Latest news with #WorldSeries
Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Cubs' Kyle Tucker still a fan favorite in his first return to Houston since leaving the Astros
HOUSTON — Three years ago, a Houston Astros fan's sign caught Kyle Tucker's attention from right field at Daikin Park. Grace Gonzales, then 6, held up a poster next to her dad, Antonio, down the right field line during Houston's game Aug. 27, 2022, that conveyed to Tucker that he was her favorite player. Written in multi colors, 'Tucker you're my bestie!' popped off the white board. As he finished playing catch with the ball boy between innings that day, Tucker noticed the message and tossed the baseball to Grace. It cemented Tucker's status as her No. 1 player — even after the Astros traded him to the Chicago Cubs in December. 'When I picked her up from school, I told her, 'I forgot to tell you, Tucker got traded,' Antonio Gonzales of South Houston recalled to the Tribune. 'She said, 'Grandma already told me. I looked up the Cubs, and their mascot is a bear, and I like it. I said, 'What?' She goes, 'I think I'm going to be a Cubs fan.'' While Grace, wearing a gray T-shirt with 'King Tuck' written across the front, continues to support the Astros, the Cubs have become her second-favorite team thanks to Tucker. With the Cubs in town for a three-game series this weekend, Antonio, who is in his second year as an Astros season ticket holder, knew they needed to be at the games for Tucker's return and watched the series opener from the first row in right field where Tucker started Friday against Houston. Grace remade the sign Thursday night to bring to Friday's game, featuring a slight edit: 'Tucker you're my bestie!' During pregame batting practice Friday, Tucker spotted Grace, now 9, holding the sign next to her dad, 45, and grandma, Frances, 65, in the fan area near the batting cage. He made sure, as he stopped to sign for fans, to ink her poster with his signature, creating another indelible memory for the Gonzales family. After spending seven years with the Astros and winning a World Series title in 2022, the impact on fans isn't lost on Tucker. 'We wouldn't have a job or be able to come out here and play every single day if it weren't for the fans,' Tucker said before Friday's game. 'They come out and support us every single day, and Houston has a good fan base in that sense. I just try and come out and play in front of the fan base and do what I can out on the field and then also stuff outside the field just to show some support back from a personal level.' The Astros honored Tucker and veteran reliever Ryan Pressly in their first game back in Houston with a 4-minute pregame tribute video that recognized their accomplishments with the organization. After watching the montage from the visitors' dugout, Pressly and Tucker stepped on the field, tipped their caps to the fans giving them an ovation, and gave a wave of acknowledgement to the coaches, staff and players who watched in the Astros' dugout. The series matchup also featured two of the key players the Cubs sent to the Astros in the deal. Isaac Paredes started at third base and batted second while rookie Cam Smith, the Cubs' 2024 first-round draft pick, played right field and hit in the cleanup spot. Asked whether Friday would feel like more than a regular-season game, Tucker downplayed it. 'I'll be all right,' Tucker replied. 'I still got to go out there and compete and kind of try to push that to the side and go out there and compete. We've got a job to do. Our job's to win games.' A trip back to Houston for Pressly means getting a couple of nights to sleep in his own bed. The 36-year-old right-hander and his wife made Houston their year-round home, complicating the offseason decision to waive his no-trade clause to go to the Cubs. Pressly tallied 111 saves and had a 2.81 ERA in seven seasons with the Astros. 'It's kind of emotional being back here, but at the same time, you've still got to go out there and do a job and try to get them out,' Pressly told reporters before the game. 'But I'm happy to be back here for sure.' Tucker and Pressly fittingly share their first trips back to a city that has meant so much to them. The two were already forever connected in Astros history: Pressly was on the mound when the final out was recorded to capture the '22 title against the Philadelphia Phillies, the World Series ending when Tucker ranged into foul territory and caught the ball near the netting to set off the celebration. 'I've got it,' Tucker said of the baseball from the final out. 'It's a cool memento.'
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Arizona governor approves up to $500M in taxpayer funds to upgrade home of Diamondbacks
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed legislation Friday that funds up to $500 million in renovations to Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The bill, which won bipartisan support in both of the state's GOP-controlled chambers, will use sales tax revenue from the stadium and nearby buildings for infrastructure upgrades over the next 30 years, including improvements to air conditioning systems and the stadium's retractable roof. The team said it will also contribute $250 million for the renovations at the stadium, which is located in downtown Phoenix and is surrounded by small businesses and restaurants that see a boost of activity during the baseball season. The legislation is one of a handful of bipartisan deals that Hobbs, a Democrat, prioritized negotiating during the session. She says the funding is a responsible use of taxpayer dollars, will provide good-paying jobs and ensure the Diamondbacks do not leave Phoenix. Attendance at games has increased since the team's 2023 run to the World Series, where the Diamondbacks lost to the Texas Rangers. This season they are averaging 31,420 fans per game — the highest in two decades. 'Without the Diamondbacks in Chase Field, there wouldn't be the tax revenue that's being used,' said Hobbs spokesperson Christian Slater, who confirmed that the governor signed the bill Friday. The bill cleared the Legislature June 23 after months of debate that included the question of whether the Diamondbacks could potentially leave unless a public funding deal was reached. Other MLB teams have threatened to leave host cities if they did not get public financing. The Oakland A's, for example, complained for years about the Oakland Coliseum and an inability to gain government assistance for a new ballpark. Now the team is bound for Las Vegas, where a groundbreaking ceremony was held this month for a $1.75 billion ballpark that is expected to be completed in time for the 2028 season. Nevada and Clark County approved up to $380 million in public funds for the project. And last year voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected an attempt to extend a sales tax that would have helped fund a ballpark for the Kansas City Royals and stadium renovations for the Kansas City Chiefs. Lawmakers in Kansas are trying to lure the teams with government subsidies, and Missouri is trying to keep them with its own financial incentives. The Diamondbacks have spent nearly three decades in their downtown ballpark, which is owned by the Maricopa County Stadium District. In 2017, the team sued the district over funding for repairs and sought to remove a contractual clause preventing the team from looking into other stadium options. A perennial problem has been the park's air conditioning system and its ability to keep it cool in triple-digit summer heat, team president Derrick Hall said. Fans of country music star Morgan Wallen bemoaned the heat at a concert there last July, despite the retractable roof being closed. Concession stands ran out of water, and some people simply left. Chase Field was one of the first MLB stadiums to have a retractable roof. Now seven out of the 30 teams play under one, including the Brewers, Blue Jays, Rangers, Marlins, Astros and Mariners. Chase Field also has a small swimming pool in right field, one of its most recognizable features. The funding from the Legislature will not mean upgrades to the pool or to stadium suites, the latter of which was a sticking point for Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. She got on board after the bill was updated to prevent funds from being used for suites and a cap was placed on how much money the city would contribute for a land deal should the Diamondbacks break from the Stadium District, according to Gallego chief of staff Seth Scott. Hobbs is running for reelection, and while it's too early to say whether the Diamondbacks funding will be part of her campaign messaging, it's another bipartisan win, her communications director Michael Beyer said. Democratic state Sen. Mitzi Epstein, who voted against the funding, said Hobbs' support for the bill was wrong and hurtful for Arizonans. She said she was disappointed that amendments to create public benefits such as free streaming of games failed. ___ Associated Press sports writer David Brandt in Phoenix contributed. ___ The Associated Press' women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Texas Rangers CF Wyatt Langford to IL again with oblique strain while RHP Nathan Eovaldi returns
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers center fielder Wyatt Langford has been put on the 10-day injured list because of an oblique strain for the second time this season. Chris Young, the team's president of baseball operations, said Friday that Langford has a 'very low grade' strain. The second-year outfielder hasn't played since Tuesday in Baltimore. 'Feel like it's just the right thing to do. With two off days, it shortens the amount of games missed,' Young said. 'Just getting this right on the front end.' The Rangers, also before the opener of their home series against Seattle, activated right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the 15-day injured list to start Friday night, exactly one month after his last game before going on the IL because of elbow inflammation. Right-handed reliever Dane Dunning was sent back to Triple-A Round Rock. Michael Helman, a outfielder-middle infielder who was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh last month, was being brought up from Triple-A to take over Langford's roster spot. Young said Langford's issue was 'just on the cusp' of whether he needed to go on the IL. But the move was backdated to Wednesday, and combined with off days for the Rangers on consecutive Thursdays, Langford will miss only eight games if he has the expected minimal IL stay. He would be eligible to return July 5 at San Diego. Langford missed nine games in mid-April while on the IL with a right oblique strain, while the latest issue is on the left side. He is hitting .232 with a team-leading 13 home runs and 31 RBIs. Bradford's surgery Young said Bradford's surgery was successful, and that team physician Dr. Keith Meister did an internal brace procedure rather than a more extensive procedure. The pitcher will still be out at least 10-12 months, but that is shorter than if he had needed Tommy John surgery. Bradford was expected to be part of the starting rotation this season, but was shut down during spring training in mid-March because of elbow soreness. His rehab had been going good until Bradford felt something in his elbow when he resumed throwing after a recent flu bug. The 27-year-old Bradford is 10-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 34 games (21 starts) for Texas the past two seasons. As a rookie, Bradford was 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in five relief appearances during the 2023 playoffs when the Rangers won their first World Series title. He pitched a scoreless inning in both of his World Series appearances. 'The brace procedure, optimistically, would mean a shorter timeline to returning to competition,' Young said. 'All things considered, everything went smoothly. It was the best of the outcomes we could have anticipated.' ___
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
Arizona governor approves up to $500M in taxpayer funds to upgrade home of Diamondbacks
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed legislation Friday that funds up to $500 million in renovations to Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The bill, which won bipartisan support in both of the state's GOP-controlled chambers, will use sales tax revenue from the stadium and nearby buildings for infrastructure upgrades over the next 30 years, including improvements to air conditioning systems and the stadium's retractable roof. The team said it will also contribute $250 million for the renovations at the stadium, which is located in downtown Phoenix and is surrounded by small businesses and restaurants that see a boost of activity during the baseball season. The legislation is one of a handful of bipartisan deals that Hobbs, a Democrat, prioritized negotiating during the session. She says the funding is a responsible use of taxpayer dollars, will provide good-paying jobs and ensure the Diamondbacks do not leave Phoenix. Attendance at games has increased since the team's 2023 run to the World Series, where the Diamondbacks lost to the Texas Rangers. This season they are averaging 31,420 fans per game — the highest in two decades. 'Without the Diamondbacks in Chase Field, there wouldn't be the tax revenue that's being used,' said Hobbs spokesperson Christian Slater, who confirmed that the governor signed the bill Friday. The bill cleared the Legislature June 23 after months of debate that included the question of whether the Diamondbacks could potentially leave unless a public funding deal was reached. Other MLB teams have threatened to leave host cities if they did not get public financing. The Oakland A's, for example, complained for years about the Oakland Coliseum and an inability to gain government assistance for a new ballpark. Now the team is bound for Las Vegas, where a groundbreaking ceremony was held this month for a $1.75 billion ballpark that is expected to be completed in time for the 2028 season. Nevada and Clark County approved up to $380 million in public funds for the project. And last year voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected an attempt to extend a sales tax that would have helped fund a ballpark for the Kansas City Royals and stadium renovations for the Kansas City Chiefs. Lawmakers in Kansas are trying to lure the teams with government subsidies, and Missouri is trying to keep them with its own financial incentives. The Diamondbacks have spent nearly three decades in their downtown ballpark, which is owned by the Maricopa County Stadium District. In 2017, the team sued the district over funding for repairs and sought to remove a contractual clause preventing the team from looking into other stadium options. A perennial problem has been the park's air conditioning system and its ability to keep it cool in triple-digit summer heat, team president Derrick Hall said. Fans of country music star Morgan Wallen bemoaned the heat at a concert there last July, despite the retractable roof being closed. Concession stands ran out of water, and some people simply left. Chase Field was one of the first MLB stadiums to have a retractable roof. Now seven out of the 30 teams play under one, including the Brewers, Blue Jays, Rangers, Marlins, Astros and Mariners. Chase Field also has a small swimming pool in right field, one of its most recognizable features. The funding from the Legislature will not mean upgrades to the pool or to stadium suites, the latter of which was a sticking point for Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. She got on board after the bill was updated to prevent funds from being used for suites and a cap was placed on how much money the city would contribute for a land deal should the Diamondbacks break from the Stadium District, according to Gallego chief of staff Seth Scott. Hobbs is running for reelection, and while it's too early to say whether the Diamondbacks funding will be part of her campaign messaging, it's another bipartisan win, her communications director Michael Beyer said. Democratic state Sen. Mitzi Epstein, who voted against the funding, said Hobbs' support for the bill was wrong and hurtful for Arizonans. She said she was disappointed that amendments to create public benefits such as free streaming of games failed. ___
Hamilton Spectator
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Texas Rangers CF Wyatt Langford to IL again with oblique strain while RHP Nathan Eovaldi returns
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Texas Rangers center fielder Wyatt Langford has been put on the 10-day injured list because of an oblique strain for the second time this season. Chris Young, the team's president of baseball operations, said Friday that Langford has a 'very low grade' strain. The second-year outfielder hasn't played since Tuesday in Baltimore. 'Feel like it's just the right thing to do. With two off days, it shortens the amount of games missed,' Young said. 'Just getting this right on the front end.' The Rangers, also before the opener of their home series against Seattle, activated right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the 15-day injured list to start Friday night, exactly one month after his last game before going on the IL because of elbow inflammation. Right-handed reliever Dane Dunning was sent back to Triple-A Round Rock. Michael Helman, a outfielder-middle infielder who was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh last month, was being brought up from Triple-A to take over Langford's roster spot. Young said Langford's issue was 'just on the cusp' of whether he needed to go on the IL. But the move was backdated to Wednesday, and combined with off days for the Rangers on consecutive Thursdays, Langford will miss only eight games if he has the expected minimal IL stay. He would be eligible to return July 5 at San Diego. Langford missed nine games in mid-April while on the IL with a right oblique strain, while the latest issue is on the left side. He is hitting .232 with a team-leading 13 home runs and 31 RBIs. Bradford's surgery Left-hander Cody Bradford was back in the clubhouse with teammates and went to the pregame pitching meeting Friday, two days season-ending elbow surgery . Young said Bradford's surgery was successful, and that team physician Dr. Keith Meister did an internal brace procedure rather than a more extensive procedure. The pitcher will still be out at least 10-12 months, but that is shorter than if he had needed Tommy John surgery. Bradford was expected to be part of the starting rotation this season, but was shut down during spring training in mid-March because of elbow soreness. His rehab had been going good until Bradford felt something in his elbow when he resumed throwing after a recent flu bug. The 27-year-old Bradford is 10-6 with a 4.28 ERA in 34 games (21 starts) for Texas the past two seasons. As a rookie, Bradford was 1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in five relief appearances during the 2023 playoffs when the Rangers won their first World Series title. He pitched a scoreless inning in both of his World Series appearances. 'The brace procedure, optimistically, would mean a shorter timeline to returning to competition,' Young said. 'All things considered, everything went smoothly. It was the best of the outcomes we could have anticipated.' ___ AP MLB:
