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Boston Globe
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Demolition crew finds second time capsule at McCoy Stadium site, this one commemorating baseball's longest game
'The longest game is part of McCoy Stadium's legacy, and finding this time capsule means a part of that legacy will live on,' Pawtucket Mayor Donald R. Grebien said in a statement. Both time capsules will be opened during a June 23 ceremony marking the 44th anniversary of baseball's longest game. The newly uncovered capsule was was buried between home plate and the grass area in front of the pitcher's mound, spokesman Christopher D. Hunter said. The time capsule was carefully removed and is now being held in a secure location by the Pawtucket Police Department, he said. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Advertisement The stadium is being demolished to make way for the $314 million The longest game began on a windy, cold night on April 18, 1981, and continued into Easter morning for 32 innings before the International League finally suspended the game. The tie-breaking 33rd inning took place on June 23, 1981, lasting just 18 minutes. Pawtucket won, 3–2, when first baseman Dave Koza drove a ball to left field, bringing home second baseman Marty Barrett. The game included two future Baseball Hall of Famers — Pawtucket third baseman Wade Boggs and Rochester third baseman Cal Ripken Jr. Advertisement Earlier this month, crews According to Dan Barry's book ' Edward Fitzpatrick can be reached at
Edmonton Journal
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Edmonton Journal
Blue Jays farm team in Buffalo feeling absence of Canadian fans
Article content That's a worrying trend, and the situation has been compounded by weather woes that resulted in a handful of postponed games and contributed to a serious drop in attendance. Through 21 home dates, as of May 19, the Bisons averaged about 4,300 fans per game at Sahlen Field, their beautiful downtown ball yard. Last year, the Bisons attracted an average of 6,232 fans per game, while the full-year number was 7,165 in 2023 and 6,846 in 2022. 'The weather has been beyond atrocious,' said Sprague. 'I can't remember a worse start weather-wise. We haven't had a stretch where it's been 80 degrees. Just rain and cold.' Who are the Buffalo Bisons and why do they usually have so many Canadian fans at their games? The Bisons are a Triple-A, minor league baseball team competing in the 20-team International League, along with the likes of the Durham Bulls, who were made famous by the movie Bull Durham. In 2013, the Bisons became the top minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and as such, have been the launching pad for Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other members of Canada's only Major League Baseball team.
National Post
26-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Blue Jays farm team in Buffalo feeling absence of Canadian fans
Article content Southern Ontario baseball fans usually account for as much as 20 per cent of ticket sales at Buffalo Bisons home games, but this season is going to be different. Article content Article content 'We have seen a reduction this year. We can track ticket sales for the season, what the percentages are, and we're down 10 to 15 per cent on Canadian fans,' said Bisons GM Anthony Sprague. 'That's a significant decline from previous years.' Article content That's a worrying trend, and the situation has been compounded by weather woes that resulted in a handful of postponed games and contributed to a serious drop in attendance. Through 21 home dates, as of May 19, the Bisons averaged about 4,300 fans per game at Sahlen Field, their beautiful downtown ball yard. Last year, the Bisons attracted an average of 6,232 fans per game, while the full-year number was 7,165 in 2023 and 6,846 in 2022. Article content 'The weather has been beyond atrocious,' said Sprague. 'I can't remember a worse start weather-wise. We haven't had a stretch where it's been 80 degrees. Just rain and cold.' Article content Who are the Buffalo Bisons and why do they usually have so many Canadian fans at their games? Article content The Bisons are a Triple-A, minor league baseball team competing in the 20-team International League, along with the likes of the Durham Bulls, who were made famous by the movie Bull Durham. In 2013, the Bisons became the top minor league affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and as such, have been the launching pad for Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other members of Canada's only Major League Baseball team. Article content Article content Given that relationship, and the fact that Buffalo is located literally across the Peace Bridge from Fort Erie, Ont., Canadians have long been a staple at Bisons home games. Sports fans from southern Ontario also regularly attend Buffalo Sabres National Hockey League games and Buffalo Bills National Football League games. Article content As Sprague mentioned, the weather hasn't helped. But the Herd had already been thinned by a lethal blend of politics and economics, as some Canadian fans took offence at U.S. president Donald Trump's repetitive rhetoric — calling Canadians nasty, and flippantly referring to former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the governor of America's 51 st state — and his manipulative, on-again, off-again trade tariffs which have rocked stock markets worldwide. Article content As a result, many Canadians, sports fans and otherwise, have chosen not to spend time or money in the U.S. this year. Border crossings by vehicle from Canada into the states were down 35 per cent in April and 32 per cent in March, compared to the same months in 2024.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boston Red Sox prospect Marcelo Mayer reminds veteran of 5-time All-Star SS
Both the way 22-year-old shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer swings the bat and plays defense looks almost effortless to Red Sox first baseman Abraham Toro. 'It kind of looks nonchalant,' said Toro, who played with Mayer in Triple-A Worcester before his call-up May 3. Advertisement Toro compared Baseball America's No. 8 overall prospect to a five-time All-Star shortstop. 'It's so relaxed,' Toro said. 'On the defensive side, he kind of reminds me of (Corey) Seager. It's so loose and it's like he's not trying — and I'm not saying he's not. That's the feel. 'Even his swing, it looks like he's not trying but like bat speed, I work out with him, it's one of the best,' Toro added. 'So that's helped him to be successful.' It's not the first time someone has described Mayer's play as effortless. Manager Alex Cora said during spring training he's an 'old-school shortstop' who 'moves with grace.' Advertisement It's also not the first time the 6-foot-3, 188-pound Mayer has been compared to Seager, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound left-handed hitter who has five defensive runs saved in 197 innings this season and 14 defensive runs saved since the start of 2023. Assistant GM Paul Toboni, then Boston's amateur scouting director, made the same comp when Boston drafted Mayer fourth overall in 2021. 'Probably some cross between Corey Seager, Brandon Crawford,' Toboni said almost four years ago. 'But thinking back to it, probably more advanced. I keep saying it, but he's got a really advanced feel to his game and ease to his game. I throw those two names out there not to really set expectations for him or anything. I say Seager because Marcelo does have a little bit of a bigger build. 'I say Brandon Crawford, because if you watch this kid take pregame ground balls, he's one of the cockiest defenders I've ever seen in my life,' Toboni added. 'I say that with a positive tone behind it. He's flipping balls with his glove, catching balls through the legs and going behind the back. It's not like he's showing off. It's just kind of his nature. It all comes pretty easy to him.' Advertisement The Red Sox appear to be creating a path to the majors for Mayer with Kristian Campbell working out at first base. If Campbell gets comfortable enough at first, Boston could move him there and promote Mayer to play second base. Cora said Tuesday that Campbell still has a lot of work to do to be ready for games and won't play first base on this homestand. Mayer has started at second base in three of four games for Worcester since Campbell began working out at first base Friday. Mayer had a 22-game on-base streak end May 11 and has slumped some recently. His OPS has dropped 66 points from .850 to .784 the past six games but he did have an RBI single in his final at-bat Tuesday. He leads the International League in RBIs (41). He's tied for sixth in the league in home runs with eight. His time is coming —whether it's at second or shortstop. Advertisement It would be difficult to move on from Trevor Story because he has another two years, $55 million remaining on his contract after this season. That's $25 million both in 2026 and '27 and a $5 million buyout in 2028. But how much longer can the Red Sox play Story every day with how he's hitting? The 32-year-old enters Wednesday with the 22nd worst OPS (.617) among qualified major league hitters. 'He wanted to play a lot of games, more than 150, and I think he's on pace to do that,' Cora said recently about Story. 'But obviously I gotta be smart, too. Not only with the production, but also the body.' Story has been an elite defender throughout his career but he's not playing shortstop well enough right now to justify keeping him in the lineup every day despite his poor offense. He's in the ninth percentile in outs above average/range (-3) and the 17th percentile in fielding run value (-2). Advertisement As MassLive's Sean McAdam put it Sunday, the Red Sox can't rely on Mayer and Roman Anthony to save their season. Mayer has struggled at times this year at Worcester and there should be adjustment and growing pains once he reaches the majors (Campbell is 4-for-50 in May). But Mayer's time should be coming. Roman Anthony has a .970 OPS It's becoming difficult for the Red Sox to justify keeping Roman Anthony, baseball's No. 1 prospect, at Triple A. Anthony blasted a 369-foot, 103.5 mph against a 95.9 mph sinker in Worcester's 8-2 win over Durham on Tuesday. He went 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs and a strikeout. Advertisement The 21-year-old is batting .322 with a .450 on-base percentage, .520 slugging percentage, .970 OPS, six homers, eight doubles, two triples, 18 RBIs, 33 runs, 37 walks and 38 strikeouts in 42 games (191 plate appearances). Toro recently said about Anthony, 'I don't say this lightly — I think he's the best minor league hitter I've ever seen." The Password homers in Triple-A debut Outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia— also known by his popular nickname 'The Password'— blasted a three-run home run (106.3 mph off the bat) in his Triple-A debut Tuesday. The Red Sox promoted the 22-year-old from Double-A Portland on Sunday. The other Garcia returns Jhostynxon Garcia's brother Johanfran Garcia played in his first minor league game Tuesday since he underwent surgery for a major knee injury last May. Advertisement The 20-year-old went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a run in the Florida Complex League Red Sox' 3-1 win over the FCL Orioles. Monegro has a 43.9% strikeout percentage Righty Yordanny Monegro struck out 10 and allowed just three hits and one walk in 5 scoreless innings in Double-A Portland's 4-3 win over Reading. The 22-year-old Monegro has a 43.9% strikeout percentage (47 strikeouts, 107 batters faced) More On Red Sox Prospects Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fantasy Baseball Farm Report: Jac Caglianone headlines MLB prospects to monitor
Jac Caglianone is just one step away. Kansas City's top prospect opened his week with a richly deserved promotion to Triple-A Omaha. Caglianone really had not encountered much adversity in the Texas League, where he was hitting .322/.394/.553 with nine bombs among his 17 extra-base hits. The homers weren't exactly wall-scrapers, either: JAC CAGLIANONE HOMER OUT OF THE BALLPARK ‼️@nwanaturals | @Royals | @KCRoyalsPD — Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 6, 2025 As Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said of Caglianone, 'he really just beat the league.' The 22-year-old will now attempt to conquer International League pitching, at which point he will have nothing left to prove in the minors. We should expect to see Caglianone at the big league level by mid-summer. His eventual callup will be an actionable fantasy event. [Smarter waivers, better trades, optimized lineups — Yahoo Fantasy Plus unlocks it all] No pitching prospect in the high minors is dominating quite like Misiorowski. Here's a clip of him extinguishing a hitter with 103 mile per hour velocity: 1⃣0⃣3⃣ MPH⛽️Good luck. — Nashville Sounds (@nashvillesounds) May 15, 2025 The 6-foot-7 flamethrowing right-hander entered the week with a 1.46 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 59 Ks over 49.1 innings this season at Triple-A. He's as MLB-ready as any pitcher in the minors at the moment. Let's please give him a new challenge, Brewers. While we're on the subject of gigantic right-handed starters, you might be interested in learning that Painter just picked up his first win at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He's had a long road back from Tommy John surgery, but the recent results have been excellent. Painter threw 71 pitches in last week's start, tossing 5.0 innings and striking out three. The blazing fastball and 12-6 curve are back. We should see Painter in Philly in the not-so-distant future. Boston's every-tool prospect has multiple hits in five of his last eight games, lifting his season-slash to an absurd .322/.450/.520. Anthony has walked nearly as often as he's struck out (37 BB, 38 K) and he's delivered 16 extra-base hits, including five homers. Whenever he makes his way to Fenway, he'll arrive as a 20/20 threat with significant on-base ability. He homered for Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday while Double-A Portland was hosting Roman Anthony bobblehead night, so he's keeping the entire Red Sox farm system happy these days. If base-stealing is among your fantasy needs, Marsee is definitely a player worth monitoring. He's swiped 25 bags in 28 attempts at Triple-A Jacksonville so far this season, leading the International League by a wide margin. He's also getting himself on-base at an exceptional rate (.374 OBP). Unfortunately (at least in fantasy terms), Marsee only rarely reaches base by putting the ball in play successfully. His batting average is just .204 at the moment and he hit only .200 in the high minors last year over 485 at-bats. It's a curious profile, no question. Marsee stole 51 bases last season and 46 the year before, so there's no doubting his wheels. He's a former Arizona Fall League MVP, too. It's entirely possible, however, that his best-case outcome would make him only a category specialist in our game. Burns was toying with the Trash Pandas on Tuesday night, striking out seven over 5.0 innings, allowing just two hits and one run and lowering his ERA to 1.88. He's now whiffed 30 batters in his 20.0 frames this month. Burns is another right-hander with triple-digit heat and terrific secondary stuff. Check the tape: Chase Burns starts are becoming must-see No. 11 prospect (@Reds) strikes out seven, giving him a 35-to-3 K/BB ratio in 24 innings for the Double-A @ChattLookouts. — MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 21, 2025 It seems likely we'll see Burns in Cincinnati this season, assuming the Reds remain competitive. He's a potential impact arm, without question. With Dylan Crews (back) now ailing, the Nationals have called up Hassell, the eighth overall pick in the 2020 draft and yet another piece received in the Juan Soto deal. Hassell was hitting .288 at Triple-A Rochester with four homers and nine steals. He's a little light on power, but he's already displayed 30-steal speed in the minors. As with any call-up, he has the potential to stick if he's immediately productive. He's currently rostered in 3% of Yahoo leagues. The Cubs returned Shaw to Iowa for additional seasoning after a slow start in April, but it didn't take him long to force his way back into the major league lineup. He hit six home runs and stole five bags in 24 games at Triple-A while delivering a .970 OPS, looking more or less like the same guy who dominated the level in 2024. On Monday night, he went 2-for-4 against the Marlins with a double, one RBI and one steal — uncommon third-base production by Chicago's recent standards. He followed up that performance with another multi-hit night on Tuesday. Shaw offers power and speed potential with eligibility at three positions (2B/3B/SS) and he's currently available in a majority of Yahoo leagues. He's the perfect fantasy multi-tool for a mixed league bench, so add aggressively.
