB super-agent Scott Boras is RIPPING all the conspiracy theorists who say his client, Astros star Jose Altuve, used a buzzer to cheat ... calling the rumors nothing more than "suspicion."

"There is nothing to any form of electronic dynamic," Boras said strongly at LAX on Friday. "The Commissioner's office studied it. Everyone knows it."

If you missed it ... a clip of Altuve from Game 7 of the 2019 ALCS went viral this month after the Astros were busted by the MLB for running an illegal sign-stealing operation.

Some thought the clip -- which shows Altuve telling his teammates to NOT remove his jersey after a game-winning home run -- proved Jose was hiding some sort of device that helped him get tipped-off to upcoming pitches.

But, Boras smashed that whole theory Friday ... saying, "No one in the game has ever contended that anyone is doing such a thing and that's just innuendo and suspicion."

For the MLB's part ... it's backed Boras' claims, saying it investigated the buzzer-cheating allegations and found NO evidence that it occurred.

THIS IS SAVAGE!!!!

Cops in Southlake, Texas just shaded the hell out of the Houston Astros for their cheating scandal in a new speeding PSA ad ... and the video is HILARIOUS!!!

The clip starts out with a cop and his radar gun looking pleasantly surprised that everyone is following the set speed limit.

You can see in the vid, car by car drives by ... and all of them are hitting 30 MPH on the dot.

But then, the camera pans over to a fireman behind a bush holding a trash can ... and that's where the 'Stros shade comes in.

The fireman -- who's wearing an Astros jersey -- is letting drivers know there's a speed trap up ahead by hitting the top of his metal receptacle ... and it's laugh out loud funny!!!

Of course, the 'Stros were just busted by the MLB earlier this month after league commish Rob Manfred said they illegally filmed opponents' signs and relayed them to batters by banging on dugout trash bins.

The cops captioned their vid, "We don't care what it takes for you to slow down and follow the speed limit. Drive astro-nomically safe today in Southlake."

BUUURNNNNN!!!

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??

"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!!!

Tim Tebow is days away from saying "I do" to his South African bride, and it looks like he's getting familiar with her homeland through a super fancy warm-up to the big day.

The ex-NFL quarterback-turned-baseball player posted some awesome behind-the-scenes footage of his wedding rehearsal dinner this weekend with his fiancee, Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters -- who was crowned Miss South Africa in 2017. No doubt about it ... it was an elegant affair.

Tim was in a burgundy suit, Demi-Leigh in a complimentary red dress. The evening included a proper run-through, complete with the seating arrangements for the reception ... as well as speeches from family and friends. His former college coach, Urban Meyer, was there too.

"Couldn’t imagine taking baseball instruction from an ex-female softball player."

Well, this is a horrible take ... courtesy of former San Francisco Giants star Aubrey Huff.

The ex-Silver Slugger winner -- and current internet troll -- just went off on his former team in spectacularly sexist fashion ... blasting the Giants for becoming the first MLB squad ever to hire a full-time female coach.

"I got in trouble for wearing a thong in my own clubhouse when female reporters were present," Huff said. "Can’t imagine how it will play out with a full-time female coach running around. This has #metoo & #BelieveAllWomen written all over it."

Yeah, yikes.

Of course, the Giants couldn't possibly have a more opposite take than Huff ... they said Alyssa Nakken will change their clubhouse in a way not many people EVER could.

In fact, Giants manager Gabe Kapler said of the ex-Sacramento State softball superstar that he's "delighted" to have her be around the team in 2020.

But, Huff -- who won two World Series titles with SF in 2010 and 2012 -- continued with the sexism anyway ... telling former teammates Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and Buster Posey to "Have fun with that."

"This is worse than steroids."

That's Cleveland Indians superstar Mike Clevinger going OFF on the Houston Astros ... ripping them for getting caught in a massive cheating scandal!!

"They shouldn’t feel comfortable looking at any of us in the eye let alone on the field," Clevinger said. "And any other MLB player feel different, they can get it too."

As we previously reported, the MLB dropped the hammer on Houston earlier this week ... revealing its investigation into the Astros found the team did, in fact, steal signs from opponents beginning in the 2017 season.

Tons of people have already lost their jobs over the findings ... the Astros fired manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow, the Red Sox let go of Alex Cora and the Mets walked away from Carlos Beltran.

The MLB also took away draft picks from Houston and fined them a whopping $5 MILLION!!!

But, clearly, Clevinger doesn't think that's enough ... 'cause he said if Rob Manfred doesn't punish individual players, he's threatening a bean war anytime he plays the 'Stros!

"This is where throwing hard has its MF perks," Clevinger said. "so either police it @MLB or  I’ll get back to my training."

Clevinger even joked he wants the Astros to get booted to Canada, writing, "I hope they make y’all the Montreal Expos."

Things might get interesting when the Tribe and 'Stros face off in June.

The San Francisco Giants just made a groundbreaking addition to their coaching staff -- the organization just hired the first full-time female coach in MLB history!!!

Alyssa Nakken -- who worked with the Giants' health and wellness initiatives and events the past 2 years -- was a superstar for the Sacramento State softball team from 2009-12.

The 29-year-old was a 4-time All-Pacific Coast Softball Conference selection and was first-team all-league in 2012.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler introduced Nakken and fellow assistant coach Mark Hallberg on Thursday ... saying, "Alyssa and Mark are highly respected members of the organization and I'm delighted that they will now focus their talents on helping to build a winning culture in the clubhouse."

"In every organization, environment affects performance, and baseball clubhouses are no different. That's why in addition to assisting the rest of the coaching staff on the field, Mark and Alyssa will focus on fostering a clubhouse culture that promotes high performance through, among other attributes, a deep sense of collaboration and team."

Jose Altuve is VEHEMENTLY denying he ever wore any sort of device to steal signs ... saying he wasn't electronically tipped off before his ALCS-winning home run -- or EVER.

Video of Altuve begging his teammates not to rip his jersey off after sealing the pennant in 2019 has gone viral ... with fans speculating he had a buzzer strapped to him to cheat.

But, Altuve is working to clear his name ... flat-out saying all that talk is BS, via his agent Scott Boras.

“Jose Altuve called me and said he wants it known that he has never, ever worn an electronic device in a major league game -- ever," Boras told Sports Illustrated.