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CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Orioles pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano is living out his dream of playing in America
Tomoyuki Sugano has made an immediate impact in his first season with the Baltimore Orioles after playing professionally in Japan for more than a decade. Sugano, a 35-year-old starting pitcher, has a 4-3 record with a 3.07 earned run average. He came to Baltimore after playing 12 seasons in his home country of Japan. He's the third Japanese player to ever be on the O's roster. WJZ's Dennis Valera spoke with Sugano, who said playing in America has been his dream. Playing in the U.S. Baseball has always been a big part of Sugano's life. His father, uncle, and grandfather all played baseball. So, it's always been his dream to play Major League Baseball in the U.S. The dream didn't feel like a possibility, though, until he played in the World Baseball Classic in 2017. Sugano, through his interpreter Yuto Sakurai, said this dream isn't only his. It's also his family's. "They're as happy as I am happy to be here," Sugano said. "They think of it as my dream, which was kind of a shared dream with them. They're extremely happy with where I am right now." Hitting his stride Sugano's pitching has become a bright spot for the Orioles' season this year. He's currently sporting an earned run average of around three, heading into his start on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. ERA is the key pitching statistic used to evaluate a pitcher's performance. In the MLB, the average ERA is 4.5. Sugano said he has a methodical approach for each game he plays. "First and foremost, it's the physical part, making sure I'm prepared to go into the game," Sugano said. "The second part will be like the communications between the catchers -- making sure the game planning goes well." Making it to the MLB Before the Orioles, Sugano played 12 years in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yomiuri Giants. He made a big name for himself while there. But even with his success there, Sugano said he didn't think he'd make the jump to the MLB. "Personally, there was a time when I [was] sort of giving up, given up on my dreams to come over here," he said. "But, as long as you have that dream in your mind, I think anything is possible." Now at 35, Sugano is getting accustomed to playing in a different league in a different country. "I was just one of those guys who broke into the big leagues pretty late, but not everybody gets to experience something like that," Sugano said. "I don't feel like it's ever too late to come over here. [It's been] a different type of experience, but so far, it's been treating me well."
Boston Globe
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
‘We should be playing a lot better': One-on-one with new Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman
A. It's been good. The season hasn't started out the way we wanted; we should be playing a lot better. But I've enjoyed getting to know this group. It was exciting to make a change. I've liked it. Q. You had another son early in the season. How has the family side of things been? Advertisement A. Busy. We haven't had a chance to see the city as much as we've wanted to. But we've been to a few restaurants. Arya [in the North End] is a great spot. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Happy baby, healthy baby. Mom is happy. But no more zone defense, man-to-man now. Watching Knox [his oldest] be a big brother has been awesome. Q. You had played at Fenway Park many times. How have you found the atmosphere being with the Sox now? A. That part has been awesome, really electric. There's so much history and tradition. You can really feel it when you get that energy being the home team. Q. Would you want to play in the World Baseball Classic next year? A. I haven't heard from them but I've been fortunate to play for Team USA five times now. We'll see what happens. Hopefully I stay healthy and I can make it. It would be cool to do it again. Advertisement Q. This winter was your first time in free agency and it took a while A. It was different than I expected, the timing with everything. But overall it was good and I felt like it was a good process. It was really cool to talk to organizations about what they thought about me as a player. There were some teams I knew nothing about and some I knew only a little bit about. Learning about them was interesting. Alex Bregman has hit the ground running in Boston. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff Q. Wilyer Abreu was a prospect when you were in Houston. Did you know him at all? A. Q. Your dad [ Sam Bregman ] is running for governor of New Mexico. Are you involved in his campaign? A. No, not at all. I'm just focused on baseball. Q. You have A. I would go to the races in Albuquerque with my grandfather [ Stanley ] and watch the horses together. He passed when I was a sophomore in college. It was one of those things that bonded us. Advertisement He represented Hank Allen when they were playing. When Hank was done playing, he started training horses and he named one of them Barrister Bregman after my grandfather. Baseball guys just love horse racing. I think it's one of the most fun sports in the world. We have six or seven horses who are on the track now. They run in Kentucky, New York, and Florida. Q. When you were a kid, did you want to be a baseball player? A. I did, probably since I was 5. That was all I wanted to do. It's similar to how my son is; he's obsessed with it. I've been obsessed with it since I was that age. My dad used to come home from work and bring baseball cards and we'd play in the back yard for hours every day. So what I'm doing now, that's all I ever wanted to do. THROWING SMOKE Chapman video pays tribute to Tiant Befitting his status as a seven-time All-Star closer, Aroldis Chapman has The best part? It includes a tribute to fellow Cuban Luis Tiant . Back in 2011, Red Sox Productions was working with Black Helicopter Creative and experimenting with high-speed cameras. During spring training, they shot footage of Tiant lighting up a cigar in super slow motion. The film went unused for 14 years until Sox senior vice president Sarah McKenna had the idea to include it in the Chapman video. The video opens with Tiant enjoying his cigar in a cloud of smoke. As the Celia Cruz salsa classic, 'La Vida Es Un Carnaval' plays, Chapman is shown holding a Cuban flag. Advertisement The video also includes clips of Chapman pitching interspersed with salsa dancers. 'I like a lot,' Chapman said via an interpreter. 'They asked me what I thought and of course I approved.' Chapman met Tiant in 2009 when he tried out for the Red Sox after defecting from Cuba. It wasn't until several years later that he came to understand just how good Tiant was. 'In Cuba, there was no publicity about the major leagues or major league players when I was younger,' Chapman said. 'That's how the government wanted it. I didn't know anything about him.' Tiant's 229 regular-season victories are the most for a pitcher from Cuba. Chapman has the most saves with 343. 'I'm glad to be mentioned with him,' Chapman said. 'Playing [in Boston]. I have learned more.' Tiant, 'The truth is no one person can be credited with the final product because it was a true collaboration,' McKenna said. 'We are just glad we took the time to sit Luis down and capture that perfect moment.' Red Sox rookie Kristian Campbell has looked overmatched at the plate. Brett Phelps for The Boston Globe A few other observations on the Red Sox: ⋅ Kristian Campbell did not hit well in spring training, but the Red Sox convinced themselves he was ready based on batted-ball data and the efficacy of his swing. Then they waited only a few days into the season to give Campbell Advertisement That all looked brilliant for a few weeks. Now what? Campbell has been overmatched at the plate the last month and has been one of the worst second basemen in the league defensively. At the same time, the Sox are trying to prepare him He looks like a player who needs to unplug and spend some time in Triple A. Maybe that's how you get Marcelo Mayer to the majors. Related : ⋅ The news that Liam Hendriks and his wife were It should not be difficult for police to track down a few of these cretins and make examples of them. Leagues should be doing more to protect their players. ⋅ There's at least some chance the Mets and Red Sox could meet in the World Series, so file this away: Walker Buehler and Francisco Lindor have a little feud going. It goes back to Then on Tuesday at Fenway, Lindor subtly leaned into a pitch in the third inning to get on base. Buehler complained to umpire Mike Estabrook to no avail. Later in the inning, Estabrook missed a strike thrown to Juan Soto and Advertisement 'Throw him out!' Lindor kept shouting. Lindor was laughing about it a day later. 'Buehler is great, man. He is nasty,' Lindor said. 'He's one of the best-paid pitchers for a reason. He's an All-Star and a great competitor. When I face him, it's fun.' No animosity? 'I got nothing against Buehler. I'm a lover,' Lindor said. 'But I wanted him out of the game. It put them at a disadvantage.' Buehler was asked if he had any comment. 'I better not,' he said. ⋅ Kyle Schwarber hit his 300th career home run this past week. He's one of only 162 players to reach that mark. 466 FT later! THIS angle of Kyle Schwarber's 300th career homer! 🔥 — MLB (@MLB) Much like Adrian Beltré , Schwarber is one of those one-and-done Red Sox players who left you wondering what might have been had he stayed. But there was no clean fit at the end of the 2021 season with J.D. Martinez still under contract. Still, an argument can be made that once you find a player who is comfortable in Boston and whose presence and example elevates the play of his teammates, you find a way. The Phillies signed Schwarber for four years and $79 million and that's been a bargain. They lived with his poor defense in left field for two seasons and reaped the rewards of his power. The Phillies have played 34 postseason games since acquiring Schwarber. The Sox haven't played in any. Obviously, that's not all because of one player, but it's part of why one franchise has flourished and the other has fallen. ⋅ D'Angelo Ortiz , David's son, had a .764 OPS in his first 12 games for the Red Sox in the Florida Complex League. He has been playing mostly first base. ETC. 'Skipper' looks at evolution of managers Managers once ruled their teams with an iron fist, deciding lineups and strategy only with the help of their coaches. The game has evolved into more of a collaborative effort in the last decade with the front office wielding greater influence on in-game decisions. In his excellent new book, ' Scott Miller dives into that shift and how the game has changed. Miller, who has covered baseball for 38 years as both a beat writer and columnist, learned that the job is more complex than it ever has been. 'It's almost like game management is secondary,' Miller said. 'That element of surprise you got from Sparky Anderson or Tom Kelly — a squeeze bunt or a hit-and-run — is missing. 'But at the same time, managers have to wear so many hats. It's such a complex job. The influx of Ivy Leaguers into the game has changed the way the game is run. They want to have input and they do.' Miller brought up the example of Mike Scioscia , who managed the Angels for 19 seasons. He determined the team's style of play and often dictated roster moves and acquisitions to fit that style. 'I don't know that we're going to see anybody anytime soon that's going to last that long in one spot,' Miller said. 'He might be the last one because of how things have changed.' Kevin Cash , who has managed the Rays for 11 years, has the most longevity in his current job. Miller sees Cash as a modern Terry Francona . 'He's got the baseball stuff down, obviously. He knows the game. He relates well to players. He's also got the sense of humor. He's got the humanity about him,' Miller said. Modern managers also represent their teams to the public via the media twice a day during the season and at least once a day during spring training. They're the face of the organization, often defending policies or decisions they may not have agreed with. 'We're talking billion-dollar organizations and they're the front man,' Miller said. 'It's a lot more difficult than people realize. At times, I'm sure it's a tough job. It's not the same as the NFL or NBA.' Juan Soto only managed two singles, two walks, and a sacrifice fly in the Mets' three games at Fenway Park. Barry Chin/Globe Staff Extra bases An observation after watching Juan Soto play three games at Fenway Park: Something is missing. Soto isn't doing the ' Ryan Fitzgerald made his major league debut on May 16 for the Twins. Fitzgerald did not get drafted out of Creighton and played for an independent team before being signed by the Red Sox in 2018. He was in the organization until 2022 before the Royals selected him in the minor league portion of the Rule 5 Draft. He bounced from there to the Twins. Fitzgerald played parts of three seasons with the WooSox and was hugely popular with the fan base and happily represented the team at various events … Gene Lamont was one of the finalists Bobby Valentine and ownership wanted Valentine. General manager Ben Cherington was seen as favoring Lamont at the time. In a sense, Cherington finally got his man earlier this month when he hired Lamont as a special advisor to new Pirates manager Don Kelly . Lamont, 78, managed the Pirates from 1997-2000 and has a long association with former Pirates manager Jim Leyland … Orioles outfielder Tyler O'Neill came off the injured list on May 9 after missing 13 games with neck inflammation. He played six games and was 1 for 15 before going back on the injured list with a shoulder impingement. O'Neill is a dangerous hitter but he has played only 305 of a possible 537 games since 2022 … The Dodgers released utility player Chris Taylor and catcher Austin Barnes in a span of two days. Taylor played 10 seasons for the Dodgers and appeared in 80 playoff games. Barnes was an 11-year veteran with 44 games of playoff experience … Justin Verlander was 0-3 through his first 10 starts despite four quality starts. That left him stuck on 262 career regular-season wins. Only 24 pitchers have won 300, and baseball could be sitting on that number for a long time. The last one was Randy Johnson , who retired in 2009. Outside of Verlander, only Max Scherzer (216) and Clayton Kershaw (212) have more than 153 among active pitchers … The Rockies lost nine of 10 after they Warren Schaeffer manager. Colorado went into the weekend on pace to lose 136 games. They could challenge the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who were 20-134 in their final season. The Rockies were 8-42 through 50 games. The Spiders were 9-41 … Per Major League Baseball, if the league average of 1.58 stolen bases a game holds, it would be the highest since 1987 (1.70). The Red Sox are one of six teams to average at least one steal per game … Happy birthday to Todd Walker , who is 52. The second baseman had an eventful one-season tenure with the Red Sox in 2003 after being acquired in a trade with the Reds. He started 136 games and hit .283 with a .761 OPS for a team that advanced to Game 7 of the ALCS Peter Abraham can be reached at
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Francisco Lindor Makes Strong Statement After Mets' Win Over Red Sox
There is a particular sound when Francisco Lindor barrels a baseball—a crack that hangs in the air just a second longer, a kind of punctuation that signals intent. On Wednesday night at Fenway Park, that sound returned at just the right moment for a New York Mets club desperate for traction. In the bottom of the ninth inning of a 5-1 win over the Boston Red Sox, Lindor connected on a Sean Newcomb fastball and launched his 10th home run of the 2025 season into the Boston night, a no-doubt shot that made exclusive MLB history in the process. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12)© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Per MLB's Sarah Langs, Lindor now joins Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken Jr. and Miguel Tejada as the the fourth primary shortstop to tally at least 10 home runs in 10 of his first 11 seasons. Advertisement With that swing, Lindor not only reached double digits in homers, but now has a .283 batting average, 29 RBIs, nine stolen bases, and an .831 OPS over 198 at-bats. Those numbers speak to an All-Star performer in full command of his craft. This spring has been milestone-laden for the 30-year-old shortstop: named captain of Team Puerto Rico for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, recording his 1,500th career hit against Miami, and launching his 250th career homer on April 19 versus St. Louis—making him just the 19th active player to reach that plateau. By passing José Valentín for fifth-most home runs ever by a shortstop, Lindor reminded every Mets fan why he remains the linchpin of this club's present and future. Inside the Mets' dugout, Lindor is widely regarded as the emotional engine of the roster. Whether through meticulous preparation, unshakable confidence, or the way he lifts those around him, Lindor consistently sets the tone. Advertisement The numbers underscore his impact: according to SNY's Gary Apple, the Mets have now won 24 consecutive games in which Lindor has homered. That's not a fluke—that's a reflection of a player whose performance is directly tied to the club's success. "Don't let what happened yesterday dictate how we play today," Lindor said after the game. "It's just the mentality." With their three-game skid snapped, the Mets now turn home to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a pivotal series that begins Friday at Citi Field. The Dodgers, perennial contenders, will test whether this victory was simply a reprieve or the turning point of the season. But with Lindor locked in and the lineup finding life again, New York looks poised to reclaim the swagger that made it a preseason favorite. Advertisement Related: Mets Announce Major Francisco Lindor News on Saturday Related: Calls Mount for Umpire's Firing After Mets-Red Sox Controversy Francisco Lindor Makes Strong Statement After Mets' Win Over Red Sox first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025
Boston Globe
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Reliever Liam Hendriks questions his lack of usage: ‘If the theory is you want the best me, throw me.'
In 10⅔ innings, Hendriks has a 3.38 ERA, 21 percent strikeout rate, and 14 percent walk rate. In his first extended time on the mound since 2022, the three-time All-Star is still working to re-establish himself as a reliable late-innings force. Advertisement There's a chicken-and-egg dynamic in play, however. Hendriks feels it's difficult to get to peak form unless he pitches more regularly. He has yet to pitch in back-to-back games, and has had at least three days between outings four times in May. Meanwhile, most of his appearances have been in relatively low-leverage situations. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I just want to pitch, because the track record over the course of however long speaks for itself,' said Hendriks. 'With the more I pitch, the better I get. If the theory is you want the best me, throw me.' Hendriks and team both feel his four-seam fastball — which, while steadily averaging 95-96 miles per hour, has been hit hard at times — is regaining life at the top of the zone, resulting in some infield pop-ups that point to the possibility of future swings-and-misses. His slider and curveball have already been whiff-inducing weapons below the zone. Advertisement The Sox believe Hendriks has shown enough to suggest a potential emergence at some point as a high-leverage, late-innings contributor. 'When the time's right, absolutely get him in there, and hopefully that's soon,' said pitching coach Andrew Bailey , who indicated the team is working to 'on-board' Hendriks in game-on-the-line situations. 'I can see him helping us long-term, and hopefully soon, in high-leverage moments.' For Hendriks, the wait comes with frustration and questions — but to date, has not morphed into a desire for a trade. 'I'm not going to go that far or pushing that agenda,' Hendriks said of a trade request. 'I just want to pitch. I feel like I can make contributions to this team. I feel like I can make a lot more contributions than I have been, and I just want to be given that opportunity.' The Breakfast Club Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor has known Red Sox manager Alex Cora since he was a Little League player in Puerto Rico. In 2017, when Cora assembled Puerto Rico's team for the World Baseball Classic, Lindor was one of his first choices. 'Somebody I look to and admire a lot and have a lot of respect for,' Lindor said. 'He's a great manager and one of the smartest guys around.' But business is business, so when Cora came out of the dugout to argue with the umpires in the third inning of Tuesday's game, Lindor encouraged them to throw his friend out of the game. Advertisement 'It's just part of the game,' Lindor said. 'As a competitor I want all the advantages possible.' With Lindor on second base motioning for an ejection, home plate umpire Mike Estabrook tossed Walker Buehler and then Cora. But the Red Sox went on to win the game, 2-0. Cora and Lindor met for breakfast on Wednesday. 'We talked about it,' Lindor said. 'It was funny.' Cora said he talked to Michael Hill , MLB senior vice president of on-field operations, about his ejection, and said there would be no suspension from the ejection. Downpour on tap? Torrential rains are in the forecast throughout the day on Thursday. Cora said he didn't have any information about whether the scheduled Red Sox-Orioles game will be played, but acknowledged that there would 'probably' be some benefit to the Sox having a chance to reset their taxed bullpen with a day off in the middle of a stretch of scheduled games on 13 straight days. He also lamented the late-May weather that brought three straight games of 50-something-degree first pitches against the Mets. 'It's May 21, man,' said Cora. 'Somebody said, 'Ah, this is the Northeast.' Bro, I've been here half my life almost. It's not this.' Setback for Gonzalez Infielder Romy Gonzalez (quad contusion) suffered a setback in his rehab when he started running, a development that will prolong his injured list stint. 'He's not bouncing back the way we wanted,' said Cora. 'It's going to take longer than expected.' . . . Masataka Yoshida was scheduled o resume a throwing progression at 60 feet on Wednesday . . . Richard Fitts is scheduled to make a minor league rehab start on Thursday, weather permitting. The outing was originally scheduled for Triple-A Worcester, but the WooSox game has already been canceled. Fitts hopes to pitch in Double-A Portland. . . Righthander Noah Song , who pitched two scoreless innings and struck out four for the rookie-level FCL Red Sox on Tuesday, will make his next outing at a full-season affiliate. Advertisement Alex Speier can be reached at
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juan Soto Makes Major Announcement Amid Absence From Mets' Lineup
On Wednesday night, the New York Mets will finish their three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets have won both games so far and will look to complete the sweep. Furthermore, they have won six of their last eight games and will look to continue their hot streak. With a 28-15 record, the Mets sit atop the NL East standings and have a three-game lead over the second-place Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets also have the best record in the NL and are tied with the Detroit Tigers for best record in the entire MLB. There is still a lot of baseball left, but New York is off to a terrific start to the season. Advertisement As they look to stay hot, the Mets will have to take on Pittsburgh without slugging outfielder Juan Soto. New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (22)Brad Mills-Imagn Images The Mets announced their lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh, and notably, manager Carlos Mendoza is opting to sit Soto out. This will mark his first missed game of the season, assuming he does not pinch hit. Amid his first game out of the lineup, Soto made a big announcement. On Wednesday, the 26-year-old revealed he will play for Team Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Soto represented the Dominican Republic during the 2023 World Baseball Classic, when he was a member of the San Diego Padres. Despite a fantastic run, Soto and Team Dominican Republic suffered a knockout loss at the hands of Team Puerto Rico. However, he will have a shot at revenge next year. Advertisement Related: Brett Baty Had Words After Mets' Win Over Pirates Related: Paul Skenes Sends Francisco Lindor, Juan Soto Message After Pirates' Loss to Mets
