MLB

Ex-MLB star Milton Bradley was ordered into custody at his domestic violence arraignment in L.A. on Tuesday ... and TMZ Sports has the video.

We broke the story ... the 39-year-old former All-Star was charged with spousal battery stemming from a January incident at his L.A. home.

At the time of the incident, Bradley's wife told police he roughed her up during a heated argument and then fled from the scene before help arrived.

Bradley's wife was inside the courtroom on Tuesday for the arraignment and sat next to Milton in an apparent show of support ... along with his attorney, Nareg Gourjian.

But, Milton got no special treatment -- the judge ordered L.A. County Sheriff's Deputies to handcuff Bradley and take him into custody. Bail was at $175k -- higher than normal due to a prior domestic violence conviction.

FYI -- Bradley spent 15 months behind bars after he was convicted of beating up his previous wife.

Luke Terry -- the 15-year-old catcher who only has one arm -- CAN HIT ... and TMZ Sports has the incredible video!!!

Video of Terry playing catcher went viral this week ... showing the athlete catching the ball with his mitt and then flipping it to himself to throw back to the pitcher.

The footage inspired millions of people, including Deion Sanders who reached out to Terry to send him new, high-quality baseball gear.

We spoke with Terry who says his baseball dreams include playing at the college level and then GOING PRO, BABY!!!

"I'd like to play in the MLB, too," Terry says ... noting he's always had a passion for the sport.

But, the best part of this story is listening to Terry's approach on life -- and how he HATES the word "can't."

In fact, Terry says he feels like a superhero when he goes out on the field and competes -- because he knows other kids look up to him and he's all about being a positive role model.

Jose Fernandez and a passenger killed in his fatal boat crash were both drugged before the incident as part of a robbery scheme ... this according to a lawyer for the ex-MLB star's estate.

Attorney Ralph Fernandez has filed new documents in the wrongful death case brought against the Miami Marlins pitcher -- claiming he was carrying $15,000 in cash in a backpack on the night of the incident ... which made him a target for thieves.

Fernandez claims he and Eduardo Rivero were "unwitting recipients of a spiked drink or a mickey of sorts" in a plot to disorient them and steal the money.

Fernandez, Rivero and Emilio Macias were killed in Sept. 2016 when Jose's boat crashed while traveling at an extremely high speed. Investigators say Fernandez's body tested positive for cocaine and booze.

The families of Rivero and Macias filed a civil suit against Fernandez's estate each seeking $2 million.

But, Jose's attorney claims investigators found NO evidence of drug paraphernalia or drug residue at the crash scene ... supporting his theory that the player was drugged without his knowledge.

Fernandez also claims the investigative body handling the crash refused to consider the possibility Jose was not driving the boat. For the record, the boat was owned by Jose.

Justin Verlander won the World Series ... Kate Upton is winning at life -- if you use giant diamonds to keep score.

The Houston Astros pitcher let his supermodel wife rock his brand new World Series ring -- on the same hand as her massive engagement ring ... and it's a kind of photo that would make Drew Brees blush.

The World Series ring -- which Verlander got on Tuesday -- is 10.40 carats with 214 diamonds, 16 natural blue sapphires and 9 natural orange sapphires.

The ring has 11 custom diamonds that make up the "H" on the top of the piece -- one for every playoff victory ... and 101 diamonds overall on the top (one for every regular season win).

There are 56 diamonds which surround the "H" -- representing each season the Astros played until the first franchise title.

The engagement ring is reportedly 8 carats and worth $1.5 million.

Good Lord.

Giancarlo Stanton had a MONSTER Yankees debut -- SMASHING 2 home runs -- and TMZ Sports talked to NYY's legendary radio announcer, John Sterling ... about his polarizing Stanton HR call.

Sterling -- who's announced every Yankees game since 1989 (almost 5,000 in a row) -- is known for his over the top home run calls. One's like ...

"An A-Bomb! From A-Rod!" (Alex Rodriguez)

"He's Judge and jury, and this is judgment day!" (Aaron Judge)

So, when the ball left Stanton's bat ... and John belted out "Giancarlo, non si può stoparlo! It is a Stantonian home run" ... there was mixed reaction.

Why Italian? What's it even mean?

Tim Tebow's doing all the right things to make it to the Bigs, but he's still got a looong way to go -- so says Brian Jordan, a guy who used to pull double-duty for MLB and NFL!!

We got the former Major League All-Star (and Pro Bowl alternate) at Opening Day for the Braves ... and even though Tebow just got sent down to Double A by the Mets, Brian told us he's damn impressed with the QB's accomplishments thus far.

"He's progressing along and getting better ... he still has a couple of holes and he's working hard to fill 'em," Jordan told TMZ Sports.

That said, BJ told us not to expect any Tebow sightings at Citi Field for a while 'cause he "still needs a lot of time down in the Minor Leagues."

But don't feel down, Timmy -- Brian also said he's pullin' for ya 100% ... and if we were you, we'd give this 2-sport legend a dial!

The Dodgers are going for a clean sweep -- not of their Opening Day opponents, the Giants -- but of the waste water that seeped onto the Dodgers Stadium field.

Sources inside the L.A. County Dept. of Health tell TMZ Sports ... inspectors were roaming the third baseline area next to the dugout Wednesday ... checking out the disgusting mud patch left behind after Tuesday night's sewage spill.

If ya missed it, Big Blue's exhibition game against the Angels was cut short when a waste water pipeline burst, sending up a stench worse than Yu Darvish's World Series outings.

We're told that section of the field had to be vacuumed, and the material shipped off to a waste disposal facility. Then the area was doused with chlorine, lye and other antibacterial chemicals. The Dept. of Health will make another inspection on Thursday morning ... ahead of the Opening Day festivities.

If you're going to the game, that's bleach you're smelling. And maybe a little left over from Yu.

A man who claims he witnessed Albert Belle piss in the middle of a parking lot says the former All Star NEVER shook his junk at anyone.

As we previously reported, the ex-Indians slugger was arrested for indecent exposure and DUI on Saturday after a woman told police Belle shook his genitals at her family -- including her 15-year-old daughter -- while urinating in the Phoenix Rising Soccer Club Stadium parking lot.

TMZ Sports spoke with Ron Swindells ... who says he was 15 feet away from Belle when he relieved himself and didn't see anything remotely close to that happen at any point.

Swindells tells us the woman making the claims was upset with the way he downplayed the situation ... yelling "are you effing kidding me?!" and Belle responded "Don't look, then. You gotta go, you gotta go."

We've obtained a picture of the alleged act ... showing the 51-year-old with his pants halfway down his legs, appearing to relieve himself while covering his body with the door of his car.

Swindells says Belle remained in that position while peeing and only turned his head to address the woman ... and is willing to speak to investigators about the incident.

Imagine having a fantasy baseball draft party with all your bros ... and then the pizza delivery guy turns out to be a World Series champ!!

That's exactly what happened when Chicago Cubs superstar Kris Bryant surprised 3 different groups of guys the other day, going undercover as the owner and operator of Kristio's Pizza & Wings!!

FYI -- this is the 3rd year Kris has teamed up with Red Bull to prank unsuspecting fans. This time around, Kris talked himself up as each group held their draft, waiting for his name to be called.

Albert Belle exposed himself to 2 minors and 2 adults before getting arrested on Saturday in Arizona, according to cops ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Belle, 51, was arrested after cops got a call around 9:20 PM reporting a man had exposed himself to a group of people at the Phoenix Rising Soccer Club stadium -- where a game had been played.

It's unclear if the alleged incident occurred inside or outside the stadium.

When cops arrived, they say they located Belle in a vehicle ... attempting to leave the soccer stadium parking lot.

After investigating, Salt River PD determined there was enough probable cause to arrest Belle -- and another adult male.

Belle's charges include 3 counts of indecent exposure and DUI.

Ex-Cleveland Indians star Albert Belle was arrested for indecent exposure and DUI in Arizona on Saturday.

Belle -- a 5-time All-Star during his 12-year MLB career -- was arrested in Scottsdale and booked into Maricopa County Jail.

The ex-slugger was arrested for 2 counts of indecent exposure and 2 DUI counts.

The 51-year-old is listed as 6'2", 270 lbs in the jail database.

This isn't the first time Belle -- who was one of the most feared hitters in the game -- has been in trouble with the law.

He spent time in jail back in '06 after pleading guilty to stalking his ex-girlfriend.

Milton Bradley's in trouble with the law -- charged with battery -- for allegedly beating up a woman he's married to once again ... TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... cops were called to Bradley's L.A. home back in January. When they arrived, his wife told them Bradley roughed her up during an argument ... before fleeing the scene.

Officials investigated ... and the L.A. City Attorney decided to charge the ex-MLB All-Star with battery on a spouse -- a misdemeanor. If convicted, M.B. could face up to a year in jail ... and a fine.

FYI -- this ain't Bradley's 1st brush with the law ... he spent 15 months behind bars after he was convicted of beating up his previous wife.

Real-life MLB studs are bringing Smalls, Benny the Jet and all the 'Sandlot' stars back to life ... and it's freakin' AMAZING.

FYI, the classic baseball flick -- set in the 1960's -- is approaching its 25th anniversary ... so, the Milwaukee Brewers took a few hours outta Spring Training to reenact their favorite scene.

All the guys were pretty great -- but ya gotta give it up to whoever was in charge of casting.

Stephen Vogt (Ham), Eric Sogard (Squints) and Brett Phillips (Smalls) REALLY look like the kids grown up ... and the Brew Crew also nailed it with their version of "The Beast."

Not all the actual 'Sandlot' stars are doing so hot, but maybe this video will remind 'em of the better days.

Angels star Shohei Ohtani could be leading a baseball revolution -- so says MLB postseason legend David Eckstein.

We spoke to the '06 World Series MVP after he paid a visit to Halos spring training ... and he told us Ohtani -- the team's huge offseason signing who can pitch, play outfield and DH -- is the real deal.

But the more interesting takeaway -- Eckstein told us Ohtani's just the beginning of a new wave of super-athletes who can play both ways!!

"If you start looking at more of the lower levels, and especially now going into college, you see that's where the game's going. And he might be the first," Eckstein said.

Eck knows all about trailblazing -- the 5'6'' shortstop paved the way for Jose Altuve and all the other small ballers of today!

Ted Cruz says it's awesome his hometown Astros (mostly) said what's up to Trump at the White House ... and he's got faith the Rockets will, too.

We got the Texas Senator after he took in Monday's World Series ceremony in D.C. -- and you can tell he was still PUMPED off his 'Stros winning their first title.

"To win it in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, when so many Houstonians, so many Texans, were hurting -- it just meant an enormous amount," Cruz told TMZ Sports.

It was all pretty touching stuff from Ted ... that is 'til the conversation turned to the defending champion, Warriors -- who staunchly rejected their Oval Office visit.

"I think it is unfortunate that we've seen that happen ... I'm hoping that this is the first of at least two Houston trips to the White House this year."

Guessing he hasn't seen James Harden's hat ...

Justin Verlander is going OFF on woman-beating baseball player Danry Vasquez -- essentially saying he's a piece of trash who doesn't deserve to play baseball ever again.

"(Middle finger emoji) you man," Verlander posted on Twitter ... "I hope the rest of your life without baseball is horrible. You deserve all that is coming your way!"

There's a connection here ... Verlander currently plays for the Astros and Vasquez was a member of the Houston farm system at the time of the 2016 attack.

As we previously reported, Vasquez repeatedly brutalized his girlfriend in the stairwell at Whataburger Stadium in Texas while a member of the Corpus Christi Hooks ... Houston's AA minor league team.

The 'Stros organization released Vasquez right after the arrest. But he was picked up by another team in Pennsylvania which JUST fired him this week when the beating video went public.

Vasquez only got a slap on the wrist from prosecutors -- he was only ordered to complete anger management (which he did) and his case has since been dismissed.

But Verlander isn't the only Astros star who's pissed about the Vasquez situation -- Houston pitcher Lance McCullers says the guy should have been thrown behind bars.