Category: Baseball

Curt Simmons, Last of the Phillies’ Whiz Kids, Dies at 93

The New York Times – Sports:
A three-time All Star pitcher, he helped Philadelphia win the pennant in 1950 and was with the Cardinals when they won the 1964 World Series.
Mets Will Add Japan’s Kodai Senga on 5-Year, $75 Million Deal

The New York Times – Sports:
Kodai Senga will bring his “ghost fork” pitch and his championship pedigree to the Mets in a deal that will push the team’s 2023 spending past $400 million.
MLB Teams Spend More Than $2 Billion on Free Agents

The New York Times – Sports:
Baseball was in a spending mood at the winter meetings, where the Mets added Justin Verlander, the Yankees kept Aaron Judge and San Diego splurged on Xander Bogaerts.
Is Aaron Judge the Next Yankees Captain?

The New York Times – Sports:
With a new contract in place, the next step for Judge may be following in the footsteps of Lou Gehrig, Thurman Munson, Derek Jeter and others as the team’s captain.
Aaron Judge and Yankees Agree on Deal That Works for Both Sides

The New York Times – Sports:
In a monster deal that was fueled by a team’s desperation and a player’s desire for a legacy, Aaron Judge will stay with the Yankees. His marching orders are clear: Win.
Aaron Judge Returning to Yankees on $360 Million Deal

The New York Times – Sports:
Judge, who hit 62 home runs in 2022 and won the A.L.’s Most Valuable Player Award, will commit to nine more seasons with the club that drafted him.
Texas Rangers Go All-In to Build an Instant Contender

The New York Times – Sports:
By signing Jacob deGrom and hiring Manager Bruce Bochy and the pitching coach Mike Maddux, the Rangers want to compete in the rugged A.L. West. Now.
Sal Durante, Who Caught a Bit of Baseball History, Dies at 81

The New York Times – Sports:
At Yankee Stadium on Oct. 1, 1961, Mr. Durante, a 19-year-old truck driver, stood on his seat in right field and nabbed Roger Maris’s 61st home run one-handed.
Brian Cashman Returns to Yankees On Four-Year Contract

The New York Times – Sports:
With Brian Cashman’s deal finally done, the team’s focus is now squarely on re-signing Aaron Judge.
Building a Hall of Fame Out of Non-Hall of Famers

The New York Times – Sports:
Because the criteria for what makes a Hall of Famer has become confusing in recent years, it is worth comparing baseball players not in the Hall with those who are.
Mets and Justin Verlander Agree on Two-Year, $86 Million Contract

The New York Times – Sports:
Verlander, who won his third career Cy Young Award in 2022, will join the Mets on a two-year deal, effectively replacing Jacob deGrom.
Fred McGriff Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

The New York Times – Sports:
A popular first baseman who had a season in each league as the home run leader, McGriff was elected by a committee that rejected Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens.