MLB

The Tokyo Dome was PACKED with fans wanting to get a glimpse of the Dodgers in action ... but the crazy part is it wasn't even for a game -- it was just a workout!!

More than 10,000 fans filed into the stadium to catch local heroes Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki and their Dodgers teammates take the field for practice ahead of their two-game tilt against Chicago in the MLB Tokyo Series starting on Tuesday.

For spectators who wanted an early preview of the World Series champs, the get-in price for the workout was ¥2,000 -- or about $13 here in the States. Tickets reportedly sold out in about an hour.

The Tampa Bays Rays' plans to build a brand new ballpark in St. Petersburg have been scrapped ... the team announced it's now shifting its focus to restoring its current Tropicana Field home for the 2026 season.

The team released a statement on social media Thursday morning ... saying after careful deliberation, "We have concluded we cannot move forward with the new ballpark and development project at this time."

"A series of events beginning in October that no one could have anticipated led to this difficult decision."

Opening Day is still over a week away for most MLB teams, but baseball fans better start saving up room in their tummies now ... 'cause several squads just unveiled some new dishes for their special afternoons -- and most are HUGE!!

The Cubs, Orioles, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Nationals and Marlins all revealed what they'll be serving to their supporters at their home games over the next few weeks ... and the items look delicious -- and calorically dense.

At Wrigley Field, they'll offer up a vegetarian burger topped with kimchi -- plus a roast beef sandwich that's held together by some fried plantains.

A Texas Rangers ballcap was pulled from online shops this week ... after fans were outraged that it looked like it spelled out a Spanish vulgarity for a woman's breasts.

The hat featured the Rangers' "T" logo superimposed over the word "Texas" ... and while it initially seemed innocent -- social media users were quick to point out that it actually appeared to say "Tetas."

Many took to X to poke fun and complain about the lid ... and, by Monday night, after the cries grew so loud, it was no longer available for purchase.

Andy Isaac -- a popular Detroit sports fan -- has passed away after a nearly two-decade battle with cancer.

The announcement was made to his X account Thursday morning ... with his loved ones saying, "Andy passed away peacefully this morning beside his loving family. We thank you all for your support and love over the years."

The news comes on the heels of Isaac announcing he was entering hospice care, as his battle with the disease "has finally taken its toll on me, it has finally stripped me of my quality of life."

The walk-off Grand Slam baseball that Jason Giambi blasted into the Yankee Stadium bleachers in 2002 -- his first huge moment as part of the Bronx Bombers -- just hit the auction block!

Baseball fans will remember. Giambi was fresh off inking a deal that despite sounding like a downright bargain in 2025, was huge in the early 2000s (7 years, $120 million). The Yanks new slugger wasn't slumping to start the long season, but wasn't exactly off to a hot start, either.

It was May 17, 2002, and the Twins were in NYC to face the Yankees. Bernie Williams hit a game-tying, solo homer in the 9th to push the game to extra innings.

Politics ain't the only thing Johnny Damon and Donald Trump agree on ... the former MLB star tells TMZ Sports POTUS is right when it comes to Pete Rose's Hall of Fame candidacy as well.

Trump took to his Truth Social page on Friday night to demand MLB "get off its fat, lazy ass" and put Rose into Cooperstown ... and when we spoke with Damon about the opinion on Monday, he told us he concurred.

The ex-Red Sox outfielder -- who actually served on the President's Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition during Trump's first term in D.C. -- said the game's climate has changed so much since Rose was first given a perma-ban for gambling on baseball that he now thinks it's about time to get the MLB's Hit King into the HOF.

A special piece of Jackie Robinson memorabilia is about to hit auction ... and TMZ Sports has learned it could fetch over $400K!!

The 1948 Leaf card is regarded as Robinson's true rookie card ... and Heritage Auction has acquired one of only eight that has received a "superior assessment."

The card has an image of Robinson wearing his Brooklyn Dodgers cap in front of a yellow background ... and it's graded a PSA NM-MT 8.

Former Milwaukee Brewer Willy Adames faced off against his old squad for the first time since legendary broadcaster Bob Uecker's death on Friday ... and after the game, he opened up on just how much the loss affected him.

The shortstop spoke with the media following the Giants' 9-2 win at Spring Training ... and he was clearly emotional talking about the commentator.

Adames said he was hoping to attend Uecker's funeral ... but wasn't able to as his family elected to keep it private.

A sight for sore eyes in the Chicago Cubs fanbase -- Sammy Sosa is back wandering the team's dugout 21 years after he was exiled from the organization.

The 56-year-old was in attendance for the Cubs' Spring Training tilt against the Arizona Diamondbacks ... where he was spotted chatting with current members of the squad.

"I'm happy to see everyone," he told the broadcast. "Happy to be here. I also want to say thank you to the Rickett family for bringing me here. Jed Hoyer, the [General Manager] and Craig Counsell, which has been great to me."

Cleveland Guardians owner Larry Dolan has died at 94 years old, the team announced on Monday.

Dolan -- a northeast Ohio native -- purchased the franchise back in February 2000 ... kickstarting the longest and most successful ownership tenure in the organization's history.

Dolan played sports while attending St. Ignatius High School ... and attended the University of Notre Dame before serving in the United States Marine Corps.

Travis Scott made an appearance in Florida over the weekend to throw out the first pitch for the Houston Astros at opening day of Spring Training ... and he brought some sick gifts with him.

The rapper was on hand at CACTI Park in West Palm Beach on Saturday where the Astros faced off against the Washington Nationals during spring training opening day. In case you didn't know, last year, TS gained the naming rights to Cacti Park.

Travis came with gifts in hand because he gave the first 2,000 fans at the stadium a Travis Scott limited edition bobblehead designed with Trav's signature style.

Sure, it might not be as valuable as the T206 Honus Wagner or a 1956 Mickey Mantle, but Topps' '25 signed Larry David card, which just sold for over 10 racks at auction, is MUCH COOLER!

The one-of-one card features a photo of the "Seinfeld" creator and "Curb Your Enthusiasm" star from a classic episode of 'Curb,' "Mister Softee" ... where David's wearing his "Yari’s Autonomics" softball uniform (very apropos).

Fans of the show will remember Larry making a Bill Buckner-type error, costing Yari's the championship.

Sorry, ladies of Los Angeles -- new Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki is off the market ... revealing he's a married man!!

The right-handed pitcher shared the personal news on his Instagram ... saying, "I recently registered my marriage with a non-celebrity woman."

"It's a new start both in my personal and professional life, and I'm full of hope and anxiety,
but we'll work hard together as a couple, so I hope you'll continue to support us."

The New York Yankees shocked the baseball world on Friday -- the team dropped their longstanding facial hair ban ... paving the way for players to grow out their beards!!!

Team owner Hal Steinbrenner made the announcement a few minutes ago, saying he has recently spoken with current and former Yankees regarding the organizational longstanding policy AGAINST beards.

"Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards going forward," Hal said.

The Dodgers' franchise has fielded a team every year for over a century, but Adrian Gonzalez tells TMZ Sports this year's iteration has a chance to be L.A.'s best EVER.

We chopped it up with the former Dodgers All-Star out at LAX this week just before Los Angeles kicked off its first spring training games of the year ... and when we asked him just how good the guys can be in '25, he didn't mince words.

"I know it could be best team of all-time," he said. "For sure."