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Edmonton Journal
10 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
Ex-MLB pitcher Dan Serafini convicted of murdering father-in-law
Dan Serafini, a former pitcher who played seven seasons in the majors, was convicted Monday of murdering his father-in-law in a dispute over $1.3 million US. Article content Serafini, who ended his MLB career with the Colorado Rockies in 2007, was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Robert Gary Spohr, the attempted murder of Spohr's wife Wendy Wood and of first-degree burglary, according to ABC News. Article content Article content Serafini reportedly broke into his in-laws' Homewood, Calif., house on June 5, 2021, and waited three hours before attacking them with a .22-calibre gun, according to prosecutors. Article content Article content Spohr, 70, died in the ambush, while Wood survived after being shot twice in the head. Wood, however, died by suicide in 2023 with family members saying lingering trauma from the incident was a contributing factor. Article content Two children under the age of three also were present in the home at the time of the attack, but were unharmed. Article content Prosecutors reportedly said the incident stemmed from an argument over a ranch renovation project that the elderly couple invested in. Article content 'I'm gonna kill them one day,' Serafini wrote regarding a portion of the investment in a text message prosecutors revealed. Article content Article content He also sent messages saying, 'I will be coming after you,' and, 'Take me to court,' per ABC. Article content Article content Serafini reportedly had received $90,000 from his in-laws on the day of the attack. Article content Adrienne Sphor, the couple's daughter, called it a 'heinous and calculated' crime and said her parents had been 'incredibly generous' to Serafini and his wife Erin. Article content 'It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot and it's been four years of just hell,' Adrienne said Monday. 'Today, finally, justice was served.' Article content 'At this point, our focus is on the sentencing and making sure that Dan Serafini never sees outside of a jail ever again.' Article content Article content Serafini reportedly is being held without bail until his sentencing date, which is set for Aug. 18. Article content Serafini's middling MLB career spanned from 1996-2007, making appearances with six teams including the Rockies, Twins, Cubs, Pirates, Reds and Padres. Article content
Toronto Sun
11 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Ex-MLB pitcher Dan Serafini convicted of murdering father-in-law
Retired pitcher convicted of first-degree murder as well as attempted murder of mother-in-law Dan Serafini throws a pitch for the Colorado Rockies during a game in 2007. Photo by Doug Pensinger / Files / Getty Images Dan Serafini, a former pitcher who played seven seasons in the majors, was convicted Monday of murdering his father-in-law in a dispute over $1.3 million US. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Serafini, who ended his MLB career with the Colorado Rockies in 2007, was found guilty of the first-degree murder of Robert Gary Spohr, the attempted murder of Spohr's wife Wendy Wood and of first-degree burglary, according to ABC News. Serafini reportedly broke into his in-laws' Homewood, Calif., house on June 5, 2021, and waited three hours before attacking them with a .22-calibre gun, according to prosecutors. Spohr, 70, died in the ambush, while Wood survived after being shot twice in the head. Wood, however, died by suicide in 2023 with family members saying lingering trauma from the incident was a contributing factor. Two children under the age of three also were present in the home at the time of the attack, but were unharmed. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Prosecutors reportedly said the incident stemmed from an argument over a ranch renovation project that the elderly couple invested in. 'I'm gonna kill them one day,' Serafini wrote regarding a portion of the investment in a text message prosecutors revealed. He also sent messages saying, 'I will be coming after you,' and, 'Take me to court,' per ABC. Serafini reportedly had received $90,000 from his in-laws on the day of the attack. Adrienne Sphor, the couple's daughter, called it a 'heinous and calculated' crime and said her parents had been 'incredibly generous' to Serafini and his wife Erin. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's been four years since my mom and dad were shot and it's been four years of just hell,' Adrienne said Monday. 'Today, finally, justice was served.' 'At this point, our focus is on the sentencing and making sure that Dan Serafini never sees outside of a jail ever again.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO Serafini reportedly is being held without bail until his sentencing date, which is set for Aug. 18. Serafini's middling MLB career spanned from 1996-2007, making appearances with six teams including the Rockies, Twins, Cubs, Pirates, Reds and Padres. He had a career record of 15-16 over 104 games, including 33 starts, with a staggering ERA of 6.04. Following the 2007 season, Serafini received a 50-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. During an appearance on reality TV show Bar Rescue featuring a Nevada bar Serafini had opened in 2013, the former pitcher claimed he had lost $14 million through bad investments and a divorce settlement. Celebrity Toronto & GTA Columnists Editorial Cartoons NFL
USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska pitcher Luke Broderick selected in the 14th round by the Colorado Rockies
Another Husker was selected on the second day of the 2025 MLB Draft. With the 407th pick, the Colorado Rockies selected pitcher Luke Broderick. Broderick is the second player to be selected in the 2025 draft. Mason McConnaughey was selected by the Texas Rangers in the fourth round. The Omaha, Nebraska, native put together a strong 2025 campaign in his lone season at Nebraska before the draft. He fired 43 strikeouts across 36 innings and held opponents to a .225 batting average. He finished 4-2 on the season with a 3.25 ERA in 27 relief appearances and totaled 13 saves, ranking him sixth all-time in program history. Broderick earned second-team All-Big Ten in 2025 and was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and NCBWA's Preseason and Midseason Stopper of the Year Watch Lists. Before the Huskers, Broderick pitched for Iowa Western Community College, appearing in 21 games. He finished 8-1 with a 5.75 ERA, tossing 69 strikeouts in 56.1 innings in his two years with the Reivers. His play helped the team to a 54-10 overall record and an appearance in the NJCAA DI World Series in 2024. Broderick was also selected to the USA NJCAA All-Star Team and helped Team USA to a championship appearance in 2024. He pitched in one game for Team USA, firing six strikeouts and allowing three hits and no runs across 3.1 innings. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
2025 MLB draft grades: How did teams fare in first 32 selections?
REQUIRED READING: MLB Draft 2025 live tracker: Start time, latest mock, how to watch, draft order The moves allowed for left-hander Kade Anderson, the top-rated pitcher in the draft, to fall to No. 3 overall to the Seattle Mariners and Ethan Holliday, an elite high school hitter, to fall to No. 4 for the Colorado Rockies. The MLB draft almost never ends up how it's projected. Here are USA TODAY Sports' pick grades for the first 32 selections in 2025. 2025 MLB Draft grades Here are the 2025 MLB Draft grades for the first 32 picks, which includes first round picks, prospect promotion incentive picks and compensation picks. Eli Willits, the youngest player ever selected No. 1 overall (17 years old), goes No. 1 overall in a bit of a surprise. Willits, who attends Fort Cobb-Broxton High School in Oklahoma, was projected to be picked No. 4 to the Colorado Rockies by USA TODAY Sports in the lead up to the draft. Willits is a do-it-all shortstop, who projects to be a plus defender at the position with a plus hit tool. He still needs plenty development but has an All-Star ceiling. Willits goes over fellow Oklahoma high schooler Ethan Holliday, and it wouldn't be surprising if Willits signs for under slot value. While it's hard to project future success at the MLB level, UC Santa Barbara right-hander pitcher Tyler Bremner was viewed as a mid-first-round pick behind many other highly regarded college pitchers. Bremner has an elite changeup, but the Angels chose him over the likes of LSU pitcher Kade Anderson, Tennessee's Liam Doyle and Florida State's Jamie Arnold, who were all projected to be selected before Bremner. Maybe the Angels see something in Bremner others don't, but it's not the most popular pick at No. 2 overall. Seattle gets great value at No. 3 overall, selecting LSU left-hander Kade Anderson, a draft-eligible sophomore. Anderson, the top pitcher in the class according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, led college baseball in strikeouts in 2025 and led the Tigers to a national title as a sophomore. Anderson falls into a perfect situation with the Mariners, who are known for having one of the best pitching development programs in MLB. Ethan Holliday falls to No. 4 to the Colorado Rockies, where his dad, seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday, started his MLB career. Holliday, also the younger brother of former No. 1 pick Jackson Holliday, is the top-ranked player in the class, according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, and was projected No. 1 overall by USA TODAY Sports. The Stillwater High School (Oklahoma) product has big-time power at 6-foot-4 and becomes the latest Holliday to enter MLB. Colorado, meanwhile, lands perhaps the best hitter in the draft, and looks to build around the potential cornerstone player. The third college pitcher comes off the board in Liam Doyle, who boasts one of the best fastballs in the class. Doyle tops out at 100 miles per hour, and put together one of the best seasons in college baseball this season at Tennessee after transferring from Ole Miss. He had a 3.20 ERA with 164 strikeouts in 95 2/3 innings this season, having a huge breakout season to break into the first-round conversation. The No. 8-ranked player in the class by MLB Pipeline needs to work on some of his secondary offerings but could find himself in the majors very early in his career. Pirates go best available, grabbing right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez at No. 6 overall. Hernandez was mocked No. 6 overall to the Pirates by USA TODAY Sports. Hernandez, the No. 3-ranked player by MLB Pipeline, has a big 70-grade fastball and also a 60-grade changeup. He's already 19 years old and has the background of being a high school pitcher and likely needs plenty of development before reaching MLB. Still, the Corona High School (California) product has high-end upside potential and is a worthwhile pick for the Pirates. Aiva Arquette, mocked at No. 3 overall by USA TODAY Sports, falls to No. 7 and Miami pounces. He is the No. 6 overall prospect of the draft, per MLB Pipeline. Arquette, a 6-foot-5, 22-pound shortstop, was one of the best hitters in college baseball this season at Oregon State and could potentially stay at the position despite his large frame, given his athleticism. He also has the chance to move quickly through the Marlins' farm system. The 21-year-old was originally picked in the 18th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks out of high school. Toronto grabs Jojo Parker, a left-handed hitter from Purvis High School in Mississippi. The Mississippi State commit is one of the top high school hitters in the class, with a 60-grade hit tool and 55-grade power tool, according to MLB Pipeline. He likely projects as a third baseman at the majors, despite playing shortstop in high school. Parker has a twin brother, Jacob Parker, who's also expected to hear his name called sometime on Day 1 of the draft. Cincinnati grabs Steele Hall, a speedy shortstop from Hewitt-Trussville High School in Alabama. Hall might be the fastest player in the draft, with his speed tool graded at 70, according to MLB Pipeline. He also has a standout glove, with his offensive skills improving as a senior in high school. The Tennessee commit definitely has the tools to stay at shortstop defensively, with his bat likely determining his future impact at the MLB level. Another Corona High School product goes in the top 10, as Chicago drafts shortstop Billy Carlson, the teammate of pitcher Seth Hernandez. Carlson, a Tennessee commit, is the No. 7-rated player in the class, according to MLB Pipeline. He was also mocked No. 7 to the Miami Marlins by USA TODAY Sports. Carlson has one of the best gloves in the entire draft, rated as a 70-grade tool. His bat needs some development, but he's a plus-plus defender, also having a 65-grade arm as he was once viewed as a potential two-way player given his prowess on the mound in high school. Jamie Arnold falls to No. 11, and is scooped up by the Athletics, who get great value in the left-handed pitcher. Arnold was mocked to Toronto at No. 8 by USA TODAY Sports, as he is ranked as the No. 4 player in the class, according to MLB Pipeline. Arnold has a funky arm angle, which makes his fastball play up to hitters. He also has a plus-slider, as the polished arm is expected to fly through the minor-league system. Arnold showed big strikeout stuff in college and lands in a good situation with the Athletics. Another high school shortstop comes off the board, as Gavin Fien goes to the Texas Rangers at No. 12. Fien, the No. 22 player of the class per MLB Pipeline, might be a bit of a reach at No. 12. The Texas commit's lone grade above 50 is his arm, which is rated a 55. The 6-foot-3 18-year-old has plenty of room for development, and the Rangers will look to mold the right-handed hitter into a future big leaguer. Tennessee infielder Gavin Kilen goes No. 13 overall to the San Francisco Giants. Kilen, a second baseman at Tennessee, has a plus hit tool with below average power. He was rated the No. 21 player in the class per MLB Pipeline, representing a slight reach for the Giants. Kilen has a high floor and could certainly develop into an impact big leaguer with his skills-over-tools makeup. Tampa Bay selects Daniel Pierce, a shortstop from Mill Creek High School in Georgia. Pierce has big-time tools, and projects to stick at shortstop and be an impact defender. the 6-foot 18-year-old has below-average power, but has plus speed and an above-average hit tol. Pierce is a high upside pick for the Rays, which is a worthwhile risk, especially at No. 14. Oklahoma right-hander Kyson Witherspoon, projected to go No. 9 by USA TODAY Sports, falls to No. 15 for the Boston Red Sox. He is MLB Pipeline's No. 10-ranked draft prospect. The Red Sox get good value in Witherspoon, who boasts a big fastball that peaks at 99 mph. His fastball has a 65 grade, according to MLB Pipeline. Witherspoon also has three plus secondary offers in his slider, cutter and curveball, which are all 60-grade pitches. Witherspoon spun a 2.65 ERA with the Sooners in 2025 and was one of the top pitchers in college baseball. Wake Forest shortstop Marek Houston goes No. 16 overall to the Minnesota Twins, right around where he was expected to be picked. Houston, projected No. 16 to the Twins by USA TODAY Sports, is a no-doubt shortstop at the next level and projects as a glove-over-bat player in the majors. The 21-year-old shortstop will need to hit to be an impact big leaguer, but his glove is certainly good enough to keep him on the field. The first non-shortstop hitter comes off the board, as the Cubs pick Wake Forest outfielder Ethan Conrad to make it back-to-back Demon Deacons picks. Conrad, the No. 28 player in MLB Pipeline's draft rankings, finished second in hitting (.385) in the Cape Cod League last summer before missing nearly the entire 2025 season due to injury. The injury likely provided a slight discount on the college hitter. Conrad could provide great value for the Cubs if he can put the injury behind him. Kayson Cunningham, a shortstop from Johnson High School in Texas, goes No. 18 to the Diamondbacks. Cunningham, mocked to Arizona at No. 18 by USA TODAY Sports, has a plus hit tool and can also run, with 60-grade speed, per MLB Pipeline. Cunningham starred for Team USA at the 18-and-under World Cup qualifier last summer, leading the team with a .417 batting average at the tournament. The left-handed hitter is a filled out, 5-foot-10 infielder and projects as an impact bat. Auburn catcher/outfielder Ike Irish goes to the Orioles at No. 18, presenting good value for Baltimore. Irish, the No. 11 player in MLB Pipeline's rankings, was mocked No. 10 to the White Sox by USA TODAY Sports. The biggest question mark for Irish is his future position, as he was originally a catcher at Auburn before an injury forced him to the outfield in 2025. He doesn't project as an above-average glove, with his bat potentially being maximized by a move to the outfield. Irish was likely the best bat available in the draft, and the Orioles scoop him up. Tennessee third baseman Andrew Fischer, the college roommate of No. 5 overall pick Liam Doyle, goes to Milwaukee at No. 20. The first-year transfer from Ole Miss was one of the best power hitters in college baseball in 2025, slugging 25 home runs for the Vols with a .341 batting average. Fischer provides little value with his glove, so he'll need to hit to have a spot in the majors. Fischer is a good bet to be an impactful bat, however, especially after what he showed with the Vols. Shortstop Xavier Neyens goes to Houston at No. 21, as the Astros take a swing for the fences in a high school bat with big-time power. Neyens is far from the big leagues but has 65-grade power as he stands 6-foot-4. He could develop into an elite MLB hitter one day, although there's certainly risk with his power-over-hit profile. Neyens was mocked to Detroit with the No. 24 pick by USA TODAY Sports. Atlanta drafts Tate Southisene with the No. 22 pick, which might be an underslot selection for the Braves. Southisene, the No. 39-ranked player per MLB Pipeline, is a young shortstop from Basic High School in Nevada. Southisene was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Nevada in 2025. The 5-foot-11 USC commit is a 50-grade prospect and is too young and unknown to know how he projects in the future. Sean Gamble, who MLB Network calls an athletic version of Ben Zobrist, goes No. 23 overall to Kansas City. The No. 27-ranked player by MLB Pipeline, who attended IMG Academy in Florida, is a 50-grade prospect and stands 6-foot-1. Average to above-average with every tool, Gamble still needs plenty of development before becoming a big leaguer. Detroit selects Jordan Yost, a shortstop from Sickles High School in Florida. This might be an underslot pick for the Tigers, as Yost is MLB Pipeline's No. 50 prospect in the draft. the 18-year-old shortstop committed to Florida is a plus runner with an above-average hit tool. The Padres go with a high-upside high school pitcher in Kruz Schoolcraft, a 6-foot-8 left-hander. Schoolcraft, who attended Sunset High School in Oregon, stands a whopping 6-foot-8. He has a plus fastball and slider and could develop even further once he reaches the Padres' system. Arkansas right-hander Gage Wood had perhaps the greatest start ever in college baseball at the College World Series in 2025, throwing a no-hitter with 19 strikeouts against Murray State. Wood has a big 70-grade fastball that peaks at 98 mph, but less-than desirable off-speed pitches that need some seasoning. There's a chance he turns into a reliever at the next level, but it's a risk worth taking at No. 26 for the Phillies, as Wood could contribute very quickly. Texas A&M outfielder Jace LaViolette goes No. 27 to the Guardians, as Cleveland looks to rebuild the former top prospect. LaViolette was seen as potentially the top player in the class heading into the year but had an inconsistent year for the Aggies. Still, the 6-foot-6 left-handed hitter has big power and could be quite the player if he can improve the hit tool. Josh Hammond, formerly seen as a better project as a pitcher, was selected No. 28 by the Royals as a position player. The No. 26-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline has a 65-grade arm with above-average power. His athletic ability as a former two-way player has him as quite the lottery ticket for the Royals. Patrick Forbes has a plus fastball and an above-average slider and is just scratching the surface with his potential as a pitcher. The former two-way player became a full-time pitcher in 2025 and took off, ranking third in Division I with 14.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Coastal Carolina catcher Caden Bodine is a well below-average runner and has little power, but he does provide loads of value as a defensive catcher. Bodine starred at the College World Series in 2025 and has been lauded for his framing abilities behind the plate. If he can provide any impact with his bat at the next level, watch out. Wehiwa Aloy falls to No. 31 to the Orioles, despite winning the Golden Spikes Award in 2025. Aloy, who starred at shortstop for Arkansas, is MLB Pipeline's No. 15 prospect. The physical 6-foot-2 shortstop batted .350 with 21 home runs in 2025. Orioles get good value with Aloy. Brady Ebel, the No. 64-ranked player in the class, according to MLB Pipeline, goes No. 32 to the Brewers. Ebel, the third Corona High School product selected in 2025, is the son of Dino Ebel, who's the Los Angeles Dodgers' third-base coach. Ebel is only 17 years old, and the infielder is years of development away from making an impact. He has a strong arm (60 grade), albeit with below-average power (45). 2025 MLB Draft order Here's a look at the first-round order for the 2025 MLB Draft, along with prospect promotional picks, compensation picks and Competitive Balance Round A selections. First round Washington Nationals Los Angeles Angels Seattle Mariners Colorado Rockies St. Louis Cardinals Pittsburgh Pirates Miami Marlins Toronto Blue Jays Cincinnati Reds Chicago White Sox Athletics Texas Rangers San Francisco Giants Tampa Bay Rays Boston Red Sox Minnesota Twins Chicago Cubs Arizona Diamondbacks Baltimore Orioles Milwaukee Brewers Houston Astros Atlanta Braves Kansas City Royals Detroit Tigers San Diego Padres Philadelphia Phillies Cleveland Guardians Prospect promotion incentive picks 28. Kansas City Royals Compensation picks 29. Arizona Diamondbacks 30. Baltimore Orioles 31. Baltimore Orioles 32. Milwaukee Brewers Competitive Balance Round A 33. Boston Red Sox 34. Detroit Tigers 35. Seattle Mariners 36. Minnesota Twins 37. Baltimore Orioles 38. New York Mets 39. New York Yankees 40. Los Angeles Dodgers 41. Los Angeles Dodgers 42. Tampa Bay Rays 43. Miami Marlins What time is MLB draft today? Time: 6 p.m. ET 6 p.m. ET Date: Sunday, July 13 Sunday, July 13 Location: Atlanta The 2025 MLB Draft is set to start at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 13, from Atlanta. The draft is part of MLB All-Star Week, with the festivities held in Atlanta in 2025.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ingrid Andress update: What happened after drunk 2024 HR Derby national anthem
The Home Run Derby is tonight, which means it's time to reflect on past derbies and the moments we remember most. And when it comes to last year's contest, not many things stand out more than the scene before the derby even started -- when Ingrid Andress sung one of the worst renditions of the national anthem we can remember. The 33-year-old country singer's off-key version of the anthem had fans comparing her to Fergie, something she later apologized for, saying she was drunk and was going to check herself into a facility for help. Thankfully, Andress seems to be doing a lot better now. In February, she redeemed herself by singing the national anthem at a Colorado Rockies game (the Instagram post of that moment was her first social media activity since the apology). She released a song called Footprints in March. And last month, she gave Glamour a first-person account of what happened in the lead-up to the derby and the immediate aftermath. INGRID ANDRESS: 4 facts about the country star "I'm very open about going to rehab, because I think it's a privilege to be able to go. Sometimes there's such a taboo about it, like 'Oh, that person's broken,' but it felt like an emotional hospital for processing emotions and doing trauma work, and learning to care about how you feel again and what your coping mechanisms are. It was a bit of a relief too—I wasn't allowed to have my phone, which was helpful because I basically went straight from the anthem to rehab." And there you have it. Everything seems to be about music again for the four-time Grammy nominee.
