Latest news with #LittleLeagueClassic
New York Post
2 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Michael Kay open to giving Rob Manfred's teased MLB realignment a shot: ‘Worth a try'
Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay chimed in on realignment, the hottest topic in baseball, and he appeared more open than others to the idea. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned the idea of geographic realignment during ESPN's broadcast of the Little League Classic between the Mets and Mariners on Sunday and said that potential expansion would provide the opportunity for it. Naturally, it sparked all sorts of reactions from baseball fans, including anger from some who would not want to see the National League and American League format baseball has used for more than a century go away. Advertisement However, Kay believed that the idea could pay off for the league, though he still expressed some hesitation. Michael Kay discussed MLB's potential realignment during his radio show Aug. 18. Screengrab via X/@ESPNNewYork Advertisement 'This would be the biggest thing that Rob Manfred does other than if he can get a salary cap at the next collective bargaining agreement, Kay said on his ESPN radio show on Monday. 'So the sport that your kids are going to grow up watching, like my son Charlie, is going to be completely different from the one I grew up with. Completely different. Is it for the better? 'I think it could be for the better if they knock off interleague play. Because all of those rivalries that you dream about, they are in the same division now.' Kay pointed out teams like the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers and Angels wouldn't need interleague play anymore because they would likely occupy the same division. He also suggested that it could lead to a renewed interest in events like the All-Star Game. Advertisement Rob Manfred is pictured Aug. 1. Imagn Images 'Maybe if you did that, the All-Star Game would mean something again. And more importantly, the World Series would mean something,' Kay added. 'Because that may be the first time that you face that team. It's worth a try. I'm not saying the game is broken, because you know I love the game. But you could tweak it a little bit, and it might make it a little bit better than what you love.' Others have not been as open to the idea of realignment, which has included Mets broadcaster Howie Rose and former major leaguer Cameron Maybin. Advertisement Manfred's comments were vague on details on what a possible realignment would look like in baseball, but it'd mostly likely be based on geography. Expansion would be the first step of the process, and to even get to that point, MLB is reportedly waiting for the Athletics and Rays stadium situations to be handled first.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, and Clay Holmes on Mets winning series after rough stretch
Francisco Lindor, Mark Vientos, and Clay Holmes react to the Mets taking two of three games from the Mariners, their experience during the Little League Classic, and Vientos' big home run.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carlos Mendoza gives update on Francisco Alvarez, Mets win in Little League Classic
Following the Mets' 7-3 win over the Mariners, Carlos Mendoza shares his experience during the Little League Classic, the Mets' hitting, and Francisco Alvarez's thumb injury.
Epoch Times
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Epoch Times
MLB Expansion and Realignment Might Make Sense, But Another Issue Comes First
It's been nearly three decades since Major League Baseball expanded, with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks joining the league in the 1998 season. Since then, the National Football League, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League have each added new franchises, with the NHL leading the way by adding six teams. Many are wondering if and when MLB will add franchises to the 30 existing ones. Commissioner Rob Manfred was asked about expansion during a Sunday Night Baseball broadcast of the Little League Classic between the Mets and Mariners. Manfred didn't give a timetable or float possible markets, instead shifting the conversation to realignment.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Canadian Little Leaguer had a brutally honest response about meeting Juan Soto
Misha Lee who is representing Canada in the #LLWS isn't the biggest fan of Juan Soto. 😂 One of the cooler parts about the Little League Classic is that the Little Leaguers get an opportunity to interact with big-league players and watch an MLB game up close. But when it comes to Juan Soto, one Canadian Little Leaguer wasn't exactly rushing to meet the Mets star. During Sunday's Little League World Series action, Canada defeated Australia, 12-0. And during an ESPN interview ahead of the evening's Little League Classic, Australia's Issei Hamano was asked which player he was hoping to meet. He said Juan Soto. Then, Canada's Misha Lee was asked if he also wanted to meet Soto. And, well, I don't think anyone expected the response. "Eh, he's kind of overrated," Lee said. He added that he was hoping to meet the Mariners' Cal Raleigh instead. And hey, he chose wisely. Raleigh hit his league-leading 47th home run on Sunday. Soto finished the night 0 for 2 with three walks in the Mets' 7-3 win.
