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A.J. Preller signed stellar free agent class for 2026

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - AUGUST 30: Ty France #25 of the San Diego Padres celebrates scoring against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on August 30, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There is only a little over a week left in the 2026 regular season for the San Diego Padres. With the team marching toward a playoff berth, this is a good time to look back at how they got here.

It is not a stretch to say that without the minor league free agents signed by A.J. Preller, both before and during the season, the Friars would be lost.

Free agent flyers

Padres fans don’t need to remember too far back in team history to recall some of the free agents signed in past seasons that did not work out for the organization — names like Yuli Gurriel, Jason Heyward, Nick Castellanos, Trenton Brooks or Connor Joe. Some were major league signings, and others were minor league contracts.

There were also some great additions that contributed to winning seasons, like Donovan Solano and David Peralta. Gavin Sheets was a minor league free agent signed last year who contributed significantly to the success of the 2025 Padres.

2026 class shines

None of those compare to the players that Preller and his scouting group identified and signed to the system before and during this season. The Padres would literally be nowhere without the additions made to replace the players lost to injury and poor performance this year.

Because payroll restrictions were in place for a team on the market to be sold, Preller had to resort to the proverbial “dumpster diving” to fill parts of the roster.

Prior to the start of the season, starting pitchers Germán Márquez and Walker Buehler were signed to contracts, with Buehler as a minor-league free agent. Two pitchers trying to resurrect their careers, Marco Gonzales and Triston McKenzie, also signed minor league deals.

They were all slated to compete to fill out a starting pitching rotation that had already lost both Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish for the start of the year or the whole season. Then, after the season began, Nick Pivetta was also lost to injury for an indeterminate amount of time.

As it turned out, nobody but Buehler stuck it out long-term, but Márquez did eat up some innings to start the season before being released. 

The signing of Lucas Giolito in April proved to be a waste of team money, with Giolito ineffective and then placed on the 60-day injured list.

The starting staff has been a patchwork group and continues to underperform outside of Buehler, Michael King, Randy Vasquez, and a hoped-for return to effectiveness for Nick Pivetta.

A patchwork roster

The real miracle, though, has been putting together an offense after the loss of Ramon Laureano early in the year, the fractured wrist of Miguel Andujar, the release of Castellanos, and the offensive underperformance of utility man Sung-Mun Song. 

Preller added outfielder Jase Bowen to the minor league system in November of last year, and he impressed in spring camp. Bowen got the call-up when Castellanos was DFA’d in June.

Second baseman and outfielder Samad Taylor was signed to a minor league contract in January and replaced Laureano when he was injured and required surgery.

DH and third baseman Miguel Andujar was signed to an MLB contract on Feb. 11 and started the season at DH/3B/LF. After breaking his wrist in late July, Andujar remains on the IL.

Luis Rengifo was signed to a minor league contract on June 29, as the Padres were losing players from the majors and depleting the El Paso roster rapidly. Rengifo barely got a chance to settle into Triple-A and was called up on July 8. On that same day, Preller signed outfielder Dustin Harris to a minor league contract. After working into regular playing time, Harris was released in early August but quickly re-signed with the team (reason unknown).

After hitting .350 with six home runs in his brief time with El Paso, Harris was called up to San Diego on Aug. 24, with the Padres suffering the prolonged lack of a reliable left fielder and Gavin Sheets having restricted use with plantar fasciitis.

On Aug. 30, Rengifo was placed on the injured list with a torn ACL, lost for the season. On Sept. 1, the Padres called up top prospect Ethan Salas to help with catching and DH duties.

To further add depth to a bench that has suffered multiple losses of valuable talent, Preller signed outfielder/DH Austin Hays to a minor league contract on Aug. 7 and added him to the roster when Song was optioned to El Paso for increased hitting opportunities. That didn’t last but six days. Song was recalled when Sheets and Rengifo went out to the IL.

Ty France reigns

All of those moves have proven to be vital to the success of this team. Where would we be without the contributions from all these players?

Preller and his scouts excelled in identifying and signing talent this season. Both before the start of the year and during it, players were added who have made a mark on this roster.

The crowning achievement in this free agent class has to be first baseman Ty France. 

Originally signed and developed by the Padres, France was traded to Seattle in the deal that brought Austin Nola to the Padres. He has had a good career, garnering an All-Star selection in 2022 with Seattle and a Gold Glove at first base last season in the American League. He chose to come back to San Diego after struggling with his hitting the past couple of seasons.

France has undoubtedly been the most consistent Padre in 2026 

Making the roster as a platoon partner for Sheets, France quickly showed his defensive talent and a resurgence in his offense. It was a true platoon to begin the year, with France getting 16 games in April and hitting .310 with a .975 OPS. His starts increased after that, with a mild swoon coming in June where he hit .239 with a .805 OPS.

As of yesterday, France is fourth in home runs with 20, fourth in RBI with 64, and leads the team in OPS with .879.

As a minor-league free agent signed on Feb. 15, France is by far the shining star of the offseason moves. This has been a season to remember for a scouting department that has frequently been criticized for bringing in over-the-hill veterans who contributed little to the Padres.

These younger, more talented roster additions are the primary reason the Padres are where they are today. Without them plugging those huge holes and adding spark and energy to the roster, no one can argue the core group would have been able to carry this team.

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How does Carter Jensen stack up to other Royals rookie hitters?

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JULY 17: Carter Jensen of the Kansas City Royals singles during the tenth inning to drive in two runs for the win over the San Diego Padres at Kauffman Stadium on July 17, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Reed Hoffmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Royals had high hopes for Carter Jensen after he raked in a September callup late in 2025. He has not disappointed, tying Bob Hamelin for the club record for most home runs by a Royals rookie with 24. While he still has two weeks to surpass “The Hammer,” he has already cemented his status as one of the best rookie hitters in Royals history. But how does he stack up against the best rookie seasons the franchise has ever seen?

For this ranking, I’m looking at what each player actually accomplished as a rookie, with performance taking precedence over what he went on to do in his career. George Brett was a Hall of Famer, but his rookie season pales in comparison to a rookie slugger like Hamelin. Here are the top hitting rookie seasons in Royals history.

10. Bobby Witt Jr., 2022

There was a lot of hype for Bobby after a monster minor league season in 2021. He had the game-winning hit on Opening Day and became just the second player in MLB history with a 20-home-run/30-stolen-base season in his debut year. However, he put up just a .294 on-base percentage and showed some shaky defense at shortstop, which hurt his WAR numbers. It was a solid season, but there were blemishes to his game that he would quickly correct to become one of the best players in baseball.

9. Mike Fiore, 1969

Fiore had a very overlooked season in that inaugural Royals campaign. Selected from the Orioles in the expansion draft, he was a semi-regular at first base who finished second on the team with a .274 batting average. He also had a very patient eye, finishing 13th in the American League in walks, despite only making 427 plate appearances. It is still the 11th-most walks by a Royals hitter in a season. Fiore hit .274/.420/.428 with 12 home runs, but the next year he clashed with new manager Charlie Metro, and was traded to Boston, where he was buried on the depth chart.

8. Eric Hosmer, 2011

Hosmer also had a highly anticipated debut, and he quickly showed why the Royals had been so high on him. Called up in May, the 21-year-old hit .293/.334/.465 with 19 home runs and 78 RBI in 128 games. He looked smooth scooping out throws at first base, showing the defense that would win him four Gold Glove Awards. He would finish third in Rookie of the Year voting that year, eventually earning All-Star honors and a championship in Kansas City.

7. Lou Piniella, 1969

“Lou Piniella has the red ass,” wrote Seattle Pilots pitcher Jim Bouton in his book Ball Four. The two had been teammates in spring training for the expansion franchise, but Piniella’s fiery temper got him shipped to the Royals before the regular season began. It was a trade Seattle would regret. Piniella had the first hit in Royals history and batted .282/.325/.416 with 11 home runs, earning MVP votes and winning American League Rookie of the Year.

6. Mike Avilés, 2008

Avilés had to overcome a lot to make the big leagues. Drafted as a senior out of tiny Concordia College in New York, he was offered a cheap “take it or leave it” $1,000 bonus. He made the big leagues at age 27 and impressed early on. In just his tenth game, he had a four-hit day with two doubles and a home run. He ended the year with a line of .325/.354/.480, a batting average that would have been sixth in the league had he qualified. He finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting, but his 4.7 rWAR was just behind winner Evan Longoria’s 4.8.

5. Angel Berroa, 2003

The Angel Berroa era in Kansas City ended poorly, but the future seemed bright in his rookie year. Acquired from the Athletics in the Johnny Damon trade, the Royals hoped Berroa could solidify a shortstop position that had been inconsistent since the days of Freddie Patek. He was a big part of why the team had a successful 2003 season, hitting .287/.338/.451 with 17 home runs, 73 RBI and 21 stolen bases. He edged out Hideki Matsui to win American League Rookie of the Year honors, but he never lived up to a long-term deal he signed with the club.

4. Bob Hamelin, 1994

Hamelin was 26 years old when he burst onto the scene in 1994. He didn’t look like a baseball star – he was chubby and wore glasses – but that was part of what endeared him to Royals fans that summer. Oh and the dingers. So many dingers. Hamelin smashed 24 home runs in just 375 plate appearances, finishing ninth in the American League. His bat helped propel the Royals during a hot streak where they won 14 in a row to climb into contention – he hit .354 with six home runs in those games. He finished fifth in the league in OPS and won Rookie of the Year, but just five years later he would retire from baseball.

3. Carter Jensen, 2026

Last night, Jensen set the Royals rookie record for most extra-base hits with 58, and he has flashed some promising power all season. The Kansas City native is hitting .232/.319/.452 with 62 walks and his 24 home runs are fourth-most among all rookies. He has had some mixed results behind the plate, but has shown a strong arm. He has gunned out 35 percent of attempted base stealers, fifth-highest for anyone with at least 10 caught stealing. The Royals are used to a power-hitter behind the plate, and Jensen is a worthy successor to Salvador Perez.

2. Carlos Beltrán, 1999

Beltrán got his Hall of Fame career off to a good start by making an immediate impact for the Royals in his rookie year. He exhibited a unique blend of power and speed, smashing 22 home runs and stealing 27 bases. He became just the eighth rookie to score 100 runs and hit 100 RBI. Overall, he hit .293/.337/.454 while playing spectacular defense in center. He was worth 4.7 rWAR and was a near-unanimous choice for Rookie of the Year.

1. Kevin Seitzer, 1987

All Kevin Seitzer did was hit. He got off to a blazing start, batting .382 in the month of April. He was named to the All-Star Game at third that summer and caught fire in August, batting .395 and tying a club record with a six-hit game against Boston. He led the league with 207 hits, at the time, the fifth-most by a rookie since 1900. He was a 5.5 rWAR player, hitting .323/.399/.470 with 15 home runs and 80 walks. But he did this in a home-run-happy year – the 1987 season saw a spike in power and slugger Mark McGwire and his 49 homers beat out Seitzer for Rookie of the Year.

Honorable mention: Pat Kelly, 1969; Bo Jackson, 1987; Jon Nunnally, 1995; David DeJesus, 2004; Alex Gordon, 2007.

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Connelly Early scheduled to make a late season start for the Washington Nationals

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 30: Connelly Early #71 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after the final out of the fourth inning of the game against the Washington Nationals at Fenway Park on June 30, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images

This morning, Paul Toboni made a big revelation on the radio. He announced that Connelly Early is scheduled to pitch this season for the Nats. Toboni said that he expects Early to pitch the second to last game of the season for the Nats on September 26th. This will be a good chance for the Nats new lefty to make a strong first impression.

When the Connelly Early for Curtis Mead trade was made, it looked like it could help both teams this season. While Early was hurt, he was expected to be back some time in mid to late August. On the other hand, Mead was supposed to be a big boost to the Red Sox lineup.

However, Early had a slight setback and Mead broke his wrist in his first game. So far, the trade has been a wash for both teams. When Early had forearm tightness, it made Nats fans very scared. Multiple arm injuries in short succession is never a good thing for a pitcher. It looks like Early has avoided the worst case scenario though.

He made his first rehab start in AAA yesterday. In that outing, he looked decent but rusty. Early struck out two hitters in a strong first inning. His 4-seam fastball was in the 93-94 MPH range while his sinker sat around 91-92. That is very slightly down from his season averages, but not worryingly so. It was his first outing back, so Early wanted to ease himself in. We saw enough velocity and sharpness on his secondary stuff.

He showed all six of his pitches as well. After that first inning, Early hit a wall in the second. He gave up a walk and a hit to start the inning. Then he lost a 10 pitch battle and issued another walk. Early threw 4 pitches to the next batter, getting ahead in the count. However, he hit his 35 pitch limit and was replaced by fellow deadline addition Jack Cebert.

Cebert struck out that batter, but allowed all three inherited runners to score. That meant that Early’s overall statline was ugly. For a rehab start, I don’t really care about the statline. All that concerns me is the quality of the stuff and getting through the start healthy. Early’s stuff was fine and all indications are that he got through the start without any incident. 

Even though he was not at his best, this was still a successful day for him. He took the next step towards making his Nationals debut. The debut date that Toboni announced is still 10 days away, so I wonder what will happen from here.

Either Early will make another rehab start at AAA or he will just throw a live bullpen in DC. The AAA season ends this week, but Rochester should make the International League playoffs. Toboni will have to determine the next steps though and that will be something I can ask about today.

That final series against the Mets already had some intrigue with the two clubs looking to avoid last place. Early’s debut adds another element of excitement though. It gives Nats fans something to look forward to and a chance to get to know their new lefty.

This is totally unfair, but given how the season went down after the Mead trade, Early could use a good first start. I think he has the personality and talent to be a fan favorite one day. However, right now he is just the injured pitcher we traded Curtis Mead for. With a good Nationals debut, that can change very quickly. I am really looking forward to seeing Connelly Early on the mound at Nationals Park in 10 days.

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Why the Golden Knights Are Giving Their First-Round Pick an Early NHL Look

Arttu Piiparinen may not be ready for the NHL just yet, but the Vegas Golden Knights are giving their 2026 first-round pick an early glimpse at what it will take to get there.

Piiparinen, selected 29th overall in June's NHL Draft, has been invited to join the Golden Knights for training camp after beginning the 2026-27 season with Tappara in Liiga.

The move shouldn't necessarily come as a surprise, even if some might view it as an early look for an 18-year-old defenseman who is still developing. Vegas wouldn't have invested a first-round pick in Piiparinen without believing there was significant potential to work with, and bringing him into camp gives the organization an opportunity to begin that process firsthand.

More importantly, it gives Piiparinen an opportunity to experience the NHL environment before he's expected to make the jump permanently.

He has already appeared in one game for Tappara this season after recording three assists, eight penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating across 29 regular-season appearances with the club last year. His numbers are hardly the most important part of this particular opportunity; the real value comes from spending time around an NHL organization and seeing what the next level actually looks like.

That includes working alongside players such as Jack Eichel, Ivan Barbashev and Mark Stone, veterans who have spent years learning how to prepare, recover and maintain themselves through the demands of an NHL season.

Piiparinen isn't going to become a finished product simply by spending a few weeks around those players, but the lessons can extend well beyond the ice. How veterans approach nutrition, recovery, off days, preparation and the daily grind of an 84-game season can provide a young player with an education that isn't available in a traditional development setting.

For Piiparinen, however, the biggest lesson may come from the pace of the game itself.

The defenseman has earned attention for his ability to move the puck and help his team exit the defensive zone under pressure, but NHL forechecking presents an entirely different challenge. The forwards closing in will be faster, stronger and more experienced, leaving less time to identify an outlet, make a decision and execute the play. Don't make the play in time and risk getting crushed.

That is precisely the type of pressure Piiparinen needs to experience.

He won't make the Opening Night roster, but the training camp experience can give him a much clearer understanding of the standard required to eventually become an NHL regular. Every practice, shift and conversation provides another piece of information he can take back to Finland and incorporate into his development.

There is no need for Vegas to rush him.

At this stage, the opportunity itself is what matters.

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Pete Alonso brought the beer after Mets fans caught his 300th home run

Pete Alonso blasted his milestone 300th career home run on Tuesday night, helping lead the Baltimore Orioles to a 7-5 victory against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

After the game, Alonso met with the trio of fans who caught his historic home run ball, and they traded it for an assortment of signed memorabilia in a special moment.

Alonso went above and beyond to show his gratitude, gifting beers and offering tickets to future Orioles games in Baltimore to the three fans – Michael Shaw, Nick Maldarella, and Chris Makarius – that generously returned the prized home run ball.

"On the way here, we were saying we're going to catch his 300th home run," Maldarella told ESPN. "And sure enough, man. It's crazy."

The former Mets star's accomplishment drew a rousing standing ovation from the Citi Field crowd, displaying the admiration New York fans still hold for Alonso despite his move to Baltimore.

After the game, Alonso spent time signing each fan’s jersey, as well as a bat and ball for each of them. In addition to inviting them to Orioles games, Alonso also offered exclusive access to batting practice at Camden Yards next season. The first baseman brought out beers and posed for photos with the group, and he expressed heartfelt appreciation for their generosity in giving him back the milestone home run ball.

"Thank you so much, guys," Alonso said, embracing each fan. "You guys are so kind, and I appreciate it."

More: Pete Alonso launches 300th career home run, and it comes against the Mets

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pete Alonso brought the beer after Mets fans caught his 300th home run

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Senators Camp Begins: Shorter Preseason, No Fitness Testing, And Very Few Jobs To Be Won

The Senators have unveiled their 57-man roster for their 2026-27 training camp.

Camp began Wednesday at Canadian Tire Centre and Bell Sensplex and it's composed of seven goaltenders, 18 defencemen and 32 forwards. Players reported for medicals on Wednesday morning, with on-ice practices beginning on Thursday.

Some interesting wrinkles this year will be the camp's brevity and the removal of fitness testing.

Senators winger Drake Batherson says he never doubted he would get an extension done with Ottawa.

The regular season is already less than two weeks away and this is the year the league moves to an 84-game schedule. So they've shortened the preseason (amen) and the Sens will cram in five exhibition games on three dates. 

With 14 forwards, six defensemen, and three goalies all on one-way NHL deals, job openings are already scarce to non-existent. Now players on the bubble will also see very little game action to make an impact on evaluators.

Carter Yakemchuk represents one of the few fluid situations. He's easily in the club's top seven, but to stay in the NHL, he'll need to crack the top six. The Sens aren't likely to keep a waivers-exempt, 20-year-old first-rounder in Ottawa to sit in the press box most nights. He needs to play.

Also, as part of the new CBA which starts today, fitness testing is no longer allowed. So you won't see any TV shots of players riding bikes to the point of exhaustion or parting ways with their breakfast.

The Senators say their camp roster features 13 former first-round draft picks and 27 players who were Ottawa selections in NHL drafts. 14 players were signed as free agents, 12 were obtained in trades, two are at camp on professional tryouts (PTO), and two are on amateur tryouts (ATO).

Twenty-five (25) of the camp’s players appeared in at least one game with the Senators during the 2025-26 season while another six (6) players dressed for other NHL clubs. Of the 29 players who were invited to recent rookie camp and tournament, 20 players were invited to training camp.

One new face is Vadim Zherenko, a 25-year-old Russian goalie who's spent the past four years in Springfield of the AHL. With Leevi Meriläinen the third man on the depth chart and on a one-way deal, he may need to be exposed to waivers at some point. That would leave Jackson Parsons and Kevin Reidler to man the fort in Belleville.

Zherenko gives Belleville some serious AHL experience if the Sens decide it's needed.

2026-27 Senators Training Camp Roster (Projected NHL players in bold)

Goaltenders (7)

Linus Ullmark (Ottawa – NHL)
Samuel Ersson (Philadelphia – NHL)
Leevi Meriläinen (Ottawa – NHL, Belleville – AHL)

Lucas Beckman (Baie-Comeau – QMJHL, Chicoutimi – QMJHL)
Jackson Parsons (Allen – ECHL, Belleville – AHL)
Kevin Reidler (Penn State – Big-10, Belleville – AHL)
Vadim Zherenko (Springfield – AHL).

Defencemen (18)

Thomas Chabot (Ottawa – NHL)
Tyler Kleven (Ottawa – NHL)
Nikolas Matinpalo (Ottawa – NHL)
Jake Sanderson (Ottawa – NHL)
Jordan Spence (Ottawa – NHL)
Carter Yakemchuk (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Artem Zub (Ottawa – NHL)

Matthew Andonovski (Kitchener – OHL, Belleville – AHL)
Samuel Bolduc (Ontario – AHL, Belleville – AHL)
Cameron Crotty (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Jorian Donovan (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Gabriel Eliasson (Barrie – OHL)
Tomas Hamara (Belleville – AHL)
Scott Harrington (Belleville – AHL)
Christian Kyrou (Texas – AHL, Lehigh Valley – AHL)
Harris Pangretitsch (Sault Ste. Marie – OHL)
Hoyt Stanley (Cornell – ECAC, Belleville – AHL)
Djibril Toure (Allen – ECHL, Belleville – AHL)

Forwards (32)

Michael Amadio (Ottawa - NHL)
Drake Batherson (Ottawa - NHL)
Andre Burakovsky (Chicago – NHL)
Nick Cousins (Ottawa – NHL)
Dylan Cozens (Ottawa – NHL)
William Eklund (San Jose – NHL)
Warren Foegele (Los Angeles – NHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Claude Giroux (Ottawa – NHL)
Ridly Greig (Ottawa – NHL)
Stephen Halliday (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL) 
Kurtis MacDermid (Ottawa – NHL)
Shane Pinto (Ottawa – NHL)
Tim Stützle (Ottawa – NHL) 
Fabian Zetterlund (Ottawa – NHL)

Eskild Bakke Olsen (Linkoping – SHL)
Samuel Blais (Laval – AHL, Montreal – NHL, Toronto – NHL)
Tyler Boucher (Belleville – AHL)
Xavier Bourgault (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Louis-Felix Bourque (Drummondville – QMJHL)
Jaxon Cover (London – OHL)
Philippe Daoust (Belleville – AHL)
Lucas Ellinas (Kitchener – OHL)
Kasper Halttunen (San Jose – AHL)
Hayden Hodgson (Belleville – AHL, Ottawa – NHL)
Landen Hookey (Allen – ECHL, Belleville – AHL)
Blake Montgomery (Wisconsin – Big-10, Belleville – AHL)
Luke Mistelbacher (Brandon – WHL, Belleville – AHL)
Adam Nemec (HK Nitra – Slovakia, Sudbury – OHL)
Oskar Pettersson (Belleville – AHL)
Ryan Suzuki (Chicago – AHL)
Philip Tomasino (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton – AHL, Lehigh Valley – AHL, Pittsburgh – NHL) Blake Vanek (Wenatchee – WHL, Calgary – WHL)

By Steve Warne
The Hockey News

This article was first published in The Hockey News. For more Sens coverage at The Hockey News, click on one of the latest THN Ottawa headlines below:

‘I Didn’t Want To Be Anywhere Else’: Batherson Explains Eight-Year Commitment To Senators‘I Didn’t Want To Be Anywhere Else’: Batherson Explains Eight-Year Commitment To SenatorsAfter briefly considering the open market next summer, Drake Batherson kept returning to the same thought: Ottawa feels like home.

Thomas Chabot Turns The Page: ‘We Take Pride In What We Have Here’
Alex Formenton Gets Second Chance, Reunited With D.J. Smith In Edmonton
Senators GM: 'We Have A Number Of Players Who Can Be Our Next Captain'
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Wednesday Morning Links

Morning, all!

Jacob deGrom started yesterday’s game instead of Cody Bradford, who was the expected starter after deGrom had an injury scare last week.

The Rangers’ capitalized on the strong deGrom start and some early offense to snag a crucial win in their series opener against the Red Sox.

The deGrom outing was somewhat abbreviated, though he managed to strike out eight batters in five innings of work.

You know it hasn’t been a pretty season when Skip Schumaker says “we are in the playoff hunt, it doesn’t matter what the record is.”

Joc Pederson has a fracture in his hand but is going to try to play through the pain over the final two weeks.

Jake Burger has been named the Rangers’ nominee for the Roberto Clemente award on the strength of their work on behalf of children with Down’s syndrome.

The Rangers have announced a slate of eight players that will be joining the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.

The Rangers Sports Network had technical issues during the broadcast last night.

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Fresh Kicks: What are the Bucks’ favourite basketball shoes?

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: The sneakers worn by Ryan Rollins #13 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the game against the New York Knicks during the 2025-26 Emirates Cup on November 28, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

With the season fast approaching, I decided to switch up from the usual and veer into a different lane: footwear. I wanted to investigate what shoes the Bucks wore last season, which will, by and large, inform what they wear this season. Players are creatures of habit and generally like to stick to the same makes and models once they find something they like. And while I’m certainly no expert, I do happen to know a bit about basketball shoes, so this was an enjoyable article to write. Let’s get into it.

Tyler Herro, Kel’el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Bogoljub Markovic: The Sabrina squad

These guys all love the Nike Sabrina model, which, of course, is WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu’s signature shoe. Of the four players, Tyler Herro is the only one contractually obligated to wear Nike, while the other three choose to rock the brand. Below, you can see both Herro and Kel’el Ware showing off their Sabrina 3s.

Myles Turner, Ryan Rollins, Brayden Burries, and Jericho Sims: The Kobe crew

The only group that can rival the “Sabrina squad” in numbers is the “Kobe crew.” Myles Turner, Brayden Burries, Ryan Rollins, and Jericho Sims have all rocked a heap of Kobes. The Kobe 6 was Turner’s shoe of choice throughout last season, and as you can see, he owns some dope colourways. Rollins, for his part, wore a fair few Kobe 4s.

Caris LeVert: Anta Kai 3

At the start of last year, Caris LeVert signed an endorsement deal with Chinese brand Anta. Since that point, LeVert has been lacing ‘em up in Kyrie Irving’s signature “Kai” line.

Kevin Porter Jr: Li-Ning Sonic 13

After signing an endorsement deal with Puma when he was drafted—and wearing the brand until about a year ago—KPJ has often been seen rocking the Chinese brand Li-Ning. Here he is seen in their Sonic 13 model.

Ousmane Dieng: Adidas Harden Vol. 9

Dieng inked a deal with Adidas when he was drafted 11th overall in 2022. Since then, he’s mostly been rolling with with James Harden’s line. Here he is in the Harden Vol. 9.

Nate Ament: Reebok Engine A

For those who didn’t know, Nate Ament has been with Reebok since late 2024, when he signed a deal while still in high school. Yes, high school. As the once-heralded brand tries to break back into an increasingly saturated market, it targeted top players at all levels, with the Bulls’ Matas Buzelis, Kings’ Darius Acuff Jr., and Sky’s Angel Reese also joining as ambassadors. And for those wondering, no, the legs on the right aren’tAment’s. I had some copyright issues attaching the photo I wanted to use. Argh.

Gary Trent Jr: Adidas Adizero

Trent has been with Adidas since late 2020, rocking a variety of their kicks over the journey, including the aforementioned Harden line. Last season, GT mainly stuck to their Adizero range, as shown below in a purple colourway.

Jaime Jaquez Jr: Jordan 40-14 Ferrari

Jaime Jaquez Jr. is the only Buck signed with Jordan Brand. Jaquez has worn many of Jordan’s basketball shoes, but he chose to flex the 40-14 Ferraris for the Play-In game last season against the Hornets.

Kyle Kuzma: Nike Zoom Freak

Kuzma is currently a sneaker free agent after his five-year deal with Puma expired in late 2024. With the Bucks, Kuz has mostly worn Nike. He rocked a good number of Kobes last season, but his most common shoe was probably the Freak line of now-former teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo.

AJ Green: Nike LeBron NXXT Gen

Green doesn’t have an official shoe deal, but he’s laced up a slew of Nike kicks throughout his NBA career. These have ranged from the GT Cut to LeBron’s signature line, as shown below.

Of all these kicks, which struck your fancy? Let us know in the comments.

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Phillies on the Pharm: 9/16/2026

READING, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Gage Wood #15 of the Reading Fightin Phils warms up prior to the game between the Erie SeaWolves and the Reading Fightin Phils at FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 in Reading, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cade Burdette/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)

Goat has become a confusing sports term. Originally, it meant the person saddled with the blame for a defeat. It still means that, but capitalize it, and you get something much, much more positive. Today, the entire Hartford Yard Goats team were the goats. In the negative sense.

Syracuse 9, Lehigh Valley 1

The IronPigs offense was kept quiet tonight, as they put up just a single run on four hits. They had twice as many strikeouts as hits. Meanwhile, the Mets put together a steady drumbeat of runs. Brian Keller took the start, surrendering four runs on four hits, and walking five. Nestor Cortes pitched 1.2 innings, allowing a two-run homer. Andrew Hoffmann had four hits and three runs allowed in just two-thirds of an inning.

Reading 21, Hartford 4

No, that’s not a typo. In the first game of the Eastern League Divisional Series, the Fightin Phils put together one to remember. The Yard Goats got off to a fast start by scoring three in the second… and then saw the home club put up four times as many in their half. Not content with a dozen, the Phils scored four in the third. That wasn’t enough for them either, as they added on five more in the seventh. Shockingly, only one of those 21 runs came on a homer. Every member of the starting lineup joined the hit parade, and all but one had at least one walk and one RBI. Raylin Heredia and Pedro León led the way with three hits each; the homer belonged to Aroon Escobar. Bryan Rincon and five RBI, and León, Aroon Escobar, and Austin Murr had three each. Aidan Miller was one for five with a RBI, a walk, and three strikeouts.

Gage Wood had the start, with a four inning, two hit, three run, and four strikeout line. Evan Gates earned the win with a 1.1 inning, 1 hit relief performance.

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Elephant Rumblings: Additional Barriers to A’s Return to Contention

Aug 26, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Tommy White (47) tosses the ball to first base for an out against the Minnesota Twins during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Yesterday, the Athletics opened their final road-trip of the season with a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite the tough defeat, right-hander Jack Perkins’ quality start gave the team a positive take away.

With 11 games remaining, time is running out for the A’s to evaluate certain players before the offseason begins. For instance, center fielder Denzel Clarke, who is elite in the field, could pose a challenge to Henry Bolte in center field if he can get his bat to match his glove. Yet, the A’s will never know whether he has made improvements if manager Mark Kotsay continues to leave him on the bench.

In contrast, fellow outfielder Carlos Cortes has received plenty of at-bats, even with Clarke back. Cortes has not provided enough offense to offset his lack of speed and defensive ability. Rookie infielder Tommy White has similarly struggled to hit enough to make up for his defensive limitations. White has not lived up to his “Tommy Tanks” nickname, recording only two home runs and five doubles in his first 162 major league at-bats.

The Athletics are once again ranked near the bottom of the league in advanced metrics measuring defensive efficiency and runs saved. As a result, the new general manager must work with Kotsay to align the A’s defense in a way that helps, rather than hurts, the pitching staff moving forward.

If the A’s want an example, they should look to fellow small-market teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, two organizations that have used strong pitching and defense to compete with bigger spenders in their respective divisions.

Speaking of those two teams, the fact that they were the first two to clinch playoff spots this season shows that parity exists without a salary cap. The Athletics were in a similar position a few years ago, but now have plenty of work ahead to escape this losing rut and return to playoff contention. The looming offseason lockout could further complicate matters, potentially creating a unique crunch for player movement and free agency.

How should the A’s approach this upcoming offseason? What do you think of MLB’s latest salary-cap and salary-floor proposal?

A’s Coverage:

MLB News and Interest:

Best of X:

The A’s AFL Contingent!

Not surprising at all.

What do you think of MLB’s latest economic proposal?

The Athletics search for their next general manger continues to expand.

This is an encouraging sign.

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Mariners News: Jesús Luzardo, Shane Baz, and Carlos Correa

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 25: Carlos Correa #1 of the Houston Astros looks on against the New York Yankees during the eighth inning at Daikin Park on April 25, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hello folks!

The Mariners season continues unceasingly as the squad cemented a losing record in 2026 following a 2-1 loss to the Angels. If you’re still watching the conclusion of this season unfold, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Unfortunately, I cannot provide that to you. But, I can provide you with some news from around the league. I hope that will suffice.

In Mariners news…

Around the league…

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The Wizards are the NBA’s biggest mystery box, but for once, they have real hope

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 12: AJ Dybantsa #4 of the Washington Wizards looks on in the second quarter of a game against the Sacramento Kings at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The last time the Washington Wizards carried a playoff pulse, they were led, in part, by Russell Westbrook, who suited up for four other teams and pulled down the curtain on his NBA career in the half a decade since calling the nation’s capital home. 

Over those five post-Westbrook years, Washington’s won 35, 35, 15, 18 and 17 games. That’s 120 total victories, 12 fewer than the Oklahoma City Thunder racked up the past two seasons alone. 

Two campaigns of rudderless basketball succeeded by a trio of purposeful rebuilding seasons has led the Wizards into 2026-27, a year crucial in determining their long-term outlook. For their meager win totals across 2024-26, they’ve netted a cast of eyebrow-raising youngsters, including a pair of top-two picks in Alex Sarr (second in 2024) and AJ Dybantsa (first in 2026). 

Flanking them are a few other under-23 young players still worth giving a damn about: Kyshawn George (22), Bilal Coulibaly (22), Tre Johnson (20) and Will Riley (20). Last winter, aware of free agency as a dying ember for most teams to land talent, the Wizards utilized their bountiful cap space by trading for Trae Young and Anthony Davis, two former All-NBAers experiencing downswings in their respective careers with, in Washington’s eyes, hopefully the requisite juice left to rediscover stardom and accelerate its aspirations for winning. 

Much like the Utah Jazz out West, the Wizards do not have to summit the mountain of their rebuild in 2026-27. But they cannot remain at base camp and promise tomorrow, once they’re a little more energized and inherited another vibrant prospect,is the day they start climbing. This imminent season will answer plenty of questions to clarify whether the past three years can ignite a prosperous future or if their high-stakes moves will soon force another reset.

Sarr and George authored encouraging sophomore seasons. Can they build upon that promise, fill in a few more colors of their respective rainbows and become highly impactful players moving forward? This is precisely the time to punt away training wheels and less often apply the “young” caveat to analysis of their quality as players. The Wizards are hoping they’re ready for that responsibility. 

What does Dybantsa’s NBA debut look like? Will he indicate the towering offensive upside that prompted Washington to take him first overall in June? How does he mesh alongside the fellow bedrocks in Young, Davis, Sarr and George?

Through three seasons, Coulibaly’s hinted at being the sort of sprawling, defensive-minded wing every playoff contender desires yet struggled with health, consistency and offensive viability. Can an elevated offensive environment, headlined by Young’s wondrous facilitating, and greater surrounding talent allow him to connect the dots as he approaches restricted free agency next summer?

How does Johnson improve as an interior operator to amplify his sparkling long-range game and snappy passing? Can Riley parlay his post-All-Star Break surge and impressive Summer League stint to garner a rotation spot amid Washington’s crowded forward room?

Despite an injury riddled, underwhelming 2025-26, Young received a four-year, $212 million extension (player option final year) this offseason. Will his generational court vision amplify play-finishers such as Davis, Sarr, George, Johnson and Coulibaly? I’m optimistic it will; there’s a good mix of rim-rattlers and long-range explorers for Young to feed and establish a cohesive shot diet. 

Washington’s finished 23rd (2025-26) and 28th (2024-25) in effective field goal percentage the last two years, beset by wide-eyed and/or underqualified initiators orchestrating possessions. It simply needs to put the ball in the hoop more routinely. 

Young should help achieve that. 

Here’s how he impacted the Atlanta Hawks’ effective field goal percentage when he was on the floor over his first seven seasons (last year’s 15-game sample not included), per Cleaning the Glass:

Both he and Dybantsa are optimized on the ball. Can Young score effectively enough to warrant the majority of on-ball touches? He’s averaged 31.6 points per 100 possessions the past two seasons following a four-year run of 37.3. If he continues being a less lethal scorer — which absolutely alters his offensive footprint and the way defenses approach him — will this finally be the season he embraces some off-ball work in favor of creation reps for Dybantsa and Johnson? If the scoring perks back up, how does Washington manage his talents while still prioritizing Dybantsa’s game?

Now 33, Davis is extension eligible and has two years, $121 million remaining on his deal (player option for 2027-28). Following last season’s trade, he did not appear in a game for Washington and has played only 71 times the past two years, in addition to his already-mercurial availability. 

He shares a position with Sarr. Both take threes, neither makes them. They are best served as rollers and cutters focused on the interior. Sarr’s spike in efficiency between years one and two (48.2 percent vs. 54.4 percent true shooting) was rooted in swapping triples (38 percent 3-point rate down to 21 percent) for shots inside (28 percent rim frequency up to 39 percent). How do those two coexist offensively and what approach does Washington take to allocating their minutes? Does it want to foster Sarr as a 4-man or keep letting him grow at center?

If Davis re-establishes himself as a premier defender, that front-court tandem is quite rangy and imposing, especially with the progress Sarr exhibited in 2025-26. Davis can also alleviate some of Sarr’s glaring defensive rebounding woes, which have stunted his impact on that side of the ball. 

Can Davis stay healthy (a rarity since departing Los Angeles), return to his All-Star heights, synergize with Washington’s youthful core and prove worth keeping around for a few more seasons? That’s the reality the Wizards seek and from which they stand to benefit most.

So little about Washington feels bankable. Its prospects are unproven. Its veteran stars are, at least lately, unreliable. But the foundation to compete exists. In seven months, the Wizards will understand vastly more about the hierarchy of their young core and where it could propel them, and the early-ish dividends on their aggressive 2026 trade deadline. 

While that information is not guaranteed as satisfactory, it will outline a necessary route ahead. They’ll hope the route is one featuring many of the same players helping shape whatever 2026-27 looks like. If it does, their playoff signature should soon no longer be most recently penned by Russell Westbrook, a cornerstone from a different, distant era of Wizards basketball. 

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Why the Avalanche's Regular Season Record May Not Matter Nearly as Much This Year

The Colorado Avalanche probably aren't going to look quite as unstoppable as they did a year ago.

And that's okay.

After a 121-point regular season, a Presidents' Trophy and a stretch in which Colorado looked almost untouchable, the Avalanche have set an extraordinarily high bar for themselves. Anything short of that kind of dominance is going to invite questions, second-guessing and, inevitably, a little bit of panic.

But there is a danger in judging this team solely by what happens between October and April. The Avalanche don't need to be the best team in the NHL for 82 games. They need to be the best team in the NHL when the games matter most, and that distinction is important heading into the 2026-27 season.

Colorado's regular season last year was remarkable, particularly the first half. The Avalanche became the first team in NHL history to suffer only two regulation losses through their first 40 games, establishing themselves as one of the most dominant teams the league had ever seen over that stretch.

Eventually, however, the season became more complicated. The losses started to pile up more regularly, Colorado limped into the Olympic break, returned a little sluggish and then went through another stretch of uneven hockey before the postseason arrived.

The Avalanche still handled business when the playoffs began, sweeping Los Angeles before eliminating Minnesota in five games. Then came Vegas, and suddenly all of that regular-season dominance felt like a distant memory.

That's why expecting another 121-point season from Colorado may be missing the bigger picture. The Avalanche don't necessarily need to replicate last year's regular-season performance to have a successful season. If anything, there is an argument that the team would be better served by entering the postseason healthy, structurally sound and equipped to handle the teams that have given it problems in recent years.

A 4-2 win and an 8-1 win both count for two points. Nobody remembers how loudly the goal horn sounded in November when the Stanley Cup is being handed out in June.

There were warning signs in Colorado last season, even during stretches when the team looked nearly invincible. Puck management was one of them, while defensive breakdowns were another. Turnovers in dangerous areas repeatedly put pressure on the goaltenders, and Scott Wedgewood came up with more than his share of big saves to keep Colorado afloat. Mackenzie Blackwood did the same after arriving in the second half of the season.

That was a significant reason the Avalanche finished with the William M. Jennings Trophy.

The power play was another concern. Colorado's man advantage struggled badly before the Olympic break before finding its footing afterward, only to become an issue again once the playoffs began.

Those aren't exactly the flaws of an indestructible hockey team, and another problem became impossible to ignore once Colorado reached the postseason: its struggles against teams capable of clogging up the ice, disrupting passing lanes and making life miserable in front of the net.

Dallas has done it. Vegas has done it. Those teams have helped eliminate Colorado from the postseason five times during the post-COVID era.

If the Avalanche are going to finally get through that type of opponent, they need more than speed and skill. They need some bite.

That's where Zach L'Heureux could become particularly important.

Joe Sakic addressed that need by acquiring the forward from Nashville in the deal that sent Jack Drury to the Predators and brought Fedor Svechkov to Colorado. L'Heureux brings an element the Avalanche have been missing for years: someone who can make opponents uncomfortable without sacrificing his ability to contribute offensively.

He's physical, competitive and difficult to play against, but he can also score. That combination could matter considerably more in April and May than it does in November.

Colorado's depth also creates an interesting variable. On paper, the Avalanche may not appear quite as deep as they were last season, but there are plenty of ways that could change over the course of an 82-game schedule.

If Parker Kelly builds on his first season in Colorado, that helps. If Logan O'Connor returns to form, that helps. If Nathan MacKinnon and Martin Necas stay healthy and produce at the level they're capable of, that changes the equation entirely. And if the goaltending remains as reliable as it was last season, Colorado has a foundation it can build around.

Then there are the wild cards. Fabian Lysell and Fedor Svechkov represent two relatively inexpensive options with legitimate upside. If either player earns a larger role and provides more than expected, the Avalanche suddenly have another layer of depth that wasn't necessarily accounted for when the season began.

That's how an NHL roster changes. It's rarely about whether every player performs exactly as expected; it's about finding a few players who give you more than anticipated.

So if Colorado doesn't win by five or six goals every other night, don't panic. If the Avalanche don't win the Presidents' Trophy, that doesn't automatically mean something has gone wrong, and if they don't finish with another franchise-best point total, it shouldn't overshadow what they're actually trying to accomplish.

Because the regular season is only the beginning.

The real test comes when the ice gets tighter, the hits get harder and opponents have seven games to figure out how to take away everything that makes Colorado dangerous. That's where the Avalanche have to be better.

They need to protect the puck, defend more consistently, make their special teams hold up, get dependable goaltending and have enough physicality to keep teams like Dallas and Vegas from dictating the terms of a playoff series.

Most importantly, they need to arrive at the postseason healthy.

If they can do that while maintaining the speed, skill and offensive firepower that made them so dangerous last season, Colorado's Stanley Cup window remains wide open. But it isn't an endless window.

Cale Makar's new eight-year contract carries a $20.4 million annual cap hit beginning after this season. Nathan MacKinnon isn't getting any younger, and the core that has carried this franchise for years is entering another season with the same objective.

The Avalanche don't need to prove they're the best team in hockey in October. They need to prove it come playoff time.

The time to do that is now.

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Is it time for the Red Sox to give Romy Gonzalez another shot?

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 27: Romy Gonzalez #23 of the Boston Red Sox prepares in the dugout before the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on July 27, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Good morning! Last night, Chad Tracy gave at-bats to two pinch-hitters in the 8th inning: lefty killer Jahmai Jones and utility infielder Andruw Monasterio. Jones did his job in the 8th, singling to start the inning in place of Mickey Gasper, but would subsequently strike out to end the game in the 9th. Jones was a platoon revelation when he first arrived in Boston, but he’s cooled off since then (a .200 batting average over his last 12 games), and his positional inflexibility makes him a difficult roster fit. Monasterio did not do his job last night. He struck out with the bases loaded, putting an end to the biggest threat the Sox had all night.

In light of last night’s events it’s time to ask: Is it time for Romy Gonzalez to get another crack? Romy theoretically combines the best of both Jones and Monasterio — he’s a lefty-killer and a utility infielder. He struggled mightily in his (rushed) return to the Sox earlier this year and has recently been battling a nagging injury lately, but his AAA line reads .344/.400/.505 with 3 homers and 6 doubles. He could inject some pop just as the Sox look like they could use a little extra juice.

Use this space to talk about bench bats and whatever else you want, and, as always, be good to one another.

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Yankees Birthday of the Day: Tim Raines

NEW YROK, NY - AUGUST 1: Tim Raines #31 of the New York Yankees bats during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners August 1, 1996 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Hall-of-Fame outfielder Tim Raines was one of the faces of Canadian baseball in the 1980s—an adroit hitter and fast-twitch baserunner whose 808 career steals ranks fifth all time. By the mid-90s, he had won a batting title, accumulated 2,295 hits, reached 50 steals in eight seasons, and been named an All-Star seven times in his prime with Montreal, before a strong yet less spectacular five-year stint in the South Side. But a taste of World Series glory had always eluded Raines until he came to the Bronx in 1996.

With his prime years behind him, Raines donned the pinstripes and brought his wealth of experience to a club on the rise; while the Yankees, for minimal cost, brought an additional marquee name into the fold alongside elder statesman Wade Boggs. Despite injuries which limited his playing time in New York, Raines won two World Series rings with the Yankees in 1996 and 1998.

Born: September 16, 1959 (Sanford, FL)
Yankees Tenure: 1996-98

Raines was, commensurate to his preternatural athleticism and agility, a three-sport athlete who played baseball and football in addition to running track for Seminole High School in Florida. He was selected by the Montreal Expos in the fifth round of the 1977 Draft, behind pitchers Bill Gullickson and Scott Sanderson. Raines, though, was the prize. The young switch-hitter broke out as a rookie in 1981, securing his first of seven straight All-Star selections in the National League and establishing himself as one of the most feared (and consistently successful) base stealers in the league.

In that strike-shortened season, the Expos defeated the Phillies in the expanded playoffs before falling in a five-game NLCS to the Dodgers. Raines, who went 5-for-21 in the series with no steals, would never make the playoffs with Montreal again. He would be 33 the next time he suited up in October—with the White Sox, who fell to the defending champion Blue Jays in the ALCS. His performance in that series was far more Raines-esque: 12 hits in 29 at-bats.

Raines took a step back offensively in his final two years with Chicago as he reached the end of his prime. Now in his mid-30s, his teammates and coaches wanted him stealing fewer bases, though Raines maintained he was still as quick as ever. The White Sox, unconvinced, dealt him away a few days after Christmas 1995. Minor league pitcher Blaise Kozeniewski was the lone player the Yankees parted with for Rock.

With a fresh start in a new organization, Raines relished the opportunity to play with an organization which had gone out of its way to bring him in for a championship quest. Yankees GM Bob Watson gave him a contract extension right after trading for him. He arrived right on time to bolster a roster poised to begin a dynastic run.

While Raines fractured his thumb and missed time from May to August in 1996, he proved a useful contributor for the Bombers when healthy, with a characteristically high .383 on-base percentage and 20 doubles bolstering his slugging percentage to .468. In a postseason timeshare at left field with slugger Darryl Strawberry, he contributed 11 hits in 13 appearances.

While he never plated a run himself, he scored seven times as the Yankees ran the table in the American League playoff. He started Games 2, 3, and 4 of the World Series, scoring the go-ahead run of Game 4 on Steve Avery’s bases-loaded walk of Wade Boggs in the 10th inning. Raines had himself walked to catalyze the two-run rally which wiped away the 2-0 series deficit into which the Yankees had fallen. Raines, who memorably made the final catch of that game while slipping and falling on the warning track, did not take the field again in the Fall Classic, but New York finished the reversal in six games, giving the veteran his long-awaited World Series ring in his 16th full season.

Raines returned for 1997, continuing to produce when he saw the field. His 74 games played constituted only a modest uptick from the year before, but he remained highly productive with a .321/.403/.454 slash line. However, despite hitting a three-run home run in Game 1 of the ALCS against Cleveland, the Yankees were denied their title defense, losing in six.

Raines re-upped with the Yankees ahead of 1998, a year in which he served as the top reserve player for one of the greatest teams in baseball history. Despite being more of a backup, Raines appeared in more games than he did in the previous two seasons, eclipsing the 100-game threshold for the only time in pinstripes. The reliable veteran continued to be an absolute pain for pitchers to get out, as his on-base percentage once again hovered close to .400 for the whole season. On June 10th, he picked up his 800th career stolen base in where else but Montreal’s Stade Olympique, where his star was born in the 1980s. He became just the fifth player in MLB history to reach that milestone.

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Now 38, Raines was increasingly stashed at DH, then struggled in the 1998 playoffs and largely rode the bench, with Chili Davis getting the majority of the plate appearances there. Still, when he wasn’t on the field, he had a front-row seat to the finest incarnation of this Yankee dynasty—including all four games of their decisive World Series sweep in San Diego.

With two World Series rings in hand, Rock could easily have walked off into the sunset as a man with nothing more to prove—but like many a baseball lifer, he couldn’t give the sport up. Not even after he was diagnosed with lupus in the middle of the 1999 season did he hang up his spikes. The treatment he had to undergo for the autoimmune disease cut short his one-year cameo with the Oakland A’s—and while he attempted to rejoin the Yankees in 2000, he didn’t make the roster.

Still, he continued playing. In 2001, Raines, already inducted into the Expos’ Hall of Fame, returned to the club and played 47 games in his old colors before taking the field with his son, Tim Jr., with the Orioles at the tail-end of the season. Even after that, he snuck in one last season with the Marlins before finally retiring at age 43.

Raines’ late retirement meant a rather delayed start to his Hall of Fame eligibility, which began in 2007. Initially, he received little serious interest from voters, but as the 2010s wore on and he neared the end of his decade on the ballot, the sabermetric community—as well as his contemporaries—rallied for his induction, as they would later do for Edgar Martinez and Larry Walker in those players’ final year of eligibility. At last, in 2017, Raines got his plaque in Cooperstown.

While the man they called “Rock” finished his career as the most efficient base stealer of all time among those who even approached his body of work, Tim Raines was not that dynamic force at the top of the lineup once he came to the Bronx. But his other skills—his outstanding contact ability, discerning plate discipline, and the ability to plug gaps and pick up doubles—hadn’t gone anywhere. Those skills allowed him to assist the Yankees as they made the leap from franchise in limbo into an era-defining dynasty.

See more of the “Yankees Birthday of the Day” series here.