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USA Today
02-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Clayton Kershaw's first strikeout victim still in awe as Dodgers ace hits 3,000 Ks
There was actually laughter in the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse that morning at Dodger Stadium before facing the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Cardinals didn't have any tape of the 20-year-old kid who was going to make his major-league debut that afternoon, May 25, 2008. No one had any scouting reports. No one faced him in the minors. So, they began asking each other if anyone knew anything about the Dodgers' prized prospect. 'Someone said they heard that he could be the next Rick Ankiel," Schumaker tells USA TODAY Sports. 'No way. There is no way his stuff could be as good as Rick Ankiel's before he became a position player. So we are laughing that someone thought he could have a curveball as good as Ankiel's." Schumaker was leading off for the Cardinals and stepped to the plate with a game plan. 'I figured I was going to ambush him and welcome him to the big leagues," Schumaker says. 'The first pitch was an elevated fastball. It was harder and faster than I thought, and I swung and missed. Then he threw a curveball. It was something different. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. 'And then, well, I struck out." Now, 17 years and one month later – 6,247 days to be exact – that strikeout is immortalized in baseball history. It was Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw's first career strikeout, making Schumaker his first victim. Kershaw since has produced 2,996 more strikeouts in his future Hall of Fame career, and with three more strikeouts on Wednesday night against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium, he can become only the 20th pitcher in baseball history to strike out 3,000 in his career. Kershaw, 37, the 10-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young winner, two-time World Series champion and MVP, will be only the fourth left-hander in baseball history to achieve 3,000 strikeouts, joining Hall of Famers Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson and CC Sabathia. Most important to Kershaw, he'll be only the third to produce 3,000 strikeouts wearing just one uniform, accomplished only by Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson. 'Clayton Kershaw," Schumaker says, 'is the most dominant pitcher I've ever played against in my career. I've never seen anybody like him. 'If anybody deserves a statue outside Dodger Stadium it's Clayton Kershaw. How cool is it for him to have just one uniform, especially in LA, and then have a statue of him in front of that stadium? 'It's unbelievable what he's meant to that organization, and really, what he's meant for baseball." Schumaker, a career .278 hitter who hit .300 or better three consecutive seasons and never struck out more than 69 times in a season, faced Kershaw six more times in his career, including twice more that afternoon. He finished 0-for-7 off Kershaw. And struck out six times. 'The only time I even made contact off him," Schumaker says, 'I grounded into a double play. How's that?" So, does Kershaw ever bring up to Schumaker that he was his first strikeout victim? 'Oh, only every time I see him," laughs Schumaker, now a senior advisor with the Texas Rangers. 'He remembers. And how could I ever forget? 'You don't know at the time, it being his first start, but he just has that special unique look, and with the combination of his stuff, it's just so different. I knew he had a chance to be special, but I didn't know it was going to be 3,000 strikeouts, three Cy Young awards and 16 years in the big leagues special." Schumaker, who was traded to the Dodgers before the 2013 season, fully grasped Kershaw's greatness in their first game together on Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants. Kershaw threw a four-hit, complete-game shutout. 'I remember just looking at each other on the bench," Schumaker says, 'What the hell are we watching here? What is this?' He's this dominant on Opening Day? What's the rest of the season going to look like?" Kershaw went 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA that season, pitching a career-high 236 innings with an NL-best 232 strikeouts, winning his second Cy Young award. 'Just to see him work, and know what kind of person he is," Schumaker says, 'that's what makes this so special. He's the ultimate teammate. He's the ultimate competitor. And he's the ultimate person." Kershaw, who won the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable work in 2012, is revered throughout baseball for his generosity, autographing baseballs, jerseys, or whatever is needed for charities, schools and programs. When Schumaker was trying to help a group of kids from being discouraged during the 2020 COVID summer that cancelled their travel ball season, Kershaw spent an hour on a Zoom call with Schumaker and 15 kids. 'It was one of the most special moments that these kids will always treasure," Schumaker says. 'That's why he's so easy to root for. I can't wait to watch him get his 3,000th." Kershaw will be the first pitcher to achieve 3,000 strikeouts since Max Scherzer in 2021. The next closest to 3,000 strikeout is 36-year-old Chris Sale with 2,528 strikeouts. 'I think it's cool man," says San Francisco Giants 42-year-old starter Justin Verlander, the three-time Cy Young winner, who leads all active pitchers with 3,471 strikeouts and 262 victories. 'I think the game should celebrate stuff like that and people lile him because it's clearly going away. There are very few of us left. So any time you get a moment to celebrate something like that, you don't know if you'll ever see it again. 'I'm looking forward to seeing it, and I'll surely reach out and congratulate him." Schumaker, who competed against Kershaw for eight seasons during his career, played with him during the 2013 season, and even managed against him for two seasons while with the Miami Marlins, isn't about to miss Kershaw's start either. He plans on plopping down on his couch Wednesday night at home with his 17-year-old son, Brody, who has Kershaw's autographed jersey hanging in his room, watching history. 'It's just crazy to see him keep doing this," Schumaker says. 'You didn't know if he would even come back after a couple of surgeries. He comes back, and even though he's throwing 89-91 [mph] now instead of 97, he's still beating guys inside with his fastball, and pitches with so much intent and conviction." Kershaw, who didn't start pitching this season for the Dodgers until May 17 after undergoing knee and toe surgeries during the off-season, is 4-0 with a 3.03 ERA, striking out 29 batters in 38 ⅔ innings. Who knows how much longer he'll pitch, or how long his body holds out – but the way he's going, why stop now? 'It's cool to have moments like these that shake you up a little bit," Verlander says. 'Getting to that number kind of puts things in perspective. But the great ones don't rest on their laurels. They keep working hard, put their nose to the grindstone, and want to keep being great. 'That's Kershaw." Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Who will replace the three fired MLB coaches as Pirates, Rockies and Orioles race for replacements
Who will replace the three fired MLB coaches as Pirates, Rockies and Orioles race for replacements (Image Source: Getty Images) The 2025 MLB season has just begun, but already three teams have dismissed their managers with poor starts. The Pirates, Rockies, and Orioles have all brought in new coaches, hoping to change the tide before the season gets away from them. Each team may replace its interim manager by the offseason, with a long-term leader. Following are five solid candidates who might be brought in to lead these struggling teams to a brighter future. Skip Schumaker adds youth and playoff know-how Skip Schumaker guided the Miami Marlins to a rare winning season and earned NL Manager of the Year honors. Even with an otherwise difficult second season, Schumaker's inaugural season demonstrated that he can manage a young team. Being a veteran player who has seen time in a World Series and is well-liked for meshing with young players, he would be a great pickup for teams like the Orioles or Pirates, both of whom have lively young talent. Known for his upbeat demeanor and leadership abilities, Schumaker has quickly become a favorite of the next wave of managers. David Ross coached the Cubs for three seasons, taking them through a rebuild and a winning season – in 2023. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo As a bonus, Ross has two World Series rings as a player which gives him immediate credibility in the clubhouse. He also played briefly as a member of the Pirates in 2005, so it may be more interesting to go back to Pittsburgh if the team wants someone who knows the fans and city. George Lombard and Craig Albernaz are on rise George Lombard, the Tigers' current bench coach, is making waves throughout MLB. Although he has not yet managed, he has assisted Detroit in becoming a top team and is admired for his ability to coach outfielders and base running. At age 49, he provides youthful vigor and contemporary style that the Orioles or Rockies may require. Craig Albernaz is another elite young name. He serves as the bench coach for the Guardians at present and has meshed well with Cleveland pitching staff. At only 41, Albernaz has already made many impressions with his leadership and game planning abilities. He would be a great asset in repairing weak pitching units, particularly in Baltimore or Colorado. Brad Ausmus is the most veteran of the group of five. He managed the Tigers and Angels and is now serving as the Yankees' bench coach. Ausmus also had a long MLB playing career as a catcher, known for his smart play and leadership. Though some believe he may be aiming for a front-office job, his experience managing young teams makes him a good option. He's particularly well-positioned for a club that requires someone with a powerful voice and experience in both players and front-office tasks. Also Read: "He's Gonna Be Something Special": Aaron Judge Reacts To George Lombard Jr.'S Impressive Performance During Spring Training Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
News.com.au
28-04-2025
- Politics
- News.com.au
Donald Trump's efforts to ‘wrest power' from America's courts and Congress ‘unprecedented' and ‘authoritarian in nature'
Donald Trump's disregard for the rule of law and attempts to hoard power for himself are 'truly alarming' and 'authoritarian in nature', an expert has warned. And they are escalating. Dr Kathryn Schumaker, a senior lecturer in American Studies for the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, told the Trump administration had spent its first months trying to 'wrest away power' from Congress and the courts. 'The disregard the Trump administration has for the rule of law is truly alarming, and it is on a scale that has never been seen before in US politics,' Dr Schumaker told 'Other presidents have ignored the courts – Andrew Jackson's policy toward Native Americans is the clearest example. 'But the sheer number of executive orders issued by Trump that attempt to dictate law and policy, where the executive branch does not have that authority, is unprecedented.' 'A clear violation': Trump's most brazen move It's most blatant in the administration's immigration policies. Dr Schumaker pointed, in particular, to Mr Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798, to justify his deportation of migrants without due process. 'His administration is claiming sweeping authority under the executive's war powers by making specious claims that the US is being 'invaded' by immigrants and fentanyl,' said Dr Schumaker, adding that the Alien and Sedition Acts were 'highly controversial' even in the era during which they was passed. The Enemies Act has only been used three times before, during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II. 'Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, and James Madison, who wrote the US Constitution, were some of the most vocal critics of it as an unconstitutional overreach of federal power,' she said. 'Jefferson and Madison argued that these laws were so abhorrent to the letter and spirit of the US Constitution that states had the authority to nullify and refuse to enforce them.' In this case, the obvious problem is the Trump administration invoking a wartime law when the United States is not, in fact, at war. 'Trump's executive orders have had devastating consequences in many areas, but the human cost of these policies is most apparent in immigration. Trumps administration is disregarding basic constitutional rights, including the right to due process of law,' said Dr Shumaker. 'Every person in the United States is supposed to be afforded the right to due process, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, per the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution. 'We have seen what happens when people are denied due process – Juan Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported and is incarcerated in El Salvador, and over the weekend the news broke that, evidently, a two-year-old US citizen was deported to Honduras.' The two-year-old in question has an American father and Honduran mother. It seems the Trump administration deported the toddler with her mother and 11-year-old sister. A hearing has been scheduled for May to deal with a judge's 'strong suspicion the government just deported a US citizen with no meaningful process'. Mr Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador, where he is now being held in the country's notorious Cecot megaprison, otherwise known as the Terrorism Confinement Centre. He had been an illegal immigrant to the United States, but was later subject to a court order forbidding the government from deporting him, due to fears for his safety in El Salvador. The government has conceded, in court, that he was deported due to an 'administrative error', but the White House has indicated it has no intention of bringing him back – a stance that also defies court orders. He is married to a US citizen, with whom he shares a disabled child. 'Things like this are happening because the Trump administration is loading people on planes before a court can determine whether the deportation is legal or not,' said Dr Shumaker. 'This is lawless behaviour on the part of immigration officials. It is a clear violation of the principle of due process of law.' 'Authoritarian in nature' Immigration, of course, is not the only area of government conduct at issue here. For example, the Constitution explicitly gives Congress, not the executive branch, power over federal government spending. The DOGE team appointed by Mr Trump is asserting a right to cut that spending unilaterally, and to shut down congressionally approved programs. So that's a usurpation of the legislative branch's powers. Trump officials have kept asserting that Mr Trump, not the court system, should be the ultimate authority on which actions taken by his administration are constitutional. That is a usurpation of the judicial branch's powers. 'Trump's actions are authoritarian in nature,' Dr Shumaker said. 'His administration is attempting to consolidate power in the executive branch, wresting away power from the courts and especially from Congress. I do not think Congress is doing enough to assert its authority to check the Trump administration. 'Immigration is a clear example of this. Congress can and should legislate in this area – but the same is true for the massive funding cuts that the administration has made via DOGE and other avenues. 'Congress holds the power of the purse. These are funds that were allocated by Congress, and yet the Trump Administration is acting as if the executive branch holds that power. 'The judiciary and the legislative branch can and should rebuke this, but the Trump administration seems determined to ignore judicial rulings and statutory law. This is why critics have accused the administration of authoritarian impulses.' Anti-judge campaign 'escalates' There is an unmistakeable hostility, from both Mr Trump himself and the rest of his administration, towards judges who rule against him. This isn't new – the President has been calling certain judges corrupt since he entered politics. But the rhetoric is getting harsher, while the administration is threatening to act. In the past few days, for example, the FBI arrested Hannah Dugan, a judge in Wisconsin. It claims she obstructed the arrest of an illegal immigrant. This arrest was accompanied by what might be described as a concerted PR campaign. 'What is happening to our courts is beyond me,' said Attorney-General Pam Bondi, America's top law enforcement officer. 'They're deranged.' No one is above the law — FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) April 26, 2025 Dr Schumaker agreed that this arrest marked 'a significant escalation'. 'It seems that Trump is not satisfied to have appointed a huge number of federal judges and three Supreme Court justices – he is also attempting to intimidate the entire judiciary. It seems the administration hopes other judges, fearful for their own personal safety, will rule in ways that give Trump yet more power,' she said. Too many Americans 'not bothered' You may read this wondering why Australians should care about the Trump administration, across the Atlantic, pushing these longstanding boundaries. 'These issues already affect anyone on a visa attempting to enter the US or stay there,' said Dr Schumaker. 'We have already seen stories of visas and permanent residency being revoked, as has happened to university student protesters who are critical of Israel's actions in Gaza. But we have also seen stories of Australians being detained and deported without a clear reason. 'There's a bigger issue, too, of how the actions of the Trump administration might embolden other right-wing parties and undermine democracies in other parts of the world.' Meanwhile, the fact that so many Americans seem to not be particularly 'bothered' by this 'authoritarian streak' will make Mr Trump's power grabs harder to restrain. 'Even though the Trump administration's actions are shocking to many observers, it seems that a large portion of Americans are not bothered by what is happening,' she noted. 'His approval rating is falling, but the most recent AP/NORC poll shows that 46 per cent of Americans polled approve of his immigration policy. That's nearly half of everyone polled! It appears that many Americans are not bothered by Trump's authoritarian streak. 'I think this shows just how fragile US democracy is at the moment. If such a large proportion of people don't think the rule of law matters, then it's going to be very difficult for an effective response to come through traditional political mechanisms.'
Daily Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Telegraph
Donald Trump's efforts to ‘wrest power' are ‘unprecedented' and ‘authoritarian in nature'
Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. Donald Trump's disregard for the rule of law and attempts to hoard power for himself are 'truly alarming' and 'authoritarian in nature', an expert has warned. And they are escalating. Dr Kathryn Schumaker, a senior lecturer in American Studies for the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, told the Trump administration had spent its first months trying to 'wrest away power' from Congress and the courts. 'The disregard the Trump administration has for the rule of law is truly alarming, and it is on a scale that has never been seen before in US politics,' Dr Schumaker told 'Other presidents have ignored the courts – Andrew Jackson's policy toward Native Americans is the clearest example. 'But the sheer number of executive orders issued by Trump that attempt to dictate law and policy, where the executive branch does not have that authority, is unprecedented.' Donald Trump's actions are 'unprecedented'. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP 'A clear violation': Trump's most brazen move It's most blatant in the administration's immigration policies. Dr Schumaker pointed, in particular, to Mr Trump's invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798, to justify his deportation of migrants without due process. 'His administration is claiming sweeping authority under the executive's war powers by making specious claims that the US is being 'invaded' by immigrants and fentanyl,' said Dr Schumaker, adding that the Alien and Sedition Acts were 'highly controversial' even in the era during which they was passed. The Enemies Act has only been used three times before, during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II. 'Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, and James Madison, who wrote the US Constitution, were some of the most vocal critics of it as an unconstitutional overreach of federal power,' she said. 'Jefferson and Madison argued that these laws were so abhorrent to the letter and spirit of the US Constitution that states had the authority to nullify and refuse to enforce them.' In this case, the obvious problem is the Trump administration invoking a wartime law when the United States is not, in fact, at war. Mr Trump claims the deportees are members of foreign gangs, and therefore equiavelent to enemy nationals during a war. Picture: Brendan Smialowski/AFP 'Trump's executive orders have had devastating consequences in many areas, but the human cost of these policies is most apparent in immigration. Trumps administration is disregarding basic constitutional rights, including the right to due process of law,' said Dr Shumaker. 'Every person in the United States is supposed to be afforded the right to due process, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, per the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution. 'We have seen what happens when people are denied due process – Juan Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported and is incarcerated in El Salvador, and over the weekend the news broke that, evidently, a two-year-old US citizen was deported to Honduras.' The two-year-old in question has an American father and Honduran mother. It seems the Trump administration deported the toddler with her mother and 11-year-old sister. A hearing has been scheduled for May to deal with a judge's 'strong suspicion the government just deported a US citizen with no meaningful process'. Mr Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador, where he is now being held in the country's notorious Cecot megaprison, otherwise known as the Terrorism Confinement Centre. He had been an illegal immigrant to the United States, but was later subject to a court order forbidding the government from deporting him, due to fears for his safety in El Salvador. The government has conceded, in court, that he was deported due to an 'administrative error', but the White House has indicated it has no intention of bringing him back – a stance that also defies court orders. He is married to a US citizen, with whom he shares a disabled child. 'Things like this are happening because the Trump administration is loading people on planes before a court can determine whether the deportation is legal or not,' said Dr Shumaker. 'This is lawless behaviour on the part of immigration officials. It is a clear violation of the principle of due process of law.' A cohort of migrants deported from the US arriving at El Salvador's Cecot prison. Picture: El Salvador's Presidency Press Office/AFP 'Authoritarian in nature' Immigration, of course, is not the only area of government conduct at issue here. For example, the Constitution explicitly gives Congress, not the executive branch, power over federal government spending. The DOGE team appointed by Mr Trump is asserting a right to cut that spending unilaterally, and to shut down congressionally approved programs. So that's a usurpation of the legislative branch's powers. Trump officials have kept asserting that Mr Trump, not the court system, should be the ultimate authority on which actions taken by his administration are constitutional. That is a usurpation of the judicial branch's powers. 'Trump's actions are authoritarian in nature,' Dr Shumaker said. 'His administration is attempting to consolidate power in the executive branch, wresting away power from the courts and especially from Congress. I do not think Congress is doing enough to assert its authority to check the Trump administration. 'Immigration is a clear example of this. Congress can and should legislate in this area – but the same is true for the massive funding cuts that the administration has made via DOGE and other avenues. 'Congress holds the power of the purse. These are funds that were allocated by Congress, and yet the Trump Administration is acting as if the executive branch holds that power. 'The judiciary and the legislative branch can and should rebuke this, but the Trump administration seems determined to ignore judicial rulings and statutory law. This is why critics have accused the administration of authoritarian impulses.' Congress is not trying to reassert its own power. It is controlled by Mr Trump's party. Picture: Mandel Ngan/AFP Anti-judge campaign 'escalates' There is an unmistakeable hostility, from both Mr Trump himself and the rest of his administration, towards judges who rule against him. This isn't new – the President has been calling certain judges corrupt since he entered politics. But the rhetoric is getting harsher, while the administration is threatening to act. In the past few days, for example, the FBI arrested Hannah Dugan, a judge in Wisconsin. It claims she obstructed the arrest of an illegal immigrant. This arrest was accompanied by what might be described as a concerted PR campaign. 'What is happening to our courts is beyond me,' said Attorney-General Pam Bondi, America's top law enforcement officer. 'They're deranged.' Dr Schumaker agreed that this arrest marked 'a significant escalation'. 'It seems that Trump is not satisfied to have appointed a huge number of federal judges and three Supreme Court justices – he is also attempting to intimidate the entire judiciary. It seems the administration hopes other judges, fearful for their own personal safety, will rule in ways that give Trump yet more power,' she said. Too many Americans 'not bothered' You may read this wondering why Australians should care about the Trump administration, across the Atlantic, pushing these longstanding boundaries. 'These issues already affect anyone on a visa attempting to enter the US or stay there,' said Dr Schumaker. 'We have already seen stories of visas and permanent residency being revoked, as has happened to university student protesters who are critical of Israel's actions in Gaza. But we have also seen stories of Australians being detained and deported without a clear reason. 'There's a bigger issue, too, of how the actions of the Trump administration might embolden other right-wing parties and undermine democracies in other parts of the world.' Mr Trump's actions risk 'emboldening' other right-wing parties around the world. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP Meanwhile, the fact that so many Americans seem to not be particularly 'bothered' by this 'authoritarian streak' will make Mr Trump's power grabs harder to restrain. 'Even though the Trump administration's actions are shocking to many observers, it seems that a large portion of Americans are not bothered by what is happening,' she noted. 'His approval rating is falling, but the most recent AP/NORC poll shows that 46 per cent of Americans polled approve of his immigration policy. That's nearly half of everyone polled! It appears that many Americans are not bothered by Trump's authoritarian streak. 'I think this shows just how fragile US democracy is at the moment. If such a large proportion of people don't think the rule of law matters, then it's going to be very difficult for an effective response to come through traditional political mechanisms.' Originally published as Donald Trump's efforts to 'wrest power' from America's courts and Congress 'unprecedented' and 'authoritarian in nature'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Schumaker, Pettitte, Holliday to be US coaches at next year's World Baseball Classic
Schumaker, Pettitte, Holliday to be US coaches at next year's World Baseball Classic Former Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker will be the U.S. bench coach and former New York Yankees star Andy Pettitte will be pitching coach for manager Mark DeRosa at next year's World Baseball Classic. Matt Holliday, a seven-time All-Star and the father of Baltimore infielder Jackson Holliday, will be hitting coach, USA Baseball said Friday. Advertisement Dino Ebel returns from DeRosa's 2023 staff as third base coach and George Lombard will be first base coach. DeRosa's staff also includes former major league managers Fredi González (assistant manager) and David Ross (bullpen coach) along with Brian McCann and Michael Young as assistant managers. The tournament runs from March 5-17 with games played in Houston, Miami, Tokyo and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Japan is defending champion. ___ AP MLB:
