Latest news with #Hoffman
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Padres Legend States Rivalry With Dodgers 'Good For Game'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres rivalry has seen a rise in intensity in recent years, with both teams competing and the Dodgers securing a World Series title last season. It came to a boiling point with star players from both teams being hit multiple times during their most recent series, including a bench-clearing incident where Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shoved Padres skipper Mike Schildt. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: Both benches clear after Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres was hit by a pitch by Jack Little #81 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 19: Both benches clear after Fernando Tatis Jr. #23 of the San Diego Padres was hit by a pitch by Jack Little #81 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 19, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. More Photo byThe recent playoff success of the Dodgers and their dominance of the National League West have certainly struck a nerve with the Padres, and the recent playoff encounters have added to their shared pot of hatred. In the four-game series, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was hit twice, while Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit three times. Both managers were ejected during the series, and tensions came to their peak when Tatis was hit in the ninth inning, causing both benches to clear. Former Padre and Hall of Fame reliever Trevor Hoffman enjoys seeing the animosity between the franchises. "It's a little bit of an old-school feel," Hoffman said about the rivalry to Fox News. "Honestly, I think it's good for the game," Hoffman continued. "These guys have a lot of respect for each other and know how important these games are. Both teams are filled with talent, and with the division race being tight, each game between the two will have a playoff atmosphere surrounding it. Hoffman called the series against the Dodgers "a measuring stick." If the Padres want to overtake the division and be the kings of the West, they will have to dethrone the current holder of the crown. More MLB: Clayton Kershaw Calls Cardinals 'Bush League' For Showing Postseason Highlight
Global News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Global News
Free transit, fan-zone ferris wheel: Toronto's Rogers Stadium set to open
Live Nation Canada is offering a first look at a new open-air music venue set to host some of the world's biggest acts this summer. A tour of the expansive 50,000-capacity Rogers Stadium at Downsview Park in North York showed blue plastic chairs lining the edge of the venue's bowl, and a stripped-down stage ready to be retrofitted to an artist's needs. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected for a string of 14 concerts running through September, starting Sunday with K-pop group Stray Kids. A ferris wheel anchors the fan zone, where concertgoers can buy food and drinks from vendors, or visit two private eateries that require reservations in advance of a show. The fan zone will open a couple of hours before the start of a show to stagger the entry of attendees. Live Nation President of Music Erik Hoffman says a stadium of this size is 'a need' for the city and will inject $100 million into the local economy this summer. Story continues below advertisement Hoffman said the plan to build Rogers Stadium came about after British rock band Coldplay couldn't find a Toronto venue to put on a show in the timeline it needed. 'The idea was born around trying to facilitate them,' Hoffman said. Hoffman said that Toronto is one of the top cities in North America for concerts, though acts looking to play larger venues would often face scheduling conflicts with sports teams. 'So we realized that we could wait around forever and see if somebody builds something bigger or we can build something for ourselves,' he said. 2:04 Toronto's Rogers Stadium on track to open on time, says Live Nation The other perks of a music-first venue, Hoffman said, include having built-in areas for pyrotechnics and fireworks and not having to work around sports equipment that comes with a stadium. Story continues below advertisement Rogers Stadium is now the second-largest venue in the city behind the Rogers Centre, which has a capacity of around 55,000 and is home to the Toronto Blue Jays when not serving as a concert venue. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Confusion surrounding Rogers Stadium's name because of its similarity to Rogers Centre followed its unveiling late last year, something Hoffman said Live Nation understands and is addressing. 'We put out a big campaign clarifying where you're going,' Hoffman said, adding that Live Nation is confident with the information it's putting out to reduce mix-ups. Following each concert this summer, Metrolinx and TTC are offering free rides home from Downsview Station, which is about 10 minutes from the stadium. The TTC is also offering free rides from Sheppard West, Downsview Park and Wilson Stations. Live Nation says it is covering the cost of the free trips and TTC and Metrolinx will provide additional service on concert nights to help manage crowds. While the two August shows by Brit rockers Oasis are sold out, tickets to Coldplay's four nights in July are available through resale and vary in price from several hundred dollars to more than $1,500. Hoffman said ticket prices are set by artists who charge 'what they have to' to put on a large-scale show. 'The scope of a lot of these productions are incredible,' Hoffman said. 'So there are a bunch of costs associated with that.' Story continues below advertisement Although Thursday's tour was dampened by rain, Nathalie Burri, vice president of venues and operations at Live Nation, said events will proceed on rain or shine, just like any festival experience. 'Weather is a massive focus for us,' said Burri. 'The site is very large so there are places we can move people to if there is weather in certain pockets and immediately over us as well.' Concerts will only be cancelled in the case of severe weather, said Burri, adding that a meteorologist is on-site to make that call. Nurses and doctors will also be available to provide care so as to not inundate hospitals. Rogers Stadium will only operate in the summer months, which explains the site's weather-resistant, modular infrastructure, Burri said. 6:00 Municipal Matters: AI and future of Rogers Stadium There are a few white tent structures littered throughout the fan zone that provide areas of shade or protection from rain, along with flushable toiles and sensory, prayer and breast-feeding rooms. Story continues below advertisement 'We've built this so everything is super convenient for fans, staff and artists,' Burri said. While fans are being encouraged to take public transportation, Burri said limited on-site parking exists for premium and accessibility ticket holders. There is also passenger drop off and ride-share area. Behind the stage, an artist space of trailers connected with overhead string lights contain green rooms, a laundry facility, gym and recording studio. Rogers announced earlier this week that it's bringing 5G technology to Rogers Stadium through a $5.2 million in-building network system investment to support all fans at the venue. There is also an on-site entrance exclusively reserved for Rogers customers. The new stadium is fully funded by Live Nation, Burri said, and doesn't interfere with any plans to redevelop the 150-hectare former Downsview Airport lands over the next 30 years. As a temporary venue, Hoffman said Live Nation is still working on what elements of the stadium will stick around for the fall and winter months and how long the stadium will live at Downsview Park. 'It won't be here forever, but it will be here for the next bunch of years for sure,' Hoffman said.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
John Schneider Had Words for Jeff Hoffman After Blue Jays' Loss to White Sox
John Schneider Had Words for Jeff Hoffman After Blue Jays' Loss to White Sox originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Toronto Blue Jays fell 4-2 to the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Center on Sunday, dropping the rubber game of the three-game set and finishing their homestand at .500 (3-3). Chicago mounted a three-run rally in the eighth inning—including a double by Miguel Vargas—after Toronto's offense had tied the game in the seventh. Advertisement The loss was ultimately handed squarely on the shoulders of reliever Jeff Hoffman. The right-hander entered the eighth with a runner on and couldn't field a routine grounder, allowing a run to score. Moments later, he surrendered the go‑ahead RBI double after also surrendered a walk to start the appearance. Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23).John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images After the game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider didn't hesitate to defend his reliever. In a strong message, Schneider communicated his faith in Hoffman. 'We trust the [expletive] out of Jeff Hoffman," Schneider said. "I do. It's easy to point blame at him, but he's been on the other side of us winning a whole lot of games. It's a tough stretch for him, but we know he'll come out of it." Thus far in 2025, Hoffman has tallied 17 saves and struck out 44 batters—but carries a bloated 5.29 ERA and a WHIP of 1.11, with 20 runs allowed in his 34 appearances this season. After his All-Star campaign in 2024, his inconsistency has been a thorn in Toronto's late-game hopes. Advertisement Toronto's situation could be improving soon, including a day off Monday followed by a West Coast trip. The Blue Jays open the next series on Tuesday in Cleveland, with Chris Bassitt expected to start—setting the tone while Hoffman works to regain his form Related: Blue Jays Predicted to Make Trade After Max Scherzer News Related: Blue Jays Make Jose Berrios Announcement After Leaving White Sox Game This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Miguel Vargas's late two-run double lifts White Sox over Blue Jays 4-2
TORONTO - Miguel Vargas doubled in two runs in the eighth inning as the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Sunday afternoon. Luis Robert Jr. hit into a fielder's choice in the fourth inning, with Kyle Teel getting out but giving Chase Meidroth enough time to score for an early Chicago (25-53) lead. Austin Slater also scored in the eighth after Toronto's fielding error allowed Andrew Benintendi to reach base. Adrian Houser allowed two runs on seven hits and three walks over 6 1/3 innings with four strikeouts. Relievers Jordan Leasure (2-4), Brandon Eisert and Grant Taylor didn't allow a run. Bo Bichette had two RBI singles as Toronto (41-36) held a 2-1 lead for half an inning. Alan Roden led off the seventh with the first triple of his career, scoring on Bichette's second basehit of the game. Chris Bassitt struck out seven, giving up just one run on three hits and a walk over six innings of work. Yariel Rodriguez, Brendon Little (3-1), Jeff Hoffman, Nick Sandlin and Braydon Fisher came out of the Blue Jays bullpen. Hoffman allowed two of the runners he inherited from Little to score, and gave up a run of his own, for his fourth blown save of the season. Takeaways White Sox: Houser returned from Chicago's paternity list, having missed his scheduled start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. The veteran right-hander's earned-run average inched up to 2.27 after entering the game with a 2.15 ERA, the fourth-best in the American League before play began Sunday. Blue Jays: Although he didn't drive in any runs or cross the plate on Sunday, Ernie Clement is still one of the hottest hitters in Toronto's lineup. His 2 for 4 day gave him 28 hits in the month of June, and improved his batting average from .304 to .307. Key moment Hoffman, who started the season as Toronto's closer, continued to struggle in the eighth. Benintendi reached first on Hoffman's fielding error, allowing Slater to score. Vargas then doubled to drive in Meidroth and Michael Taylor for a 4-2 Chicago lead. Key stat Blue Jays second baseman Andres Gimenez snapped an 0 for 20 skid at the plate when he singled to left field in the fifth. Up next Toronto has Monday off before beginning a road trip with stops in Cleveland and Boston. The White Sox return home to Chicago to host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2025.
6 days ago
- Sport
Vargas has tiebreaking hit in 8th inning as White Sox rally to beat Blue Jays 4-2
TORONTO -- Miguel Vargas hit a tiebreaking double in the eighth inning and the Chicago White Sox rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Sunday. Vargas had two hits and drove in a pair as the White Sox won a series for the first time since taking two of three against Kansas City from June 6-8. Chicago had lost nine of 10 coming into Sunday's game. The White Sox snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 7-1 win Friday. Bo Bichette's RBI single in the seventh gave Toronto a 2-1 lead but the Blue Jays' bullpen couldn't hold it. Left-hander Brendon Little (3-1) took the loss while closer Jeff Hoffman blew his fourth save opportunity in 21 chances. Activated off the paternity list before the game, White Sox right-hander Adrian Houser allowed two runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. Jordan Leasure (2-4) got two outs in the seventh and Brandon Eisert worked the eighth. Rookie Grant Taylor finished for his first career save. With temperatures in Toronto hovering around 90 degrees and high humidity making it feel even warmer, the retractable roof at Rogers Centre was kept closed Sunday. Hoffman came on in the eighth with two outs and runners at first and second. After walking Chase Meidroth to load the bases, Hoffman fumbled Andrew Benintendi's slow roller, allowing the tying run to score. Vargas followed with his two-run hit. The White Sox won their second road series of the season. They took two of three at Cincinnati from May 13-15. White Sox: RHP Shane Smith (3-4, 2.85 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday against Arizona LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.93). Blue Jays: Toronto had not announced a starter for Tuesday's game at Cleveland. LHP Logan Allen (5-4, 4.21 ERA) is scheduled for the Guardians.
